# 呼风唤雨

hū fēng huàn yǔ

Wield great influence or stir up major events

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Call the wind and summon the rain

**Traditional Chinese:** 呼風喚雨

**Register:** Emphatic · general

[People & connection](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/relationships)

## When to use it

Describe extraordinary power, often in politics or business.

May imply manipulation; context decides whether power is admired or criticized.

## Understanding the expression

Calling weather into being imagines a person able to command forces beyond ordinary control. Figuratively, the expression describes someone whose influence can move markets, mobilize supporters, or alter events. It may also refer literally to magical powers in fiction. The tone varies: admiration for reach can become criticism of manipulation. Specify what the person can actually influence rather than treating the phrase as a neutral synonym for doing well.

## Examples

他曾在商界呼风唤雨，如今已经退休。

### Traditional Chinese

他曾在商界呼風喚雨，如今已經退休。

tā céng zài shāng jiè hū fēng huàn yǔ ， rú jīn yǐ jīng tuì xiū 。

He once wielded enormous influence in business and has now retired.

小说中的巫师能呼风唤雨。

### Traditional Chinese

小說中的巫師能呼風喚雨。

xiǎo shuō zhōng de wū shī néng hū fēng huàn yǔ 。

The wizard in the novel can summon wind and rain.

一个平台不该在市场上呼风唤雨，排挤小商家。

### Traditional Chinese

一個平臺不該在市場上呼風喚雨，排擠小商家。

yí gè píng tái bù gāi zài shì chǎng shàng hū fēng huàn yǔ ， pái jǐ xiǎo shāng jiā 。

One platform should not dominate the market and squeeze out small sellers.

这位制作人在影视圈呼风唤雨，掌握大量资源。

### Traditional Chinese

這位製作人在影視圈呼風喚雨，掌握大量資源。

zhè wèi zhì zuò rén zài yǐng shì quān hū fēng huàn yǔ ， zhǎng wò dà liàng zī yuán 。

This producer wields great influence in film and television and controls many resources.

## Sources & reference checks

Original explanations and examples from Chinese Idioms Almanac. Source-checked October 6, 2026.

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E5%91%BC%E9%A2%A8%E5%96%9A%E9%9B%A8)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=394&webMd=1&la=0)

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