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    Chinese Grammar

    Expressing 'earthquake' with 地震 (dìzhèn)

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    Explanation

    地震 (dìzhèn) means "earthquake," combining 地 (earth/ground) and 震 (to shake). It is the standard term used in both everyday speech and news reporting. For example, 最严重的地震 means "the most severe earthquake."

    Examples

    • 昨天半夜发生了一场地震,把大家都吓醒了。

      Zuótiān bànyè fāshēng le yì chǎng dìzhèn, bǎ dàjiā dōu xià xǐng le.

      An earthquake struck in the middle of last night and startled everyone awake.

    • 日本是一个地震频发的国家。

      Rìběn shì yí gè dìzhèn pínfā de guójiā.

      Japan is a country where earthquakes occur frequently.

    • 那次地震造成了严重的损失。

      Nà cì dìzhèn zàochéng le yánzhòng de sǔnshī.

      That earthquake caused severe losses.

    Expressing 'earthquake' with 地震 (dìzhèn) | Chinese Grammar