霏霏

霏霏

1. (ideophonic, literary, of rain or snow) thick and fast

   • 今我來思，雨雪霏霏。 [Pre-Classical Chinese, trad.]
     今我来思，雨雪霏霏。 [Pre-Classical Chinese, simp.]

     From: The Classic of Poetry, c. 11^th – 7^th centuries BCE, translated based on James Legge's version

     Jīn wǒ lái sī, yǔxuě fēifēi.

     Now, when we shall be returning, the snow will be falling in clouds.

2. (ideophonic, literary, of clouds etc.) dense; heavy; abundant; lush

   • 霰雪紛其無垠兮，雲霏霏而承宇。哀吾生之無樂兮，幽獨處乎山中。吾不能變心而從俗兮，固將愁苦而終窮。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]
     霰雪纷其无垠兮，云霏霏而承宇。哀吾生之无乐兮，幽独处乎山中。吾不能变心而从俗兮，固将愁苦而终穷。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]

     From: The Verses of Chu, 4^th century BCE – 2^nd century CE

     Xiàn xuě fēn qí wúyín xī, yún fēifēi ér chéng yǔ. Āi wú shēng zhī wú lè xī, yōu dúchù hū shān zhōng. Wú bùnéng biànxīn ér cóngsú xī, gù jiāng chóukǔ ér zhōng qióng.

     O, hail and snow scatter infinitely; the clouds are so swelling they touch with the rooftops. O, I lament my life's lack of joy; amid the mountains I lead a lonely, hidden life. O, I cannot change my heart to follow the vulgar world; indeed, I will grieve till the end of my days.

3. (ideophonic, literary) drifting with the wind
4. (ideophonic, literary, of tears) streaming down one's face
5. (ideophonic, literary) numerous and chaotic