fulgur
[ˈfʊɫ.ɡʊr]neuter
In Latin, lightning is expressed as fulgur or fulmen.
Meaning: discharge (noun)
Ways to say it
| Latin | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| fulgur | [ˈfʊɫ.ɡʊr] (Classical Latin, narrow) [ˈful.ɡur] (narrow) |
neuter |
| fulmen | [ˈfʊɫ.mɛn] (Classical Latin, narrow) [ˈful.men] (narrow) |
The term refers to the discharge of electricity in the sky. In Roman mythology, the concept carries deep symbolic weight as it represents the weapon of the god Jupiter.
Which one should you use?
The two forms distinguish between the physical strike and the visual effect. The neuter form fulmen refers to the actual lightning bolt or the physical strike, whereas the neuter form fulgur refers to the flash or the visual brightness of the lightning.
How does it change in a sentence?
The words have different plural forms depending on which one you use. The plural of fulgur is fulgura, while the plural of fulmen is fulmina.
Did you know?
- The Latin word for 'brimstone' or 'sulfur', written as sulphur, is an unexpected relative of the word for lightning. They share a similar linguistic history and even similar strange spelling changes.
- In Roman society, the 'lightning bolt' was not just a weather event but was regarded as a divine message from Jupiter.
Examples in context
- Fulmen vere periculosum esse potest.Lightning can really be dangerous.This sentence shows how fulmen can be used to describe the danger of lightning.Tatoeba #12188460 by carlosalberto, translation #12188446 by carlosalberto
- Vivos voco, mortuos plango, fulgura frango.I call the living, I mourn the dead, I chase the lightning.This sentence uses the plural form of fulgur to describe chasing lightning.Tatoeba #2124772 by Muelisto, translation #2124776 by Balamax
- Fulmen vidi.I saw a lightning bolt.This sentence shows the use of fulmen to indicate seeing a lightning bolt.Tatoeba #11037592 by carlosalberto, translation #11021396 by shekitten
- Fulmen irruit in altissimum montem.The lightning struck the highest mountain.
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A storm approaches while the two people are walking in a field.
- ClaudiaVidesne fulgur in caelo?Do you see the lightning in the sky?
- QuintusIta, fulgur clarum est.Yes, the lightning is bright.
- ClaudiaPericula fulguris timeo.I fear the dangers of the lightning.
- QuintusClaudia, festina domum.Claudia, hurry to the house.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “lightning” translations and entries fulgur, fulmen, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries fulgur, fulmen, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
