What Does Tsunami Mean?
A tsunami is a series of very large sea waves. It is caused by a sudden movement under the sea, such as an earthquake.
It is a noun, and you can count it: one tsunami, two tsunamis.
The class learned how a tsunami travels across the ocean.
Scientists use sensors to warn people about a tsunami.
🔊 Pronunciation
tsoo-NAH-mee
The stress is on the middle part. In Japanese the t is said at the start. Many English speakers say soo-NAH-mee, and that is fine too.
🗣️ Natural Examples
We watched a documentary about tsunamis.
A tsunami warning helps people move to higher ground.
Scientists study how a tsunami moves.
The word tsunami comes from Japanese.
A tsunami of emails arrived this morning. (informal)
🛠️ How to Use It
Tsunami is a serious science word, but it is common in the news and in school.
- Plural: tsunamis or tsunami. Both are accepted.
- It is often used in the news for large sea waves.
- It is also used informally for a huge amount of something: a tsunami of mail.
- A tsunami warning is an alert.
🤝 Common Word Partners
- a tsunami warning
- a tsunami wave
- a tsunami alert
- a tsunami drill
- a giant tsunami
- a tsunami of
👯 Similar and Related Words
- tidal wave: an older, popular name for a huge sea wave. It is not the best word, because tides don't cause tsunamis.
- wave: moving water on the sea.
- earthquake: a shaking of the ground, which can cause a tsunami.
- tide: the rising and falling of the sea each day.
⚠️ Common Mistakes
Tsunami or tidal wave?
❌ A tidal wave hit the coast. (for a tsunami)
✅ A tsunami hit the coast. Tides do not cause tsunamis.
Spelling. The first t is part of the spelling, even if some people don't say it.
❌ sunami, tsumani
✅ tsunami
Plural.
✅ two tsunamis
✅ two tsunami (also correct)
💬 In a Conversation
Mia: What does tsunami mean?
Sam: It is Japanese for harbour wave.
Mia: So it started as a word about a harbour.
Sam: And then it became a word for the whole ocean.
Mia: Words can travel far.
🕵️ Where Does It Come From?
The word is Japanese. It joins tsu, "harbour", and nami, "wave". English first used it in 1896.
Before that, English speakers said tidal wave. That phrase is recorded from 1819, but it is not a good name, because tides do not cause these waves. Today, scientists use tsunami.
💡 The OddLingo Trick
Break it in two: tsu + nami.
Tsu is harbour and nami is wave. A tsunami is a harbour wave, and the word is a good example of how English borrows useful words.