How Does a Tsunami Differ from a Tidal Wave?

Tsunamis and tidal waves feel different because of where they come from. A tsunami is like a big, fast wave caused by something shaking the ocean, like an earthquake under the sea. A tidal wave is more like a regular wave that comes in slowly with the tide. Imagine if you shook a bathtub full of water really hard, that's like a tsunami! If you just let the water rise and fall gently, that’s a tidal wave.