German Conversation · Level 87
59 words
German word
Erdbeben
Pronunciation
IPA/ˈeːɐ̯tˌbeːbən/
Meaning
- neuter nounearthquake
Example
Heute Nacht gab es ein starkes Erdbeben.
There was a strong earthquake tonight.
More examples
Die Erdbebenwarnung wurde rechtzeitig ausgegeben, sodass viele Menschen evakuiert wurden.
The earthquake warning was issued in time, so many people were evacuated.
Core concept
A sudden jolt runs through the ground, making buildings and the surface tremble.
Common phrases
starkes Erdbeben
strong earthquake
Erdbebenwarnung
earthquake warning
Erdbebenschäden
earthquake damage
Similar words
Beben: Ground shaking or a tremor caused by movement beneath the Earth's surface.
Stärke: The size of an earthquake stated as a number or on a measured scale.
Nachbeben: A smaller tremor occurring after the main earthquake.
Erschütterung: A noticeable vibration or jolt passing through the ground or a structure.
Definition in German
Erschütterung der Erdoberfläche, meist verursacht durch tektonische Bewegungen.
Word origin
The German compound Erdbeben joins Erde, 'earth', with Beben, 'tremor', a noun related to the verb beben, 'to shake'.
Usage tips
- German commonly gives an earthquake's magnitude with Stärke, as in ein Erdbeben der Stärke 6.
Related words
- Erdbebenwarnungearthquake warningnoun
- erdbebensicherearthquake-resistantadjective