thunderstorm
das Gewitter, die Gewitter
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thunderstorm
A weather event characterized by lightning and thunder and often accompanied by heavy rain, hail, or storms.
Wegen des heftigen Gewitters wurde das Open-Air-Konzert unterbrochen.
Because of the severe thunderstorm, the open-air concert was interrupted.
storm / blowup
In a figurative sense, a loud, heated argument or an emotional outburst. A very tense and explosive situation between people.
Als er zugab, das Auto beschädigt zu haben, gab es zu Hause ein ordentliches Gewitter.
When he admitted that he had damaged the car, there was quite a storm at home.
| gender | neuter das |
|---|---|
| plural | die Gewitter |
| genitive | des Gewitters |
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | das Gewitter | die Gewitter |
| accusative | das Gewitter | die Gewitter |
| dative | dem Gewitter | den Gewittern |
| genitive | des Gewitters | der Gewitter |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
The word consists of the prefix 'Ge-' and the noun 'Wetter' (weather). The prefix 'Ge-' is often used to form collective terms or intensive phenomena, so here it refers to a special, intense form of weather.
Das Gebirge ist bei Gewitter besonders gefährlich.
The mountains are especially dangerous during a thunderstorm.
Fixed verbs are often used to describe a thunderstorm: 'Ein Gewitter zieht auf' (a thunderstorm is approaching), 'ein Gewitter bricht los' (a thunderstorm breaks out), and 'das Gewitter entlädt sich' (the thunderstorm reaches its peak/releases its force).
Am Horizont zieht ein dunkles Gewitter auf.
A dark thunderstorm is approaching on the horizon.
Plötzlich brach ein heftiges Gewitter über uns los.
Suddenly a severe thunderstorm broke out over us.
You can recognize the figurative meaning from the context. If the text mentions 'zu Hause' (at home), 'im Büro' (in the office), 'Streit' (argument), or emotional reactions, it usually means a conflict and not the weather.
Nach seiner Bemerkung herrschte ein eisiges Schweigen vor dem Gewitter.
After his remark, there was an icy silence before the storm.
In the figurative meaning, the phrase 'es gab ein Gewitter' (there was a storm/blowup) is often used. The 'es' is a fixed part here and introduces the sentence in order to describe the emotional outburst.
Als die Wahrheit herauskam, gab es ein riesiges Gewitter in der Familie.
When the truth came out, there was a huge blowup in the family.
storm
A Sturm and a Gewitter are weather events that can overlap. With a Sturm, the focus is on very strong wind, whereas with a Gewitter, the focus is on lightning and thunder; strong wind may also occur. Choose “Sturm” when wind is the focus and “Gewitter” when lightning and thunder are the focus.
Das Gewitter ließ mehrere Äste von den Bäumen fallen.
The thunderstorm caused several branches to fall from the trees.
Der Sturm riss mehrere Äste von den Bäumen.
The storm tore several branches from the trees.
