terremoto
“terremoto” means “earthquake” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
earthquake
Also: quake, seismic event
📝 In Action
El terremoto de 1985 destruyó muchos edificios.
A2The 1985 earthquake destroyed many buildings.
Después del terremoto, la gente salió a la calle por seguridad.
B1After the earthquake, people went out into the street for safety.
upheaval, force of nature
Also: troublemaker, storm
📝 In Action
Ese niño es un terremoto; tiró todos los juguetes al suelo.
B2That kid is a force of nature; he threw all the toys on the floor.
La crisis económica fue un terremoto político en el país.
C1The economic crisis was a political upheaval in the country.
Translate to Spanish
Words that translate to "terremoto" in Spanish:
earthquake→quake→seismic event→storm→troublemaker→upheaval→✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: terremoto
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'terremoto' in its figurative, non-literal sense?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
This word is a simple combination of two Latin roots: *terra* meaning 'earth' or 'ground,' and *motus* meaning 'movement.' So, literally, it means 'earth movement.' This clear structure makes it easy to remember!
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'terremoto' and 'temblor'?
'Terremoto' is generally reserved for a severe, destructive earthquake. 'Temblor' (which comes from the verb 'temblar,' meaning 'to shake') is used for milder, less damaging shaking or tremors. Think of 'terremoto' as the big one and 'temblor' as the smaller shake.
Why is 'terremoto' masculine even if it refers to a girl?
When you use 'terremoto' to describe a person (e.g., 'Mi hija es un terremoto'), you are using the noun metaphorically to describe a chaotic force or energy, not the person's gender. Since the noun itself is masculine, it remains 'el terremoto' regardless of who you are talking about.