How to say "hooray" in Japanese

Choosing the right word

やったCommon
interjectionCovers 'hooray' and 'yay' as a spontaneous cry of joy when something good happens, such as passing an exam or winning a game. It is casual, personal, and said aloud in the moment.
やったと思おもった。↗
I felt I had hit the jackpot.
万歳ばんざいJLPT N2approx.Common
interjection, noun, suru verb, intransitive verbCovers 'hooray' as a celebratory cheer, often shouted in unison by a crowd to honour someone or mark an occasion. It corresponds to 'banzai' and 'hurrah' rather than a private exclamation of delight.
彼かれが金きんメダルをとったという知しらせをきき、私わたしたちは万歳ばんざいと叫さけんだ。↗
We cried banzai at the news that he won the gold medal.

Use 「やった」 as the casual, spontaneous shout of joy, and 万歳 as the more formal cheer or exclamation of celebration and enthusiastic approval.

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

Japanese equivalents

JLPT vocabulary levels are community estimates, not official (no official lists have been published since the 2010 revision).

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