Blitz
/blɪts/masculine
In German, the word for lightning is Blitz. Wiktionary also lists Entladung.
Meaning: discharge (noun)
Ways to say it
| German | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Blitz | /blɪts/ | masculine |
| Entladung | feminine |
The word refers to a discharge of electricity. When describing a general weather event that involves both lightning and thunder, you might use the word Gewitter (thunderstorm) instead.
Which one should you use?
Use Blitz to refer to the visible flash of light. In contrast, use Entladung to refer to the physical phenomenon of an electrical discharge.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun Blitz can be used as the third-person singular verb blitzt to mean 'it flashes' or 'it is lightning'. When expressing weather phenomena, German often uses the impersonal 'es' (it) followed by the verb, such as in the phrase Es blitzt, rather than using a noun to say 'there is lightning'.
How do you pronounce it?
/blɪts/
Did you know?
- The word Blitz can be used colloquially to describe someone who is very drunk, as in blitzwinkeln.
- The English word 'bleak' is actually a distant relative of the German Blitz, as both derive from roots meaning to shine or flash.
- In German, a 'lightning' zipper on a dress or bag is called a Blitzverschluss.
Examples in context
- Es blitzt und donnert.There's thunder and lightning.This sentence shows how to describe thunder and lightning occurring together.Tatoeba #1559822 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #10558808 by sundown
- Es donnert und blitzt.There are thunder and lightning.This sentence is another way to express that thunder and lightning are occurring.Tatoeba #13360272 by Vortarulo, translation #12373694 by LeeSooHa
- Was ist ein Blitzableiter?What's a lightning rod?This sentence shows how to ask about a lightning rod using Blitz.Tatoeba #10111941 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #9054891 by shekitten
- Es gab ein spektakuläres Gewitter mit Blitz und Donner.There was a spectacular lightning storm
- Ich liebe es, während eines Gewitters Blitze zu beobachten.I love watching lightning during a storm
- 101 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Felix and Sarah are watching a storm from the window.
- FelixHast du den Blitz gesehen?Did you see the lightning?
- SarahJa, der Blitz war sehr hell.Yes, the lightning was very bright.
- FelixJetzt kommt bestimmt gleich der Donner.Now the thunder will surely come soon.
- SarahIch hoffe, kein Blitz trifft das Haus.I hope no lightning hits the house.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “lightning” translations and entries Blitz, Entladung, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Blitz, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
