How to say "banquet" in Japanese

• 宴うたげCommon
  nounA feast or banquet in poetic language. As a poetical term it belongs to literature, songs and elevated description; for naming an actual dinner event it is seldom the word you reach for.
  熱狂ねっきょうの宴えんが始はじまりを告つげる。↗

  A frenzied feasting tells of the beginning.
• 宴会えんかいJLPT N2approx.Common
  nounThe word you will usually want for a banquet: a formal dinner or party with many guests, the kind held by companies or groups to celebrate or entertain. It also covers a reception or feast.
  宴会えんかいはたけなわだった。↗

  The banquet was in full swing.
• 宴席えんせきCommon
  nounA banquet or dinner party viewed as an occasion, with a formal, written flavor; it turns up in announcements, speeches and news reports more than in casual conversation.
• 饗宴きょうえんCommon
  nounA grand feast or banquet held to entertain and honor guests; an elegant, elevated word that fits state dinners and lavish formal entertaining rather than an ordinary party.
• 披露宴ひろうえんCommon
  nounNot a general word for banquet: it means a celebration held to present someone to their guests, above all a wedding reception. For 'banquet' in other senses this is seldom the word you want.
  結婚式けっこんしきの後あとで盛大せいだいな披露宴ひろうえんが催もよおされた。↗

  There was a big reception after the wedding.

For an ordinary banquet or dinner event use 宴会; 宴 is the poetic word for a feast, 宴席 a formal banquet occasion, 饗宴 a grand feast for entertaining guests, and 披露宴 a celebration such as a wedding reception.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 宴うたげparty
• 宴会えんかいparty
• 宴席えんせきbanquet
• 饗宴きょうえんfeast
• 披露宴ひろうえんreception (e.g. wedding)
• ごちtreat
• バンケットbanquet
• 賀宴がえんbanquet
• 晩餐会ばんさんかいbanquet
• 招宴しょうえんbanquet
• 酒宴しゅえんdrinking party
• 会席料理かいせきりょうりset of dishes served on an individual tray for entertaining guests
• 正餐せいさん(Western-style) banquet
• 一座いちざbanquet
• 会席かいせきrestaurant dinner tray
• 振る舞いふるまいentertainment