banzai

Reckless war shout

Banzai is a Japanese exclamation meaning "ten thousand years"—a cheer wishing long life, used to express enthusiasm or triumph.

In English, it primarily appears in historical contexts as the battle cry of Japanese soldiers in World War II, particularly during desperate charges: The troops mounted a banzai attack.

The word now sometimes appears in contexts of reckless abandon or all-out effort.

exclamation

hurrah

Exclamation of joy

yay · bravo · viva · yahoo · yippee · ole · encore · hallelujah · whoopee · rah

japanese

emperor

Male ruler of empire

  • samuraiFeudal Japanese military caste
  • bushidoSamurai honor system
  • JapanEast Asian archipelago nation

heritage · tradition · culture · ritual · ceremony · custom · honor · loyalty · imperial · shogun

battlecry

charge

Cost or accusation

  • attackAggressive act against another
  • assaultViolent offensive act
  • raidSudden armed incursion

kamikaze · warfare · combat · offensive · onslaught · storming · blitz · incursion · foray · skirmish

celebration

triumph

Resounding, celebrated victory

euphoria · elation · glory · success · achievement · festivity · commemoration · honor · tribute · pageantry

Categories
Opposites
military action

banzairetreat

Sanctuary or withdrawal

withdrawal · fall back · flee · surrender · disengage

attitude toward death/survival

banzaiself-preservation

Instinct to survive danger

caution · cowardice · capitulation · prudence · discretion

emotional expression

banzaiI give up

Admission of defeat

mercy · defeat · despair · submission · lamentation

Phrases
Family

bonsai

Familiarity
Top 200,000
Profile
Used worldwide · Timeless · Everyday, not technical · Rated PG