typhoon

/taɪˈfuːn/ Chinese Origin Nature

Original Word

台风

Cantonese (tai fung) / Mandarin (tái fēng)

Entered English

16th century

First recorded usage in English

The Story Behind "typhoon"

From Cantonese 'tai fung' (台风), literally 'great wind'. The word may also have been influenced by Greek 'typhon' (violent wind). Entered English through sailors and traders in East Asia.

Example Usage

"The typhoon caused widespread damage along the coast."

All Chinese Loanwords Look Up in Dictionary

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