落成式(らくせいしき)

A compound of 落成(らくせい) (completion of a building) and 式(しき) (ceremony). 落成(らくせい) literally means "to fall into completion" — the 落(らく) here means "to settle, to be accomplished" rather than "to fall."

These ceremonies are common for public buildings, schools, hospitals, company headquarters, and other significant structures. They typically include speeches, ribbon cutting, and tours of the new facility.

Common collocations

• 落成式(らくせいしき)を行(おこな)う: to hold an inauguration ceremony
• 落成式(らくせいしき)に出席(しゅっせき)する: to attend an inauguration ceremony
• 落成式(らくせいしき)に招(まね)かれる: to be invited to an inauguration ceremony

Similar words

• 竣工式(しゅんこうしき): completion ceremony — synonym; 竣工(しゅんこう) is more technical and formal
• 開所式(かいしょしき): opening ceremony (for an office or facility)
• 開業式(かいぎょうしき): opening ceremony (for a business) — celebrates the start of operations rather than construction completion