Meaning
乌云 refers to dark or black clouds in the sky, typically those that bring rain or storms. The word combines 乌 (black/dark) with 云 (cloud). It's commonly used in weather descriptions and also metaphorically to represent impending trouble or a gloomy situation.
Usage
Native speakers use 乌云 both literally for weather descriptions and figuratively to suggest approaching difficulties or a pessimistic outlook. It frequently appears in the collocation 乌云密布 (dark clouds gather densely) to describe overcast skies or troubling circumstances. The word has a somewhat literary or formal tone compared to everyday expressions like 阴天.
Examples
- 01天空中突然出现了乌云，看来要下雨了。, .Dark clouds suddenly appeared in the sky; it looks like it's going to rain.
- 02他心中的乌云终于散去，又恢复了笑容。, .The dark clouds in his heart finally dispersed, and his smile returned.
Characters
Measure words
- 片一片乌云
- 朵一朵乌云
- 团一团乌云
Common collocations
- 乌云密布dark clouds gather thickly, overcast
- 乌云滚滚dark clouds rolling
- 乌云散去dark clouds disperse
- 一片乌云a patch of dark clouds
Antonyms
Origin
乌 originally depicted a crow (a black bird), and by extension came to mean 'black' or 'dark.' Combined with 云 (cloud), it creates a straightforward descriptive compound for dark storm clouds.