Breakdown of Potres je elementarna nepogoda.
biti
to be (sam, si, je)
potres
earthquake
elementarna nepogoda
natural disaster
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Questions & Answers about Potres je elementarna nepogoda.
Why use elementarna nepogoda here instead of a literal translation like prirodna katastrofa?
Both are completely acceptable, but elementarna nepogoda (literally "elemental disaster") is the official administrative and legal term in Croatia. You will almost always hear this specific fixed phrase used in news broadcasts, government announcements, and insurance policies to describe natural disasters.
What does nepogoda mean on its own outside of this phrase?
On its own, nepogoda usually refers to severe weather, a storm, or a general spell of bad weather. It combines the negative prefix ne- with an older root for favorable weather or conditions. When paired with elementarna, the meaning expands to cover any catastrophic natural event, including non-weather events like earthquakes.
How does the noun potres relate to other Croatian words?
Potres is built from the verb tresti, which means "to shake" or "to tremble". The prefix po- turns it into a noun describing a specific shaking event. You will also see this root in the related verb potresti, which means to shake something up or to deeply move someone emotionally.