tsunami
/suˈnami/masculine
The Spanish word for "tsunami" is tsunami.
tsunami refers to a large, destructive wave generally caused by a tremendous disturbance in the ocean.
Meaning: large, destructive wave generally caused by a tremendous disturbance in the ocean (noun)
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, the term maremoto is commonly used.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word tsunami is a masculine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/suˈnami/
Did you know?
- The term tsunami entered many Spanish-speaking scientific circles via English, rather than directly from the Japanese source. This makes it a 'double loanword' in many academic contexts.
- The Spanish term maremoto can refer to both the resulting wave and the undersea earthquake that triggers it.
- The term maremoto was the standard word in Spanish literature and science long before the word tsunami became popular in the late 20th century.
Examples in context
- La casa de Tom fue destruida por un tsunami.Tom's house was destroyed by a tsunami.This sentence shows how a tsunami can destroy a house.Tatoeba #10218280 by manufrutos, translation #10214616 by hanibibiru
- La guerra no es una catástrofe como un terremoto o un tsunami. No viene sin aviso.War is not a natural disaster like an earthquake or a tsunami. It does not come without warning.This sentence compares a tsunami to a war and an earthquake.Tatoeba #1804010 by marcelostockle, translation #390035 by Scott
- El Centro de Alerta de Tsunamis del Pacífico ha publicado una alerta de tsunami después de que un terremoto de magnitud 8,3 sacudiera la costa de Chile.The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center has issued a tsunami warning after an 8.3 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Chile.This sentence illustrates a tsunami warning issued by an alert center.Tatoeba #4531127 by fedeca, translation #4530964 by Hybrid
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Javier and Elena are watching a news report about ocean activity.
- Javier¿Viste las noticias sobre el tsunami?Did you see the news about the tsunami?
- ElenaSí, es un tsunami muy peligroso.Yes, it is a very dangerous tsunami.
- JavierEspero que no llegue a la costa.I hope it doesn't reach the coast.
- ElenaOjalá que todos estén a salvo.I hope everyone is safe.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “tsunami” translations and entries tsunami, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries tsunami, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
