勉強頑張ってね
benkyō ganbatte ne
In Japanese, "good luck with your studies" is said as 勉強頑張ってね (benkyō ganbatte ne).
勉強頑張ってね is used to encourage someone who is currently in a period of intense studying or preparing for an upcoming exam. If you want to specifically say "good luck with your exam" rather than "studies," replace 勉強 (study) with 試験 (exam) to say 試験頑張ってね.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally means "Do your best with your studies, okay?"
Which one should you use?
While 勉強頑張ってね specifies studying, the shorter 頑張って is a general "do your best" that can be used for any challenge. You can also use Ganbatte kudasai! to mean "Please do your best!" in formal settings, or Ganbarete kudasai! to mean "Keep going!" to motivate someone to persevere through their studies.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
When speaking to a teacher, a superior or someone you are not close to, use the polite form 勉強頑張ってください. In informal settings, Ganbatte! is a shortened form of "Ganbatte kudasai" used to cheer someone on in their studies.
How does it change in a sentence?
Removing the final ね makes the phrase slightly more direct and less soft.
How do you pronounce it?
benkyō ganbatte ne
Did you know?
- In Japan, students often buy kit kat chocolates before exams because the brand name sounds like kitto katsu, which means 'will surely win'.
- While 頑張って is used to encourage someone, it can sound insensitive if the person has already pushed themselves to their limit. In such cases, Japanese speakers may prefer お疲れ様 to acknowledge their hard work instead.
- While English speakers often say 'good luck' to imply a wish for a fortunate outcome, using 頑張って focuses the energy on the person's own effort and willpower instead of luck.
Examples in context
- 試験、勉強頑張ってね。Shiken, benkyou ganbatte ne.Good luck with your studies for the exam.
- 明日から勉強頑張ってね。Ashita kara benkyou ganbatte ne.Good luck with your studies starting tomorrow.
- 資格の勉強頑張ってね！Shikaku no benkyou ganbatte ne!Good luck with your studies for the certification!
Example conversation
Ren is seeing Himari off as she heads to the library to study.
- 蓮 Ren図書館へ行くの？Toshokan e iku no?Are you going to the library?
- 陽葵 Himariうん、テスト前だから。Un, tesuto mae dakara.Yeah, because the test is coming up.
- 蓮 Ren勉強頑張ってね、陽葵。Benkyou ganbatte ne, Himari.Good luck with your studies, Himari.
- 陽葵 Himariありがとう、蓮くん！Arigatou, Ren-kun!Thanks, Ren!
