雷
[ka̠mʲina̠ɾʲi]
The English word "thunder" is translated into Japanese as 雷.
The noun 雷 is used to describe the sound or the event itself, whereas it is also the standard word for both lightning and thunder in common Japanese usage. 雷 is often used to refer to the entire phenomenon of a thunderstorm.
Meaning: deep, rumbling noise (noun)
Which one should you use?
While 雷 is the standard word for both lightning and thunder, the more formal or literary term for the sound of thunder is 雷鳴.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Okinawan Dialect, the term カミナ is commonly used to refer to thunder.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the phenomenon of thunder occurring, use the verb phrase 雷が鳴る. While 雷 is the noun for the event, 雷が鳴る specifically means "thunder rumbles" or "thunder rolls".
When do people say it?
You may encounter the onomatopoeic word ゴロゴロ in informal settings, which is used to mimic the rolling sound of thunder.
Did you know?
- The onomatopoeia ゴロゴロ is used for thunder but also describes the sound of a large rock rolling or a cat purring.
- In traditional Japanese culture, the god of thunder is called 雷神 and is often depicted with a circle of drums around his back to create the noise of 雷.
- The word 雷 is etymologically a compound that literally means 'the cry of a god'.
Examples in context
- 雷が鳴ったよ。The thunder rumbled.This sentence is useful for describing the action of thunder rumbling using 雷.Tatoeba #10171293 by small_snow, translation #9155775 by megamanenm
- 子供達は雷におびえた。The thunder scared the children.This sentence is useful for describing how the children were scared by 雷.Tatoeba #168404 by bunbuku, translation #246088 by CK
- あの夏は雷が多かった。We had a lot of thunder that summer.This sentence is useful for noting a summer with frequent 雷.Tatoeba #231186 by bunbuku, translation #397083 by CK
- 雷が鳴っています。Thunder is rumbling.
- ゴロゴロと雷が鳴っていますね。The thunder is rumbling, isn't it?
- カミナリが鳴ってるよ！Thunder is rumbling!
- 34 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two people are looking out the window during a storm.
- 結衣 Yuiまた雷の音が聞こえるね。Mata kaminari no oto ga kikoeru ne.I can hear the sound of thunder again.
- 蓮 Ren本当に、すごく大きい音だ。Hontou ni, sugoku ookii oto da.Really, it is a very loud noise.
- 結衣 Yui雷が鳴ると、少し怖いよ。Kaminari ga naru to, sukoshi kowai yo.When thunder rumbles, it is a little scary.
- 蓮 Ren大丈夫、すぐ止むはずだよ。Daijoubu, sugu yamu hazu da yo.It's okay, it should stop soon.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 雷, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 雷, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
