Katastrophe
[ˌkatasˈtʁoːfə]feminine
The English word catastrophe can be translated into German as Katastrophe. Wiktionary also lists Unglück and Unheil.
Meaning: any large and disastrous event of great significance (noun)
Ways to say it
| German | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Katastrophe | [ˌkatasˈtʁoːfə] (narrow) | feminine |
| Unglück | /ˈʊnˌɡlʏk/ | neuter |
| Unheil | /ˈʊnˌhaɪ̯l/ | neuter |
The term is used to describe any large and disastrous event of great significance.
Which one should you use?
While Katastrophe refers to a large-scale disaster, Unglück is often used for smaller-scale misfortunes, accidents or bad luck. In contrast, Unheil carries a more poetic or ominous connotation of impending doom or widespread ruin compared to the more factual Katastrophe.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural of Katastrophe is Katastrophen.
Did you know?
- The German word Katastrophe shares its origin with the Greek term for an 'overturning'. In ancient Greek drama, it did not mean a disaster but rather the final resolution or turning-point of the plot.
- German has a specific term, Katastrophenschutz, which refers to the entire national organized system of civil protection and disaster management.
- Using Unheil often makes a speaker sound like they are reciting a dark legend or a warning from a mythic text.
Examples in context
- Eine Katastrophe wurde abgewendet.A catastrophe has been averted.This sentence is useful for seeing how to say a catastrophe has been averted using Katastrophe.Tatoeba #835955 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #835954 by CM
- Die Experten haben vor einer Katastrophe gewarnt.Experts have warned of a catastrophe.This sentence is useful for seeing how to warn of a catastrophe using Katastrophe.Tatoeba #1570201 by Espi, translation #11074098 by sundown
- Wir werden zuerst den Grund der Katastrophe darstellen.We will first describe the cause of the catastrophe.This sentence is useful for seeing how to describe the cause of a catastrophe using Katastrophe.Tatoeba #3593514 by Esperantostern, translation #4800257 by feyero
- Die Party war ein Desaster!The party was a catastrophe!
- Das Projekt war ein totales Fiasko.The project was a total catastrophe.
- Der Brand in der Fabrik war ein schreckliches Unglück.The fire in the factory was a terrible catastrophe.
- Die Küche nach dem Kochen war eine echte Desasterzone!The kitchen after cooking was a real catastrophe!
- 18 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Julia and Julian are discussing the aftermath of a major storm.
- JuliaJulian, die Lage im Dorf ist eine Katastrophe.Julian, the situation in the village is a catastrophe.
- JulianJa, Julia, ich bin sehr besorgt.Yes, Julia, I am very worried.
- JuliaWir müssen sofort Hilfe schicken.We must send help immediately.
- JulianDas ist die einzige Möglichkeit.That is the only way.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “catastrophe” translations and entries Katastrophe, Unglück, Unheil, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Katastrophe, Unglück, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
