भूकंप (bhookamp)

noun A straightforward compound noun meaning 'earthquake' -- from भू (bhoo, earth) + कंप (kamp, tremor/shaking). One core sense, used both literally and, occasionally, figuratively for a sudden upheaval.
Sense 1 : earthquake
noun, masculine
Synonyms: भूकम्प (bhookamp, variant spelling), भूचाल (bhoochaal)
Frequency: medium
Cultural Note: You will meet this word most often on the news -- भूकंप के झटके (bhookamp ke jhatke, 'earthquake tremors') is a stock phrase in Hindi weather and disaster reporting. Delhi-NCR sits in a seismic zone and gets occasional tremors from the Himalayan belt, so this word shows up in everyday conversation more than you might expect for a 'disaster' term.
Common Mistakes: 1) Learners sometimes write भूकम्प (bhookamp) with a म instead of the anusvara-spelled भूकंप (bhookamp) -- both are accepted, so this is a spelling variant, not an error, but sticking to one is cleaner for handwriting. 2) The everyday spoken word in casual conversation is often भूचाल (bhoochaal) rather than भूकंप (bhookamp), which leans slightly more toward news/formal registers -- both are common, but if you are describing a real event on the street, you will hear भूचाल (bhoochaal) just as much.
Sample Sentences:
आज सुबह दिल्ली में भूकंप के झटके महसूस हुए। This morning, earthquake tremors were felt in Delhi.
(aaj subah dillii men bhookamp ke jhatke mahsoos hue।)
Register: Neutral -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Perfective -- Tense: Past -- Voice: Passive
नेपाल में भूकंप ने बहुत तबाही मचाई थी। The earthquake in Nepal had caused a lot of devastation.
(nepaal men bhookamp ne bahut tabaahii machaaii thii।)
Register: Neutral -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Perfective -- Tense: Past -- Voice: Active
अगर भूकंप आए, तो घबराओ मत और मेज़ के नीचे बैठ जाओ। If an earthquake comes, do not panic and get under the table.
(agar bhookamp aae, to ghabraao mat aur mez ke niiche baith jaao।)
Register: Casual -- Mood: Subjunctive -- Voice: Active
अगर वहाँ भूकंप न आता, तो इतने घर नहीं गिरते। If an earthquake had not struck there, so many houses would not have collapsed.
(agar vahaan bhookamp n aataa, to itne ghar nahiin girte।)
Register: Neutral -- Mood: Counterfactual -- Aspect: Habitual -- Voice: Active
वैज्ञानिक भूकंप की भविष्यवाणी करने की कोशिश कर रहे हैं। Scientists are trying to predict earthquakes.
(vaigyaanik bhookamp kii bhavishyvaanii karne kii koshish kar rahe hain।)
Register: Formal -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Continuous -- Tense: Present -- Voice: Active
इस इलाके में हर साल छोटे-छोटे भूकंप आते रहते हैं। Small earthquakes keep occurring in this area every year.
(is ilaake men har saal chhote-chhote bhookamp aate rahte hain।)
Register: Neutral -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Habitual -- Tense: Present -- Voice: Active
कल रात एक हल्का भूकंप आया था, तुम्हें पता चला? There was a mild earthquake last night, did you find out?
(kal raat ek halkaa bhookamp aayaa thaa, tumhen pataa chalaa?)
Register: Casual -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Perfective -- Tense: Past -- Voice: Active
भूकंप का खतरा बना रहेगा, इसलिए इमारतें मजबूत बनाई जानी चाहिए। The risk of an earthquake will remain, so buildings should be built sturdy.
(bhookamp kaa khatraa banaa rahegaa, islie imaarten majboot banaaii jaanii chaahie।)
Register: Formal -- Mood: Indicative -- Tense: Future -- Voice: Passive
भूकंप आने पर तुरंत खुले मैदान में चले जाओ। When an earthquake hits, go to an open field immediately.
(bhookamp aane par turant khule maidaan men chale jaao।)
Register: Neutral -- Mood: Imperative -- Voice: Active
भूकंप के झटकों से पूरी इमारत हिल गई। The entire building shook from the earthquake tremors.
(bhookamp ke jhatkon se poorii imaarat hil gaii।)
Register: Neutral -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Perfective -- Tense: Past -- Voice: Active
Morphology
Noun
(sg.m.direct): भूकंप (bhookamp)
(sg.m.oblique): भूकंप (bhookamp)
(pl.m.direct): भूकंप (bhookamp)
(pl.m.oblique): भूकंपों (bhookampon)