Japanese Words and Phrases for Encouragement

Understanding Japanese Words and Phrases for Encouragement

In all languages, words of encouragement have the power to inspire and make people feel positive.

The Japanese language has several unique expressions of encouragement, rooted in a culture that values respect and courtesy.

Whether you are supporting a friend, cheering on a colleague, or encouraging yourself, understanding these expressions can be very helpful in improving your ability to communicate in Japanese.

In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the most popular Japanese expressions used to encourage and cheer someone on.

Japanese Words and Phrases for Encouragement || General Expressions

Japanese Words and Phrases for Encouragement || Expressions for Formal Occasions

Japanese Words and Phrases for Encouragement || Encouragement Based on Proverbs

Japanese Words and Phrases for Encouragement || FAQs

Japanese Words and Phrases for Encouragement || General Expression

The most commonly used encouragement is probably がんばれ ganbare! This is probably the most common form of encouragement. More politely, Ganbatte kudasai! is also used.

Ganbaru is written 頑張る がんば in kanji.

頑 がん gan means stubborn or inflexible, and 張る ばる baru is a word which has the connotations of prodding, tensioning, and increasing tension. The word conjures up images of stiffening the body and engaging in hard labor.

Perhaps these expressions came from an agrarian society, where people were tirelessly but silently engaged in farm work.

 The expression ファイト faito, a Japanese reading of the English word fight, is also used.

In the Showa period (1926-1989), a commercial for a nutritional drink used the phrase ファイト、一発！ いっぱつ Fight, Ippatsu! and many Japanese people are familiar with this phrase. ファイト! has the nuance of exerting energy from within the body to face difficulties.

The above expressions were most commonly used in the past, but in recent years, there has been a tendency in Japanese society to avoid saying “がんばれ Ganbare” or “ファイト Fight! to encourage others.

With the end of rapid economic growth and a prolonged recession, the number of people willing to work hard and stay positive is dwindling.

Today, more and more people want to live modestly and in their own way without becoming very wealthy, rather than aiming for success through hard work and hardship.

 Perhaps reflecting this situation, some people feel that the expression “ganbare” forces others to make an unreasonable effort, so the following expressions are preferred:

It seems that today, people prefer to use expressions that do not use the other party as the subject, but rather use the format that they are supporting the other party and hope that the situation will turn around.

This may reflect the fact that people have lost the sense of being able to change circumstances through personal efforts, and that an increasing number of people believe that things are not always as they wish them to be.

Therefore, words like 気楽 きらく kiraku are preferred. This can be translated as easygoingness .

気 き ki means feeling or mood, and 楽 らく raku means easy, comfortable, careless.

This term has the nuance of not thinking to much about the situation, but letting things happen and enjoying oneself. Such kind of encouragement is welcomed these days.

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Japanese Words and Phrases for Encouragement || Expressions for Formal Occasions

As is the case in English, the expressions ganbare and faito are generally not used with superiors or superiors. The following expressions are polite to use with superiors and superiors:

ご成功をお祈りいたしております。

ごせいこうをおいのりいたしております。

goseikou wo oinori itashite orimasu.

We wish you the best of luck.

ご発展を祈念しております。

ごはってんをきねんしております。

gohatten wo kinen shite orimasu.

We wish you continued growth and success.

今後のご活躍を祈念しております。

こんごのごかつやくをきねんしております。

kongo no gokatsuyaku wo kinen shite orimasu.

We wish you continued success in your future endeavors.

 Especially in business situations, it is useful to remember words with positive nuances such as:

In Japanese, compared to English, the use of positive words in the abstract tends to be preferred over personal actions in showing respect.

Expressions in which the subject is the other party’s organization rather than the other individual are also frequently used.

貴社のますますの発展をお祈り申し上げます。

きしゃのますますのはってんをおいのりもうしあげます。

kisha no masumasu no hatten wo oinori moushi agemasu.

We wish your company continued growth.

In everyday situations, おつかれさまです otsukaresamadesu can also be used as a form of encouragement.

For example, otsukare sama desu can be used when you are about to start work after a work meeting. This can be used whether the person is your boss or a subordinate.

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Japanese Words and Phrases for Encouragement || Encouragement Based on Proverbs

Quoting proverbs is another common way to encourage others. Here are some proverbs that can be used to encourage others.

 “Three years on a stone” is a proverb frequently used to explain the importance of perseverance and continuity. It is said to have been said by a monk, who is also known as the founder of Zen Buddhism, and almost all Japanese people are familiar with it.

In Japan, it is considered a good idea to work for the same company for at least three years. This is probably because of this proverb.

In Japan, the idea of lifetime employment is still strong, and although the number of people changing jobs is increasing, it is not considered a good idea to change jobs too often.

Encouraging expressions also reflect the culture and the thinking of the times. If you can master the use of encouraging expressions in Japanese, your Japanese language skills will improve further.

Share your experience with using Encouragement in Japanese here!

Japanese Words and Phrases for Encouragement || FAQs

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