喝采する
kassai suru
To cheer in Japanese is expressed as 喝采する (kassai suru), which is the default form. Wiktionary also lists 声援する (seien suru) and 励ます (hagemasu).
Meaning: to applaud or encourage with cheers or shouts (verb)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 喝采する | kassai suru | |
| 声援する | seien suru | |
| 励ます | hagemasu | [ha̠ɡe̞ma̠sɨ] (narrow) |
The Japanese language uses different verbs for cheering depending on whether you are applauding a performance, shouting support at an event or providing emotional encouragement. For example, when a performer receives enthusiastic cheers or applause, you can use the phrase 喝采を浴びる.
Which one should you use?
喝采する is used when cheering involves loud applause or acclaim, often for a performance or a speech. 声援する is used when the cheering involves shouting words of support, such as at a sports event. 励ます is used when the goal is to provide emotional encouragement or to cheer someone up rather than making noise for a performer.
How do you pronounce it?
kassai suru
Did you know?
- The word 喝采 (kassai) contains the character 喝, which in Zen Buddhism is a sharp shout used to bring a student to sudden enlightenment.
- In Japanese sports culture, 声援 often involves highly synchronized chants and rhythmic drumming led by a cheer leader, rather than the individual shouting common in English-speaking crowds.
- If you want to cheer someone up after a failure, you might say 元気づける (genki zukeru), which means to 'make someone energetic' rather than using a word for 'cheer'.
Examples in context
- 観客が演奏に喝采する。Kankyaku ga ensou ni kassai suru.The audience applauds the performance.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cheer” translations and entries 励ます, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
