防災 = bousai & Japanese for emergency


= Tsukue no shita ni kakurete ne.

= Hide under the table!

Hi everyone!

As we all know we had a big earthquake in Japan and it took a lot of people’s lives.

My deepest sympathies and prayers goes out to everyone affected by this disaster.

Also thank you so much for all your concern and encouragements. We have received so many warm messages from all over the world. As a Japanese person, I was personally moved to tears to receive your love and support.

For those who live in Japan, there are many helpful sites.

Japan earthquake how to protect yourself

Japan earthquake Multi-language Support site

How to protect yourself

Japan earthquake Information

■NHK world


気象庁= kishouchou = Japanese meteorological bureau

NTT　Disaster Emergency Message Dial

We all worry about the ongoing aftershocks and 放射能 (= houshanou )= radiation leakage problem from the 原子力発電所 (= genshiryoku hatsudensho )= atomic power plants. But 冷静になりましょう！(= “Reisei ni narimashou”) = let’s keep our heads, and not overreact. There too much information out there, and some people are panicking prematurely.


I will make this lesson for everybody who is in Japan or is coming to Japan in the future. Hopefully this will help you stay safe.

Although it is painful for me to make this type of lesson, I think it might be useful in case of emergency.

But the motive of this lesson is not to make you worry. It is to help you deal with any situations calmly in Japanese.

Knowing other languages helps you to enjoy your trips and your life when you travel or stay in another country. At the same time knowing language helps you survive whenever something happens to you.

In other words, if you don’t know the language, there are more chances that you will feel very frightened because you will not know what is happening around you.

There are a lot of sources information in Japanese but you might feel as if there is absolutely no information because a lot of TV news is not bilingual.

First, you need to understand some basic words to help you understand what is being said on TV, the internet and to communicate with the people around you. You need to be able to get the basic information and find out what is happening. And it will be more useful if you can understand Japanese news even if it’s just a few keywords or phrases. And when you don’t know what is happening, you need to be able to ask the people around you quickly in Japanese.

I really hope you don’t need to ever use this lesson now or in future but it’s good to be prepared.

We have a saying 備えあれば憂い無し。= Sonae areba urei nashi.= If you are prepared, you don’t have to worry.

!to right! To help you understand Japanese emergency warning on TV or Radio :

As soon as we have an earthquake somewhere in Japan, you will hear/see announcement on TV by 気象庁 = kishouchou = meteorological bureau

地震情報 = jishin jouhou = earthquake information

地震速報 = jishin sokuhou = prompt announcement for the earthquake

If you see it on TV, the

Ex. 緊急地震速報です。

= Kinkyuu jishin sokuhou desu.

= This is an emergency earthquake warning.

Ex. ＊時＊分（name of the place) で強い地震がありました。

= ＊ji＊pun/fun,(name of the place) de tsuyoi jishin ga arimashita.

= There was a big earthquake in (name of the place) at (time).

:rrrr: Variation :


=( time)+ goro,

= around + time

只今 = tadaima = right now

先程 = sakihodo = a little while ago


(place)de jishin ga arimashita.

= There was an earthquake in **

地震 = jishin = earthquake

ありました = arimashita = there was/were

Ex. 各地の震度は分かり次第お知らせ致します。

= Kakuchi no shindo wa wakari shidai oshirase itashimasu.

= We will announce the seismic intensity scale of each affected area as soon as we know.

各地=kakuchi = each area

震度= shindo = Japanese seismic intensity scale

And they will show you the degree of the earthquake of each area


(location) 震度２ = (location) shindo ni = (location) intensity 2

We also describe the seismic intensity with マグニチュード= magunichuudo = magnitude later but it is pretty common to describe the intensity with 震度 = shindo in Japan.

:l: There are 10 different levels.

