raio
neutral, Brazil
In Brazilian Portuguese "lightning" is usually raio for a bolt that strikes, and relâmpago for the flash you see in the sky. The word trovão is "thunder", the sound that follows.
Meaning: flash of electricity in a storm (noun)
Ways to say it
| Portuguese | Note |
|---|---|
| raio | neutral, Brazil |
| relâmpago | neutral |
| trovão | thunder |
Which one should you use?
Raio is the strike itself, as in Um raio caiu na árvore. Relâmpago is the flash and is used when you see light in the clouds without a strike.
How does it change in a sentence?
Both raio and relâmpago are masculine. The phrase raios e trovões means "lightning and thunder".
Did you know?
- Raio is also used in the expression raio de sol, a "ray of sunshine".
Examples in context
- Um raio caiu perto de casa.A bolt of lightning hit near the house.
- Vi um relâmpago no céu.I saw lightning in the sky.
- Depois do relâmpago veio o trovão.After the lightning came the thunder.
Example conversation
Rui and his daughter Lia watch a storm from the window.
- LiaPai, olha o relâmpago!Dad, look at the lightning!
- RuiAgora vem o trovão.Now comes the thunder.
- LiaQue susto!What a scare!
