万歳

See also: 萬歲 and 万岁

Japanese

Etymology 1

Kanji in this term
万	歳
ばん Grade: 2	せい > ぜい Grade: S
kan’on

From Middle Chinese 萬歲 (MC mʉɐn^H siuᴇi^H). The kan'on, so likely a later borrowing.

Pronunciation

• On’yomi
  • IPA^(key): [bã̠nd͡ze̞ː]

Noun

万歳 (ばんぜい) • (banzei) (shinjitai kanji, kyūjitai kanji 萬歲)

1. an extremely long period of time
2. long life and glory
3. an expression of celebration
4. death

Etymology 2

Kanji in this term
万	歳
ばん Grade: 2	さい > ざい Grade: S
goon	kan’on

Shift in reading, keeping the older goon reading for the first character and adopting the relatively newer kan'on reading for the second character.

Pronunciation

• On’yomi
  • (Tokyo) ばんざ​い [bàńzáꜜì] (Nakadaka – [3])
  • IPA^(key): [bã̠nd͡za̠i]

Noun

万歳 (ばんざい) • (banzai) (shinjitai kanji, kyūjitai kanji 萬歲)

1. an extremely long period of time
2. an expression of celebration
3. (from raising ones hands three times in cheer) raising ones hands
4. (from raising ones hands in defeat) business troubles, bankruptcy

Etymology 3

Kanji in this term
万	歳
まん Grade: 2	さい > ざい Grade: S
goon

From Middle Chinese 萬歲 (MC mʉɐn^H siuᴇi^H). The goon, so likely the initial borrowing.

Pronunciation

• On’yomi
  • (Tokyo) まんざ​い [màńzáꜜì] (Nakadaka – [3])
  • IPA^(key): [mã̠nd͡za̠i]

Noun

万歳 (まんざい) • (manzai) (shinjitai kanji, kyūjitai kanji 萬歲)

1. an extremely long period of time
2. a song and dance to celebrate a new year
3. a song sung to celebrate a new year
4. an expression of celebration