tremblement de terre
/tʁɑ̃.blə.mɑ̃ d(ə) tɛʁ/masculine
The English phrase 'earthquake' is translated into French as tremblement de terre or séisme.
Meaning: shaking of the surface of a planet (noun)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| tremblement de terre | /tʁɑ̃.blə.mɑ̃ d(ə) tɛʁ/ | masculine |
| séisme | /se.ism/ /se.izm/ |
masculine |
Both terms refer to the shaking of a planet's surface.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase tremblement de terre literally means 'shaking of the earth'.
Which one should you use?
Tremblement de terre is the common, everyday way to refer to an earthquake in spoken French. In contrast, séisme is a more formal or technical term often found in scientific or journalistic contexts.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun tremblement is masculine, which is why the phrase uses the masculine indefinite article un in the form un tremblement de terre.
How do you pronounce it?
/tʁɑ̃.blə.mɑ̃ d(ə) tɛʁ/
Did you know?
- The word terre in tremblement de terre shares an ancient root with the English word 'dry', coming from the Proto-Indo-European root *ters-.
- In French, the word séisme is often used metaphorically to describe a sudden political or social shock that disrupts a country.
- The verb trembler used in tremblement de terre also describes the physical shivering caused by cold or fear.
Examples in context
- Le séisme a tout détruit.The earthquake destroyed everything.This sentence shows how to use the form séisme to describe total destruction.Tatoeba #13205623 by lbdx, translation #3678961 by AlanF_US
- Un séisme a détruit l'édifice.An earthquake destroyed the building.This sentence demonstrates the use of séisme when referring to the destruction of a building.Tatoeba #12198710 by lbdx, translation #680680 by Source_VOA
- Y a-t-il eu un tremblement de terre ?Was there an earthquake?This sentence shows how to ask if an earthquake occurred using the form tremblement de terre.Tatoeba #7067832 by Aiji, translation #2892414 by CK
- La semaine dernière, un tremblement de terre a secoué la région.Last week, an earthquake shook the region.
- Les scientifiques étudient les effets des séismes .Scientists are studying the effects of earthquakes.
- Vivre un tremblement de terre .To experience an earthquake.
- Les bâtiments résistants aux tremblements de terre .Earthquake-resistant buildings.
- 106 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two neighbors are discussing recent news after a seismic event.
- LucasTu as senti le tremblement de terre ?Did you feel the earthquake?
- ManonOui, c'était vraiment impressionnant.Yes, it was really impressive.
- LucasJ'ai eu très peur, Manon.I was very scared, Manon.
- ManonMoi aussi, Lucas, c'est normal.Me too, Lucas, it's normal.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “earthquake” translations and entries tremblement de terre, séisme, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries de, séisme, terre, tremblement, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
