What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of その調子で, which means "with that rhythm/condition" and 頑張って, which means "do your best".
Which one should you use?
While 頑張って focuses on the effort of "doing one's best", the phrase その調子で focuses on the successful current state or momentum. You can also use the shortened version その調子で among friends to mean "keep it up" or "keep going like that". Additionally, 続けてください can be used specifically to mean "Please keep going".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The phrase がんばってください is a polite way to say "keep it up" or "do your best". In informal contexts, you can omit the honorific and simply say がんばって. Adding ね to the end to form がんばってね makes the statement feel more gentle and encouraging. Among friends, dropping the effort-focused part and just saying その調子で is a common, casual way to say "keep it up".
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Kansai region (such as Osaka or Kyoto), you may hear がんばれや to mean "keep it up". In the Touhoku dialect of northern Japan, がんばっぺ is used to cheer someone on.
How do you pronounce it?
sono choushi de ganbatte
Did you know?
- While the phrase is common, there is no single Japanese word that perfectly captures the English 'good luck' because 頑張って emphasizes personal effort rather than fate.
- While 'keep it up' is usually positive in English, using 頑張って can sometimes feel pressuring to a Japanese person who is already exhausted or overwhelmed.
- The root of 頑張って comes from a word meaning 'to persist' or 'to endure', reflecting a cultural value placed on tenacity and patience over innate talent.
Examples in context
- とても上手にできてるよ。その調子で頑張って。You're doing very well. Keep it up.This sentence is useful for showing how to praise someone's current progress before telling them to keep it up using その調子で頑張って.Tatoeba #9506037 by bunbuku, translation #8980425 by CK
- その調子で頑張って。Sono choushi de ganbatte.Keep it up.
- 毎日練習してるね。その調子で頑張って！Mainichi renshuu shiteru ne. Sono choushi de ganbatte!You're practicing every day. Keep it up!
Example conversation
A teacher is praising her student for his consistent progress in a class.
- 陽葵 Himari最近、成績がすごく上がったね。Saikin, seiseki ga sugoku agatta ne.Your grades have improved a lot lately.
- 健太 Kentaありがとうございます。もっと勉強します。Arigatou gozaimasu. Motto benkyou shimasu.Thank you. I will study more.
- 陽葵 Himariその調子で頑張って、健太君。Sono choushi de ganbatte, Kenta-kun.Keep it up, Kenta.
- 健太 Kentaはい、頑張ります！Hai, ganbarimasu!Yes, I'll do my best!
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
