怒涛
dotō
The Japanese phrase for "raging waves" is 怒涛 (dotō).
怒涛 refers to powerful, violent waves of the sea that crash with great force. While it can describe actual waves in the ocean, it is frequently used metaphorically to describe a sudden, overwhelming surge of emotions or events, such as a "raging wave of public opinion."
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of the kanji 怒, which means anger or rage and 涛, which means a large wave.
Which one should you use?
To use this noun as an adjective to modify another noun (e.g., 'raging waves of emotion'), you must add the particle の (no) after it.
How does it change in a sentence?
To use the noun as an adjectival form to modify another noun, add the particle の after it to create 怒涛の.
How do you pronounce it?
dotō
Did you know?
- In Japanese sports commentary, 怒涛 is frequently used to describe a sudden and unstoppable scoring streak by a team, treating the points like a physical wall of water.
- The phrase 怒涛 is often used in the common expression 怒涛の展開, which describes a plot twist or a series of events in a story that moves with breathtaking speed and intensity.
- While 怒涛 describes the sea, the word for a standard 'wave' is usually 波. The character 涛 is specifically reserved for high, surging waves or the tide.
Examples in context
- 大海原に広がる 大いなる波 の荒々しさに圧倒された。I was overwhelmed by the roughness of the raging waves extending across the open sea.
- 強風が吹いていたので、沖の海は 荒波 だった。The sea off the coast was full of raging waves due to the strong winds.
Example conversation
Kenta and Himari are watching a storm at the beach.
- 陽葵 Himari見て、あの怒涛のような波を！Mite, ano dotō no yō na nami o!Look at those raging waves!
- 健太 Kenta本当にすごい迫力だね。Hontō ni sugoi hakuryoku da ne.The power is really impressive.
- 陽葵 Himari海に入るのは危ないと思う。Umi ni hairu no wa abunai to omou.I think it's dangerous to go into the sea.
- 健太 Kentaそうだね、離れて見ていよう。Sō da ne, hanarete mite iyō.You're right, let's watch from a distance.
