noun
A formal or festive gathering with food and drink, often with a literary or poetic feel. The reading うたげ is standard; えん is a less common on-reading used in compounds.
結婚式の後、盛大な宴が開かれた。
After the wedding ceremony, a grand banquet was held.
春の夜
On a spring night, we enjoyed a feast under the cherry blossoms.
Kana spelling is sometimes used, especially in literary or poetic contexts.
Rarely used kanji form; learners should use 宴.
The kanji 宴 means 'banquet' or 'feast'. The reading うたげ is a native Japanese word, while えん is the Sino-Japanese on-reading. The exact origin of うたげ is uncertain, but it may be related to 歌 (うた, song) and 酒 (さけ, sake), suggesting a gathering with singing and drinking.