Translation guide
Refers to the major earthquake that struck the Tōhoku region of Japan on March 11, 2011. In Japanese, it is most commonly called 東日本大震災 (Great East Japan Earthquake), but other terms exist depending on context.
Referring to the earthquake and resulting tsunami/nuclear disaster of March 11, 2011
Official name for the Great East Japan Earthquake. This is the most common and formal way to refer to the entire disaster, including the earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear accident.
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.
Common shorthand referring to the date of the disaster. Used in media and conversation, similar to '9/11' in English.
3.11の記憶を風化させてはいけない。
We must not let the memory of 3.11 fade.
Official name of the earthquake itself, as designated by the Japan Meteorological Agency. Used in scientific or technical contexts.
東北地方太平洋沖地震はマグニチュード9.0でした。
The Tōhoku region Pacific Ocean offshore earthquake was magnitude 9.0.
Referring only to the seismic event, not the broader disaster
When you need to distinguish the earthquake from the tsunami or nuclear accident, you can say 'the earthquake of the Great East Japan Earthquake'. This is natural in conversation.
東日本大震災の地震で多くの建物が倒壊した。
Many buildings collapsed in the earthquake of the Great East Japan Earthquake.
A more casual way to say 'the big earthquake in Tōhoku'. Often used in everyday speech.
東北の大地震の時、私は東京にいました。
I was in Tokyo during the big earthquake in Tōhoku.
Referring to earthquakes that occur in the Tōhoku area, not specifically the 2011 one
Simple phrase meaning 'earthquake in Tōhoku'. Use this when talking about seismic activity in the region in general.
東北の地震は太平洋プレートの沈み込みによって起こります。
Earthquakes in Tōhoku occur due to the subduction of the Pacific Plate.
The direct translation '東北地震' (Tōhoku jishin) is not commonly used to refer to the 2011 disaster. It sounds unnatural and may cause confusion. Use 東日本大震災 instead.
東日本大震災 refers to the entire disaster (earthquake, tsunami, nuclear accident). 東北地方太平洋沖地震 is the official name of the earthquake itself, used mainly in scientific reports.
東日本大震災では巨大な津波が発生しました。
The Tōhoku earthquake caused a massive tsunami.
Natural Japanese uses the disaster name, not a literal translation of 'Tōhoku earthquake'.