🇯🇵 Japanese phrases

How to Say "Good luck" in Japanese

The SPAIKING TeamJuly 27, 2026
頑張って
"Good luck" in Japanese · say it like gahn-baht-teh

The most natural way to say "Good luck" in Japanese is 頑張って. Tap the speaker above to hear it, then say it back out loud. That is the fastest way to make it stick.

Other ways to say it

頑張れ
more casual, often used among friends
頑張ってください
more formal, used in polite situations

When to use it

You can use this phrase when you want to encourage someone who is facing a challenge. It is commonly used in various situations, such as before a test, a performance, or any difficult task. It conveys support and motivation.

Say it out loud, get corrected

Reading it is not the same as saying it. Practice "Good luck" and thousands more with an AI coach that listens.

Examples in Japanese

JapaneseEnglish
試験頑張ってね。Good luck on your exam.
明日のプレゼン、頑張って!Do your best for tomorrow's presentation!
Common mistake
Some learners might confuse this with '幸運を祈る' (I wish you good luck), which is more formal and less commonly used in casual conversation.

The fastest way to remember it

Vocabulary you only read fades fast. Vocabulary you say out loud sticks. Hear 頑張って, repeat it a few times, then use it in a real sentence. SPAIKING lets you practice exactly that, speaking Japanese with a coach that corrects your pronunciation in real time. You can start with two free conversations.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a difference between '頑張って' and '頑張れ'?

'頑張って' is more polite, while '頑張れ' is more casual and direct.

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