📖 Meaning
Literally meaning "spreading wind and fanning fire," this idiom is a metaphor for agitating and inciting others to take certain actions. It carries a derogatory tone, typically describing someone who provokes trouble or stirs up conflict among people.
📜 Origin Story
This idiom originates from the modern literary work "春种秋收·故事" (Spring Sowing and Autumn Harvest · Stories) by the writer Kang Zhuo (康濯). In the original passage, someone spreads rumors and stirs up trouble, agitating Yu Cui's father into worrying constantly about his daughter and complaining that she was too picky about marriage. The phrase is equivalent to the more common idiom 扇风点火 (fanning wind and igniting fire), both drawing on the image of blowing air onto a fire to make it burn hotter.
💡 Example Usage
他到处传风扇火，搞得同事们关系紧张。
He went around fanning the flames, making the relationship among colleagues tense.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 传风扇火
- Pinyin: chuán fēng shān huǒ
- Literal Translation: spread wind, fan fire
- Category: Communication
- Characters: 4