霆

A sudden peal of thunder or a thunderbolt. Metaphorically, it denotes punitive power or imperial wrath, often signifying a judgment delivered with instantaneous and terrifying force (e.g., 霆威 "thunderous prestige/power").

Contrast with 雷 (léi). While 雷 refers to the general atmospheric phenomenon or rolling sound of thunder, 霆 denotes a specific, violent event: the sudden clap, strike, or discharge. In this capacity, it serves as a singular equivalent to the compound 霹靂 (pīlì).

Fanqie readings 特丁 and 徒鼎, alongside the Tang-period reading //dheng//, confirm a stable dental/alveolar onset consistent with its evolution into modern Mandarin //tíng//.

The choice of 霆 over 雷 usually indicates a deliberate emphasis on suddenness and intensity. Where context allows, prefer "bolt," "clap," or "strike" over the general term "thunder."