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.
There is a company banquet tonight.
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.
A celebratory banquet or feast. More formal and literary than 宴会.
A formal sit-down meal, often with speeches or ceremonies, such as a state banquet or awards dinner.
A banquet-like gathering focused on drinking, common in Japanese business culture.
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.
They held a banquet to celebrate the victory.
The wedding banquet was beautiful.
披露宴 (ひろうえん) is specifically a wedding reception/banquet.
結婚式の後にパーティーがあります。
There is a party after the wedding ceremony.
祝宴が盛大に開かれた。
A grand banquet was held.
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.