頑張って

Do your best, good luck, or hang in there.

Readings

Other forms

頑張る dictionary form

頑張ります polite form

頑張れ imperative/command form

がんばって extremely common hiragana form

Verb (te-form), Interjection

"Do your best" / "Good luck" / "Hang in there"

This expression serves as a call to action, urging someone to persevere or exert effort rather than simply wishing them luck.

Good to know

頑張って（がんばって） is often translated as “good luck,” but it is not about luck or chance. It means “do your best,” “keep going,” or “hang in there.” Use it when you are encouraging someone to make an effort or not give up.

It comes from the verb 頑張る（がんばる）, meaning to try hard or to persist. With friends or people close to you, 頑張って（がんばって） is natural. For a more polite version, use 頑張ってください（がんばってください）, meaning “please do your best.”

Be careful: because this phrase can sound like “try harder,” it may feel insensitive to someone who is already exhausted, overwhelmed, or struggling emotionally. In those situations, 無理しないで（むりしないで）, “don’t overdo it,” is often kinder.

Example

A 明日、大事な面接があるんです。

B そうですか。頑張ってください！

[A:] I have an important interview tomorrow. [B:] I see. Good luck!

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VOCAB 2 / 30

頑張って

がんばって

Do your best, good luck, or hang in there.

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