What does it mean word for word?
The phrase 君ならできる literally translates to "If it is you, [you] can do [it]".
Which one should you use?
The choice of phrase depends on your relationship with the person. The form 君ならできる is informal. If you wish to say "you got this" more politely, use あなたならできます. For strong, direct encouragement such as "You can do it!", the imperative form 頑張れ is used.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
君ならできる is an informal way to offer encouragement. It uses the pronoun 君, which is typically used by someone of higher status to a subordinate or between close friends. In more formal situations, you might use がんばってください to mean "Please do your best," or 自信を持ってください to say "Please have confidence." Adding the particle ね to the end of 頑張ってください (as in 頑張ってくださいね) makes the encouragement feel slightly softer.
How does it change in a sentence?
In the phrase 君ならできる, the particle なら is used to mean "if it is the case that" or "provided that it is [subject]".
How do you pronounce it?
kimi nara dekiru
Did you know?
- The word 頑張る originates from the verb 張る meaning 'to stretch' and the word 頑 meaning 'stubborn'. Together they create the image of stretching one's persistence to the absolute limit.
- When someone is already exhausted or struggling, saying 頑張って can sometimes feel like a burden by telling them to work even harder. In these cases, people prefer 無理しないで meaning 'Don't overdo it'.
- The phrase 君ならできる is a common trope in 'shonen' manga and anime to signal a turning point in a character's growth. It often appears during climactic scenes to trigger a protagonist's sudden surge of confidence.
Examples in context
- 頑張ってください！このプレゼンテーションはきっと成功しますよ。You can do it! This presentation will definitely be a success.
- 大丈夫ですよ。自信を持ってください。It's okay. Please have confidence.
- テスト頑張って！絶対に合格できるよ。Good luck on your test! You can definitely pass.
- 試合頑張ってるよ！絶対に勝てるからね。You're doing great in the game! You'll definitely win.
- 君ならできるよ。Kimi nara dekiru yo.You can do it.
- 大丈夫、君ならできる。Daijoubu, kimi nara dekiru.It's okay, you got this.
- 自信を持って、君ならできる。Jishin o motte, kimi nara dekiru.Have confidence, you can do it.
Example conversation
陽葵 is nervous about her piano recital and 陽太 encourages her.
- 陽葵 Himariすごく緊張する。Sugoku kinjou suru.I am so nervous.
- 陽太 Yota大丈夫、君ならできるよ。Daijoubu, kimi nara dekiru yo.It's okay, you got this.
- 陽葵 Himari本当にできるかな？Hontou ni dekiru kana?I wonder if I can really do it?
- 陽太 Yota陽葵なら絶対にできる。Himari nara zettai ni dekiru.You can definitely do it, Himari.