:rrrr: 震度* 弱= shindo ＊jaku= intensity ＊ lower

The literal meaning of = jaku is “weak”

震度* 強= shindo ＊kyou = intensity ＊ upper

The literal meaning of = kyou is “strong”

1)Intensity level 0= 震度０= shindo zero

:rrrr: Most people don’t feel any shakes.

2) Intensity level 1=震度１ = shindo ichi

:rrrr: Some people might feel it if you are in the room being quiet

3) Intensity level 2= 震度 2 = shindo ni

:rrrr: Most people in a quiet room can feel.

4) Intensity level 3 =震度 3 = shindo san


:rrrr: Most people in the house feel it.

5) Intensity level 4= 震度4 = shindo yon


:rrrr: Most people get surprised. Hanging objects such as lamps will swing and unstable ornaments in the house might fall.

6) Intensity level 5 lower =震度５弱= shindo go jaku

:rrrr: Most people feel frightened and try to hold onto something to walk.

Most books and dishes fall from cupboards or bookshelves. An unstable brick wall might fall.

7) Intensity level 5 upper =震度５強= shindo go kyou

:rrrr:It is difficult to walk without holding onto something. Unfixed furniture might fall.

8) Intensity level 6 lower =震度6弱= shindo roku jaku

:rrrr: It is difficult to stand. Most unfixed furniture will move or fall. Some doors won’t be able to open (because the frames will be twisted). Tiles on the wall or roof or window glasses might fall. Less earthquake-resistant wooden houses might fall or tilt.

9) Intensity level 6 upper =震度6強= shindo roku kyou

:rrrr: You can’t move without crawling. Sometimes you are knocked down. Most unfixed furniture will move and may fall. More less-earthquake-resistant wooden houses or buildings will incline or collapse. Landslides and cracks in the ground may also occur.

10) Intensity level 7 =震度7 = shindo nana

:rrrr:Even high-earthquake-resistant buildings might occasionally incline.

Many low-earthquake-resistant concrete building will collapse.

You will also see/here,


(location) で地震 強い揺れに警戒

= (location) de jishin. Tsuyoi yure ni keikai.

= There was an earthquake in ~ . Be careful of strong shakes.

強い = tsuyoi = strong

揺れ = yure = shake

警戒 = keikai = alert, warning (verb : 警戒する = keikai suru = to be alert)

Ex. 強い揺れに警戒してください

= Tsuyoi yure ni keikai shite kudasai.

= Be careful of strong shakes

Note: Many people registered for “the earthquake alert” on their cell phone company.

Softbank, Au, Docomo.

iPhone has an APP called ゆれくる= yurekuru (The literal translation is shaking is coming.)

It is based on information supplied by 気象庁 = kishouchou = meteorological bureau

Ex. 震度５弱がおよそ１０秒後

= shindo 5 jaku ga oyoso juubyougo

= A level 5 lower earthquake is coming within 10 seconds (more or less).

(Notice the icon picture is a なまず= namazu= catfish which are traditionally thought to be able to predict earthquakes.)

After the first announcement of the earthquake. They will soon announce


:rrrr: 震源地 = shingenchi= epicenter

Check where it is. Check the Japanese map and make sure which area is affected.

Aftershocks are called


余震 = yoshin

Ex. 余震がある= yoshin ga aru = there are aftershocks

and if you live on the seacoast, check for tsunami warnings.

After an earthquake, there are often aftershocks so you have to keep alert. They say sometimes aftershocks are bigger than the initial quake.

Then they will announce information about:

:rrrr: 津波= tsunami

If tsunami are not a problem, they will say

:rrrr: 津波の心配はありません。

= Tsunami no shinpai wa arimasen.

When there is a warning for tsunami, they will announce



= Tsunami keihou ga happyou saremashita.

= They issued a tsunami advisory.

