taran
/ˈtaran/
The Welsh word for thunder is taran.
taran is a noun used to describe the deep, rumbling noise.
Meaning: deep, rumbling noise (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈtaran/
Did you know?
- The word taran is closely linked to Taranis, the Celtic god of thunder who wielded a wheel and a thunderbolt.
- While taran refers to the sound, Welsh often uses distinct imagery to describe the lightning that precedes it, treating the flash and the rumble as separate phenomena.
- The word taran has distant cousins in many Celtic languages, such as the Irish toirneach and the Scottish Gaelic tàirneanach, all sharing a common ancient root.
Examples in context
- Dechreuodd y taran yn sydyn.The thunder started suddenly.
Example conversation
Elowen and Rhys are listening to a storm from inside.
- ElowenWyl wyt ti'n clywed y taran?Do you hear the thunder?
- RhysYdw, mae'n swnio'nB draw.Yes, it sounds far away.
- ElowenMae'r taran yn tywyll iawn.The thunder is very dark.
- RhysMae'n storm fawr, Elowen.It is a big storm, Elowen.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry taran, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries taran, CC BY-SA 4.0.
