Show pageOld revisionsBacklinksBack to top This page is read only. You can view the source, but not change it. Ask your administrator if you think this is wrong. ====== duōyún: 多云 - Partly Cloudy, Cloudy ====== ===== Quick Summary ===== * **Keywords:** duoyun, 多云, Chinese for cloudy, what does duoyun mean, weather in Chinese, partly cloudy Chinese, 多云 pinyin, 多 duo, 云 yun, Chinese weather forecast, learning Chinese weather terms. * **Summary:** Discover the meaning of **多云 (duō yún)**, a fundamental Chinese term for "partly cloudy" or "cloudy" weather. This comprehensive guide breaks down the simple characters 多 (duō) and 云 (yún), explains its constant use in daily Chinese weather forecasts and small talk, and clarifies the crucial difference between **多云** and the similar term 阴天 (yīn tiān). Learn to talk about the weather like a native speaker with practical examples and cultural context. ===== Core Meaning ===== * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** duō yún * **Part of Speech:** Adjective * **HSK Level:** HSK 1 * **Concise Definition:** The weather condition of having many separate clouds in the sky; partly cloudy. * **In a Nutshell:** **多云 (duō yún)** is the standard Chinese word for a day that isn't completely sunny but also isn't fully overcast. It literally means "many clouds," painting a clear picture of a sky with patches of blue and visible, distinct clouds. It's a neutral, descriptive term you'll hear every day in weather reports and casual conversation about the day's conditions. ===== Character Breakdown ===== * **多 (duō):** This character means "many," "much," or "a lot." It's an ideogram composed of two 夕 (xī) components stacked on top of each other. The repetition implies abundance. * **云 (yún):** This character means "cloud." It's a simple pictogram that was originally drawn to resemble a swirling cloud in the sky. When you combine them, **多 (duō)** + **云 (yún)** creates the very logical and literal meaning of "many clouds," which is exactly what a partly cloudy day looks like. ===== Cultural Context and Significance ===== While **多云** is a straightforward weather term, its usage is rooted in the universal importance of weather in daily life and conversation. In Chinese culture, as in many others, commenting on the weather is a common and polite way to start a conversation with anyone, from a stranger to a colleague. A key cultural nuance lies in the perception of a **多云** day. In Western cultures, a "sunny day" is often seen as the ideal. In many parts of China, especially during the hot and humid summer months, a **多云** day is often considered more pleasant and comfortable than a scorching hot **晴天 (qíng tiān)**, or sunny day. The clouds provide a welcome relief from the direct sun, making it a perfect day for outdoor activities. This preference can be loosely connected to the traditional value of moderation and avoiding extremes—a comfortable, cloudy day is more balanced than a day of intense, blazing heat. ===== Practical Usage in Modern China ===== **多云** is an extremely high-frequency word used in several common situations. * **Weather Forecasts:** This is its primary and most formal context. You will see and hear it constantly on TV, in news articles, and on weather apps (天气APP, tiānqì APP). It's a standard meteorological term. * **Daily Small Talk:** It's essential for everyday conversation. When someone asks "今天天气怎么样？" (Jīntiān tiānqì zěnmeyàng? - How's the weather today?), a very common answer is simply "多云" or "今天多云". * **Planning Activities:** People use it to decide on their plans for the day. A **多云** forecast is often seen as ideal for things like hiking, strolling through a park, or shopping, as you won't be exposed to harsh sun or rain. The term is neutral in connotation. It's a factual description of the sky. ===== Example Sentences ===== * **Example 1:** * 天气预报说明天**多云**。 * Pinyin: Tiānqì yùbào shuō míngtiān **duō yún**. * English: The weather forecast says it will be partly cloudy tomorrow. * Analysis: A classic example of how you'd hear **多云** used in a formal context like a weather report (天气预报). * **Example 2:** * A: 今天天气怎么样？ B: **多云**，不冷不热，很舒服。 * Pinyin: A: Jīntiān tiānqì zěnmeyàng? B: **Duō yún**, bù lěng bù rè, hěn shūfu. * English: A: How's the weather today? B: It's cloudy, not cold and not hot, very comfortable. * Analysis: This shows **多云** used in everyday small talk. The second part of the response highlights the positive perception of a comfortable, cloudy day. * **Example 3:** * 昨天是**多云**天气，很适合出去玩。 * Pinyin: Zuótiān shì **duō yún** tiānqì, hěn shìhé chūqù wán. * English: Yesterday was partly cloudy, very suitable for going out to play. * Analysis: Here, **多云** is used with "天气" (tiānqì) to form the noun phrase "cloudy weather." * **Example 4:** * 我希望周末不要下雨，**多云**就可以。 * Pinyin: Wǒ xīwàng zhōumò bùyào xià yǔ, **duō yún** jiù kěyǐ. * English: I hope it doesn't rain this weekend; partly cloudy would be fine. * Analysis: This sentence shows **多云** as an acceptable, even desirable, alternative to rain when making plans. * **Example 5:** * 上海今天上午晴，下午转**多云**。 * Pinyin: Shànghǎi jīntiān shàngwǔ qíng, xiàwǔ zhuǎn **duō yún**. * English: In Shanghai, it's sunny this morning, turning to partly cloudy in the afternoon. * Analysis: The structure "A 转 (zhuǎn) B" means "changing from A to B" and is extremely common in weather forecasts. * **Example 6:** * 虽然天空中**多云**，但紫外线还是很强。 * Pinyin: Suīrán tiānkōng zhōng **duō yún**, dàn zǐwàixiàn háishì hěn qiáng. * English: Although it's cloudy in the sky, the UV rays are still strong. * Analysis: A practical sentence that shows **多云** doesn't mean you can forget about sun protection. * **Example 7:** * 我个人更喜欢**多云**的天气，而不是大晴天。 * Pinyin: Wǒ gèrén gèng xǐhuān **duō yún** de tiānqì, ér bùshì dà qíngtiān. * English: I personally prefer cloudy weather over a very sunny day. * Analysis: This directly expresses a preference, showing how the "comfort" aspect of a **多云** day can be valued. * **Example 8:** * 北京未来三天的天气都是**多云**。 * Pinyin: Běijīng wèilái sān tiān de tiānqì dōu shì **duō yún**. * English: The weather in Beijing for the next three days will be partly cloudy. * Analysis: Demonstrates how to talk about a weather pattern over a period of time. * **Example 9:** * 我们到山顶的时候，天气从晴朗变成了**多云**。 * Pinyin: Wǒmen dào shāndǐng de shíhou, tiānqì cóng qínglǎng biànchéngle **duō yún**. * English: When we reached the mountain top, the weather changed from clear to partly cloudy. * Analysis: The structure "从...变成..." (cóng...biànchéng...) means "to change from...into..." and is useful for describing changes. * **Example 10:** * 天气预报说今天**多云**，可是现在却下雨了。 * Pinyin: Tiānqì yùbào shuō jīntiān **duō yún**, kěshì xiànzài què xià yǔ le. * English: The weather forecast said it would be cloudy today, but it's actually raining now. * Analysis: A realistic sentence showing how a forecast might not always be accurate, a common topic of conversation. ===== Nuances and Common Mistakes ===== The most significant point of confusion for English speakers is the difference between **多云 (duō yún)** and **阴天 (yīn tiān)**. * **多云 (duō yún):** Partly Cloudy / Mostly Cloudy. * Implies you can see //separate, distinct clouds//. * Patches of blue sky are often visible. * The sun might peek in and out. Think of a sky with puffy white clouds. * **阴天 (yīn tiān):** Overcast / Gloomy. * Implies the //entire sky is covered// by a uniform, solid layer of grey clouds. * You cannot see the sun or any blue sky. * It often feels darker and can be a precursor to rain. **Common Mistake:** Using **多云** to describe a dark, grey, completely overcast day. * **Incorrect:** 天空是灰色的，完全没有太阳。今天**多云**。 (Tiānkōng shì huīsè de, wánquán méiyǒu tàiyáng. Jīntiān **duō yún**.) * **Why it's wrong:** A completely grey sky with no sun is the exact definition of **阴天 (yīn tiān)**. * **Correct:** 天空是灰色的，完全没有太阳。今天**阴天**。 (Tiānkōng shì huīsè de, wánquán méiyǒu tàiyáng. Jīntiān **yīn tiān**.) Think of it this way: if you can still make out the shape of individual clouds, it's **多云**. If the sky is just a single sheet of grey, it's **阴天**. ===== Related Terms and Concepts ===== * [[晴天]] (qíng tiān) - Sunny day; clear sky. The direct antonym of cloudy/overcast weather. * [[阴天]] (yīn tiān) - Overcast day. The term most often confused with **多云**. It refers to a sky completely covered by clouds. * [[天气]] (tiān qì) - Weather. The general category that **多云** belongs to. * [[天气预报]] (tiān qì yù bào) - Weather forecast. The most common place to hear the term **多云**. * [[下雨]] (xià yǔ) - To rain. Another common weather condition that might follow an **阴天**. * [[刮风]] (guā fēng) - To be windy. Often occurs on **多云** days. * [[云]] (yún) - Cloud. The root character and the object being described. * [[多云转晴]] (duō yún zhuǎn qíng) - A common forecast phrase meaning "(The weather will) change from cloudy to clear." * [[晴转多云]] (qíng zhuǎn duō yún) - A common forecast phrase meaning "(The weather will) change from clear to cloudy."