龙卷风
lóngjuǎnfēng
The Chinese word for tornado is 龙卷风 (lóngjuǎnfēng).
龙卷风 refers to a violent windstorm.
Meaning: violent windstorm (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The term is composed of 龙 (dragon), 卷 (roll or curl) and 风 (wind).
How does it change in a sentence?
When counting or referring to a specific tornado, the most common measure word used is 场.
How do you pronounce it?
lóngjuǎnfēng
Did you know?
- The character 卷 is also used in the word for 'scroll' or 'volume' of a book, describing the twisting motion of the wind as a rolling piece of paper.
- Because the 'dragon' is a symbol of power and auspiciousness in China, using 龙 to describe a destructive tornado is a rare instance of the creature being associated with chaos.
- The measure word 场 used for 龙卷风 is the same one used for movies or shows, suggesting that a tornado is viewed as a dramatic, occurring event rather than just a static object.
Examples in context
- 一场龙卷风来了。A tornado is coming.
- 那场龙卷风非常可怕。Nà chǎng lóngjuǎnfēng fēicháng kěpà.That tornado was very scary.
- 远处有一个龙卷风。Yuǎn chù yǒu yīgè lóngjuǎnfēng.There is a tornado in the distance.
- 龙卷风破坏了很多房子。Lóngjuǎnfēng pòhuài le hěnduō fángzi.The tornado destroyed many houses.
Example conversation
Two friends are watching a weather report on TV.
- 雨婷 Yuting志强，快看新闻，有个龙卷风。Zhìqiáng, kuài kàn xīnwén, yǒu gè lóngjuǎnfēng.Zhiqiang, look at the news quickly, there is a tornado.
- 志强 Zhiqiang天呐，它正向城市移动。Tiān na, tā zhèng xiàng chéngshì yídòng.Oh my god, it is moving toward the city.
- 雨婷 Yuting那里的人们现在一定很害怕。Nàlǐ de rénmen xiànzài yīdìng hěn hàipà.The people there must be very scared right now.
- 志强 Zhiqiang希望没有人受伤。Xīwàng méiyǒu rén shòushāng.I hope nobody is injured.
