Sturm
/ʃtʊrm/masculine
The German word for "tempest" is Sturm.
Sturm refers to a storm. In German, the idiom for a "tempest in a teapot" is Sturm im Wasserglas, which literally translates to a "storm in a water glass".
Meaning: storm (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
Sturm is a masculine noun. The plural form is Stürme and the genitive singular form is des Sturms.
How do you pronounce it?
/ʃtʊrm/
Did you know?
- While English uses 'storm' to describe a tempest, the German word Sturm is also the name of a popular, fruity white wine from the Franconia region. In this context, it refers to a partially fermented grape juice.
- The spelling of Sturm is an irregularity in the Germanic language family. While English, Dutch, and Old Norse changed the vowel to 'o' to become 'storm', German uniquely retained the original 'u'.
- The phrase Sturm und Drang refers to a rebellious 18th-century literary movement that valued raw emotion over the logic of the Enlightenment.
Examples in context
- Das ist ein Sturm im Wasserglas.It's a tempest in a teapot.This sentence demonstrates the idiom using the word Sturm.Tatoeba #1598381 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #1598345 by Spamster
- Ein Sturm braut sich zusammen.A tempest is brewing.
- Das Unwetter hat viele Häuser beschädigt.The tempest damaged many houses
- Ein Sturm tobt draußen.A tempest is raging outside.
- Das Unwetter hat große Schäden verursacht.The tempest caused significant damage.
- Der Orkan hinterließ eine Spur der Zerstörung.The tempest left a trail of destruction.
- Der Sturm war sehr heftig.The storm was very intense.
- Wir müssen vor dem Sturm Schutz suchen.We must seek shelter from the storm.
Example conversation
Hannah and Maximilian are looking at the dark sky.
- HannahSieh dir die Wolken an, ein Sturm kommt.Look at the clouds, a storm is coming.
- MaximilianHast du die Fenster schon geschlossen, Hannah?Have you already closed the windows, Hannah?
- HannahJa, ich wollte keinen Schaden durch den Sturm.Yes, I didn't want any damage from the storm.
- MaximilianGut, dann gehen wir schnell ins Haus.Good, then let's go inside quickly.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “tempest” translations and entries Sturm, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Sturm, sturm, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
