Spanish Conversation · Level 77
60 words
Spanish word
rayo
Pronunciation
IPA/ˈraʝo/
Meaning
- masculine nounlightning
Example
Se formó un rayo durante la tormenta.
A bolt of lightning appeared during the storm.
More examples
El rayo de luz atravesó la ventana.
The ray of light passed through the window.
Core concept
Single bright linear flash connecting cloud and ground.
Common phrases
rayo de luz
ray of light
rayo de sol
sunbeam
rayo fulminante
blinding lightning
Similar words
relámpago: Brief bright flash that lights up clouds or the sky during a storm.
trueno: Loud rolling boom heard during a thunderstorm.
Definition in Spanish
Descarga eléctrica visible en la atmósfera que aparece como un trazo luminoso intenso, y por extensión también un rayo de luz puntual.
Word origin
From Latin radius 'ray or spoke', whose meaning of a straight line or beam is retained in Spanish rayo and applied to a lightning bolt.
Usage tips
- Spanish distinguishes rayo (the bolt or beam itself) from relámpago (the flash), so learners should use rayo for the visible streak and relámpago for the flash of light.