1The natural phenomenon of an electrical discharge in the sky producing light and sound; lightning and thunder.
遠くで雷が鳴っているのが聞こえる。
I can hear thunder rumbling in the distance.
昨夜は雷がひどくて、なかなか眠れなかった。
The thunder was terrible last night, and I could hardly sleep.
雷が落ちて、近所の木が燃えた。
Lightning struck and set a nearby tree on fire.
天気予報によると、午後から雷を伴う雨になるらしい。
According to the forecast, it seems there will be rain with thunder from the afternoon.
2The deity believed to cause thunder; a figure appearing in Japanese folklore and belief.
昔話では、雷はへそを取りに来ると言われている。
In old folk tales, it's said that the thunder god comes to steal your belly button.
神社の絵馬に雷の姿が描かれていた。
A depiction of the thunder god was drawn on the shrine's votive plaque.
3A sudden fit of anger; used in expressions like 雷が落ちる to mean being harshly scolded.
遅刻したら、部長の雷が落ちた。
When I showed up late, the manager blew his top at me.
弟がまた壁に落書きをして、父の雷が落ちた。
My little brother scribbled on the wall again, and Dad hit the roof.
会議に資料を忘れて、上司の雷を覚悟した。
I forgot the documents for the meeting and braced myself for my boss's wrath.