津波警報

• Reading: つなみけいほう
• Romaji: tsunamikeihou
• Kanji breakdown: 津 (tsu) — harbour, port; 波 (nami) — wave; 警 (kei) — warn, guard; 報 (hou) — report, inform
• Pronunciation: /tsɯ.na.mi.keː.hoː/

Meaning

Tsunami warning. An official alert issued when a tsunami is expected to strike a coastal area.

A noun for the official warning issued by the Japan Meteorological Agency (気象庁) when a tsunami threatens coastal regions. Japan has a highly developed tsunami warning system due to its vulnerability to earthquakes and tsunamis. Levels include 津波注意報 (tsunami chuuihou, tsunami advisory) for smaller waves and 大津波警報 (ootsunami keihou, major tsunami warning) for severe threats.

Examples

1. 地震の直後に津波警報が発令された。 A tsunami warning was issued immediately after the earthquake.
2. 津波警報が出たらすぐに高い場所に避難してください。 When a tsunami warning is issued, please evacuate to higher ground immediately.
3. 津波警報が解除されるまで海岸には近づかないでください。 Please stay away from the coast until the tsunami warning is lifted.

Usage Guide

Context: disaster prevention, weather, news

Tone: urgent

Origin & History

From Japanese: 津波 (tsunami, harbour wave) + 警報 (keihou, warning/alarm). 津波 is one of the few Japanese words adopted directly into English. 警 (kei, warn) + 報 (hou, report) means an official alert.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal