Inklingo

How to Say "storm" in Spanish

English → Spanish

tormenta

/tor-MEN-ta//toɾˈmenta/

nounA1General
Use 'tormenta' for a severe weather event, especially one involving thunder and lightning.
A dramatic illustration of a severe weather storm with dark, heavy rain clouds, heavy falling rain, and a bright lightning bolt striking the landscape.

Examples

Tuvimos que cancelar el partido por la tormenta eléctrica.

We had to cancel the game because of the thunderstorm.

La tormenta de nieve cubrió la ciudad en solo una hora.

The snowstorm covered the city in just one hour.

Después de la tormenta, salió el sol y vimos un arco iris.

After the storm, the sun came out and we saw a rainbow.

Gender Alert

Since this word ends in '-a', it is feminine. Always use 'la' before it: 'la tormenta' (the storm).

Mixing up 'Storm' and 'Rain'

Mistake: “Using 'tormenta' when you just mean 'rain' ('lluvia').”

Correction: 'Tormenta' implies strong wind, thunder, or snow. Use 'lluvia' (rain) for simple precipitation.

temporal

tehm-poh-RAHL/tem.poˈɾal/

nounB1General
Use 'temporal' to refer to a significant weather event, particularly one characterized by strong winds and rain, often lasting for a period.
A dramatic scene of a heavy rainstorm with lightning flashing across a dark, turbulent sky over a rough sea.

Examples

El temporal de lluvia y viento duró toda la noche.

The storm of rain and wind lasted all night.

Tuvimos que cancelar el vuelo por un temporal inesperado.

We had to cancel the flight due to an unexpected tempest.

Gender Check

Even though it ends in '-al', this noun is masculine: 'el temporal'.

terremoto

tehr-reh-MOH-toh/ter.reˈmo.to/

nounC1Informal
Use 'terremoto' figuratively to describe a person, especially a child, who is extremely energetic, chaotic, or causes a lot of disruption.
An illustration of a meticulously stacked tower of colorful building blocks collapsing and scattering violently, symbolizing an upheaval or major crisis.

Examples

Ese niño es un terremoto; tiró todos los juguetes al suelo.

That kid is a force of nature; he threw all the toys on the floor.

La crisis económica fue un terremoto político en el país.

The economic crisis was a political upheaval in the country.

Describing People

Even when describing a female person, you still use the masculine noun 'el terremoto' because you are referring to the disruptive force, not the person's gender.

Weather vs. Figurative Meanings

The most common mistake is using 'terremoto' for a weather event. Remember that 'terremoto' is primarily a literal earthquake and is only used figuratively for chaotic people. For actual weather, stick to 'tormenta' or 'temporal'.

Related Translations

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