banzai
UK[banˈzʌɪ]US[bɑːnˈzaɪ]
interj
A Japanese battle cry or patriotic shout, meaning "ten thousand years".
n
A form of greeting or acclamation used to express enthusiasm or wish someone long life, especially in Japanese contexts.
Etymology
The word 'banzai' entered English in the late 19th century, borrowed directly from the Japanese exclamation 'banzai' (万歳). This Japanese term is itself a compound, originating from the Chinese phrase 'wànsuì', where 'wàn' means "ten thousand" and 'suì' means "years", used historically as an acclamation for the emperor wishing him a long life. The term gained wider recognition in English during and after World War II, heavily associated with the fierce battle cries of Japanese soldiers. In modern English usage, it retains its core meaning of a celebratory shout but can also carry connotations of its historical martial context.
Analysis
This is a direct loanword from Japanese, composed of the elements 'ban' (meaning "ten thousand") and 'zai' (meaning "years"). In the context of the English spelling, it is treated as an unsegmentable simplex word.
Examples
The crowd shouted "Banzai!" as the emperor appeared on the balcony.
The film depicted a desperate banzai charge by the infantry unit.
At the festival, they raised their glasses with a hearty "Banzai!" to celebrate the new year.