頑張って
ganbatte[ɡã̠mba̠t̚te̞]
The English idiom 'break a leg' can be expressed in Japanese as 頑張って (ganbatte).
While 'break a leg' is an idiom specifically used for performers, 頑張って is a general expression of encouragement. You can use it for any challenging task, such as exams, sports or work, to mean 'Do your best' or 'Good luck'.
Meaning: expression of best wishes to a performer (intj)
Which one should you use?
The phrase 頑張って is a versatile way to say 'Do your best'. For a more casual tone, you might use がんばって, 頑張ってね or 上手くやってね to mean 'Do well' or 'Good luck'. For a very formal situation, such as praying for someone's professional success, use ご活躍をお祈りしています.
How do you pronounce it?
ganbatte
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not translate 'break a leg' literally as 足を折って. In Japanese, this sounds like a literal curse or a physical instruction rather than a wish for good luck.
Did you know?
- The root verb 頑張る is believed by some to originate from the word for a 'sturdy' or 'persistent' rope used in construction.
- While 頑張って is usually positive, saying it to someone who is already exhausted or overwhelmed can be seen as insensitive, as it suggests they must push themselves even harder.
- Because 頑張って is often used as an imperative, saying it to a superior or a boss can actually be considered rude. For someone of higher status, you must use the more formal ご活躍をお祈りしています instead.
Examples in context
- 頑張ってね、太郎！Good luck, Tarō!
- 本番、頑張って！Honban, ganbatte!Good luck with the actual performance!
- ピアノの発表会、頑張ってね。Piano no happyōkai, ganbatte ne.Good luck at your piano recital.
- 舞台、頑張って応援してるよ。Butai, ganbatte ōen shiteru yo.Good luck with the play, I'm rooting for you.
Example conversation
A girl is about to go on stage for a dance recital.
- 陽葵 Himari緊張するなあ。Kinchō suru nā.I'm so nervous.
- 陽太 Yota大丈夫、頑張って！Daijōbu, ganbatte!You'll be fine, break a leg!
- 陽葵 Himari陽太くん、ありがとう。Yōta-kun, arigatō.Thank you, Yota.
- 陽太 Yota最高のステージにしてね。Saikō no sutēji ni shite ne.Make it a great performance.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 頑張って, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
