Korean Dictionary
How to say "Thunderstorm" in Korean
“Thunderstorm” in Korean is 뇌우 (pronounced "noeu").
뇌우
noeu
Usage & Context
Describes a storm with thunder and lightning. Thunderstorms are common in Korean summers and can be dangerous. People seek shelter during thunderstorms.
Example Sentence
뇌우가 몰아치고 있어요.
A thunderstorm is approaching.
How to use 뇌우 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Thunderstorm” is 뇌우, romanized as noeu.
Usage tip
Learn this word together with a complete Korean sentence. Meaning often depends on particles, politeness level, and word order.
Common mistake
Do not rely only on the English meaning. Read the Korean example sentence and notice the particles, word order, and politeness level around 뇌우.
Pronunciation Guide
뇌우 (noe-u): '뇌' is like 'n' followed by a blend of 'oh' and 'eh' (like 'we' in 'wet' but with rounded lips), '우' like 'woo' in 'woo-hoo'.
More Example Sentences
Reacting to an unexpected weather event.
갑자기 뇌우가 쳐서 깜짝 놀랐어요.
A thunderstorm suddenly hit, and I was startled.
Giving weather safety advice.
여름에는 뇌우가 자주 발생하니 조심해야 해요.
Thunderstorms occur frequently in summer, so you need to be careful.
Discussing travel disruptions.
비행기가 뇌우 때문에 지연될 수도 있대요.
They say the flight might be delayed due to a thunderstorm.
Cultural Context
Thunderstorms (뇌우) are a common and often intense feature of Korean summers, especially during the monsoon season (장마철). They typically bring heavy rain, strong winds, and frequent lightning. For public safety, weather alerts are issued, and Koreans often stay indoors during severe thunderstorms. The dramatic sounds of thunder (천둥소리) and flashes of lightning (번개) are frequently used in K-dramas and other media to heighten tension.
Editorial note
We review entries like 뇌우 for pronunciation, example sentence fit, and learner mistakes so the page answers more than a direct dictionary lookup.
Reviewed by Min-jung Park, Korean Language Teacher. Updated May 31, 2026. See our editorial standards.
Common Phrases
뇌우가 예상됩니다.
A thunderstorm is expected.
뇌우 경보가 발령됐어요.
A thunderstorm warning has been issued.
뇌우가 몰아치고 있어요.
A thunderstorm is raging/approaching.
Related Expressions
천둥
cheondung
Thunder
번개
beongae
Lightning
폭풍
pokpung
Storm (general term)
태풍
taepung
Typhoon (severe tropical storm)
More Weather Words
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