How to Say “Fight” in Japanese

Co-authored by Language Academia and Janice Tieperman

Last Updated: July 10, 2024 Fact Checked

Looking to expand your Japanese vocabulary or enhance your anime-watching experience? Words like “fight” and “to fight” are great places to start. We’re here to walk you through all the words and phrases you need to know. Curious about more motivational fighting words, like faito (ファイト) and gambatte (頑張って)? We’ve got you covered there, too. Keep scrolling to find a variety of new vocab that you can add to your personal Japanese dictionary.

Section 1 of 4:

How do you say “to fight” in Japanese?

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Tatakau (戦う) means “to fight” as in a battle or physical struggle. The word tatakau (戦う) features the Japanese kanji symbol “ikusa” (戦), which means “war,” “battle,” or “fight.”^{[1]
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Research source} It can also be spelled as “tatakae” (闘え), which uses “tataka” (闘), a kanji symbol that also means “fight.”^{[2]
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- You might recognize the word “tatakae” (闘え) from the anime Attack on Titan, when the protagonist Eren yells the word to himself in a mirror.
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Kenka suru (喧嘩する) means “to fight” as in an argument or heated discussion. This verb stems from the word “kenka” (喧嘩), which directly translates to “quarrel,” “fight,” “squabble,” or “argument.” When paired with “suru” (する), the Japanese verb “to do,” the word becomes “喧嘩する,” or “to argue” or “to fight.”^{[3]
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- Example: “Buraian-san to Kurisu-san wa kinou kenkashimashita” (ブライアンさんとクリスンさは喧嘩しました) means “Bryan and Chris had an argument yesterday.”
- The verb “arasou” (争う) can also mean “to quarrel,” “to argue,” or “to fight.” This word can also mean “to compete” or “to contend.”^{[4]
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Section 2 of 4:

How do you say “fight” in Japanese?

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Tatakai (戦い) and sentou (戦闘): “fight” or “battle.” “Tatakai” (戦い) sounds familiar, right? That’s because it’s the noun form of “tatakau” (戦う), the verb for “to fight.” “Tatakai” also has the war kanji “ikusa” (戦) in it, which gives it the same meaning.^{[5]
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Research source} The word “sentou” (戦闘) also means “fight” or “battle”—it also has the war kanji, along with the “tataka” (闘) kanji that means “war.”^{[6]
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- Example: “Tatakai wa kyo hajimarimasu” (戦いは今日始まります) translates to “The fight begins today.”
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Faito (ファイト): a motivational cheer used to encourage someone. Although “faito” (ファイト) comes from the English word “fight,” it doesn’t refer to a physical brawl. Instead, it carries the same sentiment as “good luck” or “go for it.”^{[7]
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- Example: “Kyou no shiai faito!” (今日の試合ファイト!) translates to “Good luck with today’s game!”
- Since “faito” is borrowed from the English word “fight,” it’s spelled using katakana, a Japanese alphabet dedicated to loan (non-Japanese) words.

Section 3 of 4:

How is the word “fight” used conversationally in Japanese?

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The word “fight” is often used in an encouraging, supportive, and uplifting way. In many contexts, the word “fight” or “fighting” tends to mean “do your best,” “good luck,” “go for it,” and “don’t give up.” Some popular examples of motivational “fighting” phrases include:^{[8]
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- Gambatte kudasai (頑張ってください) - do your best
- Murihashinaide ne (無理はしないでね) - don’t overwork yourself
- Genki wo dashite (元気を出して) - cheer up
- Akiramenaide (諦めないで) - don’t give up
- Kimi nara dekiru yo (君なら出来るよ) - you can do it
- Sono ikida (その意気だ) - keep up the good work

Section 4 of 4:

Motivational “Fighting” Phrases

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Gambatte kudasai (頑張ってください): “Do your best!” If you’re an avid anime watcher, you’ve definitely heard some form of “gambatte kudasai” (頑張ってください) at one point or another. The word “gambatte” (頑張って) comes from the verb “gambaru” (頑張る), which means “to persevere” or “to do one’s best.” When paired with “kudasai” (ください), which means “please,” the phrase becomes a polite way of saying “Do your best!”^{[9]
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- “Ganbare” (頑張れ) is another form of this phrase—it’s usually spoken by someone of a high social position to someone of a lower social position (like a boss to an employee).
- “Ganba” (がんば) is a really casual form of “gambatte kudasai” (頑張ってください) that you’d use to support a close friend or loved one.^{[10]
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This phrase is used to support and encourage someone who has a little too much on their plate. It’s a great way to acknowledge someone’s fighting spirit while also encouraging them to rest and relax when they need to.^{[11]
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“Genki wo dashite” (元気を出して) is a great thing to say to someone who’s running a little low on fighting spirit and not having the best day. A supportive “Cheer up!” is a great way to remind someone that they’re strong and capable.
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Akiramenaide (諦めないで): “Don’t give up! This motivational phrase stems from the verb “akirameru” (あきらめる), which means “to give up.” When conjugated with “naide” (ないで) which means “do not,” the verb becomes “don’t give up” or “never give up” instead.
- If your co-worker is struggling with a tough project, you might say “Akiramenaide!” (諦めないで) to encourage and motivate them.
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Kimi nara dekiru yo (君なら出来るよ): “You can do it!” Instead of using the word “kimi” (君), which means “you,” personalize this greeting with the name or title of whomever you’re talking to. To be polite, add the honorific “-san” (さん) whenever you call someone by their name.^{[12]
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- Example 1: “Ai-san nara dekiru yo!” (愛さんなら出来るよ!) translates to “You can do it, Ai!”
- Example 2: “Sensei nara dekimasu yo!” (先生なら出来ますよ) translates “You can do it, teacher!”
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Sono ikida (その意気だ): “Keep up the good work!” “Sono ikida” (その意気だ) is all about giving someone a pat on the back and acknowledging the fighting spirit that they already have. When you say this phrase, you’re basically encouraging the other person to “keep up the great work” and “continue to do well.”
- If your friend got high grades on a tough exam, you could say “Sono ikida!” (その意気だ!) as a way of congratulating them.