Translation guide
The official name for the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami. In Japanese, it is almost always referred to by its full formal name or a common abbreviation.
The formal designation used in government, media, and official contexts.
The standard official name. Used in all formal and most informal contexts.
東日本大震災から10年が経ちました。
Ten years have passed since the Great East Japan Earthquake.
A shorter, commonly used version in conversation or headlines.
Literally 'quake disaster'. In context, this almost always refers to the 2011 disaster. Very common in speech and writing.
震災の経験を語り継ぐことが大切です。
It's important to pass on the experiences of the earthquake disaster.
Refers to the date March 11. Often used in media and memorial contexts.
3.11を忘れない。
We will not forget 3.11.
When explaining the event to someone unfamiliar with the official name.
The technical seismological name: 'the 2011 off the Pacific coast of Tōhoku Earthquake'. Used in scientific or detailed explanatory contexts.
2011年の東北地方太平洋沖地震はマグニチュード9.0でした。
The 2011 Tōhoku earthquake was magnitude 9.0.
In Japanese, simply saying '震災' (shinsai) is understood as the 2011 disaster unless another earthquake is specified. It's the most natural way to refer to it in daily conversation.