How to Say “Earthquake” in Chinese
Emergencies and health · HSK 4
"Earthquake" in Chinese is 地震 (Dìzhèn). 地震 (dìzhèn) literally means 'earth shaking.' Taiwan and Sichuan are the most earthquake-prone Chinese-speaking regions, and both have well-developed early-warning systems; phones blast a loud 地震预警 (dìzhèn yùjǐng, earthquake warning) alert seconds before shaking reaches you.
Primary translation
地震
Dìzhèn
When to use it
地震 (dìzhèn) literally means 'earth shaking.' Taiwan and Sichuan are the most earthquake-prone Chinese-speaking regions, and both have well-developed early-warning systems; phones blast a loud 地震预警 (dìzhèn yùjǐng, earthquake warning) alert seconds before shaking reaches you. The measure word for earthquakes is 次 (cì) or 场 (cháng): 一场大地震 = 'a big earthquake.' Magnitude uses 级 (jí): 七级地震 = 'a magnitude 7 earthquake.' In conversation, Taiwanese often say 搖 (yáo, to shake); 剛剛有搖嗎？('did it just shake?').
Example sentences
刚才是地震吗？
Gāngcái shì dìzhèn ma?
Was that just an earthquake?
这是一场七级地震。
Zhè shì yī chǎng qī jí dìzhèn.
This was a magnitude 7 earthquake.
地震的时候不要坐电梯。
Dìzhèn de shíhou bùyào zuò diàntī.
Don't take the elevator during an earthquake.