🎴 Flashcard Mode

GK Test 40

Card1 / 22
Mastered0
Review0
QuestionClick to flip

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

AnswerClick to flip back
A
Harbour Wave
💡 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.

Change Mode