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"Tempestad" is a noun which is often translated as "storm", and "temporal" is an adjective which is often translated as "temporary". Learn more about the difference between "tempestad" and "temporal" below.
la tempestad(
tehm
-
pehs
-
tahd
)A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
1. (weather)
a. storm
El barco estuvo a punto de hundirse en medio de la tempestad.The ship was about to sink in the middle of the storm.
Las calles del centro están inundadas, y la tempestad todavía no ha cesado.The streets downtown are flooded, and the storm still hasn't let up.
b. tempest (literary)
A word or phrase restricted in usage to literature or established writing (e.g., sex, once upon a time).
La tempestad tomó por sorpresa al capitán.The tempest took the captain by surprise.
2. (agitation)
a. storm
El resultado de las elecciones levantó una tempestad de protestas.The result of the election raised a storm of protest.
temporal, el temporal(
tehm
-
poh
-
rahl
)An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
a. temporary
Esta pasantía es temporal y termina a finales de agosto.This internship is temporary and finishes at the end of August.
b. provisional
Me han dado un permiso de conducir temporal que caduca en un mes.I got a provisional driver's license which expires in a month.
2. (religious)
a. temporal
Estudiamos el poder temporal de los papas en la clase de religión.We studied the temporal power of the popes in religion class.
3. (anatomy)
a. temporal
Los estudiantes de medicina aprendieron sobre el lóbulo temporal del cerebro.The medical students learned about the temporal lobe of the brain.
b. temporal bone
El hueso temporal es donde se encuentran las estructuras del órgano auditivo.The temporal bone is where the structures of the hearing organ are located.
A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
