German Conversation · Level 54
72 words
German word
Katastrophe
Pronunciation
IPA/kataˈstʁoːfə/
Meaning
- feminine noundisaster
Example
Nach der Katastrophe war die Stadt zerstört.
After the disaster, the city lay in ruins.
More examples
Für uns war das Konzert eine Katastrophe.
For us, the concert was a disaster.
Core concept
A city suddenly left in ruins, with people displaced and normal life thrown into chaos.
Common phrases
eine Katastrophe sein
be a disaster
eine Katastrophe verursachen
cause a disaster
schlimme Katastrophe
terrible disaster
Similar words
Notfall: A sudden dangerous situation requiring immediate action or assistance.
Notlage: A serious hardship in which a person or group urgently needs help.
Desaster: A disastrous failure or event causing severe disorder and damage.
Unglück: An accident or misfortune that brings harm to people or property.
Definition in German
Ein plötzliches, sehr großes Unglück oder Desaster, das viele Menschen, Gebäude oder ganze Regionen schwer trifft.
Word origin
German Katastrophe comes through Latin from Greek katastrophē, meaning an overturning or sudden change, and its sense developed toward a disastrous event.
Usage tips
- Katastrophe is feminine, with the plural Katastrophen: die Katastrophe, die Katastrophen.
Other meanings
- cataclysmnoun
- tragedynoun
Related words
- katastrophalcatastrophicadjective
- Katastrophenschutzdisaster preparednessnoun