lai4 haak1 dak6 zai3黎克特制
Jyutpinglai4 haak1 dak6 zai3
Yalelàih hāak dahk jai
Definition
Richter scale; the scale used to measure the magnitude of earthquakes.
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How it's used
Scientific reporting in Hong Kong often uses this term, though seismologists globally have largely moved to the Moment Magnitude Scale. You will frequently hear it used interchangeably with the generic term 級 when discussing the intensity of tremors in casual conversation.
Examples
How many on the Richter scale was this earthquake?
The news said that earthquake was magnitude six on the Richter scale.
Related words
Common phrases
Richter scale magnitude
Common mistake
Learners sometimes mistake this for a measurement of damage rather than the energy released at the source. Remember that it is a logarithmic scale, so a small increase in the number represents a massive increase in actual seismic energy.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
