Japanese Conversation · Level 34
90 words
Japanese word
津波
Pronunciation
Romajitsunami
Meaning
- nountsunami
Example
津波が来る前に高い所へ逃げます。tsu nami ga ku ru mae ni taka i tokoro e ni ge ma su
I get to high ground before a tsunami comes.
More examples
地域の人々と一緒に、津波の避難訓練に参加します。chi iki no hito bito to is sho ni tsu nami no hi nan kun ren ni san ka shi ma su
I take part in a tsunami evacuation drill with people in my community.
Core concept
Describes a powerful series of ocean waves caused by a sudden movement of the seafloor or another large displacement of water.
Common phrases
津波が来るtsu nami ga ku ru
a tsunami comes
津波を警戒するtsu nami o kei kai su ru
be alert for a tsunami
津波から避難するtsu nami ka ra hi nan su ru
evacuate from a tsunami
津波に備えるtsu nami ni sona e ru
prepare for a tsunami
Similar words
海嘯kaishō: A formal term for a series of large waves caused by a sudden movement under the sea.
Definition in Japanese
海底の地震などによって海水が大きく動き、沿岸に押し寄せる大規模な波。kai tei no ji shin na do ni yo tte kai sui ga ō ki ku ugo ki en gan ni o shi yo se ru dai ki bo na nami
Word origin
津波 (tsunami) combines 津 (tsu, "harbor") and 波 (nami, "wave"), referring to a wave that reaches a harbor.
Usage tips
- In English, tsunami is more accurate than tidal wave because tides do not cause tsunamis, and both tsunami and tsunamis are used as plurals.
Other meanings
- tidal wavenoun