Now remember, in case of tsunami, typhoon ( = 台風 = taifuu), heavy rain ( = 大雨 = ooame), flood ( = 洪水 = kouzui)

there are two types of warnings

*注意報 = chuuihou = advisory


*警報 = keihou = alarm, alert

Note : 警報 = keihou is a stronger warning

(For example in the event of typhoon, if they publish 警報 = keihou for typhoon, Ex. 暴風警報 = boufuu keihou = storm wing warning, children have to stay home not leaving the house.)


= ~ ga happyou saremashita.

= ~ is announced.


= Tsunami keihou ga happyou sarete iru no wa tsugi no engan desu.

= The tsunami warning just announced affects the following seacoasts.

沿岸 = engan = (sea) coast

In case of event of tsunami, go to a 高台 = takadai = upland, high place, up on hills as fast as you can.

!to right! What to do during an earthquake:

I know there are a lot of useful sites — like the ones I mentioned above — but basically 安全確保 = anzen kakuho = to stay safe is key and 火の元に注意= hino monto ni chuui = be sure to turn off the stove, heater or gas.

1) Don’t panic!

2) Protect your head. If you have a bag made of strong material (a cushion or pillow will also work), lift it over the top of your head 10cm away from the top of your head. If at all possible hide under a table until the big shake is over. (like me in the picture)

3) 揺れが静まったら(= Yure ga shizumattara) =When the shakes settle, → Turn off the stove, heater or gas as soon as possible.

4) Open the doors, windows.

5) Don’t use the elevator when you escape.

6) Avoid being close to the building, vending machines, concrete walls, power lines, signs. Try to get into an open area.


!to right! Useful Japanese for emergency :

Remember the following words and phrases:

非常口 = hijouguchi = emergency exit

(If you stay in a hotel, find out where the exits are. )

Ex. 非常口はどこですか？

= Hijouguchi wa doko desuka?

= Where is the emergency exit?

Ex. 階段はどこですか？

= Kaidan wa doko desuka?

= Where are the stairs?

Ex. 出口はどこですか？

= Deguchi wa doko desuka?

= Where is the exit?

If you find a fire, you shout

Ex. 火事だ！= kajida! = Fire!!

Note: Emergency phone numbers in Japan

In case of fire or to call ambulance car, we dial 119



= Hai ichiichi kyuu (hyakujyuukyuuban )desu. Kaji desuka? Kyuukyuu desuka?

= Hello, this is 119. Is it a matter of fire or you need an ambulance?


= Jiko ga arimashita.

=There was accident.


= kaji desu

= There is fire


= Kyuubyou desu

=It means someone has “sudden illness”. This is emergency. Someone is really sick! or injured.


= Kyuukyusha onegai shimasu.

= Please send us an ambulance.


= Shoubousha onegai shimasu.

= Please send a firetruck.

They will ask for your location and name. Then they’ll ask you to clearly describe what happened.

Ex. 「火事です。中に人がいます。」

= Kaji desu. Naka ni hito ga imasu.

= There is fire! There is someone inside.

Ex. 「怪我をしています。」

= Kega wo shiteimasu.

= I am (or someone is ) injured.

Give a direction 場所は〜です。= Basho wa ~ desu. = It is (location)

If it is a car accident or crime is involved, call 110

It is also called 110 = hyakutouban

You can ask people around you


= Sumimasen ichiichi kyuu (or hyakujuu kyuuban )ni denwa wo shite kudasai.

= Please call 119 (for the ambulance car or fire car)

「すみません、110(番）(or 警察）に電話をして下さい。」

= Sumimasen hyakutouban (or keisatsu) ni denwa shite kudasai.

= Please call 110. / Please call the police.

!to right! For other warning for emergency

Ex. 「逃げろ」

= Nigero!

= Get out! (Male speech)

Ex. 「逃げて！」

= Nigete

= Get out! (Female speech)

*This is emergency, it doesn’t matter if you are a man or woman, just remember if someone says this you have to get out of there!

Ex. 「助けて！」

= Tasukete!

= Help!

Ex. 「助けて下さい！」

= Tasukete kudasai!

