3 syllables: Tsu, na, mi. Stress on na.
tsoo-NAH-mee
/tsuˈnɑmi/
Tsunami is pronounced tsoo-NAH-mee (/tsuˈnɑmi/). It has three syllables (Tsu-na-mi), with the stress on "na". Tsunami is a large sea wave caused by an underwater disturbance, such as an earthquake or landslide. It travels rapidly across the ocean and can become extremely destructive when it reaches shallow coastal waters. The term is used for both the phenomenon and its potential events, requiring preparation and warning systems in affected regions.
nounTsunami is a large sea wave caused by an underwater disturbance, such as an earthquake or landslide. It travels rapidly across the ocean and can become extremely destructive when it reaches shallow coastal waters. The term is used for both the phenomenon and its potential events, requiring preparation and warning systems in affected regions.
"The tsunami warning sirens sounded after the offshore earthquake."
"Residents evacuated to higher ground as the tsunami approached the shore."
"Scientists modeled the tsunami’s wave height to assess potential damage."
Tsu-ná-mi: IPA US /tsuˈnɑːmi/, UK /tʃuˈnɑːmi/, AU /tʃuˈnæmi/. Primary stress on the second syllable. Start with an initial /ts/ cluster, then /u/ like “oo” in cool, then /ˈnɑː/ or /ˈnæ/ depending on accent, and finish with /mi/ as in “me.” For precise guidance, say “TSU-nah-mee” with the emphasis on the second syllable. Audio references: you can compare with native models on Pronounce or Forvo for US/UK/AU variants.
Common errors include treating the initial cluster as /t/ plus /su/ without the proper /ts/ onset (saying “sun-uh-mee” or “toon-ah-mee”). Another frequent mistake is misplacing stress, pronouncing it as /suˈnɑːmi/ instead of /tsuˈnɑːmi/ or /tʃuˈnɑːmi/ depending on the speaker. People may also reduce the second vowel to a schwa when the accent pattern requires a clear /ɑː/ or /æ/. Correction: practice the initial /ts/ onset with your tongue at the alveolar ridge and palatal region, keep the second syllable stressed, and articulate the long /ɑː/ or /æ/ clearly. Use minimal pairs to feel the contrast between /ts/ and /s/ plus /t/.” ,
US tends to keep /ts/ as a voiceless affricate with a clear /u/ sound, stress on the second syllable: /tsuˈnɑːmi/. UK often exhibits a slightly lighter /tʃ/ or /t͡s/ onset depending on speaker, with /ˈnɑː/ or /ˈnæ/ vowel in the second syllable. Australian English may feature a broader vowel in the second syllable and a slightly less intense final /i/; the onset can sound closer to /tʃu/ or /t͡s/ depending on regional influences. In all cases, the essential pattern is a two-stress structure with a clear second syllable nucleus; listen to native productions to guide your own rhythm.
Key challenges include the initial /ts/ affricate cluster that isn’t common in many languages, plus the relatively long stressed second syllable /ˈnɑː/ or /ˈnæ/. The vowel duration and the final /mi/ require precise mouth opening and voicing, which can be unfamiliar if your language lacks a strong final /i/. Also, the Japanese origin means non-native speakers might default to simpler English patterns rather than the true two-syllable structure with a stressed middle syllable. Practice the onset, then hold the second syllable with moderate length and a crisp final /i/.
Unique to Tsunami is maintaining a clean /ts/ onset and ensuring the nucleus of the second syllable is clearly voiced. The stress pattern is /tsuˈnɑːmi/ (US) or /tʃuˈnɑːmi/ (some UK speakers), so you should light the first syllable and give the second syllable prominence without rushing. Visualize your tongue cap and alveolar ridge: the tip should make brief contact to create /t͡s/, then release into a sustained /u/ or /ʊ/ depending on accent, before the strong /n/ and smooth /i/.
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Tsunami comes to English via Japanese tsunami (津波) meaning “harbor wave” from tsu (港, harbor) and nami (波, wave). The term was adopted by Western science in the 19th and 20th centuries as a precise label for ocean waves caused by underwater disturbances. In Japanese, tsu-nami denotes a wave originating near the coast or harbor, with historical references to rare but devastating events when earthquakes triggered enormous surges. Early English usage appeared in maritime literature and natural disaster reports exploring Pacific coast hazards. Over time, the term “tsunami” became the standard term across many languages for this specific type of wave, often retaining its Japanese origin in international meteorological and disaster-preparedness vocabularies. The concept predates modern seismology, but recognition of the connection between undersea events and tsunami generation grew with advancements in oceanography, plate tectonics, and coastal warning systems. First known usage in English is found in late 19th to early 20th century technical texts, aligning with increased global interest in tsunami science and disaster mitigation.
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Words that rhyme with "Tsunami"
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