N5 · Phrase guide
Ganbatte — Cheer Someone On Naturally
頑張って
がんばって
Do your best / hang in there
Nuance
Signals solidarity, not orders. Tone matters—can feel warm or intense depending on relationship.
Cultural note
Common before tests and presentations. After illness, お大事に or お大事にしてください is more appropriate than 頑張って.
Examples
明日の試験、頑張って。
Good luck on tomorrow's exam.
Text to a classmate
みんな、頑張りましょう。
Let's all do our best.
Team meeting
Common mistakes
- Telling someone sick to 頑張って (sounds harsh)
- Overusing it when quiet support is enough