Meaning
风靡 describes something that becomes extremely popular and spreads rapidly throughout an area or among people, like a fashion trend or cultural phenomenon that captivates everyone. The word literally combines 'wind' (风) and 'overwhelm/fall down' (靡), creating an image of grass bending in all directions under strong wind, symbolizing how trends sweep through society.
Usage
This word typically appears in written or formal contexts to describe cultural trends, products, or ideas that have achieved widespread popularity. It's commonly used with specific locations or groups, as in '风靡全国' (sweep the nation) or '风靡一时' (be popular for a time). It carries a neutral to positive connotation and is more literary than everyday conversational speech.
Examples
- 01这部电视剧一经播出就风靡全国。.This TV series took the nation by storm as soon as it aired.
- 02智能手机在过去十年里风靡世界。.Smartphones have swept the world over the past decade.
Characters
Common collocations
- 风靡全国to sweep the nation
- 风靡全球to take the world by storm
- 风靡一时to be popular for a time
- 风靡世界to sweep the world
Antonyms
Origin
The term comes from classical Chinese, where 靡 meant 'to fall over' or 'to lie flat,' like grass blown down by wind. Together, 风靡 evokes the image of wind sweeping across a field, flattening everything in its path, metaphorically representing how trends or ideas overwhelm and captivate people everywhere they spread.