intj

banzai

bahn-ZEYE

Quiz me More like this

Banzai (intj) means a Japanese cheer or war cry, roughly meaning "long live," shouted to express enthusiasm, celebrate a victory, or (historically) launch an attack. Example: “The crowd shouted "Banzai!" as the emperor's motorcade passed.”

intj

A Japanese cheer or war cry, roughly meaning "long live," shouted to express enthusiasm, celebrate a victory, or (historically) launch an attack.

"The crowd shouted "Banzai!" as the emperor's motorcade passed."

adj

Informally, reckless or wildly thrill-seeking.

"He took a banzai run straight down the black diamond slope without checking conditions."

"Still, the Seca II isn't meant to be a racebike, and power is adequate for all but the most banzai backroad blitzing." — Cycle World: Volume 30 (1991)

How to use banzai

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA Japanese cheer of celebration or defiance — like shouting "hooray!" — historically also used as a battle cry.

Vocabulary Flow

Build your vocabulary from words like banzai.

Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.

Start vocabulary practice

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Word forms

Third person singular: banzais
Past tense: banzaied
Comparative: more banzai
Superlative: most banzai

Test yourself on “banzai” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The crowd shouted "_____!" as the emperor's motorcade passed.

Etymology

From Japanese 万歳 (banzai), literally "ten thousand years [of life]," borrowed centuries earlier from Chinese — originally a wish for the emperor's long life, later a general cheer of triumph.

Origin: Chinese

Rhymes for banzai

ai bai hai sai kai wai tai dai lai rai Mai nai

See all rhymes for banzai →

Frequently asked questions

What does “banzai” mean?

The word “banzai” means a Japanese cheer or war cry, roughly meaning "long live," shouted to express enthusiasm, celebrate a victory, or (historically) launch an attack. In plain terms, a Japanese cheer of celebration or defiance — like shouting "hooray!" — historically also used as a battle cry.

How do you pronounce “banzai”?

“Banzai” is pronounced bahn-ZEYE (/ˈbɑːnˈzaɪ/ in IPA).

How do you use “banzai” in a sentence?

Here is “banzai” used in a sentence: “The crowd shouted "Banzai!" as the emperor's motorcade passed.”

What part of speech is “banzai”?

Depending on how it is used, “banzai” can be an intj and an adjective.

Where does the word “banzai” come from?

The word “banzai” comes from Chinese. From Japanese 万歳 (banzai), literally "ten thousand years [of life]," borrowed centuries earlier from Chinese — originally a wish for the emperor's long life, later a general cheer of triumph.

How many meanings does “banzai” have?

“Banzai” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a Japanese cheer or war cry, roughly meaning "long live," shouted to express enthusiasm, celebrate a victory, or (historically) launch an attack.

Featured in

Vocabulary lists that include banzai:

Words with Chinese origins Words that end with I