Tsunami

tsunami

noun tsoo-NAH-mi Rare

Origin: from Japanese tsu (harbour) + nami (wave)

Usage Note

Tsunami entered widespread German usage after the devastating Indian Ocean tsunami of 2004 (Tsunami-Katastrophe). Used in news, geography, and physics. Technically a series of sea waves caused by underwater earthquakes or volcanic eruptions. The German Frühwarnsystem (early warning system) in the Indian Ocean was partly built with German expertise afterwards.

Examples

"Der Tsunami von 2004 im Indischen Ozean forderte über 200.000 Menschenleben."

Natural Translation

The 2004 tsunami in the Indian Ocean claimed over 200,000 lives.

Literal Translation

The tsunami of 2004 in the Indian Ocean demanded over 200,000 human lives.

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