tornadas
[tɔr²ˈnɑːdɐs]masculine
The English phrase "tornado" can be translated into Lithuanian as tornadas. Wiktionary also lists viesulas and trombas.
Meaning: violent windstorm (noun)
Ways to say it
| Lithuanian | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| viesulas | [¹ˈʋʲiɛsʊlɐs] (narrow) | masculine |
| tornadas | [tɔr²ˈnɑːdɐs] (narrow) | masculine |
| trombas | masculine |
Which one should you use?
The word viesulas refers more generally to a whirlwind or a spinning mass of wind/dust.
How does it change in a sentence?
When tornadas is the direct object of a verb (e.g., "I saw a tornado"), it changes to tornadą.
Did you know?
- The term trombas is often used for waterspouts, a specific type of tornado that forms over water, showing how Lithuanian distinguishes the medium of the storm.
- In Lithuanian, the word viesulas can describe much smaller, harmless events like a 'dust devil' in a field, whereas English speakers usually reserve 'tornado' for destructive storms.
- The term viesulas comes from a Proto-Balto-Slavic root that suggests a 'whirling' or 'spinning' motion, which is also reflected in the way certain Slavic languages describe a 'whirlpool'.
Example sentences for Lithuanian are not verified yet.
Example conversation
Eglė and Tomas are watching the weather report on TV.
- EglėŽiūrėk, tornadas juda link mūsų miestelio!Look, the tornado is moving toward our town!
- TomasAr tai tikrai pavojinga?Is it really dangerous?
- EglėTaip, tornadas gali sugriauti namus.Yes, a tornado can destroy houses.
- TomasSkubiai einame į rūsys.Let's go to the cellar quickly.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “tornado” translations and entries viesulas, tornadas, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries viesulas, CC BY-SA 4.0.
