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万歳

ばんざい

hurrah!, long live...!; raising both arms in celebration; (colloquial) giving up

By Nihongo PathUpdated

Examples

  1. 女王万歳。

    じょおうばんざい。

    Long live the Queen!

  2. 優勝が決まると、みんなで万歳をした。

    ゆうしょうがきまると、みんなでばんざいをした。

    When the championship was decided, everyone threw up their arms and cheered.

  3. ここまで来ると、もう万歳するしかない。

    ここまでくると、もうばんざいするしかない。

    At this point there's nothing to do but throw in the towel.

Common patterns

万歳を三唱する
to give three cheers
万歳する
to raise both arms and cheer
～万歳
long live ...!

Memory tip

Literally 'ten thousand years', so 'may you live long'. It names the physical gesture too — both arms straight up — which is why 万歳 can also mean throwing your hands up in defeat.

Kanji in this word

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What does 万歳 mean?