Recently, seeing the news about the 7.1 magnitude earthquake in Kumamoto, Japan, many readers surely felt deep empathy and sorrow. Living in a region where earthquakes are equally frequent, many people are especially empathetic to such natural disasters. We often see real-time updates on social media about international news or want to express our care online.
However, when you want to chat with foreign friends about this news in English, or watch CNN and BBC reports, do you often find yourself stuck on vocabulary? When you want to say "the damage is severe," does only "very bad" pop into your head? When trying to "express condolences," do you only know how to say "I feel sorry"?
Don't worry! Today's Loopy column will take you through this international news story to learn the most authentic English expressions for reporting on "disaster damage, search and rescue, and aid" all at once!
1. Describing Disaster Damage: Stop Using Just "very bad"!
When watching international news reports about earthquakes, regarding collapsed buildings and damaged roads in the footage, news reports usually use the word devastation (destruction, disaster damage). It is a noun referring to widespread severe damage.
In addition, regarding the "casualty count" that everyone is most concerned about, news reports rarely use "people hurt." Instead, they use casualty (a person killed or injured in a war or accident). This word is usually used in the plural form, casualties, which includes both the number of dead and injured.
Let's first look at a common Chinglish mistake that many learners make:
✗ The earthquake was very bad and many people got hurt.
✓ The earthquake caused severe devastation, and the number of casualties is still rising.
(The earthquake caused severe damage, and the casualty count is still rising.)
If you want to describe search and rescue personnel carrying out rescues in the "disaster area," you can say:
- Emergency teams are working tirelessly in the disaster area.
(Emergency rescue teams are working tirelessly in the disaster area.)
2. Search & Rescue and Material Aid: How to Say Them Precisely?
During the golden 72 hours after a disaster, what appears most in the news are "search and rescue operations" and "humanitarian aid" from various countries.
The English for "search and rescue operation" is rescue operation. When governments or private organizations step in to help by providing food, medical supplies, and other forms of "humanitarian aid," the English term used is humanitarian aid.
Let's compare the phrasing again:
✗ Taiwan sent many helpers and free food to Japan.
✓ Taiwan is ready to provide humanitarian aid and join the rescue operation.
(Taiwan is ready to provide humanitarian aid and join the rescue operation.)
Other authentic example sentences:
- Foreign countries are offering humanitarian aid to help the survivors.
(Foreign countries are offering humanitarian aid to help survivors.) - Bad weather is delaying the rescue operation.
(Bad weather is delaying the rescue operation.)
3. Sending Warmth! How to Express Sincere Condolences in English?
People in Taiwan are always among the first to offer care to Japan. When you want to leave a comment on social media platforms or write an email to friends in Japan to express your concern, never just use "I am sorry." In English, the most authentic and powerful condolence pattern is:
- Our thoughts and prayers are with...
- Our thoughts are with the victims and their families.
This way of expressing sympathy is both dignified and warm, and it is very common in international news reports or diplomatic messages:
✗ I feel sorry for the Japan earthquake.
✓ Our thoughts are with all those affected by the earthquake in Kumamoto.
If you want to express that Taiwan is ready to help at any time, you can say:
- Taiwan stands with Japan during this difficult time.
💡 Loopy's News English Quick-Memory Key Points
Next time you see international disaster news or want to follow the latest updates in English, remember these four core vocabulary words and sentence patterns:
- Talking about severe damage: Use devastation, replacing the cliché "very bad."
- Talking about casualties: Use casualty, which includes both deaths and injuries.
- Talking about rescue aid: Use rescue operation and humanitarian aid.
- Expressing sincere condolences: Remember Our thoughts are with... to convey the warmest care.
The fastest way to learn English is by connecting it to current real-life events. Through this lesson, it's certain that you've not only improved your English skills, but you can also convey care and goodwill more accurately on international platforms. Keep it up, and see you next time!