쓰나미
sseunami[s͈ɯna̠mi]
The English word tsunami is expressed in Korean as 쓰나미 (sseunami). Wiktionary also lists 지진해일 (jijinhaeil) and 해일 (haeil).
Meaning: large, destructive wave generally caused by a tremendous disturbance in the ocean (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 쓰나미 | sseunami | [s͈ɯna̠mi] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 지진해일 | jijinhaeil | [t͡ɕid͡ʑin hɛ(ː)iɭ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) [t͡ɕid͡ʑin he̞(ː)iɭ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 해일 | haeil | [ˈhɛ(ː)iɭ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) [ˈhe̞(ː)iɭ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
A tsunami is a large, destructive wave generally caused by a tremendous disturbance in the ocean.
What does it mean word for word?
The term 지진해일 is a compound of 지진, meaning earthquake and 해일, meaning sea wave or tidal wave.
Which one should you use?
지진해일 is the formal, technical term used in scientific contexts and news reports. In contrast, 쓰나미 is a loanword used more colloquially. While 지진해일 specifically implies the wave was caused by an earthquake, the term 해일 is broader and can refer to any large sea wave or tidal wave.
How do you pronounce it?
sseunami
Did you know?
- The word 쓰나미 is a loanword in Korean that was borrowed from the Japanese word 津波, rather than coming directly from English.
- Korean speakers use 쓰나미 as a metaphor to describe any overwhelming surge, such as a 'tsunami of complaints' or a sudden flood of information.
- While 쓰나미 is common in casual conversation, official government emergency alerts and broadcasts almost exclusively use the formal term 지진해일.
Examples in context
- 쓰나미 경보가 발령되었습니다The tsunami warning has been issued.
- 일본 쓰나미에 대해 들어보셨나요?Have you heard about the tsunami in Japan?
- 쓰나미가 발생할 수도 있어요.sseunami-ga balsaenghal sudo isseoyo.A tsunami might occur.
- 쓰나미 경보가 울렸어요.sseunami gyeongboga ullyeosseoyo.A tsunami warning sounded.
- 그 쓰나미는 정말 강력했어요.geu sseunami-neun jeongmal gangnyeokhaesseoyo.That tsunami was really powerful.
Example conversation
Subin and Dohyun are watching the news together.
- 수빈 Su-bin뉴스에 쓰나미 소식이 나왔어요.nyuseue sseunami sosigi nawasseoyo.News about a tsunami just came on.
- 도현 Do-hyeon어디에서 일어난 일이에요?eodieseo ireonan ireyeyo?Where did it happen?
- 수빈 Su-bin동남아시아 지역에서 발생했대요.dongnamasia jiyeogeseo balsaenghaetdaeyo.They say it occurred in Southeast Asia.
- 도현 Do-hyeon사람들이 많이 다치지 않았으면 좋겠어요.saramdeuri mani dachiji anasseumyeon jokess-eoyo.I hope many people weren't hurt.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “tsunami” translations and entries 쓰나미, 지진해일, 해일, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 쓰나미, 지진해일, 해일, CC BY-SA 4.0.
