French · Nature, Animals & Weather
"Earthquake" in French: tremblement de terre
le tremblement de terre
Note: also: le séisme
Earthquake in French is le tremblement de terre, masculine. Un petit tremblement de terre is a small quake. Le séisme is a synonym, but learn this phrase as the headword.
News alert
Un tremblement de terre a secoué la région cette nuit.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce tremblement de terre
Say it
luh trahn-bluh-MAHN duh tair
/lə tʁɑ̃.blə.mɑ̃ də tɛʁ/
Tremblement: trahn-bluh-MAHN. De terre: duh tair. Say the whole set: le tremblement de terre.
"Earthquake" in French: quick reference
| French | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| le tremblement de terre | the earthquake Default phrase. | Default phrase. |
| un tremblement de terre | an earthquake Indefinite. | Indefinite. |
| après le tremblement de terre | after the earthquake News follow-up. | News follow-up. |
| secousses | shocks / aftershocks Related report language. | Related report language. |
How to use tremblement de terre in real life
- 1News alert
Un tremblement de terre a secoué la région cette nuit.
An earthquake shook the region last night.
Full phrase as subject.
- 2Travel update
Après le tremblement de terre, le musée reste fermé.
After the earthquake, the museum stays closed.
Après + phrase.
- 3Checking on family
Vous avez senti le tremblement de terre ?
Did you feel the earthquake?
Question with the phrase.
Mistakes English speakers make with tremblement de terre
Incorrect: Il y a eu un earthquake.
Correct: Il y a eu un tremblement de terre.
Use the French phrase.
Incorrect: Le tremblement de la terre était fort.
Correct: Le tremblement de terre était fort.
Keep the set phrase tremblement de terre.
Good to know
French news often switches between tremblement de terre and séisme. Emergency texts may say séisme; everyday speech still uses le tremblement de terre. Magnitude is magnitude, said with French numbers.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
After a small quake at home
ChatPal
Tu as senti le tremblement de terre ?
Did you feel the earthquake?
You
Oui — un petit tremblement de terre, mais les verres ont bougé.
Yes—a small earthquake, but the glasses moved.
ChatPal
On vérifie les infos avant de sortir.
We'll check the news before going out.
You
D'accord. J'appelle maman aussi.
Okay. I'll call mom too.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Earthquake" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Earthquake" in French
How do you say earthquake in French?
Le tremblement de terre.
Is séisme also correct?
Yes, but this page teaches tremblement de terre.
Is it masculine?
Yes: un / le tremblement de terre.
How do you pronounce it?
trahn-bluh-MAHN duh tair.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
- Step 1: See it in context
- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
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