Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'thunderclap'

English Word: thunderclap

Key Russian Translations:

• Раскат грома [rɐˈskat ɡrɐˈma] - [Formal; Used in descriptive contexts, such as weather or literature]
• Громовой удар [ɡrɐˈmoʊvɨj ʊˈdar] - [Informal; Plural forms possible when referring to multiple instances, e.g., in storytelling]

Frequency: Medium - This word and its translations are not everyday vocabulary but appear frequently in weather-related discussions, literature, or media.

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) - Learners at this level should grasp the basic structure, though understanding nuances in word order and genitive cases may require practice. For "Раскат грома", it's B1; for "Громовой удар", it's also B1 due to similar grammatical patterns.

Pronunciation (Russian):

Раскат грома: [rɐˈskat ɡrɐˈma]

Громовой удар: [ɡrɐˈmoʊvɨj ʊˈdar]

Note on Раскат грома: The stress falls on the second syllable of "раскат" (rɐ-ˈskat), and the genitive "грома" softens the pronunciation; be cautious with the rolled 'r' sound, which is a common difficulty for English speakers.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The sudden loud noise of thunder.

Translation(s) & Context:

• Раскат грома - Used in formal or literary contexts to describe a sharp, explosive thunder sound, often in weather reports or poetic descriptions.
• Громовой удар - Applied in informal or narrative contexts, such as personal stories or casual conversations about storms.

Usage Examples:

• Внезапный раскат грома эхом разнёсся по долине, пугая диких животных.

  A sudden thunderclap echoed through the valley, scaring the wild animals.

• Во время бури громовой удар заставил всех спрятаться в доме.

  During the storm, the thunderclap made everyone hide in the house.

• Раскат грома в горах звучит особенно мощно, как будто природа выражает свой гнев.

  The thunderclap in the mountains sounds especially powerful, as if nature is expressing its anger.

• Громовой удар разбудил детей среди ночи, и они побежали к родителям.

  The thunderclap woke the children in the middle of the night, and they ran to their parents.

• После раската грома последовал ливень, который охладил жаркий день.

  After the thunderclap, a downpour followed, cooling down the hot day.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Раскат грома" is a noun phrase where "раскат" (roll, peal) is a masculine noun and "грома" is the genitive singular form of "гром" (thunder). "Громовой удар" involves "громовой" (thunderous, adjective) and "удар" (strike, masculine noun). Both exhibit typical Russian inflection patterns.

Note: These are regular inflections. "Раскат" and "удар" do not have irregular forms, making them straightforward for learners, but always pay attention to adjective agreement with nouns in gender, number, and case.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Гром (thunder) - More general, often used interchangeably but lacks the emphasis on the 'clap' aspect.
  • Удар грома (thunder strike) - Similar to "громовой удар" but slightly more poetic.
• Antonyms:
  • Тишина (silence) - Represents the opposite in sound contexts, though not a direct antonym.

Related Phrases:

• Слышать раскат грома - "To hear the thunderclap" - Used in contexts describing auditory experiences during storms.
• Громовой удар в небе - "Thunderclap in the sky" - A phrase for dramatic weather descriptions, often in literature.
• После раската грома идёт дождь - "After the thunderclap comes the rain" - A common idiom implying inevitable consequences.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "thunderclap" is best translated as "раскат грома" for precise, formal correspondence, emphasizing the sudden sound, while "громовой удар" is more vivid for informal use. Always consider the genitive case (e.g., "грома") when combining with other nouns. This vocabulary is common in weather-related topics or metaphors in literature, but avoid overusing in casual speech. When choosing between translations, opt for "раскат грома" in scientific or descriptive contexts for its neutrality.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "раскат гром" without the genitive ending (e.g., saying "раскат гром" instead of "раскат грома"). Correct: "Раскат грома". Explanation: Russian requires the genitive case for possession, so "грома" indicates "of thunder". This mistake often stems from direct word-for-word translation from English.

• Error: Forgetting adjective agreement, e.g., saying "громовой удара" instead of "громового удара" in genitive contexts. Correct: "Громового удара". Explanation: Adjectives must match the noun's case, gender, and number, which is a key Russian grammar rule.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, thunderclaps are often linked to folklore and superstitions, such as in Slavic myths where thunder is associated with Perun, the god of thunder and lightning. This can add dramatic or ominous connotations in literature, symbolizing divine power or impending change, which helps English speakers appreciate the emotional depth in Russian expressions.

Related Concepts:

• Молния (lightning)
• Буря (storm)
• Гроза (thunderstorm)