- がんばって = do your best / hang in there / good luck.
- Polite: がんばってください. About yourself: がんばります (I’ll do my best).
- Together: がんばろう！ (let’s do our best!).
- Pure luck, like a lottery, is different: うんがいいですね.
What ganbatte really means
がんばる means to persevere, to try hard, to hang in there. When you say がんばって to someone, you’re not wishing for luck to fall from the sky; you’re encouraging their effort. It’s used before exams, sports matches, job interviews, or during any tough time.
- がんばって！ganbatte!Good luck! / You can do it!Casual.
- がんばってくださいganbatte kudasaiPlease do your best / Good luckPolite.
- がんばりますganbarimasuI’ll do my best.Answer to がんばって.
- がんばろう！ganbarō!Let’s do our best!
- がんばったねganbatta neYou did great / You worked hardPraise afterwards, regardless of the result.
Other ways to encourage someone
- ファイト！faito!Fight! / Go for it!From English. Very common in sports.
- おうえんしていますōen shite imasuI’m rooting for you.
- むりしないでねmuri shinaide neDon’t push yourself too hard.
- だいじょうぶ、できるよdaijōbu, dekiru yoIt’ll be okay, you can do it.
- きをつけてki o tsuketeTake care / Be careful
Notice むりしないでね: Japanese balances “try hard” with “don’t overdo it”. Saying both shows real care.
When you mean actual luck
- うんがいいですねun ga ii desu neYou’re lucky! / What luck!
- ラッキー！rakkī!Lucky!
- ごうかくをいのっていますgōkaku o inotte imasuI’m praying you pass (the exam).
- おまもりomamorilucky charm (from a shrine)
Which phrase when?
| Situation | Say |
|---|---|
| Friend has an exam tomorrow | がんばって！ |
| Colleague starts a big project | がんばってください |
| Your team before a match | がんばろう！ |
| Friend is exhausted from work | むりしないでね |
| Someone tells you がんばって | がんばります！ |
All the forms of がんばる
| Form | Japanese | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| dictionary | がんばる | to do one’s best |
| polite | がんばります | I’ll do my best |
| request | がんばってください | please do your best |
| volitional | がんばろう | let’s do our best |
| past | がんばった | did one’s best |
| ongoing | がんばっています | is working hard |
- まいにちにほんごをがんばっていますmainichi nihongo o ganbatte imasuI’m working hard on my Japanese every day.
- よくがんばりましたねyoku ganbarimashita neYou really did your best!
Why ganbatte is so Japanese
The idea behind がんばる, perseverance and effort, is deeply valued in Japan. School sports days, exam seasons and work all revolve around it. Praising effort rather than talent or luck is typical: after a hard exam, friends say がんばったね (you worked hard) whatever the result.
Some people find constant がんばって pressuring when they’re already struggling. In those moments, gentler phrases like むりしないでね or ゆっくりやすんでね (rest well) show more empathy.
Cheering at events
- がんばれ！ganbare!Go! Come on!Shouted at sports events. Very casual imperative.
- いけー！ikē!Go for it!
- ナイス！naisu!Nice!
A friend says がんばって before your test. You reply:
“Let’s do our best together!”
Your friend is working too hard:
Frequently asked questions
What does ganbatte mean?
がんばって (ganbatte) means 'do your best', 'hang in there' or 'good luck'. It encourages effort rather than wishing for luck.
How do you respond to ganbatte?
Answer がんばります (ganbarimasu), 'I'll do my best'.
How do you say good luck in Japanese?
The most common way is がんばって (ganbatte), or politely がんばってください. For pure luck, say 運がいいですね (un ga ii desu ne), 'you're lucky'.
What does ganbare mean?
がんばれ (ganbare) is the imperative of がんばる and is shouted to cheer people on, especially at sports events: 'Go! Come on!'