French Phrase
Que faire pendant un séisme ?
Meaning
The sentence asks for advice or instructions on the actions one should take while an earthquake is occurring. It is a safety‑oriented question often used in emergency‑preparedness contexts.
When to use
Use this phrase when discussing emergency plans, giving a presentation on natural‑disaster safety, or asking friends or authorities for quick tips on how to protect yourself during an earthquake.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Quefairependantunséisme?
Que
Interrogative pronoun used to ask 'what' in a question.
faire
Infinitive form of the verb 'faire' (to do/make).
pendant
Preposition meaning 'during' or 'while'.
un séisme
Indefinite noun phrase meaning 'an earthquake'.
?
Question mark indicates the sentence is a question.
🗨In Conversation
Que faire pendant un séisme ?
What should we do during an earthquake?
Il faut se mettre à l'abri sous une table solide, rester loin des fenêtres et, dès que le tremblement s'arrête, sortir prudemment.
You should take shelter under a sturdy table, stay away from windows, and once the shaking stops, exit carefully.
✕Common Mistakes
Que faire pendant le séisme ?
Using the definite article suggests a specific, already‑known earthquake; the generic question should use the indefinite article "un".
Que faire pendant un tremblement de terre ?
Learners sometimes translate directly from English and say "Que faire pendant un tremblement de terre?" which is correct but changes the nuance; "séisme" is the more technical term used in official guidelines.
↔Alternatives
Que doit‑on faire pendant un séisme ?
What should one do during an earthquake?
Quelles sont les consignes pendant un séisme ?
What are the instructions during an earthquake?
Comment réagir pendant un séisme ?
How to react during an earthquake?
Cultural Tip
In French‑speaking countries, official safety advice often follows the "Drop, Cover, and Hold On" principle, but the wording can differ: French authorities say "se mettre à l'abri sous un meuble solide". Remember that in France, earthquakes are less frequent than in some other Francophone regions, so the term "séisme" is more common in scientific or news contexts, while everyday conversation may use "tremblement de terre".