noun
catastrophe, disaster
B1
Katastrophe (die) means 'catastrophe' or 'disaster'. It denotes a sudden large-scale calamity or figurative failure. Plural is 'Katastrophen'. Regular feminine noun with standard -en plural. No special prepositions; frequently used with verbs like 'erleben' or phrases such as 'eine Katastrophe verhindern'.
Examples
Die Überschwemmung war eine Katastrophe für die ganze Region.
The flood was a catastrophe for the whole region.
Es wäre eine Katastrophe, wenn das Projekt jetzt scheitert.
It would be a disaster if the project failed now.
Das ist eine Katastrophe.
This is a catastrophe.
Details
Mnemonics
Imagine a dramatic scene with people and damage labeled 'die Katastrophe'.
Sounds like English 'catastrophe'.
Feminine: picture the tragic scene with a banner 'die' over it to recall 'die Katastrophe'.
Notes
Used for major disasters or figuratively for serious failures. Collocates: 'eine Katastrophe sein', 'in eine Katastrophe führen'.