= Please help me!

If you don’t know what is happening, just grab anybody around you,

Ex. 「何が起きたのですか？」

= nani ga okita no desuka?

= What happened?

Ex. 「どうしたらいいですか？」

= Doushitara ii desuka?

= What should I do?


= Doko ye ittara iidesuka?

= Where should I go?

If you don’t understand them


= Nihongo ga yoku wakarimasen. Yukkuri hanashite kudasai.

= I don’t understand Japanese well. Please speak slowly.


= Dareka eigo ga wakaru hito wa imasenka?

= Is there anybody who speaks English?

You can ask help saying,


= Komatte imasu. Tasukete kudasai.

= I am in trouble. Please help me.


In some severe case, you may have to evacuate,

Ex. 「ここは危険ですか？」

= Koko wa kiken desuka?

= Is it safe here?


•危険 = kiken = danger

安全 = anzen = safe

Ex. 危険地域 = kiken chiiki = dangerous zone

Ex. 安全地域 = anzen chiiki = safe zone

避難 = hinan = evacuation

verb: 避難する =hinan suru = to evacuate

Ex. 「直ちに避難して下さい！」

= Tadachi ni hinan shitte kudasai!

= Please evacuate as soon as possible.

:rrrr: 緊急避難= kinkyuu hinan = emergency evacuation

Every district has its designated 避難所 = hinanjo = shelter Usually at a school gym or city hall where they can have a lot of people.

Ex. 「どこに避難したらいいですか？」

= Doko ni hinan shitara iidesuka?

= Where should I evacuate to?

Ex. 「避難所はどこにありますか？」

= Hinanjo wa dokoni arimasuka?

= Where is the shelter?

Ex. 「駅までどういけばいいですか？」

= Eki made douikeba iidesuka?

= How can I get to the station?

Ex. 「避難所まで歩いてどの位ですか？」

= Hinanjo made aruite donogurai desuka?

= How long does it take to get to the shelter from here on foot?

So basically in order to get information, you may have to ask a lot of questions.

!to right! How to communicate with people in emergency


=〜wa doko desu ka?

= Where is 〜?

:rrrr: Ex. 「公衆電話はどこですか？」

= Koushuudenwa wa doko desuka?

=〜wa doko desu ka?

= Where is 〜?


=〜 wo kashite kudasai.

= May I use 〜

:rrrr: Ex. 「電話を貸してください。」

= Denwa wo kashite kudasai.

= May I use your phone?


= 〜 wa doko de kaemasu ka?

= Where can I buy 〜?

:rrrr: Ex. 「電池はどこで買えますか？」

= Denchi wa doko de kaemasuka?

= Where can I buy batteries?


= 〜wa dokode moraemasuka?

= Where can I get 〜

(もらえる = moraeru = means to get something for free)

Ex. 「水はどこでもらえますか？」

= Mizu wa doko de moraemasu ka?

= Where can I get water?

!star! (verb)ても（でも）大丈夫ですか？

= (verb) temo(demo) daijoubu desuka?

= Can I / Is it OK/ Is it Safe to verb?

:rrrr: Ex.「水道水は飲んでも大丈夫ですか？」

= Suidousui wa nondemo daijoubu desuka?

= Is it OK (safe) to drink tap water?


=〜wo itadakemasuka?

= Could you give me 〜

:rrrr: Ex. 「水を頂けますか？」

= Mizu wo itadakemasu ka?

= Could you give me some water please?

or simply

!star! 〜を下さい

= 〜wo kudasai.

= Give me 〜, please.

:rrrr: Ex. 「地図を下さい。」

= Chizu wo kudasai.

= Give me a map, please.


=〜wo tsukawasete kudasai.

= Let me use 〜 please.

:rrrr: Ex. 「トイレを使わせて下さい。」

= Toire wo tsukawasete kudasai.

= Please let me use the bathroom.


