Japanese word

万歳

Pronunciation

Romajibanzai

Meaning

  • interjectionhooray

Example

試合に勝ったので、みんなで万歳と叫びます。shi ai ni ka tta no de mi n na de ban zai to sake bi ma su

We won the game, so everyone shouts, "Hooray!"

Illustration for 万歳 (hooray)

More examples

試合に勝って、みんなで万歳と言いました。shi ai ni ka tte mi n na de ban zai to i i ma shi ta

We won the game and everyone said, "Hooray!".

合格通知が届き、家族全員で万歳と叫びます。gō kaku tsū chi ga todo ki ka zoku zen in de ban zai to sake bi ma su

The whole family shouts, "Hooray!" when the acceptance notice arrives.

Core concept

A collective cry that marks a joyful moment as worthy of celebration.

Common phrases

  • 万歳と叫ぶban zai to sake bu

    shout hooray

Similar words

やったyatta: A casual cry that expresses joy over a successful result.
よっしゃyossha: A casual cry of joy or triumph after a favorable result.

Definition in Japanese

めでたい出来事を喜び祝うために皆で発する声。me de ta i de ki goto o yoroko bi iwa u ta me ni mina de has su ru koe

Word origin

The compound 万歳 (banzai, "ten thousand years") joins 万 (ban, "ten thousand") and 歳 (sai, "year"), an old formula expressing a wish for long life and good fortune.

Usage tips

  • Unlike the casual English cheer hooray, 万歳 (banzai) can sound ceremonial because groups often repeat it three times at formal celebrations.

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