tsunami - Master This Word
Master this word with our 5-step learning method – Learn English in English
tsunami Word Meanings
- a large ocean wave caused by a seismic disturbance
- a sudden and powerful influx or outpouring
- a series of waves in the ocean caused by underwater earthquakes
tsunami Example Sentences
Example sentences are the start of understanding. Don't rush to memorize. First feel how the word works in a sentence.
tsunami Phonetic & Pronunciation
UK
/tsuːˈnɑː.mi/
US
/tsuˈnɑː.mi/
tsunami Word Etymology
Root decomposition: tsu- (harbor) + nami (wave). Historical origin: Japanese → English. Memory image: Imagine a giant wave crashing into a harbor; it’s a powerful and overwhelming force like the sudden impact of a tsunami on coastal areas.
Note 1: These definitions and etymologies are not standard dictionary definitions, but extended explanations provided to help with memorization and understanding of the actual application of words. Through this background information, we strive to make words more vivid and easier to understand, and help you remember their meanings in real life.
Note 2: LexiTalk designs the learning flow around the linguistics principle of “Comprehensible Input.” When learners encounter material that is slightly above their level but still understandable from context, the brain naturally absorbs the language. That’s why we keep every word inside authentic contexts, using examples and associations to help you understand it and use it flexibly.
Read the FAQ explanation of Comprehensible InputEnglish Brain Route
At the edge of the shore I shift my weight, letting the wet sand give a little as I settle in. A long wall of water gathers on the horizon and I brace, push back the fear, and keep my stance as the world tilts. As the wave nears, the air tightens and I move to higher ground, letting the moment set the pace. Only after the danger passes does tsunami become something I remember—not a rule, but a felt memory of power and distance.
Real Context
A tsunami is a very large ocean wave typically produced by a seismic disturbance such as an earthquake beneath the seafloor or a landslide into the ocean. When the seabed shifts, an enormous amount of water is displaced, and long, traveling waves radiate outward across the ocean. In deep water a tsunami may pass unnoticed because the wave is shallow and fast, but as it approaches coasts the wave slows and grows taller, sometimes flooding shorelines dramatically. The term comes from Japanese, tsu (harbor) and nami (wave). In everyday use, it is not a tidal phenomenon; it’s a rapid, overwhelming surge.
Usage Reminders
- Remember: tsunamis are not tides; avoid thinking of them as a single big wave; use 'tsunami waves' or 'tsunami surge' for accuracy; avoid sensational language; report evacuation and warnings; learn the difference between 'tsunami' and 'tsunami wave' is unnecessary but acceptable in some contexts.
Common Misconceptions
- A tsunami is the same as a normal ocean wave.
- Tsunamis only occur in the ocean and away from land.
- Tsunamis are caused by tides.
- A tsunami consists of one huge wave, not multiple waves.
- Tsunamis travel slowly and are easy to outrun.
Thinking Differences
English speakers generally restrict tsunami to the natural disaster; metaphorical uses exist but tend to be vivid and less formal; learners may overextend it or confuse with 'tidal wave' in casual speech.
Learning Tips
- Learn correct pronunciation: tsu-NAH-mee or s-tu-NAH-mee in common usage.
- Emphasize the second syllable when practicing.
- Link the word to its Japanese origin to aid memory.
- Watch news reports to hear natural usage in context.
- Differentiate tsunami from tidal wave in professional settings.
- Read coastal disaster materials to see practical usage.
5-Step Learning Method - Learn English in English
Step 1: Meaning
What is the meaning of the word 'tsunami'?
A.A type of flower
B.A natural disaster
C.A cooking technique
D.A musical instrument
Step 2: Usage
Which of the following sentences uses 'tsunami' correctly?
A.He played the tsunami at the concert.
B.I saw a beautiful tsunami in the garden.
C.The tsunami destroyed the coastal town.
D.She cooked a delicious tsunami for dinner.
Step 3: Similar Words
What is a synonym for 'tsunami'?
A.Snowstorm
B.Earthquake
C.Tornado
D.Flood
Step 4: Opposite Words
What is an antonym for 'tsunami'?
A.Heatwave
B.Blizzard
C.Drought
D.Thunderstorm
Step 5: Mastery
In what real-life context would you most likely hear the word 'tsunami'?
A.Cooking class
B.Natural disaster briefing
C.Economics conference
D.Fashion show
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