凯歌

• Pinyin: kǎi gē
• Hanzi breakdown: 凯 = triumphal, victorious (from 凱, military music); 歌 = song

Meaning

Song of triumph; victory song; paean.

A song celebrating victory, or figuratively, any triumphant achievement. Often used in the phrase 奏凯歌 (to play a victory song) or 高唱凯歌 (to sing a triumphant song). Appears in formal, literary, or celebratory contexts. Collocates with 高奏 (play loudly), 唱响 (ring out), 胜利 (victory).

Examples

1. 经过三年艰苦攻关，科研团队终于唱响了凯歌，新药成功上市。 After three years of hard work on the project, the research team finally sang a song of triumph — the new drug successfully hit the market.
2. 战士们凯歌高奏，庆祝这场来之不易的胜利。 The soldiers played triumphant music loudly, celebrating this hard-won victory.
3. 中国女排一路凯歌，再次站上了世界冠军的领奖台。 The Chinese women's volleyball team triumphed all the way and once again stood on the world championship podium.

Usage Guide

Context: celebration, sports, military, achievements

Tone: triumphant

Do Say

• 让我们高唱凯歌！(Let's sing a song of triumph!)
• 他们一路凯歌。(They triumphed all the way.)

Don't Say

• 我唱了一首凯歌去睡觉。(凯歌 is about celebrating victories — not a lullaby before bed)

Origin & History

凯 (triumph, victory) + 歌 (song). A song of triumph.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal