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風雲児 (ふううんじ) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Freq. Frequency Top 100,000 Meanings 1
noun
adventurer in turbulent times ; soldier of fortune ; one who seizes the moment
Refers to a bold, often heroic figure who emerges during periods of upheaval or change, taking advantage of the chaos to achieve greatness. Carries a romantic, dramatic tone.
政せい 界かい の 風ふう 雲うん 児じ と 呼よ ば れ た その 男おとこ は 、 混こん 乱らん に 乗じょう じ て 一いっ 気き に 頂ちょう 点てん へ 駆か け 上あ がっ た 。
The man, called a political soldier of fortune, rode the chaos straight to the top.
Kanji 児 newborn babe, child, young of animals Similar words 冒ぼう 険けん 家か 冒険家 is a neutral 'adventurer/explorer', while 風雲児 specifically implies thriving in chaotic or revolutionary circumstances.
英えい 雄ゆう 英雄 is a general 'hero', whereas 風雲児 emphasizes seizing opportunity in turbulent times, often with a hint of opportunism.
Etymology Compound of 風雲 (fūun, 'wind and clouds', metaphor for turbulent times) and 児 (ji, 'child/person'). The exact origin is uncertain, but it likely emerged in modern Japanese to describe larger-than-life figures in history and politics.
