German Conversation · Level 9
87 words
German word
Blitz
Pronunciation
IPA/blɪt͡s/
Meaning
- masculine nounlightning
Example
Beim Gewitter sahen wir viele Blitze.
During the thunderstorm, we saw many flashes of lightning.
More examples
Ein Blitz erhellte kurz den See.
A flash of lightning briefly illuminated the lake.
Core concept
A sharp burst briefly lights the darkness, with the same sudden force appearing in a rapid action.
Common phrases
vom Blitz getroffen werden
be struck by lightning
ein heller Blitz
a bright flash
Similar words
Donner: A deep, forceful sound heard during a thunderstorm.
Gewitter: A brief storm with thunder, lightning, and heavy rain.
Blitzschlag: A lightning strike that causes intense heat, impact, or damage.
Wetterleuchten: A faint, distant glow from lightning inside clouds.
Definition in German
Ein plötzlicher, sehr heller Lichtblitz am Himmel; im übertragenen Sinn eine schnelle, überraschende Aktion.
Word origin
The noun Blitz developed from Middle High German blitze and belongs to the same Germanic word family as blitzen.
Usage tips
- English blitz commonly suggests a military attack, but German Blitz primarily names a flash of lightning and only sometimes has the broader figurative sense.
Other meanings
- flashnoun
- blitznoun
Opposites
- Dunkelheitdarknessnoun
Related words
- Blitzableiterlightning rodnoun
- blitzenflashverb
- blitzschnelllightning-fastadjective