地震

• Pinyin: dì zhèn
• Hanzi breakdown: 地 = 土 (earth) + 也 (also) — ground; 震 = 雨 (rain) + 辰 (morning) — to shake

Meaning

Earthquake. The shaking of the earth's surface caused by underground geological activity.

China has experienced many devastating earthquakes throughout history, including the 2008 Sichuan earthquake. Related terms include 震级 (magnitude), 震中 (epicenter), and 余震 (aftershock).

Examples

1. 昨天晚上这里发生了一次小地震。 A small earthquake occurred here last night.
2. 地震发生时，要迅速躲到桌子下面。 When an earthquake happens, quickly hide under a table.
3. 科学家正在研究如何预测地震。 Scientists are researching how to predict earthquakes.

Usage Guide

Context: news, science, emergency

Tone: serious

Do Say

• 这里经常发生地震吗？(Do earthquakes happen here often?)
• 地震的震级是多少？(What was the magnitude of the earthquake?)

Don't Say

• 说'我的心地震了'表示震惊 (Don't use 地震 figuratively for emotional shock — use 震惊 or 震撼; 地震 refers specifically to geological earthquakes)

Origin & History

地 (earth, ground) + 震 (to shake, to quake). Literally 'earth shaking.'

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal