宴会 (えんかい, enkai) Japanese meaning: party | Kotomora忘年会は会社の宴会の一つです。
The year-end party is one type of company banquet.
I was asked to give a speech at the wedding reception.
Usage patterns
〈場所〉で宴会を開くto hold a banquet/party at a place
The company held its year-end party at a hotel.
宴会に出るto attend a banquet/party
I ended up attending a banquet with the business partner.
宴会が盛り上がるfor a banquet/party to get lively
With the alcohol flowing, the party got really lively.
宴会の司会をするto emcee/host a banquet
The new employee emceed the party.
宴会 is a banquet or feast, typically larger, more festive, and often including drinking, while 会食 is a more neutral term for simply dining together.
宴会 is the standard modern word for a banquet, while 一座 is a literary or old-fashioned term for the same kind of gathering.
