der Orkan, -e

Meaning (English)

Orkan means hurricane or violent windstorm. In everyday German it refers to an extremely strong storm with very high wind speeds, often causing damage (fallen trees, roof damage, disruptions).

• Meteorology (common use in weather reports): a storm with hurricane-force winds (on the Beaufort scale typically force 12).
• Broader figurative use: a sudden, overwhelming force or outburst, e.g. ein Orkan der Kritik (“a hurricane/maelstrom of criticism”).

Parts / word formation

Orkan is a simple noun (not a compound). It is historically a loanword (ultimately related to “hurricane”/“huracán”), used in German as:

• der Orkan (masculine)
• plural: die Orkane

German synonyms

Depending on context:

• Wirbelsturm
• Hurrikan (especially for tropical hurricanes; often used interchangeably but more specific)
• Sturm (more general, weaker than Orkan)
• Unwetter (general term for severe weather; not only wind)

Figurative:

• Sturm (e.g. ein Sturm der Entrüstung)
• Welle (e.g. eine Welle der Empörung; not identical but similar imagery)

German antonyms

Not strict opposites, but common contrasts:

• Windstille
• Flaute
• Ruhe / Stille (especially figurative: calm, quiet)