震度(しんど)

しんど
noun
seismic intensity; earthquake intensity level
1. seismic intensity; earthquake intensity level
A measurement on the Japanese seismic intensity scale indicating how strongly an earthquake is felt at a specific location.
震度(しんど)五(ご)強(きょう)だった。
The seismic intensity was upper 5.
震度(しんど)三(さん)の地震(じしん)があった。
There was an earthquake of intensity 3.
この地域(ちいき)では最大(さいだい)震度(しんど)六(ろく)弱(じゃく)が観測(かんそく)された。
A maximum seismic intensity of lower 6 was recorded in this area.
震度(しんど)四(よん)以上(いじょう)の地震(じしん)が起(お)きたら避難(ひなん)してください。
Please evacuate if an earthquake of intensity 4 or higher occurs.

The Japanese seismic intensity scale (震度(しんど)階級(かいきゅう)) measures how strongly shaking is felt at a given location, distinct from magnitude (マグニチュード(まぐにちゅーど)) which measures total energy released. The scale runs from 0 to 7, with 5 and 6 each split into 弱(じゃく) (lower) and 強(きょう) (upper), giving 10 levels total.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 震度(しんど)五(ご)強(きょう): upper 5 intensity
  • 震度(しんど)六(ろく)弱(じゃく): lower 6 intensity
  • 最大(さいだい)震度(しんど): maximum seismic intensity
  • 震度(しんど)計(けい): seismometer

CULTURAL NOTE:
Japanese earthquake reports always include 震度(しんど) readings for each affected area. This scale is unique to Japan and is managed by the Japan Meteorological Agency. Learners living in Japan will encounter this term frequently in news and emergency alerts.

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 深度(しんど): depth — same pronunciation but different meaning
  • 進度(しんど): degree of progress — also the same pronunciation
general
Added 2026.4.8 2:04
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