= 〜sasete kudasai.

= Let me do ~

:rrrr: Ex. 「携帯を充電させて下さい。」

= Keitai wo juuden sasete kudasai.

= Let me charge my cell phone.


=〜wo sagashite imasu.

= I am looking for 〜

Ex. 「開いている店を探しています。」

= Aiteiru mise wo sagashite imasu.

= I am looking for an open store.

•開いている = aite iru = open

閉まっている = shimatte iru = closed

Ex. 「友達を探しています。」

= Tomodachi wo sagashite imasu.

= I am looking for my friend.

Ex. 「どこにいったら買えますか？」

= Doko ni ittara kaemasuka?

= Where can I buy it/them?

Ex. 「どこで聞いたらわかりますか？」

= Doko de kiitara wakarimasu ka?

= Where can I get the information?

Ex. 「誰に聞いたらわかりますか？」

= Dare ni kiitara wakarimasu ka?

= Who should I ask?


!to right! Transportation problems : transportation facilities: 交通機関 = koutsuu kikan

During the disaster, a lot of trains, airplanes, subways or buses will stop or reduce the service. A lot of people couldn’t go home and they are called 帰宅困難者 = kitaku konan sha Now I will teach you some of the key words/sentences in order to understand what it is said in the announcement.

•ダイヤが乱れる = daiya ga midareru.

Ex. ダイヤが乱れています。

= daiya ga midarete imasu.

= The timetable has been disrupted.

運転見合わせ = unten miawase = temporally suspended

Ex. 地震のため全線で運転を見合わせています。

= jishin no tame zensen de unten wo miawasete imasu.

= Due to the earthquake, all lines have been temporarily suspended.


= Heijou doori untenn shiteimasu.

= to have a normal train (or bus) service


= unten miawase

= the operation was temporarily suspended


= unkyuu

= no service, cancellation


= unten saikai

=to restart operations, service resumed


停電 = teiden = power outage, blackout

断水= dansui = cuts in water supply

In order to provide electricity supply to the most devastated area 被災地= disaster-affected areas east area of Japan has been doing

計画停電 = keikaku teiden = planned outage

This is something new and we have never done it in Japan.

Ex. この地区の停電は何時から何時までか知っていたら教えて下さい。

= Kono chiku no teiden wa nanji kara nanji made ka shitteitara oshiete kudasai.

= Please tell me if you know from what time until what time the blackout in this area is?

People are trying to do 節電= setsuden = saving electricity

Japan is known as one of 地震大国 = jishin taikoku = the biggest earthquake countries.

After having the big earthquake in Hanshin or Nigata area, people are more prepared for the earthquakes.

: From the picture above:

防災= bousai = disaster prevention


= Tsukue no shita ni kakurete ne.

= Hide under the table!

Many companies and schools practice 避難訓練= hinan kunren = disaster drills

And many houses or companies prepare

非常袋 = hijoubukuro = emergency bag

懐中電灯 = kaichuudentou = flashlight

乾電池 = kandenchi = batteries

飲料水 = inryousui = drinkable water

非常食 = hijoushoku = emergency food

ヘルメット = herumetto = helmets


Many people put a pair of shoes in the bedroom so that they can escape immediately.

And we fix the furniture with a pole,


Recently panicked people hoard food,water, toilet papers, and etc.

買い占め = kaishime = panic purchase, hoarding

It is sad to hear that even people who even live far away try to buy up stuff supplies that they do not really need. This is mostly done out of fear.

There is a kind of internet campaign or movement or operation=作戦=sakusen encouraging people not to hoard supplies. It is called 上島作戦= ueshima sakusen = Operation Ueshima.

上島=Ueshima is a name of a member of a comedy trio, ダチョウ倶楽部=Dacho Club and someone named this operation using their a gag line, 「どうぞどうぞ」 = Please go ahead!

So if you see a hash tag #ueshima that means they support “No hoarding!”

