‘招风’ literally means 'to attract wind', but idiomatically it means to draw unwanted, often negative, attention—like stirring up trouble or making oneself conspicuous in a way that invites criticism, gossip, or trouble. The character 招 (zhāo) means 'to invite' or 'to attract', while 风 (fēng) here stands metaphorically for 'commotion', 'rumors', or 'unfavorable scrutiny'—not literal wind. This phrase carries a slightly negative or cautionary connotation, suggesting the person’s behavior, appearance, or words unintentionally provoke reactions.

It’s commonly used in informal speech and writing, especially when advising someone to be more discreet or moderate. You’ll hear it in contexts like fashion choices, outspoken opinions, social media posts, or even parenting advice ('Don’t dress your child so extravagantly—they’ll 招风!'). It’s not a formal term, but widely understood across generations and regions in Mandarin-speaking communities.