भूकंप
bhūkamp/bʱuː.kəmp/masculine
In Hindi, the English word earthquake is translated as भूकंप (bhūkamp). Wiktionary also lists ज़लज़ला (zalzalā) and भूचाल (bhūcāl).
Meaning: shaking of the surface of a planet (noun)
Ways to say it
| Hindi | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| भूकंप | bhūkamp | /bʱuː.kəmp/ (Hindi, Standard) | masculine |
| ज़लज़ला | zalzalā | /zəl.zə.lɑː/ (Hindi, Standard) /d͡ʒəl.d͡ʒə.lɑː/ (Hindi, Standard) |
masculine |
| भूचाल | bhūcāl | /bʱuː.t͡ʃɑːl/ (Hindi, Standard) | masculine |
| भूकप | bhūkap | masculine |
The term refers to the shaking of the surface of a planet.
What does it mean word for word?
The word भूकंप is a compound of भू (bhū), meaning earth and कंप (kamp), meaning vibration or shaking.
Which one should you use?
While भूकंप is the standard term, ज़लज़ला is a common loanword often used in spoken Hindi and media to describe a powerful earthquake or a massive upheaval. भूचाल can refer to a literal earthquake, but it is very frequently used metaphorically to describe a massive political or social upheaval or a commotion in the earth.
How does it change in a sentence?
In Hindi, earthquakes are often described using the verb आना (to come), such as in the phrase भूकंप आया (an earthquake came/occurred).
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced bhūkamp (IPA: /bʱuː.kəmp/).
Did you know?
- The word ज़लज़ला is not native to India but travelled from Arabic into Classical Persian before entering Hindi.
- While भूकंप describes the vibration of the earth, भूचाल literally means 'earth movement' because चाल refers to a gait or way of walking.
- Hindi speakers use भूचाल to describe a sudden political scandal or a shock in a sports match that changes everything.
Examples in context
- कल भूकंप आया था.Yesterday there was an earthquake.This sentence is useful for practicing the phrase 'an earthquake came'.Tatoeba #2056595 by RadiumCat, translation #1578588 by CM
- एक भूकंप ने वह इमारत तबाह कर दी।An earthquake destroyed the building.This sentence shows how to describe the destruction caused by an earthquake.Tatoeba #3625240 by sabretou, translation #680680 by Source_VOA
- २००४ वर्ष में, हिन्द महासागर में एक भयंकर भूकंप हुआ था।In 2004, a terrible earthquake happened in the Indian Ocean.This sentence is useful for describing a major earthquake event in a specific location and time.
- भारत में अच्छी तरह से निर्माणित भवन संरचनाएं भूकंप के समय भी सुरक्षित रह सकती हैं।In India, well-constructed buildings can remain safe during an earthquake.
- भूकंप जैसी प्राकृतिक आपदाओं से बचाव के लिए सरकारों को उच्च सुरक्षा मानकों का पालन करना चाहिए।Governments should follow high safety standards to protect against natural disasters like earthquakes.
- कल रात को एक बड़ा झटका आया था। बहुत डर लगा।Last night, a big earthquake occurred. It was very scary.
Example conversation
Rahul and Priya are talking about the news on their phones.
- राहुल Rahulक्या तुमने भूकंप के बारे में सुना?Kya tumne bhukamp ke baare mein suna?Did you hear about the earthquake?
- प्रिया Priyaहाँ, बहुत बड़ा भूकंप आया था।Haan, bahut bada bhukamp aaya tha.Yes, there was a very big earthquake.
- राहुल Rahulक्या प्रिया तुम ठीक हो?Kya Priya tum theek ho?Priya, are you okay?
- प्रिया Priyaहाँ, मैं ठीक हूँ, धन्यवाद।Haan, main theek hoon, dhanyavad.Yes, I am fine, thank you.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “earthquake” translations and entries भूकंप, ज़लज़ला, भूचाल, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ज़लज़ला, भूकंप, भूचाल, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR, Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
