台风
taifeng
The English word "typhoon" is translated into Chinese as 台风 (taifeng).
台风 refers specifically to a typhoon in the Pacific Ocean. You can also use the term 台风天 to refer to a typhoon day or the period of typhoon weather by adding 天 (tiān), which means day or weather.
Meaning: hurricane in the Pacific (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word 台风 is composed of 台 (tái), meaning platform or stage and 风 (fēng), meaning wind.
Which one should you use?
While 台风 is used for typhoons in the Pacific, the term 飓风 is used for hurricanes in the Atlantic.
How do you pronounce it?
taifeng
Did you know?
- The phrase 台风天 often triggers a specific social ritual in China where schools and offices issue 'typhoon holidays' to keep people indoors for safety.
- While English speakers might say 'the wind is blowing', Chinese speakers often describe the wind of a 台风 using the verb 刮 (guā), which literally means 'to scrape'.
- The word 台 in 台风 can also refer to a 'platform' or 'terrace', and in ancient times, this root was associated with observing the stars and weather from high altars.
Examples in context
- 又开始刮台风了。A typhoon has also started to rise.This sentence is useful for describing the start of typhoon conditions with 台风.Tatoeba #1746072 by sadhen, translation #7829868 by sharris123
- 台风袭击了关东地区。The typhoon struck the Kanto district.This sentence is useful for describing a typhoon striking a specific area with 台风.Tatoeba #1776532 by sadhen, translation #275422 by CM
- 台风天记得把窗台上的盆景拿下来。Don't forget to take your bonsai off the windowsill for typhoon season.This sentence is useful for providing advice during typhoon weather using 台风.Tatoeba #10269025 by GlossaMatik, translation #13731451 by humorous9830
- 台风来袭Typhoon is approaching.
- 受台风影响Affected by the typhoon.
- 我们需要小心这场风暴。We need to be cautious of this typhoon/storm.
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two colleagues talk about the weather during a break at work.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen听说那个台风很快就要来了。tīng shuō nà ge táifēng hěn kuài jiù yào lái le.I heard that typhoon is coming very soon.
- 俊杰 Junjie是啊，明天的天气会很糟。shì a, míng tiān de tiān qì huì hěn zāo.Yeah, the weather will be terrible tomorrow.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen台风来了，你回家的时候要小心。táifēng lái le, nǐ huí jiā de shí hou yào xiǎo xīn.Since the typhoon is coming, be careful when you go home.
- 俊杰 Junjie谢谢，我会注意安全的。xiè xie, wǒ huì zhù yì ān quán de.Thanks, I will stay safe.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
