How to Say Good Luck in Japanese
Learn how to say good luck in Japanese. 'Ganbatte!' (do your best) is what locals say; 'Kōun o inorimasu' is the literal good-luck wish. Pronunciation and nuance.
Published · 2 min read · Free · No sign-up
Quick answer
To wish good luck in Japanese, Japanese people most often say 'Ganbatte!' (頑張って, gan-BAT-teh), which means 'Do your best!' or 'Hang in there!' The literal good-luck wish is 'Kōun o inorimasu' (幸運を祈ります, I pray for your good luck), but 'Ganbatte' is far more common in everyday encouragement before exams, games, and challenges.
頑張って
/gan-BAT-teh/ — Japanese
How to Say Good Luck in Japanese
If you translate “good luck” word for word into Japanese, you will get a phrase that sounds stiff and bookish. What Japanese people actually say reflects a cultural value: success comes from effort, not fortune. So instead of wishing you luck, they urge you to do your best.
The Everyday Phrase: Ganbatte
頑張って (Ganbatte) — pronounced gan-BAT-teh — literally means “do your best” or “hang in there,” and it is the natural Japanese equivalent of “good luck.” You say it before exams, games, performances, job interviews, and any challenge. It carries warmth and encouragement, like an English “you’ve got this!”
The word family comes from the verb ganbaru (頑張る, to persevere / try hard):
| Japanese | Romaji | Feel |
|---|---|---|
| 頑張って | Ganbatte | Do your best (warm, common) |
| 頑張れ | Ganbare | Go! Push on! (forceful cheer) |
| 頑張ってください | Ganbatte kudasai | Please do your best (polite) |
| 頑張ろう | Ganbarō | Let’s do our best (together) |
Pronunciation: Mind the Double T
| Beat | Sound |
|---|---|
| gan | gan (hard “g”) |
| ba | ba |
| t | (brief pause / held stop) |
| te | teh |
The doubled “tt” in Ganbatte is a small clipped pause before the “te” — it is essential. Say “gan-ba—tte,” holding that tiny stop.
The Literal Good-Luck Wish
If you specifically want to say “good luck” (as in fortune), use:
| Japanese | Romaji | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 幸運を祈ります | Kōun o inorimasu | I pray for your good luck (formal) |
| 幸運を | Kōun o | Good luck (short) |
| 幸運を祈っています | Kōun o inotteimasu | I’m wishing you luck |
These sound more formal, written, or literary. In casual life Japanese people rarely use them — Ganbatte does the job almost every time.
Ganbatte vs. Ganbare vs. Faito
| Phrase | Tone | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Ganbatte | Gentle encouragement | Friends, colleagues, before a task |
| Ganbare! | Loud, energetic cheer | Sports, competitions |
| Ganbatte kudasai | Polite | Bosses, teachers, elders |
| Faito! (ファイト) | Upbeat, youthful | ”You’ve got this!” among young people |
Faito comes from the English word “fight,” repurposed in Japanese as a cheery “go for it!” — not aggressive at all.
Cultural Note: Effort Over Luck
The reason “good luck” becomes “do your best” is cultural. Japanese encouragement centers on ganbaru — the value of perseverance and giving full effort. Telling someone Ganbatte honors their effort rather than leaving the outcome to chance. Be aware, though, that in some sensitive moments (such as to someone already exhausted or grieving), Ganbatte can feel like pressure — there, gentler phrases like Muri shinaide (don’t push yourself too hard) are kinder.
Useful Sentences
- 試験頑張って！ (Shiken ganbatte!) — Good luck on the exam!
- 明日の面接、頑張ってね。 (Ashita no mensetsu, ganbatte ne.) — Good luck with tomorrow’s interview.
- 一緒に頑張ろう！ (Issho ni ganbarō!) — Let’s do our best together!
- 幸運を祈っています。 (Kōun o inotteimasu.) — I’m wishing you good luck. (formal)
Quick Recap
Say Ganbatte! (gan-BAT-teh) to wish someone good luck in Japanese — it means “do your best.” Use Ganbare! to cheer loudly, Ganbatte kudasai to be polite, and Faito! for an upbeat boost. Save the literal Kōun o for formal occasions. In Japan, the best luck is effort.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Ganbatte mean good luck or do your best?
'Ganbatte' (頑張って) literally means 'do your best' or 'hang in there,' but it functions as the Japanese equivalent of 'good luck' in everyday encouragement. Japanese culture emphasizes effort over luck, so wishing someone success comes out as 'do your best' rather than a wish for fortune.
What is the difference between Ganbatte and Ganbare?
Both come from 'ganbaru' (to do one's best). 'Ganbatte' is slightly softer and more polite/encouraging. 'Ganbare!' is the more forceful, cheering command — what you'd shout at a sports game ('Go! Push on!'). 'Ganbatte kudasai' is the polite form for someone you respect.
How do you pronounce Ganbatte?
'Ganbatte' is gan-BAT-teh. The double 't' (tt) is a held/doubled consonant — pause briefly before releasing the 't.' Four beats: gan-ba-t-te. The 'g' is hard as in 'go.' It's even-toned; the doubled 't' is the key feature to get right.
How do you say good luck literally in Japanese?
'Kōun o inorimasu' (幸運を祈ります) means 'I pray for your good luck.' 'Kōun' (幸運) means good luck/fortune. Casually you can say 'Kōun o!' (Good luck!). However, this is more formal and literary; in daily life Japanese people overwhelmingly use 'Ganbatte!'
What do you say before an exam or game in Japanese?
Before an exam: 'Ganbatte!' or 'Shiken ganbatte!' (Good luck on the exam). Before a game: 'Ganbare!' (Go! / Do your best!). You may also hear 'Faito!' (ファイト, from English 'fight') as an upbeat 'you've got this!' cheer among young people.