Translation guide
A sudden flash of lightning and accompanying thunder, often perceived as a single destructive event. In Japanese, this is typically expressed with compound words combining 'thunder' and 'fall' or 'strike', or through descriptive phrases.
Referring to the actual meteorological phenomenon of a lightning bolt hitting something.
The most common and neutral term for a lightning strike. Literally 'falling thunder'. Used in news, weather reports, and everyday conversation.
There was a power outage due to a thunderbolt yesterday.
A thunderbolt struck the golf course, causing injuries.
General word for thunder and lightning. Can refer to a thunderbolt in context, but is broader. Often used in compounds.
A thunderbolt struck nearby.
Literary or formal term for thunder and lightning. Can imply a thunderbolt, but is less common in daily speech.
A thunderbolt tore through the night sky.
Using 'thunderbolt' metaphorically to describe a sudden, surprising, or devastating occurrence.
Idiom meaning 'a bolt from the blue'. Perfect for a completely unexpected, shocking event.
His resignation was a thunderbolt.
Idiom meaning 'water in a sleeping ear', i.e., a complete surprise. Similar to 'bolt from the blue' but slightly more colloquial.
If the idiom feels too strong, describe the event as 'sudden' or 'shocking'.
The sudden dismissal was a real thunderbolt.
Referring to a thunderbolt as a weapon of a god (e.g., Zeus, Thor).
Literally 'thunder hammer'. Used for mythological thunder weapons, especially Thor's Mjolnir.
Thor wielded his thunderbolt, Mjolnir.
Literally 'thunder arrow'. Sometimes used for divine thunderbolts, but less common than 雷槌.
Zeus hurled a thunderbolt at his enemy.
Descriptive phrase meaning 'divine thunder' or 'god's thunder'. Can be used when the specific weapon name is unknown.
English 'thunderbolt' is a single concept, but directly combining 雷 (kaminari) and ボルト (boruto) would sound like a mechanical bolt. Use established compounds like 落雷 or idiomatic phrases.
The news came as a thunderbolt.
The divine thunderbolt smote evil.