verb
to thunder
B1
donnern: to thunder; means produce thunder or rumble (storm noise). Intransitive, non‑reflexive verb. Regular weak verb (Präteritum donnerte, Perfekt hat gedonnert) that uses auxiliary haben. Not modal or separable; no special preposition. Common for weather sounds and loud rumbling effects.
VOCABULARY.DETAILS.EXAMPLES
In der Nacht fing es an zu donnern.
It started to thunder during the night.
Es donnerte laut.
There was loud thunder.
Es hat die ganze Nacht gedonnert.
It thundered all night.
VOCABULARY.DETAILS.DETAILS_LABEL
VOCABULARY.DETAILS.MNEMONICS
Imagine the sky hitting a giant drum: you hear the drum 'donnern' across the clouds.
Think of English 'thunder' — 'donnern' sounds like 'thunder'.
VOCABULARY.DETAILS.NOTES
Donnern is typically used impersonally with 'es' (es donnert). It's an intransitive verb and usually describes thunder or very loud rumbling noises. Impersonal verb ('es donnert'); only the impersonal form with 'es' is applicable for personal conjugations; other personal forms and passive voice are not applicable.