tornado
/toɾˈnado/
The Spanish word for "twister" is tornado.
The word tornado generally refers to more severe twisters, while torbellino and remolino relate to smaller-scale phenomena.
Meaning: tornado (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
/toɾˈnado/
Did you know?
- The word tornado actually has Spanish roots, arriving in English via the Spanish word tronada, which means 'thunderstorm'.
- The word torbellino is frequently used in Spanish literature to describe a dizzying emotional state or a whirlwind romance.
- While tornado is the standard term, some rural regions in Mexico use tromba to describe a waterspout or a sudden, violent windstorm.
Examples in context
- Cuando la vaca vuela alto y el buey vuela bajo, seguramente hay un tornado.When the cow flies high and the ox flies low, there probably is a twister.This sentence illustrates a humorous way to predict the presence of a tornado.Tatoeba #500373 by Shishir, translation #414384 by MUIRIEL
- El tornado destruyó la granja.The tornado destroyed the farm.
- Vimos un tornado desde la ventana.We saw a tornado from the window.
Example conversation
Maria and Alejandro are discussing a storm warning.
- MaríaHay una alerta de tornado hoy.There is a tornado warning today.
- AlejandroTengo mucho miedo, María.I am very scared, Maria.
- MaríaDebemos ir al sótano ahora.We must go to the basement now.
- AlejandroSí, Alejandro tiene razón.Yes, Alejandro is right.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry tornado, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries tornado, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
