Multiple choice

What does tsunami, originally a Japanese word, literally mean?

  1. Killer Wave

  2. Harbour Wave

  3. Giant Wave

  4. Silent Wave
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Tsunami literally means 'harbour wave' in Japanese (tsu = harbour, nami = wave). The term originated because these waves were noticed by fishermen in open ocean where they weren't dangerous, but caused damage when reaching harbours. Killer, Giant, and Silent are descriptive but not the literal meaning.

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