Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| tormenta | /toɾˈmenta/ | feminine |
| tempestad | /tempesˈtad/ | feminine |
| temporal | /tempoˈɾal/ | masculine |
The word refers to a disturbed state of the atmosphere that causes unpleasant or destructive weather. To specify a thunderstorm, Spanish speakers often use the phrase tormenta eléctrica. The related verb tempestear means to have strong winds and usually lightning and thunder, or hail, rain or snow. The verb irrumpir is used when referring to the act of violently assaulting a building or stronghold to gain control of it.
Which one should you use?
tormenta is the most common and general word for a storm used in everyday conversation. In contrast, tempestad is a more dramatic or literary term, often used to describe a violent or great storm.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural of the feminine noun tormenta is tormentas. The plural of the masculine noun temporal is temporales.
How do you pronounce it?
/toɾˈmenta/
Did you know?
- In Spanish, a 'brainstorm' is not called a tormenta de cerebro but is instead translated as lluvia de ideas, which means 'rain of ideas'.
- The word tormenta shares a common root with the English word 'torment', as both originate from the Latin 'tormentum' meaning a tool of torture or a missile.
- Spanish speakers use the phrase está tormentoso to describe not just the weather, but a volatile or tense emotional atmosphere between people.
Examples in context
- La tormenta fue mala.The storm was bad.This sentence shows how to describe the quality of the tormenta.Tatoeba #13474422 by Seael, translation #5853131 by CK
- Se acerca una tormenta.A storm is coming.This sentence describes a storm that is approaching.Tatoeba #11687948 by Seael, translation #1948401 by linguine
- Nos atrapó una tormenta.We were caught in a storm.This sentence describes being caught in a tormenta.Tatoeba #5052935 by don_ramon, translation #22638 by CK
- El pronóstico del tiempo advierte sobre una posible tormenta para mañana.The weather forecast warns of a possible storm for tomorrow.
- El temporal causó daños en varias áreas de la ciudad.The storm caused damage in several areas of the city.
- El tormentón de anoche causó estragos en la costa.Last night's great storm caused havoc on the coast.
- ¡No te preocupes por esa tormentita! No durará mucho.Don't worry about that little storm! It won't last long.
- Salió el sol después del chubasco que cayó esta mañana.The sun came out after the shower that fell this morning.
- La marejada estaba impresionante durante la tormenta de ayer.The swell was impressive during yesterday's storm.
- 134 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mateo and María are looking at the dark sky.
- MateoMira el cielo, viene una tormenta.Look at the sky, a storm is coming.
- MaríaTienes razón, María quiere entrar ya.You are right, María wants to go inside now.
- MateoLa tormenta parece muy fuerte.The storm seems very strong.
- MaríaCorramos antes de que empiece a llover.Let's run before it starts raining.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “storm” translations and entries tormenta, tempestad, temporal, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries tempestad, temporal, tormenta, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
