thunder

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: The on reading is らい, and the kun reading is かみなり. It has 13 strokes. It appears in words for thunder, lightning, and lightning strikes.
• Basic usage: 雷 is read かみなり and 落雷 is read らくらい.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• 雷 / 落雷
  • 雷 means thunder or lightning strike and is read かみなり. It refers to thunder in the sky or lightning striking an object.
  • 遠くで雷が鳴り始めたので、急いで洗濯物を取り込んだ。 means “When thunder began rumbling in the distance, I hurried to bring in the laundry.”
  • 落雷 means lightning strike and is read らくらい. It refers to a nearby lightning strike or the risk of one that can cancel an event.
  • 近くで落雷があり、電灯が一度消えた。 means “A nearby lightning strike briefly caused the lights to go out.”