Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'thunder'

English Word: thunder

Key Russian Translations:

• гром [ɡrom] - [Formal, Used in general contexts]

Frequency: Medium (Commonly used in weather-related discussions, literature, and everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires basic understanding of Russian nouns and declensions, but straightforward for learners at this level)

Pronunciation (Russian):

гром: [ɡrom]

Note on гром: The 'г' is a voiced velar fricative, similar to the 'g' in "go" in English, but ensure it's not aspirated. Stress falls on the first syllable.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The sound produced by lightning or a loud, rumbling noise.

Translation(s) & Context:

• гром - Used in meteorological contexts, literature, or to describe loud noises; common in formal and informal settings.

Usage Examples:

• Гром гремел над горами во время грозы.

  Thunder rumbled over the mountains during the storm.

• Я всегда боюсь грома, когда идет дождь.

  I always fear thunder when it's raining.

• Гром и молния часто пугают детей в деревне.

  Thunder and lightning often scare children in the village.

• После вспышки молнии следует громкий гром.

  After the flash of lightning comes a loud thunder.

• В русской поэзии гром символизирует мощь природы.

  In Russian poetry, thunder symbolizes the power of nature.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

гром is a masculine noun (3rd declension in Russian). It follows standard masculine noun patterns with no irregularities. Below is a table of its declensions:

Note: The plural form is less common and used for multiple instances of thunder sounds.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: раскат (raskat) - Refers specifically to a roll of thunder; громыхание (gromykanije) - More onomatopoeic, used for rumbling sounds.
• Antonyms: тишина (tishina) - Silence, the absence of sound; штиль (shtil') - Calm, especially in weather contexts.

Related Phrases:

• Гром и молния - Thunder and lightning; a common phrase used to describe stormy weather or metaphorically for dramatic events.
• Громыхать, как гром - To rumble like thunder; an idiomatic expression for something very loud or powerful.
• Гром небесный - Heavenly thunder; often used in literary or poetic contexts to evoke divine power.

Usage Notes:

гром directly corresponds to the English "thunder" as the sound phenomenon, but it's often used in more poetic or descriptive contexts in Russian literature. Be mindful of its declension based on case requirements in sentences. For formal writing, pair it with weather-related terms like "молния" (lightning). When choosing among translations, гром is the most neutral and widely applicable; use раскат for emphasis on the rolling sound. In everyday speech, it's common in regions with frequent storms, such as rural areas.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using гром in the wrong case, e.g., saying "Я слышу гром" when it should be "Я слышу грома" in genitive for possession. Correct: "Я слышу гром" is actually correct in nominative, but learners often forget to adjust for other cases, like "страх грома" (fear of thunder, genitive).

• Error: Confusing гром with молния; English speakers might mix them up as both relate to storms. Correct usage: Молния is lightning (the visual flash), while гром is the auditory thunder. Example of error: "Молния гремит" (incorrect); Correct: "Гром гремит".

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, гром often appears in folklore and literature as a symbol of divine power or nature's fury, such as in Slavic myths where thunder is associated with the god Perun, the Slavic deity of thunder and lightning. This cultural connotation can add poetic depth when using the word in creative writing or discussions about Russian traditions.

Related Concepts:

• молния (lightning)
• гроза (storm)
• раскат грома (thunderclap)