頑張る
do one's best
Literalmente: To stand firm or stretch stubbornly
Use it to show you are trying your best or to cheer someone else on through effort.
En 15 segundos
- To persist, work hard, and never give up on a goal.
- Used to encourage others or express your own personal determination.
- Focuses on the beauty of effort rather than just the outcome.
Significado
It is the ultimate Japanese pep talk. It means to work hard, persist, or give it your absolute all until the job is done.
Ejemplos clave
3 de 6Encouraging a friend before a test
Ashita no tesuto, ganbatte ne!
Good luck on tomorrow's test!
Accepting a difficult task from a boss
Hai, isshoukenmei ganbarimasu.
Yes, I will do my absolute best.
Texting a friend who is busy
Kyou mo ganba!
Go for it today, too!
Contexto cultural
The 'Ganbaru Spirit' is a defining trait of Japanese society, emphasizing perseverance through hardship. It gained global recognition during Japan's rapid post-war economic growth and remains a central theme in anime and sports culture.
The 'Ganba' Shortcut
When texting friends, just use `ganba!`. It is the cool, short way to say 'Good luck' without being too formal.
The Pressure Trap
If a friend is crying or very depressed, avoid `ganbatte`. It can sound like you are telling them to 'tough it out' instead of listening.
En 15 segundos
- To persist, work hard, and never give up on a goal.
- Used to encourage others or express your own personal determination.
- Focuses on the beauty of effort rather than just the outcome.
What It Means
Ganbaru is the heartbeat of Japanese determination. It is more than just 'trying.' It is about sticking to a task. It is about not giving up when things get tough. You are promising to put in the effort. It focuses on the process, not just the result. Even if you fail, if you ganbaru, you have done well.
How To Use It
You can use it for yourself or others. To say 'I will do my best,' use ganbarimasu. To cheer someone on, say ganbatte! It is a very flexible verb. You will hear it in schools, offices, and gyms. It is like a verbal high-five or a pat on the back. It turns a difficult task into a shared challenge.
When To Use It
Use it before a big presentation at work. Tell your friend ganbatte before their marathon. Use it when you are starting a new diet. It is perfect for texting a friend who is studying late. You can even use it for small things. Use it when trying to open a stubborn jar. It shows you are committed to the struggle. It makes people feel supported and motivated.
When NOT To Use It
Be careful with people who are truly struggling. If someone is burnt out, ganbatte can feel like pressure. It might sound like 'work even harder' when they cannot. Avoid using the command form ganbare with your boss. That is way too casual and bossy! Also, do not use it for things that require luck. You do not ganbaru to win the lottery. You ganbaru to earn the money instead.
Cultural Background
This word is the core of the 'Ganbaru Spirit.' Japan is a culture that highly values collective effort. After the war, this word helped rebuild the nation. It is about the beauty of the struggle. In Japanese schools, the 'effort' grade is often very important. It is not just about being smart. It is about how hard you tried. It is a badge of honor to be a hard worker.
Common Variations
Ganbatte is the most common way to say 'Good luck.' Ganbare is the stronger, more masculine 'Go for it!' version. You will hear fans screaming this at baseball games. Ganbarou means 'Let's do our best together.' This was a famous slogan after the 2011 earthquake. For a very casual text, just write ganba! It is short, sweet, and very modern.
Notas de uso
The formality depends on the ending. Use `ganbarimasu` for politeness and `ganbare` only for cheering or with close friends.
The 'Ganba' Shortcut
When texting friends, just use `ganba!`. It is the cool, short way to say 'Good luck' without being too formal.
The Pressure Trap
If a friend is crying or very depressed, avoid `ganbatte`. It can sound like you are telling them to 'tough it out' instead of listening.
Process over Result
In Japan, even if you lose the game, saying `yoku ganbatta` (you worked hard) is the highest compliment you can receive.
Ejemplos
6Ashita no tesuto, ganbatte ne!
Good luck on tomorrow's test!
The 'ne' adds a friendly, soft touch to the encouragement.
Hai, isshoukenmei ganbarimasu.
Yes, I will do my absolute best.
Using 'isshoukenmei' adds intensity and 'ganbarimasu' is polite for work.
Kyou mo ganba!
Go for it today, too!
Shortening it to 'ganba' is very common in casual digital chats.
Kyou wa mou ganbaranai yo.
I'm not going to try anymore today.
Using the negative form can be funny when you're clearly exhausted.
Ato sukoshi da! Ganbare!
Just a little more! Keep going!
The command form 'ganbare' is used for high-energy cheering.
Minna de yoku ganbatta ne.
We all really worked hard together, didn't we?
The past tense 'ganbatta' acknowledges the effort already spent.
Ponte a prueba
You want to tell your coworker you will do your best on the new project in a polite way.
Atarashii purojekuto, ___.
The polite form 'ganbarimasu' is appropriate for a professional setting when talking about your own future actions.
You are at a soccer game cheering for your favorite player.
___! Goal wo irete!
'Ganbare' is the imperative/command form used for cheering in sports.
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Ayudas visuales
Formality Levels of Ganbaru
Used with friends or when cheering loudly.
Ganbare! / Ganba!
Standard way to speak to coworkers or teachers.
Ganbarimasu / Ganbatte kudasai
Very formal business or ceremonial settings.
Seiippai ganbatte mairimasu
Where to use Ganbaru
Sports Day
Cheering for your team
Office
Starting a big report
Exam Hall
Encouraging a classmate
Gym
Pushing through one more rep
Kitchen
Cooking a complex meal
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasGanbare is a command, mostly used in sports or by men. Ganbatte is a softer request, common in everyday conversation.
No, it is better to avoid it. Instead, say ouen shiteimasu (I am rooting for you) to show support politely.
The most natural reply is hai, ganbarimasu! which means 'Yes, I will do my best!'
Not exactly. 'Good luck' implies chance. Ganbaru implies that your own effort will determine the outcome.
Absolutely! You can ganbaru with guitar practice, learning Japanese, or even playing video games.
Yes, ganbarou means 'let's do our best together.' It is very common for teams or during national crises.
It is the past tense. Use it to praise someone after they finished something hard: yoku ganbatta ne!
Yes, you can use it for something as simple as waking up early: ashita wa hayaoki ganbaru!
Anime often focuses on growth and overcoming obstacles, which is the exact definition of the ganbaru spirit.
Yes, it is often used as a reminder to keep that momentum going, even when you are already working hard.
Frases relacionadas
一生懸命 (Isshoukenmei)
With all one's might
諦めない (Akiramenai)
To not give up
ファイト (Faito)
Fight! (used as 'Go for it!')
努力 (Doryoku)
Effort / Hard work
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