Hot words on China’s earthquake 中国地震词汇

The confirmed death toll from China’s earthquake on May 12 has risen to 32,476 by 2:00 pm Sunday, and the toll would possibly rise to more than 50,000. To make you understand the news programs on the earthquake, ChineseHour Blog lists the most popular Chinese words and expressions for you to learn. Any problems, please refer to our online tutors at ChineseHour.com any time.

Popular Chinese idioms and expressions:
抗震救灾

kàngzhèn jiùzāi, earthquake relief (campaign)
万众一心

wànzhòng yìxīn. — Unite with one heart（to fight this natural disaster）.
众志成城

zhòngzhì chéngchéng. — Unity is strength (Unity and strength.)
一方有难, 八方支援。

yīfāng yǒu nán, bāfāng zhīyuán. –When disaster strikes, help comes from all sides.
时间就是生命。

Shíjiān jiùshì shēngmìng. — Time is life.

 Common expression in news reports:

地震 dìzhèn, earthquake
余震 yúzhèn,aftershock
山体滑坡 shāntǐ huápō, hillslide
泥石流 níshíliú, mudslide

堰塞湖 yànsāi hú, quake lake, barrier lake
死伤 sǐshāng, casualty
死亡人数 sǐwáng rénshù, death toll

地震灾区 dìzhèn zāiqū, quake-hit region
救援物资 jiùyuán wùzī, relief aid materials
生命探测仪 shēngmìng tàncèyí, life-detection equipment
战地医院 zhàndì yīyuàn, mobile hospital
帐篷 zhàngpéng,tent
药品 yàopǐn, medicine
食品 shípǐn, food
饮用水 yǐnyòng shuǐ, drinking water
卫生防疫 wèishēng fángyì, anti-epidemic measures
慈善捐款 císhàn juānkuǎn, charitable donations
捐助 juānzhù, contributions
献血 xiànxuè, blood donation

救援队 jiùyuán duì, rescue teams (workers /troops)
解放军 jiěfàngjūn, People’s Liberation Army (PLA)
人民子弟兵 rénmín zǐdìbīng, People’s brother-like soldiers
红十字会 hóng shízì huì, Red Cross
医生 yīshēng, doctor
志愿者 zìyuàn zhě, volunteer
新闻记者 xīnwén jìzhě, journalist
灾民 zāimín, disaster victims
幸存者 xìngcún zhě, survivor
降半旗 jiàng bànqí, National flag flies at half-mast.
赈灾义演 zhènzāi yìyǎn, “earthquake relief” concert
重建家园 chóngjiàn jiāyuán, to rebuild hometowns
以人为本 yǐrén wéiběn, people-oriented