Disasters are sudden events that cause significant damage, harm, or disruption. Learning disaster-related vocabulary in Spanish can help you understand news reports, follow safety instructions, and communicate during emergencies.
Types of Disasters
Common types of disasters, from natural events to human-caused incidents.
| Spanish Singular | Spanish Plural | English Singular | English Plural |
|---|---|---|---|
| el desastre | los desastres | disaster | disasters |
| el terremoto | los terremotos | earthquake | earthquakes |
| el huracán | los huracanes | hurricane | hurricanes |
| la inundación | las inundaciones | flood | floods |
| el incendio | los incendios | fire | fires |
| el tornado | los tornados | tornado | tornados |
| el volcán | los volcanes | volcano | volcanoes |
| la sequía | las sequías | drought | droughts |
| el deslizamiento de tierra | los deslizamientos de tierra | landslide | landslides |
| el tsunami | los tsunamis | tsunami | tsunamis |
| el accidente | los accidentes | accident | accidents |
| la erupción | las erupciones | eruption | eruptions |
volcano
El volcán entró en erupción anoche.
El volcán means volcano, which can erupt and release lava. Hurricanes and earthquakes do not erupt.
Emergency & Rescue
Vocabulary related to emergency response, rescue operations, and first aid.
| Spanish Singular | Spanish Plural | English Singular | English Plural |
|---|---|---|---|
| la emergencia | las emergencias | emergency | emergencies |
| el rescate | los rescates | rescue | rescues |
| el herido / la herida | los heridos / las heridas | injured person | injured people |
| el rescatista | los rescatistas | rescuer | rescuers |
| la ambulancia | las ambulancias | ambulance | ambulances |
| el bombero | los bomberos | firefighter | firefighters |
| la sirena | las sirenas | siren | sirens |
| la víctima | las víctimas | victim | victims |
| el hospital | los hospitales | hospital | hospitals |
| el socorrista | los socorristas | paramedic / lifeguard | paramedics / lifeguards |
Safety & Survival
Important words and phrases for staying safe and surviving during disasters.
| Spanish Singular | Spanish Plural | English Singular | English Plural |
|---|---|---|---|
| la evacuación | las evacuaciones | evacuation | evacuations |
| el refugio | los refugios | shelter | shelters |
| la alerta | las alertas | alert / warning | alerts / warnings |
| la seguridad | — | safety / security | — |
| el botiquín de primeros auxilios | los botiquines de primeros auxilios | first aid kit | first aid kits |
| la provisión | las provisiones | supply | supplies |
| el apagón | los apagones | blackout / power outage | blackouts / power outages |
| la máscara de gas | las máscaras de gas | gas mask | gas masks |
| el agua potable | — | drinking water | — |
| el equipo de emergencia | los equipos de emergencia | emergency kit | emergency kits |
shelter
Buscan refugio en un lugar seguro.
Refugio means shelter, a place to stay safe during a disaster. Hospitals and ambulances are medical resources, not shelters.
Useful Phrases
Common Spanish phrases used during disasters and emergencies.
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| ¡Ayuda! | Help! |
| ¿Dónde está el refugio? | Where is the shelter? |
| Necesito un médico. | I need a doctor. |
| ¡Llamen a una ambulancia! | Call an ambulance! |
| ¿Hay heridos? | Are there injured people? |
| Quédense tranquilos y sigan las instrucciones. | Stay calm and follow the instructions. |
| Evacuen el área inmediatamente. | Evacuate the area immediately. |
| No usen los elevadores. | Don’t use the elevators. |
| Mantengan la calma. | Stay calm. |
| ¿Está usted herido? | Are you hurt? |
| Es una emergencia. | It’s an emergency. |
| ¿Dónde están los bomberos? | Where are the firefighters? |
| Tengan provisiones suficientes. | Have enough supplies. |
| Busquen un lugar seguro. | Find a safe place. |
| La tormenta llegará pronto. | The storm will arrive soon. |
Summary
- Disaster Types (desastres)
- Emergency & Rescue (emergencias y rescates)
- Safety & Survival (seguridad y supervivencia)
- Useful Phrases (frases útiles)
Learning these Spanish disaster vocabulary words and phrases can help you navigate emergency situations more confidently and understand important safety information.
Flashcards (1 of 47)
- English Singular: disaster
- English Plural: disasters
Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025
