Japanese meaning of 天災地変
Reading:
てんさいちへん (tensai chi hen)
English Translation:
Natural disasters and catastrophes
Meaning & Cultural Context
Meaning:
Natural disasters and extraordinary natural events.
Cultural Context:
Used in official reports, disaster preparedness materials, and literature to describe unpredictable natural events.
自然災害や異常な自然現象。
公的な報告書や防災資料、文学作品などで、予測できない自然現象を指す言葉として使われる。
Grammar & Learning Points
Grammar Point
• Noun phrase with “に見舞われる” or “によって” to describe natural disasters and upheavals (“天災地変に見舞われる”).
• Used in news, legal, and historical writing.
Trap for English Speakers
Might be interpreted as only earthquakes or storms, but it covers all major natural disasters and geological changes.
Example
Basic Example
天災地変は予測できないから備えが大事だ。
Natural disasters are unpredictable, so preparation is key.
Applied Example
天災地変のごとき嵐が街を飲み込み、静寂が残った。
Like a natural disaster, the storm swallowed the city, leaving only silence.