Ways to say it
| Portuguese | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| relâmpago | /ʁeˈlɐ̃.pa.ɡu/ (Brazil) /ʁeˈlɐ̃.pa.ɡu/ (Rio de Janeiro) |
masculine |
| raio | /ˈʁaj.u/ (Brazil) /ˈʁaj.u/ (Rio de Janeiro) |
masculine |
The term is used to describe the discharge of electricity during a storm. While relâmpago is the most common and standard translation for the phenomenon of lightning, you can also use related terms such as the verb relampejar to describe the action of lightning flashing in the sky or the adjective veloz to describe something extremely fast.
Which one should you use?
The two forms are used to distinguish between the visual and physical aspects of the event. relâmpago specifically emphasizes the visual flash of light in the sky. In contrast, raio is typically used to refer to the specific lightning bolt or the actual physical strike.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
/ʁeˈlɐ̃.pa.ɡu/. The word has 4 syllables, with the stress on the 2nd syllable.
What mistakes should you avoid?
It is important to distinguish between the visual relâmpago (lightning) and the auditory trovão (thunder).
Did you know?
- In Portuguese, raio is used for both a lightning bolt and a geometric radius.
- The word relâmpago is built from a root meaning 'lamp', implying that lightning is essentially a repeating, flashing lamp in the sky.
- The phrase num relâmpago is often used idiomatically to describe something that happens in the blink of an eye.
Examples in context
- Eu vi um raio.I saw a lightning bolt.This sentence demonstrates the use of raio to describe seeing a lightning bolt.Tatoeba #11037591 by carlosalberto, translation #11021396 by shekitten
- Um raio atingiu a torre.Lightning struck the tower.This sentence shows how raio is used when lightning strikes an object.Tatoeba #6573787 by heo598, translation #325159 by CK
- Há trovões e relâmpagos.There's thunder and lightning.This sentence illustrates the common pairing of relâmpago with thunder.Tatoeba #11864614 by ajdavidl, translation #10558808 by sundown
- Os relâmpagos durante a tempestade foram impressionantes.The lightning during the storm was impressive.
- 54 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Felipe and Camila are watching a storm from a window.
- FelipeOlha aquele relâmpago no céu!Look at that lightning in the sky!
- CamilaNossa, foi muito forte agora.Wow, it was very strong just now.
- FelipeA luz do relâmpago iluminou tudo.The light from the lightning lit everything up.
- CamilaÉ melhor a gente entrar, Felipe.We better go inside, Felipe.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “lightning” translations and entries relâmpago, raio, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries raio, relâmpago, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
