It’s what howls through the trees, disrupts your plans, or rages inside your heart. In German, it’s der Sturm. This is your German Word of the Day—powerful, dramatic, and just as common in weather reports as it is in poetry.
The noun Sturm means storm, and it’s one of the 1000 most frequently used nouns in German. It refers to violent windstorms, metaphorical upheavals, or even energetic attacks—in language, literature, and everyday life.
It’s a masculine noun, so we say der Sturm (want a shortcut to mastering noun genders? Our video lesson gives you the tools to learn them with confidence).
Pronunciation
Sturm is pronounced [shtoorm]
The u is like “oo” in room
Ends with a soft m
One strong syllable: Sturm
Example sentences
Der Sturm hat viele Bäume umgeworfen.
The storm knocked over many trees.Heute Abend zieht ein schwerer Sturm auf.
A heavy storm is moving in this evening.In seinem Herzen tobt ein Sturm.
A storm is raging in his heart.
Nuance and usage tips
🌪️ Weather-related uses:
Schneesturm – snowstorm
Gewittersturm – thunderstorm
Orkan / Sturm – hurricane / major windstorm
Sturmwarnung – storm warning
Sturmschaden – storm damage
🗣️ Figurative and emotional uses:
ein Sturm der Gefühle – a storm of emotions
ein Sturm der Entrüstung – a storm of outrage
Sturm und Drang – “Storm and Stress” (a literary movement full of youthful passion and rebellion)
Sturm auf etwas – an aggressive push toward something (e.g., Sturm auf die Festung – assault on the fortress)
⚽ In sports and tactics:
im Sturm spielen – to play offense (in soccer)
Stürmer – forward (attacking player)
How does this word come up in real conversations?
"Der Sturm hat unser Dach beschädigt."
The storm damaged our roof."Ich liebe den Wind – besonders bei einem richtigen Sturm."
I love the wind—especially during a real storm."Seine Worte lösten einen Sturm aus."
His words triggered a storm.
Sample Dialogue (Beginner Level)
Nina: Hast du den Wetterbericht gesehen?
Tobi: Ja, ein Sturm kommt heute Nacht.
Nina: Dann stellen wir besser alles vom Balkon rein.
Tobi: Gute Idee – der Wind ist schon richtig stark.
Translation:
Nina: Did you see the weather report?
Tobi: Yeah, a storm is coming tonight.
Nina: Then we’d better bring everything in from the balcony.
Tobi: Good idea—the wind is already really strong.
Grammatical case examples
Nominative:
Der Sturm hat das Dach abgedeckt.
The storm tore off the roof.
Accusative:
Ich habe den Sturm gar nicht bemerkt.
I didn’t even notice the storm.
Dative:
Wir trotzten dem Sturm.
We braved the storm.
Genitive:
Die Gewalt des Sturms war beängstigend.
The force of the storm was frightening.
Word variations and language tidbits
Sturmflut – storm surge / tidal flood
Sturmhaube – balaclava (literally “storm hood”)
Sturmfrei haben – to have the house to yourself (colloquial)
Sturmgepäck – light combat gear (military)
Sturmböe – violent gust of wind
🌬️ Fun fact: In German, saying someone has „sturmfrei“ means their parents or roommates are away and they can do whatever they want at home—like throwing a party during a metaphorical storm of freedom.
📘 Duden entry: https://www.duden.de/rechtschreibung/Sturm
🎥 Want to weather the storm of German vocabulary? Our free video course teaches the 1000 most useful nouns—with grammar, examples, and clarity that’ll keep your learning on solid ground.
Ready for more German Words of the Day?
Do you know what Sünde means? Some storms begin with one.
And what about Suppe? It’s the perfect thing after a long day in the Sturm.