Translation guide
The English word 'quake' can refer to an earthquake or the action of shaking/trembling. This guide covers how to express these concepts naturally in Japanese.
Referring to a seismic event, the ground shaking.
Describing something shaking, quivering, or trembling, such as the ground, a person, or an object.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to shake', 'to sway', 'to tremble'. Used for objects, ground, etc.
Describing a person trembling due to strong emotion like fear, anger, or excitement.
揺れる (yureru) is used for larger, swaying motions like a building or a boat. 震える (furueru) is for small, rapid trembling, like shivering from cold or fear. For earthquakes, 揺れる is the natural choice for the ground shaking, while 震える would be used for a person's reaction.
地震で家が揺れた。
The house shook in the earthquake.
あまりの恐怖に手が震えた。
My hands trembled from sheer terror.
There was a big earthquake yesterday.
地震の揺れを感じた。
I felt the shaking of the earthquake.
Refers to an earthquake disaster, emphasizing the damage and aftermath. Often used in compound words like 東日本大震災 (Great East Japan Earthquake).
震災の復興には時間がかかる。
Recovery from the earthquake disaster takes time.
Literally 'big earthquake', used for major quakes.
大地震に備えて非常食を用意する。
Prepare emergency food in case of a major earthquake.
地震で建物が揺れた。
The building shook due to the earthquake.
電車が揺れて、立っているのが大変だった。
The train was shaking and it was hard to stand.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to tremble', 'to shiver', often used for people or voices due to cold, fear, or emotion.
寒さで体が震えた。
My body trembled from the cold.
彼女の声は震えていた。
Her voice was quivering.
Technical term for vibration or tremor, often used in engineering or seismology.
この機械は微細な震動を感知する。
This machine detects minute vibrations.
Compound verb meaning 'to tremble violently', often from fear or cold.
彼は恐怖で震え上がった。
He quaked with fear.
Literary verb meaning 'to shudder', 'to tremble' with fear or awe.
その光景におののいた。
I shuddered at the sight.