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callejones

Glossary entry

Spanish term or phrase:

Rayo (relámpago)

English translation:

(a) bolt of lightning

Added to glossary by Graham Allen-Rawlings
May 6, 2010 14:51
14 yrs ago
Spanish term

Rayo (lightning ray)

Spanish to English Art/Literary Education / Pedagogy
Hi, I am not sure about the use of lightning (ray) as a single noun as we use it in Spanish. Example, Conducir el rayo... = To lead the lighing ray... Is "lighting ray" used by native speakers? or just lightning? Any natives? Thanks
Proposed translations (English)
4 +6 a bolt of lighting
4 +2 lightning
Change log

May 20, 2010 07:23: Graham Allen-Rawlings Created KOG entry

Discussion

Evans (X) May 6, 2010:
as Graham points out the difference is simply that "lightning" is an uncountable noun and "bolt of lightning" is countable.
Fiona Kirton May 6, 2010:
Both are correct I'd agree with both 'bolt of lightning' and simply 'lightning', however the choice of which to use would depend on the context. As Judy says, we generally say 'conduct lightning', but I don't think 'conduct a bolt of lightning' is acceptable.

You might find the wiki article useful:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lightning
neilmac May 6, 2010:
Your example "Conducir el rayo... = To lead the lightning ray" is ...(I'm trying not to too judgemental) is erroneous and meeds more context. A lightning conductor "CONDUCTS/EARTHS/GROUNDS" the lightning. The translation "lead" for "conducir" in this case is not appropriate.
"If lightning strikes the building it will preferentially strike the rod, and be conducted harmlessly to ground through the wire..."

Proposed translations

+6
2 mins
Selected

a bolt of lighting

that's countable
Peer comment(s):
agree JudyK : yes, of course!
4 mins
agree Evans (X)
5 mins
agree Henry Hinds
10 mins
agree imatahan
1 hr
agree Cinnamon Nolan
7 hrs
agree Guillermo Julio
1 day 1 hr
Something went wrong...
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer. Comment: "Selected automatically based on peer agreement."
+2
2 mins

lightning

You normally talk about a lightning conductor, so I would say simply "lightning".
Peer comment(s):
agree neilmac : Yes, the conductor grounds the lightning (in this case whether it is uncountable or not is immaterial)
1 hr
agree Cinnamon Nolan
7 hrs
Something went wrong...
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