“Tora! Tora! Tora!” is a coded Japanese phrase tied to the Pearl Harbor attack. In Japanese, “tora” literally means “tiger,” but in this context it’s part of a two-syllable codeword that stands for a larger signal. Key points:

• The full code is derived from totsugeki raigeki, which translates to “lightning attack.” The sequence was used as a signal that the surprise attack had begun.

• In popular media and teaching contexts, the phrase is commonly described as the code indicating a surprise strike, with “tora” sometimes explained as shorthand for the two-syllable codeword.

• The literal word “tiger” appears in many summaries, but the historical meaning is tied to the code signaling a sudden, overwhelming attack.

If you’d like, I can pull in more sources or translate additional related terms (e.g., totsugeki raigeki) for deeper understanding.