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How to Say ‘Good luck.’ in Japanese

がんばってくださいね。

ganbatsu te kudasai ne

[gan-BAHT te kudasai neh]

💬 Usage Tip: がんばって literally means "try hard / hang in there" rather than relying on luck. It's an encouragement to put in effort.

Phrase Breakdown

がんばって

ganbatsu te

do your best

From がんばる, 'to try hard'. The ん is a full beat, and the small っ is a short stop: 'ga-n-bat-te'.

Example

テスト、がんばって。

Good luck on the test.

Words in this phrase

がんばっ

ganbatsu

[gan-BAHT]

try hard (stem)

Te-form stem of がんばる, to do one's best.

Example

がんばって練習した。

I practiced hard.

て

[te]

te-form ending

Connects actions in sequence, like 'and' or 'then'.

Example

ドアが開いて、入ります。

The door opens, and then I go in.

くださいね。

kudasai ne

please, okay?

Makes it a polite, warm encouragement. ね adds friendliness.

Example

気をつけてくださいね。

Please take care, okay?

Words in this phrase

ください

kudasai

[kudasai]

please (do)

Used to make a polite request.

Example

手伝ってください。

Please help me.

ね

[neh]

okay?; right?

Adds softness and care, often used when comforting someone.

Example

今日はもう休もうね。

Let's rest for today now, okay?

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