Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| relámpago | /reˈlampaɡo/ | masculine |
| rayo | /ˈraʝo/ | masculine |
| fucilazo | /fuθiˈlaθo/ /fusiˈlaso/ |
masculine |
| refucilo | /refuθilo/ (Spain, from spelling rules) /refusilo/ (Latin America, from spelling rules) |
masculine |
| candelazo | /kandelaθo/ (Spain, from spelling rules) /kandelaso/ (Latin America, from spelling rules) |
masculine |
In Spanish, the word used for lightning depends on whether you are focusing on the light or the physical strike. You may also use the verb relampaguear to describe the action of lightning flashing in the sky, or fucilar to express the act of producing lightning. The phrase como un rayo is a common idiom used to describe moving with extreme speed.
Which one should you use?
While both terms can be translated as lightning, they have distinct uses. Relámpago typically refers to the visual flash of light in the sky. In contrast, rayo is the standard word used when discussing a lightning bolt or a strike, such as when lightning hits an object or a person.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
All forms provided are masculine nouns. The related verb relampaguear describes the flashing action, and fucilar relates to the production of lightning.
How do you pronounce it?
/reˈlampaɡo/
Did you know?
- The word rayo shares its origin with the English word 'radio', as both come from the Latin 'radius' meaning 'beam' or 'spoke'.
- In some Spanish-speaking regions, the word rayo can be used colloquially to describe a sudden, unexpected problem or a stroke of bad luck.
- In some Spanish-speaking regions, a sudden flash of light can be called a candelazo, treating the flash like the light of a candle.
Examples in context
- Yo corría como un rayo.I ran as fast as lightning.This sentence shows how to use the idiom rayo to describe extreme speed.Tatoeba #1068435 by Shishir, translation #500070 by darinmex
- Un rayo impactó la torre.Lightning struck the tower.This sentence demonstrates rayo being used in the context of a strike.Tatoeba #1358478 by marcelostockle, translation #325159 by CK
- El rayo precede al trueno.Lightning precedes thunder.This sentence shows the relationship between rayo and thunder.Tatoeba #1207284 by Shishir, translation #27161 by CK
- El relámpago iluminó el cielo oscuro.The lightning illuminated the dark sky.
- El rayo golpeó un árbol en el bosque cercano.The lightning struck a tree in the nearby forest.
- ¡El rayo iluminó todo el lugar!The lightning illuminated the whole place!
- La centella iluminó la noche madrileña.The lightning illuminated the Madrid night.
- 36 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sofía and Alejandro are watching a storm from a window.
- Sofía¡Mira ese relámpago!Look at that lightning!
- AlejandroEs muy brillante, Sofía.It is very bright, Sofía.
- SofíaEl relámpago iluminó todo el cielo.The lightning lit up the whole sky.
- AlejandroAhora viene el trueno.Now comes the thunder.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “lightning” translations and entries relámpago, rayo, fucilazo, candelazo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries fucilazo, rayo, relámpago, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
