How to say "thunder" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 雷かみなりnounThe broad word for the storm phenomenon as a whole, covering lightning, thunder, and the thunderbolt; use it when you mean thunder in a general sense rather than the sound alone.
- 雷鳴らいめいnounCovers thunder specifically as a sound — a thunderclap or crash of thunder; choose it when describing what is heard during a storm, such as a sudden loud rumble.
Use 雷 for thunder as part of the storm phenomenon generally, alongside lightning and the thunderbolt, and 雷鳴 when you mean the sound itself — a clap or crash of thunder.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
See also
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