📖 Meaning
This idiom describes rain so heavy and intense that it is as if water were being poured directly from a basin. It conveys the image of a torrential downpour with great force and volume. It can also be used metaphorically to describe something coming down in overwhelming abundance.
📜 Origin Story
The phrase originates from a poem by the Tang dynasty poet Du Fu titled 'Baidi City' (《白帝》), in which he writes 'Clouds emerge from the gates of Baidi City, and rain overturns basins beneath the city walls.' The vivid imagery of rain falling as though basins were being overturned gave rise to the idiom. It was later echoed by Song dynasty poets such as Su Shi in his poem 'Rain Intent' (《雨意》), helping to popularize the expression in classical Chinese literature.
💡 Example Usage
昨天下午突然下起倾盆大雨，街上行人纷纷躲进店里避雨。
Yesterday afternoon a torrential downpour suddenly began, and pedestrians on the street hurried into shops to take shelter.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 倾盆大雨
- Pinyin: qīng pén dà yǔ
- Literal Translation: pour, basin, big, rain
- Category: Condition
- Characters: 4