Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 挑戦 | chōsen | [t͡ɕo̞ːsẽ̞ɴ] (narrow) |
| チャレンジ | charenji | [t͡ɕa̠ɾẽ̞ɲ̟d͡ʑi] (narrow) |
挑戦 is a common and versatile term for a challenge. For more specific contexts, if you are referring to a difficult or testing situation, the word 試練 is used. In conversation, when someone wants to express the idea of taking on a challenge or facing difficulties with determination, they often use the verb がんばる or if they want to say they will give something a try, they use the informal phrase やってみる.
Which one should you use?
In contrast, チャレンジ is an informal loanword from English used for more casual, everyday or lighthearted attempts at something new.
How does it change in a sentence?
To use the noun 挑戦 as a verb meaning "to challenge" or "to take on a challenge", add する to form 挑戦する. You can also create an adjective by adding the suffix -的 to 挑戦, forming 挑戦的, which means "challenging" or, quite commonly in social contexts, "defiant" or "provocative".
How do you pronounce it?
chōsen
Did you know?
- The term 挑戦 is composed of characters meaning 'to venture' and 'to fight', reflecting a more combative origin than the English word.
- The English loanword チャレンジ is often used in Japanese marketing to make a difficult task sound positive, approachable, and fun, whereas the native term 挑戦 can feel much heavier and more serious.
- The word 挑戦 is used in Japanese martial arts and sports to describe a challenger seeking a title, whereas in English 'challenge' can be a general obstacle.
Examples in context
- 僕はその挑戦を楽しむ。I enjoy the challenge.This sentence shows how to express enjoyment of a challenge using 挑戦.Tatoeba #9041975 by Ninja, translation #3618661 by CK
- 相変わらず、挑戦的ね。He's a challenge, as usual.This sentence demonstrates the use of 挑戦 to describe someone as being defiant or provocative.Tatoeba #9943500 by small_snow, translation #10317964 by terrywallwork
- チャレンジ精神旺盛だね。You are fully up to the challenge, right.This sentence shows how to use the loanword チャレンジ to describe someone's spirit of taking on challenges.Tatoeba #12296506 by small_snow, translation #13694667 by terrywallwork
- 彼女は新しい挑戦を受け入れた。She accepted the new challenge.
- マラソンは本当に困難な試練だ。The marathon is a truly difficult challenge.
- 今日からダイエットを始めるよ。がんばるぞ！I'm starting my diet today. I'm ready to take on the challenge!
- この問題を解決するのは難しいけど、やってみるしかないよ。Solving this problem is difficult, but we have no choice but to give it a try.
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about a new project at work.
- 結衣 Yui新しいプロジェクトへの挑戦は、大変そうですか？Atarashii purojekuto e no chousen wa, taihen sou desu ka?Does the challenge of the new project look difficult?
- 健太 Kentaはい、僕にとって大きな挑戦です。Hai, boku ni totte ookina chousen desu.Yes, it is a big challenge for me.
- 結衣 Yui健太さんなら、きっと上手くいきますよ。Kenta-san nara, kitto umaku ikimasu yo.If it's you, Kenta, I'm sure you will do well.
- 健太 Kenta結衣さん、ありがとうございます。Yui-san, arigatou gozaimasu.Thank you, Yui.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “challenge” translations and entries 挑戦, チャレンジ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