And if you see a hash tag #yashima that is from ヤシマ作戦= yashima sakusen = Operation Yashima which support saving energy and it originally came from Evangelion.


Last but not least, a lot of people asked me how to encourage their Japanese friends. It is not a specific lesson but check my 労る= itawaru lesson. I will add a little bit here.

If you want to ask if someone is OK or not,


= daijoubu desuka?


Ex. 地震がありましたが大丈夫でしたか？

= Jishin ga arimashitaga daijoubu deshitaka?

= There was an earthquake. Are you OK?


= Gokaoku wa minasan buji deshitaka?

= Is everybody in your family all right?

If you want to show your sympathy, you say


Ex. 心よりお見舞い申し上げます。

= Kokoro yori omimai moushiagemasu.

= I would like to express my deepest sympathies.

And if you find out everybody is OK and want to express your relief, you say


無事でよかった！(with someone close to you)

= Buji de yokatta

= I am glad you are safe.


= Gobuji de hontou ni yokattadesu.

= I am glad you are OK.

To be relieved in Japanese is

•安心する= anshin suru


ほっとする =hotto suru

I’m relieved to hear you are OK.

Ex. 無事と聞き安心しました。

= Buji to kiki anshin shimashita.

or Ex. 無事と聞きほっとしました。

= Buji to kiki ni hotto shimashita.

Your cheering of

がんばって日本 = ganbatte nihon(nippon) = Hang in there, Japan


pray for Japan = 日本の為に祈る = nihon no tame ni inoru

reaches to Japanese hearts.

Thank you and ありがとう！= arigatou

Please keep us sending positive thoughts. You are all wonderful and I love you all!


This is マギー作戦 = Maggie sakusen = Operation Maggie



=Anshin shite kuraseru utsukushii kuni nihon ga mata genki ni naru koto wo shinjite kudasai.

= Please believe that beautiful Japan where we can live safely will be healthy again.


Will you be my Patron? 

I appreciate your support!  サポートありがとう！

Become a Patron!



  1. The explanation in this web is very useful for foreign people who stay in Japan. Thank you very much … Doumo arigatou gozaimashita.

  2. Thank you so much for all these translations and pronunciations, it’s exactly what I was looking for! I hope everyone’s okay!

  3. Hey Yukari *hugs* I am so so sorry for this happening to Japan. The day it happened i was so so sad and started tearing up. It still bothers me and i really wish i could do so much more than watch videos in amazement and disbelief. I really appreciate you taking the time to make this lesson and show us how much you love us even though so much is going on. Its really hard to type this right now. Thank you so much again and you are all in my thoughts each day.

    1. @Itsumaru

      Thank you so much for your warm message. So many people in the world have worried about Japan. And we are very very happy to feel your love.
      I don’t have anything to return to you all so what I can do is keep making lessons for everybody.

  4. 素敵な文章で、ありがとう、先生！

    1. @薫


  5. このレッスンはどうもありがとうございます。今までに一年半東京に住んでいて、日本語はもう大体慣れてきましたが、防災の言葉を勉強するきっかけがなくて先週のテレビとラジオの情報発表をわかるのが大変でした。

    1. @Jessie


      1. そうですね。まだ日本に住んでいますが、最近の厳しい状況で先週は母国へ帰国してしまいました。早く日本へ帰ればいいと思いますが、とりあえず遠いところからいいエネルギーを送らないといけない。まだ日本にいる友達ととても会いたいな！

        1. @Jessie


  6. Thanks for this lesson Maggie-sensei and Yukari-sensei. :D

    Uhm, I’m just wondering what happened to Tashirojima (Cat Island). It’s near Ishinomaki, right? I hope the island and its inhabitants are okay.

    1. @Amelie
      Where did you hear about Tashirojima? Actually many people are worried about that island as well.
      Seems to be a nice little island with all the nice people. Hope they are all safe,too.

Leave a Reply
