1.
banzai, hurray, long live
An exclamation of celebration or triumph, traditionally shouted three times while raising both arms.
万歳！
Banzai! / Hurray!
万歳を三唱しましょう。
Let's shout banzai three times.
合格して思わず万歳した。
I passed and involuntarily raised my arms in celebration.
優勝が決まって「万歳！」と叫んだ。
When the championship was decided, we shouted 'Banzai!'
結婚式の最後に、みんなで新郎新婦のために万歳三唱をした。
At the end of the wedding ceremony, everyone shouted banzai three times for the bride and groom.
2.
giving up, throwing in the towel
Figuratively, raising one's hands in surrender or resignation.
もう万歳だ。
I give up.
難しすぎて万歳した。
It was too difficult and I threw in the towel.
この問題にはお手上げで万歳だ。
I'm completely stuck on this problem — I give up.
何度やっても直らないから、もう万歳するしかない。
No matter how many times I try, it won't be fixed — I have no choice but to give up.
予算が足りなくて、計画を変えるしかないと万歳した。
The budget wasn't enough, so I gave up and accepted that the plan had to change.
USAGE: 万歳 literally means 'ten thousand years' and is used as a celebratory cheer. It's traditionally shouted three times (三唱) while raising both arms high.
COMMON PATTERNS:
- 万歳！ (Banzai! / Hurray!)
- 万歳三唱 (shouting banzai three times)
- 万歳する (to raise arms in celebration/surrender)
USAGE CONTEXTS:
- Celebrations (weddings, victories, achievements)
- Political rallies
- Figuratively: giving up or surrendering
CULTURAL NOTE: The gesture of raising both arms (両手を上げる) with 万歳 is a distinctive Japanese tradition used at formal celebrations.