truenos y relámpagos
/tɾwenos i ɾelampaɡos/from spelling rules
The phrase for "thunder and lightning" in Spanish is truenos y relámpagos.
Which one should you use?
While truenos y relámpagos describes the phenomena collectively, you can distinguish between the specific elements. Trueno refers specifically to the sound, whereas relámpago refers to the visual flash. Additionally, if you are referring to a visible bolt of lightning that strikes or appears as a distinct line, the word rayo is used instead of relámpago.
How does it change in a sentence?
To refer to the phenomenon in the singular, such as "the thunder and the lightning", use the masculine singular forms el trueno and el relámpago.
How do you pronounce it?
/tɾwenos i ɾelampaɡos/
Did you know?
- The word relámpago is also used in Spanish as an adjective to describe something that happens incredibly fast, such as a visita relámpago or a 'lightning visit'.
- The root of trueno is the verb tronar, which describes any loud, booming sound, including the discharge of a firearm or the beat of a drum.
- If a lightning strike hits the ground, Spanish speakers say the rayo 'cayó', which literally means it 'fell'.
Examples in context
- Se escuchan truenos y se ven relámpagos.Thunder is heard and lightning is seen.
- Me asustan los truenos y relámpagos.The thunder and lightning scare me.
Example conversation
María and Daniel are looking out the window during a storm.
- María¡Mira, hay truenos y relámpagos allá afuera!Look, there is thunder and lightning out there!
- DanielEs una tormenta muy fuerte, María.It is a very strong storm, María.
- María¿Escuchaste eso? Fue un trueno muy fuerte.Did you hear that? It was a very loud thunder.
- DanielSí, es un ruido impresionante.Yes, it is an impressive noise.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
