guntur: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low (specific to Malay/Indonesian contexts)Formal to informal, depending on context.
Quick answer
What does “guntur” mean?
A Malay/Indonesian word meaning 'thunder'.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A Malay/Indonesian word meaning 'thunder'.
Refers to the loud, explosive sound accompanying lightning during a storm. May also be used metaphorically to describe a loud, sudden, or powerful sound or event.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
As a loanword, there is no significant difference in usage between British and American English. It is primarily encountered in geographical or cultural contexts related to Southeast Asia.
Connotations
Evokes imagery of powerful natural forces. When used in English, it often carries an exotic or specific cultural reference.
Frequency
Extremely rare in general English usage. Frequency is tied to specific contexts like geography, travel writing, or studies of Indonesian culture.
Grammar
How to Use “guntur” in a Sentence
The [guntur] roared.We heard the [guntur].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “guntur” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Not used as a verb in English.
American English
- Not used as a verb in English.
adverb
British English
- Not used as an adverb in English.
American English
- Not used as an adverb in English.
adjective
British English
- Not used as an adjective in English.
American English
- Not used as an adjective in English.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not applicable in standard business English.
Academic
May appear in papers on Southeast Asian geography, vulcanology, or linguistics.
Everyday
Virtually never used in everyday English outside specific cultural references.
Technical
Used as a proper noun in geological contexts (e.g., referring to Mount Guntur).
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “guntur”
- Using 'guntur' in general English instead of 'thunder'.
- Mispronouncing it as /ˈɡʌntʃər/.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, 'guntur' is a loanword from Malay/Indonesian. It is used in English only in specific contexts referring to Indonesian geography or culture.
'Thunder' is the standard English word. 'Guntur' is the Malay/Indonesian equivalent and is not a synonym for general use in English.
In English, it is commonly pronounced /ˈɡʊntʊə/ (UK) or /ˈɡʊntər/ (US), approximating the original Malay pronunciation.
No, in both its source language and in English usage, 'guntur' is a noun. The verb form in Malay/Indonesian is 'berguntur'.
A Malay/Indonesian word meaning 'thunder'.
Guntur is usually formal to informal, depending on context. in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Like guntur from a clear sky (similar to 'a bolt from the blue')”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
GUN-TUR: Imagine the sound of a GUN firing, which is as loud as THUNDER (TUR).
Conceptual Metaphor
ANGER IS A THUNDERSTORM (e.g., 'His voice was like guntur').
Practice
Quiz
In which context are you most likely to encounter the word 'guntur' in English?