暗雲
Meanings
1
dark clouds
Literal dark, heavy clouds, often suggesting an approaching storm.
Dark clouds are gathering in the western sky.
2
ominous signs; threatening clouds (figurative)
Figurative use for a situation where trouble or danger seems imminent; often appears in phrases like 暗雲が漂う or 暗雲が立ちこめる.
Ominous clouds began to hang over the relations between the two countries.
Dark clouds are gathering over the economic outlook.
Usage patterns
- 〈事〉に暗雲が漂うominous signs hang over 〈事〉
Ominous signs are hanging over relations between the two countries.
- 暗雲が広がるthe dark clouds (of trouble) spread
Dark clouds are spreading over the future of the negotiations.
- 暗雲を払うto dispel the ominous clouds (of a bad situation)
The new agreement dispelled the dark clouds hanging between the two companies.
Expressions
- 暗雲が立ち込めるdark clouds gather · threatening signs emerge; trouble is afoot