Blitz und Donner
/blɪts ʊnt ˈdɔnɐ/word by word
The English phrase 'thunder and lightning' is translated into German as Blitz und Donner.
This phrase refers to the natural electrical discharges and the resulting sound that occur during a storm.
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, Blitz und Donner means 'lightning and thunder', which reverses the order of the English phrase.
Which one should you use?
The standard idiomatic expression is Blitz und Donner. While you can say Donner und Blitz, it is less common as a fixed set phrase and is simply a grammatically correct reversal.
How do you pronounce it?
/blɪts ʊnt ˈdɔnɐ/
Did you know?
- The Sanskrit word भ्राज, meaning 'to radiate' or 'sparkle', is a cognate of the German word Blitz.
- The German word Donner is a direct linguistic relative of the name of the Norse god 'Thor', as both derive from the same Proto-West Germanic root for thunder.
- While English uses 'lightning' for the strike and 'flash' for a sudden light, German often uses the single word Blitz for both, such as in the term Blitzlicht for a camera flash.
Examples in context
- Blitz und Donner sind Naturerscheinungen.Thunder and lightning are natural phenomena.The first sentence shows how to use Blitz und Donner when describing natural phenomena.Tatoeba #4913041 by al_ex_an_der, translation #8855800 by sundown
- Das Leben besteht aus Regen und Sonne, aus Schnee und Hitze, Blitz und Donner und aus Winter und Sommer.Life consists of rain and sunshine, of snow and heat, of thunder and lightning, and of winter and summer.The second sentence illustrates the use of Blitz und Donner within a list of various natural elements.Tatoeba #2861958 by Natan, translation #2863724 by Anon
- Der Donner war laut.The thunder was loud.
- Ich habe Angst vor Blitz und Donner.I am afraid of thunder and lightning.
Example conversation
Maximilian and Julia are watching a storm from the window.
- MaximilianHörst du den Blitz und Donner?Do you hear the thunder and lightning?
- JuliaJa, das Gewitter ist sehr stark.Yes, the thunderstorm is very strong.
- MaximilianWir sollten schnell ins Haus gehen.We should go inside quickly.
- JuliaDu hast recht, kommen wir rein.You are right, let's come in.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (Blitz, und, Donner) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Blitz, Donner, und, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
