Spanish Conversation · Level 158
29 words
Spanish word
relámpago
Pronunciation
IPA/reˈlampaɣo/
Meaning
- masculine nounlightning
Example
Ayer vi un relámpago que iluminó todo el cielo.
Yesterday I saw a bolt of lightning that lit up the whole sky.
More examples
Durante la tormenta se vieron varios relámpagos sobre el mar.
During the storm several flashes of lightning were seen over the sea.
Core concept
Intense, instantaneous flash caused by an atmospheric electrical discharge.
Common phrases
ver un relámpago
see a flash of lightning
tormenta de relámpagos
lightning storm
rayos y relámpagos
lightning bolts and flashes
Similar words
rayo: Powerful electrical discharge that appears as a bolt or streak traveling through the air.
destello: Very brief burst of bright light or glare, suddenly appearing and fading.
Definition in Spanish
Fenómeno visual breve y muy intenso consistente en un flash de luz en el cielo causado por una descarga eléctrica en la atmósfera.
Word origin
Ultimately from Greek λάμπας via Latin lampas, the term evolved in Romance languages into Spanish relámpago for the flash from an electrical discharge in the sky.
Usage tips
- Relámpago refers to the visible flash itself, while trueno refers to the sound of thunder when a distinction is needed in conversation.
Other meanings
- flash of lightningnoun
- streak of lightningnoun
- flashnoun
Related words
- relampagueoflashnoun