Translation guide
The Sendai Earthquake refers to the major earthquake that struck off the coast of Sendai, Japan, on March 11, 2011. In Japanese, it is most commonly referred to as the Great East Japan Earthquake (東日本大震災), but other names exist depending on context.
Referring to the earthquake and tsunami disaster of March 11, 2011, centered off the Pacific coast of Tōhoku, near Sendai.
Official name for the 2011 disaster, encompassing the earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear accident. This is the most common and formal term.
Ten years have passed since the Great East Japan Earthquake.
Seismological name for the earthquake itself, meaning 'Tohoku region Pacific Ocean offshore earthquake'. Used in scientific or news contexts.
The Tohoku region Pacific Ocean offshore earthquake was magnitude 9.0.
Common shorthand referring to the disaster date, March 11. Used in media and conversation.
We must not let the memory of 3.11 fade.
Literally 'that earthquake disaster'. Used when the context is already clear, often in personal narratives.
After that earthquake disaster, many volunteers gathered.
Referring to any earthquake that occurs in or near Sendai, not specifically the 2011 disaster.
The English phrase 'Sendai Earthquake' is not a standard Japanese term. Directly translating it as 仙台地震 (Sendai jishin) is not common and may cause confusion. Use the official names or contextual phrases instead.
東日本大震災 (Great East Japan Earthquake) refers to the entire disaster including tsunami and nuclear accident, while 東北地方太平洋沖地震 (Tohoku region Pacific Ocean offshore earthquake) is the seismological name for the earthquake event only. In most everyday contexts, 東日本大震災 is preferred.
The damage from the earthquake that occurred in Sendai was small.