Definition

1. Noun:
   • Wind and clouds: The literal meaning refers to the natural meteorological phenomena of wind and clouds.
   • A critical juncture; a time of great change or opportunity: The figurative meaning, derived from classical literature, signifies a pivotal moment or a favorable situation where one can achieve great things or advance one's position.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Literal):
  • Bức tranh vẽ cảnh phong vân trên đỉnh núi. (The painting depicts wind and clouds on the mountain peak.)
• Noun (Figurative):
  • Thời đại đó là thời kỳ phong vân của nhiều nhà cách mạng. (That era was a time of great opportunity for many revolutionaries.)
  • Anh ấy đang chờ đợi phong vân để thể hiện tài năng. (He is waiting for a favorable opportunity to demonstrate his talent.)

Advanced Usage

• "phong vân gặp hội": This is a classical idiom meaning "to encounter a favorable opportunity" or "to meet one's moment." It describes seizing the right chance at the right time to achieve success.
  • Nhờ phong vân gặp hội, sự nghiệp của ông ấy thăng tiến nhanh chóng. (Thanks to encountering a favorable opportunity, his career advanced rapidly.)

Variants and Related Words

• Gặp thời (v): to be in favor; to live in opportune times. This is a common synonym for the figurative sense of "phong vân."
  • Vị tướng tài gặp thời nên lập được nhiều chiến công. (The talented general lived in opportune times, so he achieved many military feats.)

Synonyms

• Opportunity: a set of circumstances that makes it possible to do something.
• Juncture: a particular point in events or time.
• Turning point: a time at which a decisive change in a situation occurs.

Related Idioms

• "Anh hùng tạo thời thế, thời thế tạo anh hùng": "Heroes create the times, the times create heroes." This proverb relates closely to the concept of "phong vân," describing the interdependent relationship between great individuals and great historical moments.

1. Wind and clouds; piece of luck, favorable opportunity