In German
Donner
Meaning: thunder
Example sentences
DerDonnerwarsehrlaut.
The thunder was very loud.
NachdemBlitzkommtderDonner.
After the lightning comes the thunder.
Grammar note
“Der Donner” is masculine. The verb “to thunder” is “donnern”, used impersonally with “es”: “es donnert” (it's thundering) — same subjectless-weather pattern as “es regnet”.
Common mistake
Don't drop the “es” when describing weather with “donnern” — German always needs the dummy subject: “es donnert”, never a bare “donnert”.
Quick check
Which German word means “thunder”?
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Keep learning German
Practise it in a lesson →Frequently asked questions
How do you say “it's thundering”?
“Es donnert” — weather verbs in German always take the impersonal “es”.
Is “Donner” related to the day name “Donnerstag”?
Yes — “Donnerstag” (Thursday) literally means “Donar's/Thor's day”, the thunder god.