German · Nature, Animals & Weather
"Earthquake" in German: Erdbeben
das Erdbeben
Earthquake in German is das Erdbeben. Say Es gab ein Erdbeben for there was an earthquake. News also uses das Beben as a short form.
News alert
Heute Nacht gab es ein leichtes Erdbeben.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce Erdbeben
Say it
dass AIRT-bay-ben
/das ˈeːɐ̯tˌbeːbn̩/
dass AIRT-bay-ben. Erd like "aird"; beben with long ay; stress on AIRT.
"Earthquake" in German: quick reference
| German | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| das Erdbeben | earthquake Standard noun. | Standard noun. |
| ein starkes Erdbeben | a strong earthquake Intensity. | Intensity. |
| das Beben | the quake Short news form. | Short news form. |
| Erdbebengebiet | earthquake region Geography. | Geography. |
How to use Erdbeben in real life
- 1News alert
Heute Nacht gab es ein leichtes Erdbeben.
There was a light earthquake last night.
Es gab + Erdbeben.
- 2Travel worry
Liegt die Stadt in einem Erdbebengebiet?
Is the city in an earthquake region?
Compound with Erdbeben.
- 3After a shake
Spürst du das Erdbeben auch, oder bilde ich mir das ein?
Do you feel the earthquake too, or am I imagining it?
Das Erdbeben as object.
Mistakes English speakers make with Erdbeben
Incorrect: der Erdbeben
Correct: das Erdbeben
Erdbeben is neuter.
Incorrect: ein Earthquake
Correct: ein Erdbeben
Use the German word.
Good to know
Most of Germany feels quakes rarely; stronger Erdbeben talk often refers to news abroad or alpine edges. Apps and radio still use clear Erdbeben warnings when needed.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Reacting to a news push notification
ChatPal
Hast du die Meldung über das Erdbeben gelesen?
Did you read the report about the earthquake?
You
Ja. Das Erdbeben war weit weg, aber heftig.
Yes. The earthquake was far away but severe.
ChatPal
Hoffentlich kommen schnell Helfer.
Hopefully helpers arrive quickly.
You
Ich schaue später nochmal die Updates.
I'll check the updates again later.
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 German
How do you say earthquake in German?
Das Erdbeben.
Is Erdbeben neuter?
Yes: das Erdbeben.
How do you say there was an earthquake?
Es gab ein Erdbeben.
What is a short news word?
Das Beben.
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
