PhraseNinja

Yojijukugo

Japanese meaning of 意気揚々

いきようよう (iki youyou)

English Translation:

Triumphantly; in high spirits

Meaning & Cultural Context

Meaning:

Proud and triumphant; in high spirits, especially after a success.
日本語で読む
得意で誇らしげな様子。威勢よく元気いっぱいに振る舞うさま。

Cultural Context:

From the Records of the Grand Historian (Shiji), describing the carriage driver of the statesman Yanzi, who acted proud as if the honour were his own. Today it describes people heading home after a win or setting off full of confidence.
日本語で読む
『史記』に由来し、宰相・晏子の御者が自分まで偉くなったかのように得意げにしていた様子を表した。現在は、勝って引き上げる人や自信満々で出発する人の様子に使われる。

Grammar & Learning Points

Grammar Point

• Adverb-like phrase for proud high spirits; often with “と帰る.”
日本語で読む
• 得意で誇らしげな様子を表し、「〜と帰る」「〜と引き上げる」と組み合わせることが多い。

Trap for English Speakers

Often miswritten as 意気洋々, mixing it up with 前途洋洋.
日本語で読む
「前途洋洋」と混同して「意気洋々」と書き間違えやすい。

Example

Example 1Basic Example

  1. 試合に勝った子どもたちは、意気揚々と家に帰った。

    Having won the game, the children went home in high spirits.

Example 2Applied Example

  1. 敵の巻物を手に入れた忍は、意気揚々と里へ戻った。

    With the enemy’s scroll in hand, the ninja returned triumphantly to the village.

Quick check

Meaning

What does 「意気揚々」 mean?

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