台風
たいふう · taifuu · JLPT N4 · noun
typhoon
🌀🌬️ 台風 = tai + wind (風); typhoon is the same word, borrowed into English
Taifuu and typhoon are sound twins: say one and you nearly have the other. The second kanji 風 (fuu) means wind, the same reading as in 風船 (fuusen, balloon). So the word is literally a tai-wind, a great storm wind.
台 — mouth 口 + 厶 (private)
Originally depicted a raised platform or terrace, suggesting elevation and a place to stand. The character later extended to mean stage, podium, or station. In modern usage it also serves as the simplified form of 臺 (platform) and 颱 (typhoon), and names Taiwan (台灣).