In 15 Seconds
- The low, vibrating sound of distant thunder.
- Used for weather descriptions and setting a mood.
- Can also humorously describe a very hungry stomach.
Meaning
Imagine that deep, low vibration you hear in the distance before a storm arrives. It’s not the scary 'boom' of a lightning strike, but the steady, heavy grumbling of the clouds talking to each other.
Key Examples
3 of 6Hiking with a friend
Wir sollten umkehren, ich höre den Donner grollen.
We should turn back, I hear the thunder rumbling.
Texting a partner from home
Draußen grollt der Donner, ich bleibe lieber auf dem Sofa.
Thunder is rumbling outside, I'd rather stay on the sofa.
In a formal weather report or news article
In den Alpen war heute Nachmittag schweres Donnergrollen zu vernehmen.
Heavy rumbling of thunder was heard in the Alps this afternoon.
Cultural Background
Thunderstorms (Gewitter) are a major part of German summer culture. People love to sit on 'Balkonien' (their balcony) and watch the storm until the 'Donner grollt' too loudly. The 'Sturm und Drang' period used nature's 'Grollen' to represent the internal struggle of the protagonist against society. In the Alps, 'Donnergrollen' is a serious warning. Mountain weather changes in minutes, and the rumble is the signal to find a 'Hütte' (cabin). The word 'Donnerstag' (Thursday) comes from 'Donar's Tag' (Thor's Day). The rumbling is his legacy in the language.
Onomatopoeia
Say 'grollen' slowly and emphasize the 'r' to mimic the actual sound of thunder.
Gender Alert
Always remember it's DER Donner. If you say 'das Donner', it sounds like you're talking about a specific object, not the weather.
In 15 Seconds
- The low, vibrating sound of distant thunder.
- Used for weather descriptions and setting a mood.
- Can also humorously describe a very hungry stomach.
What It Means
Donner grollen describes that specific, low-frequency sound of thunder. It is a deep, vibrating noise that seems to roll across the sky. Think of a large dog growling softly in its sleep. It is not a sharp sound. It is heavy and continuous. In German, grollen perfectly captures this atmospheric weight. It is the sound that makes you look at the horizon. It tells you that a storm is brewing somewhere far away. You feel this sound in your chest as much as you hear it.
How To Use It
You will mostly use this as a simple subject-verb pair. You can say Der Donner grollt. If you want to be more descriptive, use it with hören. For example, Ich höre den Donner grollen. You can also turn it into a noun: das Grollen des Donners. It is very common to add a location. In der Ferne grollt der Donner is a classic sentence. It works well with adverbs like leise (quietly) or bedrohlich (threateningly). It is a very sensory phrase that brings your stories to life.
When To Use It
Use this when you are outside and notice the weather changing. It is perfect for small talk about the forecast. You can use it when you are texting a friend to explain why you are staying inside. It is also a favorite for writers. If you are reading a German novel, you will see it often. It sets a dramatic or cozy mood. Use it at a garden party when you think it is time to move the cake inside. It is a very practical weather observation.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use grollen for the sudden, loud 'crack' of lightning. For that, Germans use knallen or krachen. Grollen is never short or sharp. Also, do not use it for light rain or wind. It specifically requires that bass-heavy vibration. Avoid using it to describe a person’s voice unless they sound like a literal storm. If you use it for a person, it implies they are very angry and holding it in. It is too heavy for a simple bad mood.
Cultural Background
Germans have a deep, historical connection to nature and the forest. This is rooted in the Romantic era of literature and art. Think of painters like Caspar David Friedrich. They loved the drama of the elements. For many Germans, hearing the thunder rumble is a sign of Gemütlichkeit. It is the perfect excuse to make a pot of coffee. You stay safe inside while the world outside gets wild. It is a very atmospheric part of the German summer experience.
Common Variations
The most common variation is metaphorical. You can say Mein Magen grollt if you are very hungry. It sounds like a storm in your belly! You can also say someone hegt einen Groll. This means they are holding a grudge. The anger is sitting inside them like a quiet storm. Another variation is grollende Wolken. This describes dark, heavy clouds that look like they are about to make noise. It is all about that feeling of pent-up energy.
