Translation guide
The point on the earth's surface directly above or below an explosion, especially a nuclear explosion; also used figuratively for the center of rapid change or the starting point of an activity.
The location directly under an airburst or at the center of a blast, especially nuclear.
Standard term for the hypocenter or ground zero of an explosion, especially nuclear.
The place or point where the most important activity or change is happening.
爆心地 is the standard Japanese term for the hypocenter of a nuclear explosion. グラウンドゼロ is a loanword often associated with the 9/11 attacks in New York. For general explosions, 爆心地 is preferred.
長崎の爆心地には記念碑が立っている。
A monument stands at the hypocenter in Nagasaki.
広島の爆心地には平和記念公園がある。
At the hypocenter of Hiroshima, there is the Peace Memorial Park.
Loanword from English, often used in contexts like 9/11 or nuclear tests. Familiar but less common in formal Japanese.
9.11のグラウンドゼロには多くの人が訪れた。
Many people visited Ground Zero after 9/11.
Descriptive phrase meaning 'center of the explosion'. Used when a more general term is needed.
その爆発の中心地は完全に破壊された。
The center of the explosion was completely destroyed.
Means 'center' or 'hub', used for the focal point of an activity or movement.
シリコンバレーはIT革命の中心地だ。
Silicon Valley is the epicenter of the IT revolution.
Literally 'epicenter' of an earthquake, often used metaphorically for the origin of a major event or trend.
その抗議運動の震源地は大学だった。
The epicenter of the protest movement was the university.
Means 'origin' or 'starting point', used when emphasizing the beginning of something.
彼にとってその場所はキャリアの原点だ。
For him, that place is the ground zero of his career.