Translation guide
Refers to the major earthquake that struck the Tohoku region of Japan on March 11, 2011. In Japanese, it is most commonly called 東日本大震災 (Great East Japan Earthquake).
Referring to the earthquake and resulting tsunami and nuclear disaster of March 11, 2011.
The official and most widely used name for the disaster. Literally 'Great East Japan Earthquake Disaster'. This is the standard term in news, official documents, and everyday conversation.
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.
Often used as a shorthand reference to the disaster date, similar to '9/11' in English. Common in media and conversation.
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.
The official seismological name for the earthquake itself, meaning 'Tohoku region Pacific Ocean offshore earthquake'. 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 Tohoku region Pacific Ocean offshore earthquake was magnitude 9.0.
Referring to any earthquake in the Tohoku region, not specifically the 2011 disaster.
A general phrase meaning 'earthquake in Tohoku'. Use when the context is not the 2011 disaster, or when you need to specify the region.
昨日、東北の地震がありましたね。
There was an earthquake in Tohoku yesterday, wasn't there?
The direct translation '東北地震' (Tohoku jishin) is not commonly used for the 2011 disaster. It sounds unnatural and may cause confusion. Use 東日本大震災 instead.