Ways to say it
| Russian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| бу́ря | búrja | feminine | |
| гроза́ | grozá | feminine | |
| шторм | štorm | [ʂtorm] (narrow) | masculine |
| бура́н | burán | masculine |
In Russian, the word used depends heavily on the type of weather being described. General violent windstorms are called бу́ря, while storms occurring at sea or in a maritime context are referred to as шторм. If the storm specifically involves lightning and thunder, use гроза́. For violent windstorms characterized by heavy snow or dust, typically in steppe or desert regions, the term is бура́н.
Which one should you use?
While бу́ря and шторм generally refer to violent winds, шторм is the preferred term for maritime storms. In contrast, гроза́ is used specifically for thunderstorms involving electrical activity. Бура́н is a specialized term for a blizzard or a dusty windstorm. Note that the verb штурмова́ть also translates to 'to storm' in English, but it refers to the physical or military act of assaulting a building or position rather than weather.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The term бура́н is specifically used for violent, snowy or dusty windstorms often found in steppe or desert environments.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The feminine noun бу́ря has the plural form бу́ри. The feminine noun гроза́ has the plural form грозы́. The masculine noun шторм has the plural form шторма́.
How do you pronounce it?
búrja
Did you know?
- The verb штурмова́ть meaning 'to storm a building' is used in everyday Russian to describe trying to get into a crowded place or a popular store during a sale.
- In Russian, the word гроза́ can be used metaphorically to describe a person who is fearsome or strict. A 'stormy' parent or teacher is someone who inspires dread in others.
- The Russian word шторм is a linguistic doublet of штурм, meaning 'assault' or 'storming a fortress'. While they sound similar and share an ancestor, one is used exclusively for weather and the other for military action.
Examples in context
- В ту ночь был шторм.There was a storm that night.This sentence uses шторм to describe a storm occurring at a specific time.Tatoeba #5441928 by marafon, translation #5440611 by CK
- Я проспал весь шторм.I slept through the storm.This sentence uses шторм to describe sleeping through a storm.Tatoeba #2468220 by paul_lingvo, translation #1887672 by CK
- Вчера у нас был шторм.We had a storm yesterday.This sentence uses шторм to indicate a storm occurred yesterday.Tatoeba #2535144 by Selena777, translation #244629 by CK
- Приближается сильная грозаA strong storm is approaching
- Ураган разрушил побережьеThe hurricane destroyed the coastal area
- Мы попали в буранWe got caught in a snowstorm
- 75 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Andrei and Anastasia are looking out the window at the darkening sky.
- Андрей AndreyКажется, скоро начнётся бу́ря.Kazhet-sya, skoro nachnyotsya burya.It looks like a storm is starting soon.
- Анастасия AnastasiaДа, небо выглядит очень тёмным.Da, nebo vyglyadit ochen' tyomnym.Yes, the sky looks very dark.
- Андрей AndreyНам нужно закрыть все окна.Nam nuzhno zakryt' vse okna.We need to close all the windows.
- Анастасия AnastasiaЯ сейчас всё сделаю.Ya seychas vsyo sdelayu.I will do everything right now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “storm” translations and entries шторм, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries шторм, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
