Definition
阴霾 literally means 'haze' or 'smog' — the thick, polluted air that hangs over a city. But in Chinese it's used just as often as a metaphor for a gloomy, oppressive mood or atmosphere, like a dark cloud hanging over someone's spirit or a tense social situation. The figurative sense is common in literature, news, and everyday speech.
n.
hazesmog (physical air pollution)(figurative) gloomoppressive atmosphere or mood
Examples
- 阴霾，。Jīntiān chéngshì shàngkōng lǒngzhào zhe hòuhòu de yīn mái, néngjiàndù hěn dī.Today a thick haze hangs over the city, with very low visibility.
- 阴霾，。Tā xīnzhōng jiǔjiǔ bú sàn de yīn mái, zhídào péngyou ānwèi hòu cái jiànjiàn xiāosàn.The gloom in his heart lingered for a long time, only gradually dissipating after his friend comforted him.
- 阴霾。Jīngjì wēijī dài lái de yīn mái ràng zhěng gè hángyè dōu gǎndào yāyì.The oppressive atmosphere brought by the economic crisis made the entire industry feel stifled.
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