tormentoso
/toɾmenˈtoso/
The English word stormy is translated into Spanish as tormentoso. Wiktionary also lists borrascoso and tempestuoso.
Meaning: of or pertaining to storms, strong winds, rough seas, heavy rain etc. (adj)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| tormentoso | /toɾmenˈtoso/ |
| borrascoso | /borasˈkoso/ |
| tempestuoso | /tempesˈtwoso/ |
The term is used to describe things pertaining to storms, such as strong winds, rough seas or heavy rain.
Which one should you use?
While tormentoso is the general term, other forms have specific nuances. Borrascoso is specifically used to describe turbulent weather, rough seas or gusty winds. Tempestuoso is often used to describe violent weather or highly turbulent, intense emotional states.
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adjective, the form must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies. For example, use tormentosa for feminine nouns and tormentosos for masculine plural nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/toɾmenˈtoso/
Did you know?
- The word tormentoso shares a root with tormento, which means 'torture' or 'torment'. In Spanish, a storm is linguistically linked to the idea of suffering and physical pain.
- The suffix '-oso' in tormentoso and borrascoso functions similarly to the English suffix '-ous', turning a noun into an adjective that expresses abundance.
- The term tormentoso can be used in literature to describe a 'stormy' sky, but also to describe a difficult or plagued period of history.
Examples in context
- Todo comenzó un día tormentoso.It all started on a stormy day.This sentence is useful for seeing tormentoso used to describe a day.Tatoeba #2098599 by marcelostockle, translation #2098610 by marcelostockle
- El tiempo tormentoso fue horrendo.The stormy weather was dreadful.This sentence shows how to use tormentoso to describe weather.Tatoeba #5901176 by albrusgher, translation #43499 by orcrist
- El clima está tormentoso hoy.The weather is stormy today.
- Se espera un fin de semana tempestuoso en la región.A stormy weekend is expected in the region.
- El viaje fue difícil por el clima tormentoso.The trip was difficult because of the stormy weather.
Example conversation
Mateo and Lucía are looking out the window at the rain.
- MateoMira ese cielo tan tormentoso.Look at that stormy sky.
- LucíaSí, parece que va a llover fuerte.Yes, it looks like it's going to rain hard.
- MateoNo quiero salir en un día tormentoso.I don't want to go out on a stormy day.
- LucíaTienes razón, mejor nos quedamos aquí.You're right, we'd better stay here.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “stormy” translations and entries tormentoso, borrascoso, tempestuoso, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
