Translation guide
A formal meal for many people, often to celebrate something. In Japanese, the most common word is 宴会 (えんかい), but there are several other terms depending on formality and context.
A social gathering with food and drinks, often to celebrate or mark an occasion.
The most common and general word for a banquet or party with food and drinks. Used for both formal and informal gatherings.
今夜は会社の宴会があります。
There is a company banquet tonight.
宴会の準備を手伝ってください。
Please help with the banquet preparations.
Loanword from English 'party'. Often implies a less formal, more casual gathering, but can be used for banquets as well.
結婚式の後にパーティーがあります。
There is a party after the wedding ceremony.
A celebratory banquet or feast. More formal and literary than 宴会.
祝宴が盛大に開かれた。
A grand banquet was held.
A formal sit-down meal, often with speeches or ceremonies, such as a state banquet or awards dinner.
A formal dinner party or banquet, often in the evening. Used for official or diplomatic events.
大統領主催の晩餐会に出席した。
I attended a banquet hosted by the president.
A feast or banquet, often with a literary or historical nuance. Can imply lavishness.
A banquet-like gathering focused on drinking, common in Japanese business culture.
Literally 'drinking party'. Very common for informal banquets among colleagues or friends.
今夜は部署の飲み会です。
Tonight is our department's drinking party.
Also used for drinking parties, especially when food is served and it's a bit more organized.
宴会 (えんかい) is the standard word for a banquet or party with food and drinks, often with a set course. パーティー is a loanword from English and can feel more casual or Western-style. For a traditional Japanese banquet, 宴会 is more appropriate.
In English, 'banquet' can refer to a very formal state dinner. In Japanese, 晩餐会 (ばんさんかい) is used for such events. Using 宴会 for a state banquet would sound too casual.
彼らは勝利を祝って宴会を開いた。
They held a banquet to celebrate the victory.
結婚披露宴は素晴らしかった。
The wedding banquet was beautiful.
披露宴 (ひろうえん) is specifically a wedding reception/banquet.
王は貴族たちを饗宴に招いた。
The king invited the nobles to a banquet.
忘年会は大きな宴会になる。
The year-end party will be a big banquet.