Guide: Japanese Ganbatte & Ganbare Meanings Explained

You’re here because you want to know what ganbatte, ganbare. etc. means, right?

So, what does ganbatte mean? How does it compare to ganbare, ganbatte kudasai, and others?

(By the way, it’s written as ganbatte, not gambatte.)

¥Well, I am going to “ganbaru” in my explanation, so stick around. This easy guide answers it all — ganbatte vs ganbare, the meanings, the nuances and more.

But long story short, ganbatte means “do your best” and even “good luck.“

Ganbatte Explained

Ganbatte or 頑張って is an iconic expression that also carries significant cultural meaning.

Ganbatte comes from the verb ganbaru.

And “ganbaru” or its more polite version, “ganbarimasu” just mean “to do one’s best” or “I will do my best” depending on the context.

So, if a person says “ganbaru” or “ganbarimasu,” they’re saying, “I will do my best.”

Now, ganbatte itself can mean…

• do your best
• try your best
• good luck
• go for it
• keep at it
• let’s go (in a cheering sense)
• and so on…

There can be many interpretations but they’re all the same – telling someone to try their best and wishing them well.

Grammar-wise, Ganbatte is the te-form of the verb ganbaru. The te-form is what you use when you want to give commands or ask others to do something (known as the imperative form in English). So, ganbatte is basically a command and you telling someone “do it! do your best!”

And it’s also the most common way to say good luck in Japanese.

Ganbatte IS the most common form of ganbaru that you’ll hear in Japan!

But there are variations too…

Variations of Ganbatte

If you want to use a specific nuance, you can use one of these variations.

Here are some different forms of ganbatte, along with their meanings.

Ganbare (頑張れ)

You’ll hear ganbare when people cheer during sports and competitions. You can use it during the action rather than before the event. In English, an equivalent could be “You got this!” or “Go for it.”

For example, if there is just one more point needed to win a game, you could shout this phrase:

• You got this! It’s just a bit more!
  • 頑張れ！ あと少し！
  • Ganbare! Ato sukoshi!

If you want to know the difference between ganbatte vs gambare, well it’s just a matter of force and emotion. Ganbare is stronger than ganbatte. This picture summarizes it well.

Ganbatte ne (頑張ってね)

A softer way to wish someone luck is ganbatte ne.

It has a relaxed and pleasant tone that would put less pressure on someone about to face a difficult challenge… all thanks to the “ne” particle.

For example, you could say to someone about to go into a job interview:

• Good luck with the interview!
• 面接頑張ってね！
• Mensetsu ganbatte ne!

Ganbatte kudasai (頑張ってください)

This phrase is a formal way to say ganbatte. It uses kudasai, which can also mean “please.”

You should use this form if you’re talking to someone you don’t know very well or someone of higher social status than you.

For example, if you see your favorite athlete that you’ve never met in real life, you could say:

• Good luck with the match tomorrow.
  • 明日の試合頑張ってください。
  • Ashita no shiai ganbatte kudasai.

Ganbarinasai (頑張りなさい)

If you want to stromgly command someone to do their best, you could use this version.

Ganbarinasai would make sense if a mother told a child to do their best for the college entrance exams.

• Do your best at the test tomorrow!
  • 明日の試験頑張りなさい！
  • Ashita no shiken ganbari nasai!

Ganbatte yo (頑張ってよ)

A casual and playful way to say ganbatte is to say ganbatte yo.

Here, you’re adding the Japanese particle “yo.”

This ganbatte variation means the other person owes them to do well, or you’re counting on them to succeed. Make sure you only use this phrase with close friends and family, as it could be rude to those you don’t know well or are of a higher social status than you.

For example, if you bet on your friend to win, you could say:

• I’m going to be in trouble if you don’t win!
  • 頑張ってよ！ 勝たないと困る！
  • Ganbatte yo! Kata nai to komaru

Cultural Significance of Ganbatte

The phrase ganbatte embodies the Japanese mindset and spirit of trying one’s best and persisting even during hard times.

Many Japanese people approach their work with this mindset. It is a highly valued trait to do everything as well as possible.

For example, a Japanese convenience store usually provides just as much excellent customer service as a department store.

One interesting element about the phrase is that it connotes that trying your best is essential to avoiding disappointing your community, workplace, family, and other social groups.

Because everyone believes everyone else is doing their best, there is a harmonious feeling of striving towards a common goal.

When to Use & Not to Use Ganbatte

If you want to use the phrase ganbatte like a pro…

Knowing when and when not to use it is vital.

So you’ll learn the exact moments to encourage others!

Here are the times when it would be appropriate to use ganbatte:

• Before complex challenges or exams: For example, saying this phrase before a critical test would be appropriate.
• During hard times: If someone is going through a difficult time at work, you could say this phrase to encourage them. It makes the most sense to use it when there is a clear time frame for when the hard time will end.
• Sports & competitions: This is the most common phrase you’ll hear from those supporting the athletes and competitors during sports and competitions.
• Personal Goals: When someone is working on individual goals, such as fitness goals, ganbatte can also be a great phrase to use. 

Although ganbatte is generally a positive Japanese phrase, there ARE times when it wouldn’t be appropriate.

Here are some situations where you shouldn’t use it:

• During ​​grief or trauma: You generally don’t want to encourage someone to do their best when trying to process something emotional or relating to grief. It seems like you’re trying to get them to move on.
• Outcomes outside of their control: For example, if the result of a major surgery or medical procedure would not change based on their effort, the phrase would not be appropriate.
• After failure: If a person has failed something and feels discouraged, encouraging them at that moment might be the wrong phrase. Instead, you should acknowledge their feelings without pushing them to try harder.

Back to You

Now you know how to use ganbatte in Japanese.

Plus the many variations like ganbare and ganbatte kudasai.

So, if you’re learning Japanese…

I just want to say “ganbatte.”

And, if you’re looking to learn Japanese with a program…

I recommend JapanesePod101 for their conversation-based lessons. Unlike other apps like Duolingo, you’re not playing word games… instead you’re listening to real native speakers having conversations… and then the teachers in the lesson explain every word so that you understand it and start speaking Japanese yourself.

Anyway, if you have any questions…

Leave a comment!

The Main Lingua Junkie