How to Say ‘Good luck.’ in Japanese
がんばってください。
ganbatsu te kudasai
[gahm-baht teh koo-dah-sigh]
🇯🇵 In Japan: This is a standard encouraging phrase, often closer to "good luck" or "hope it goes well" than literally "do your best." It's common and friendly, including from strangers at the end of a brief exchange.
Phrase Breakdown
がんばって
ganbatsu te
do your best; hang in there
The -te form of がんばる, used to encourage someone.
がんばって！
Do your best!
Words in this phrase
がんばっ
ganbatsu
[gahm-baht]
do your best; hang in there
The encouraging verb part meaning to persist or try hard.
しけん、がんばってください。
Please do your best on the exam.
て
te
[teh]
te-form ending
Connects the verb to ください to make a polite request or encouragement.
てつだってください。
Please help.
ください
kudasai
[koo-dah-sigh]
please
Used after a て-form to politely ask someone to do something.
またきてください。
Please come again.
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