Usage Notes
The phrase is neutral and safe for all contexts. Just remember that 'grollen' is specifically for the low, rolling sound, not the sharp cracks of lightning.
Onomatopoeia
Say 'grollen' slowly and emphasize the 'r' to mimic the actual sound of thunder.
Gender Alert
Always remember it's DER Donner. If you say 'das Donner', it sounds like you're talking about a specific object, not the weather.
Literary Flair
Use 'ein fernes Grollen' (a distant rumbling) to start a story. It immediately creates suspense.
Small Talk
Complaining about the 'Donnergrollen' keeping you awake is a 10/10 way to start a conversation with a German neighbor.
Examples
6Wir sollten umkehren, ich höre den Donner grollen.
We should turn back, I hear the thunder rumbling.
A practical warning during outdoor activities.
Draußen grollt der Donner, ich bleibe lieber auf dem Sofa.
Thunder is rumbling outside, I'd rather stay on the sofa.
Setting a cozy, 'stay-at-home' mood.
In den Alpen war heute Nachmittag schweres Donnergrollen zu vernehmen.
Heavy rumbling of thunder was heard in the Alps this afternoon.
Using the noun form 'Donnergrollen' for a more professional tone.
Entschuldigung, das war kein Donner, das war mein Magen, der grollt!
Sorry, that wasn't thunder, that was my stomach rumbling!
A classic joke when your stomach makes noise.
Ein leises Grollen kündigte das Unwetter an.
A quiet rumbling announced the storm.
Using the sound to build tension in a narrative.
Man konnte den Donner in der Ferne grollen hören, während wir warteten.
You could hear the thunder rumbling in the distance while we waited.
Focusing on the auditory experience during a wait.
Test Yourself
Wähle das richtige Wort aus.
In der Ferne hört man den Donner ______.
Nur 'grollen' beschreibt das tiefe Geräusch von Donner.
Welcher Satz ist richtig?
A: Das Donner grollt. B: Der Donner grollt. C: Die Donner grollt.
Donner ist maskulin: {der|m} Donner.
Verbinde die Wörter.
Match the sound to the source.
Each noun has a specific verb for its sound.
Was sagt Anna?
Tom: 'Guck mal, die Blitze!' Anna: 'Ja, und hörst du auch den ______ ______?'
Thunder (Donner) follows lightning (Blitze).
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Grollen vs. Krachen
Practice Bank
4 exercisesIn der Ferne hört man den Donner ______.
Nur 'grollen' beschreibt das tiefe Geräusch von Donner.
A: Das Donner grollt. B: Der Donner grollt. C: Die Donner grollt.
Donner ist maskulin: {der|m} Donner.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Each noun has a specific verb for its sound.
Tom: 'Guck mal, die Blitze!' Anna: 'Ja, und hörst du auch den ______ ______?'
Thunder (Donner) follows lightning (Blitze).
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes, 'rollen' is also used, but 'grollen' is more specific to the deep, threatening sound. 'Rollen' sounds more neutral.
Mostly, but it can also describe a person's deep, angry voice or a large machine.
Donner is the sound (thunder). Gewitter is the whole storm (thunder + lightning + rain).
Das Grollen wird lauter.
It is a weak (regular) verb: grollte, gegrollt.
No, a lion 'brüllt' (roars). 'Grollen' is too low and continuous for a lion's roar.
Yes, when used as a noun, it is a compound: {das|n} Donnergrollen.
It's a safe, neutral topic that everyone experiences, and the weather in Central Europe is very unpredictable!
It means to hold a grudge against someone for a long time.
Rarely. We usually talk about 'das Grollen' as a continuous concept.
Related Phrases
Es braut sich was zusammen
similarSomething is brewing (a storm or trouble)
Ein Groll hegen
builds onTo bear a grudge
Wie ein geölter Blitz
contrastLike greased lightning (very fast)
Donnerwetter!
similarGood heavens! / My word!
