Translation guide
The English word "revelry" refers to lively, noisy festivities, often involving drinking, dancing, and celebration. In Japanese, there is no single direct equivalent; instead, different words and phrases capture specific aspects of revelry, from boisterous parties to elegant banquets. This guide helps learners choose the most natural expression based on context.
Describing a boisterous party or festive gathering where people are drinking, singing, and being loud.
A common, casual term for a noisy, merry party with drinking and singing. Often implies a somewhat disorderly but fun atmosphere.
昨夜は近所でどんちゃん騒ぎがあった。
There was a noisy party in the neighborhood last night.
彼らは朝までどんちゃん騒ぎをしていた。
They were reveling until morning.
A more formal or literary term for a drinking party or banquet. Suitable for written descriptions or historical contexts.
王は家臣たちと酒宴を開いた。
The king held a revelry with his retainers.
An idiomatic phrase meaning 'a big party with drinking and singing.' It vividly captures the spirit of revelry.
忘年会は飲めや歌えの大騒ぎだった。
The year-end party was a wild revelry of drinking and singing.
A literary term for wild excitement or frenzy, often used in historical or dramatic contexts. Can imply a more chaotic, almost manic revelry.
祭りは狂騒の一夜となった。
The festival turned into a night of wild revelry.
Describing the general atmosphere of celebration, dancing, and enjoyment at a festival or public event.
Literally 'festival uproar,' this phrase describes the lively, bustling atmosphere of a festival. It can also be used metaphorically for any excited, chaotic celebration.
街はお祭り騒ぎだった。
The streets were in a state of revelry.
優勝が決まって、スタジアムはお祭り騒ぎになった。
When the victory was decided, the stadium erupted in revelry.
Describes a merry, lighthearted uproar, often with a sense of people being carried away by excitement. Suitable for festive, carefree revelry.
カーニバルでは皆が浮かれ騒いでいた。
Everyone was reveling at the carnival.
A somewhat formal or literary term for pleasure-seeking and merrymaking. Often used in compounds like 歓楽街 (entertainment district).
Describing a sophisticated, often large-scale feast or party with music, dance, or performances.
A general word for a banquet or feast, often with a poetic or elegant nuance. Can be used for both modern and historical settings.
祝賀の宴が開かれた。
A celebratory banquet was held.
宴もたけなわとなった。
The revelry reached its peak.
A common word for a party or banquet, often involving food and drink. Less poetic than 宴, but widely used for company parties, weddings, etc.
A formal, literary term for a feast or banquet, often with a sense of lavish hospitality. Used in historical or high-register contexts.
どんちゃん騒ぎ focuses on the noise and drinking aspect of a party, often with a slightly negative connotation of being rowdy. お祭り騒ぎ emphasizes the festive, excited atmosphere like a festival, and can be used positively or neutrally.
隣の部屋がどんちゃん騒ぎでうるさい。
The next room is noisy with revelry.
優勝パレードで街はお祭り騒ぎだ。
The city is in a state of revelry with the victory parade.
There is no single Japanese word that perfectly matches 'revelry' in all contexts. Using a dictionary lookup like 酒宴 or 狂騒 may sound unnatural or overly literary in casual conversation. Choose the expression that best fits the specific type of celebration you want to describe.
チームが優勝した後、街はお祭り騒ぎに包まれた。
The streets were filled with revelry after the team won the championship.
彼らの結婚披露宴は、どんちゃん騒ぎの夜となった。
Their wedding reception turned into a night of drunken revelry.
彼は歓楽の限りを尽くした。
He indulged in every kind of revelry.
宴会は夜遅くまで続いた。
The revelry continued late into the night.
王宮では豪華な饗宴が催された。
A lavish revelry was held at the royal palace.