国王万歳
kokuō banzai
The English phrase 'long live the king' is translated into Japanese as 国王万歳 (kokuō banzai).
国王万歳 is an exclamation used to express loyalty and wish for the long life of a monarch. While it is grammatically correct, it is rarely used in modern daily Japanese conversation and is typically reserved for historical contexts, films or highly stylized dramatic settings.
What does it mean word for word?
The term 万歳 within the phrase literally means 'ten thousand years', which implies an eternal or extremely long life.
How do you pronounce it?
kokuō banzai
Did you know?
- The word 万歳 is a loanword from the Chinese phrase 'wànsuì', which was traditionally used to wish longevity to the Emperor of China.
- In many Japanese films, characters will raise both arms high in the air while shouting 万歳 to signal peak excitement.
- Because the term 万歳 is so heavily associated with WWII-era nationalism, using it in certain political contexts today can be seen as provocative.
Examples in context
- 陛下万歳！Long live Your Majesty!
- 王様万歳！Long live the King!
- 正義溢れる王に万歳！Long live the King filled with justice!
- 民は国王万歳と叫んだ。tami wa kokuo banzai to sakenda.The people shouted, long live the king.
- 国王万歳、と唱えよう。kokuo banzai, to tonaeyou.Let us chant, long live the king.
Example conversation
In a movie theater, two friends are watching a historical epic.
- 陽葵 Himari今のシーン、国王万歳！って言ったよね。ima no shiin, kokuo banzai! tte itta yo ne.In that scene, they said, long live the king, right?
- 陽太 Yotaうん、とても迫力があったよ。un, totemo hakuryoku ga atta yo.Yeah, it was very powerful.
- 陽葵 Himari陽太君も感動した？Youta-kun mo kandou shita?Were you moved too, Youta?
- 陽太 Yotaああ、すごくかっこよかった。aa, sugoku kakko yokatta.Yes, it was very cool.
