Hooyah
Meaning: The battle cry of the US Navy, especially Navy SEALs, expressing motivation and readiness.
Hooyah is the Navy's version of the Army's 'Hooah.' Most associated with Navy SEALs and special warfare. Each branch jealously guards its own battle cry — using the wrong one around service members is a guaranteed way to get corrected.
Examples
- The SEAL candidates screamed 'Hooyah!' as they hit the freezing surf. 海豹突击队候选人冲进冰冷的海浪时高喊'虎呀!Los candidatos a SEAL gritaron «¡Hooyah!» al lanzarse al oleaje helado.シールズの候補生たちは凍える波に飛び込みながら「フーヤー!」と叫んだ。실 후보생들은 차가운 파도에 뛰어들면서 '후야!'라고 외쳤다.
- Hooyah, chief — we're ready to deploy. 虎呀,长官——我们已经准备好出发了。Hooyah, jefe — estamos listos para desplegar.フーヤー、チーフ——出動準備完了です。후야, 치프 — 출동 준비 완료입니다.
- My uncle was a Navy SEAL and he still yells 'Hooyah' at family barbecues. 我叔叔曾是海豹突击队员,他在家庭烧烤聚会上还是会喊'虎呀'。Mi tío era un Navy SEAL y todavía grita «Hooyah» en las barbacoas familiares.叔父はネイビーシールズだったので、家族のバーベキューで今でも「フーヤー」と叫ぶ。삼촌이 네이비 실 출신이라 가족 바비큐에서 아직도 '후야'라고 외친다.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: Navy, special operations, veteran culture
Tone: fierce, enthusiastic
✓ Do Say
- Hooyah! Let's do this.虎呀!开干吧。¡Hooyah! Vamos a ello.フーヤー!やるぞ。후야! 해보자.
- That was a hooyah moment.那是一个虎呀时刻。Fue un momento hooyah.あれはフーヤーな瞬間だった。그건 후야 모먼트였어.
✗ Don't Say
- Don't confuse with 'Hooah' (Army) or 'Oorah' (Marines).不要和'Hooah'(陆军)或'Oorah'(海军陆战队)搞混。No confundir con «Hooah» (Ejército) ni «Oorah» (Marines).「フーアー」(陸軍)や「ウーラー」(海兵隊)と混同しないこと。'후아(Hooah, 육군)'나 '우라(Oorah, 해병대)'와 혼동하지 말 것.
Origin & History
Debated origin — possibly a motivational shout during BUD/S training. Popularized by Navy SEAL culture in the late 20th century.
Cultural Context
Era: 1980s–present
Generation: All ages
Social background: Military / Veteran
Regional notes: US Navy — especially SEALs
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