Gambaru of Japan - literal meaning and cultural influence

This word from

Gambaru from

 In Japanese, it means doing the best and sticking to the end. This means that the student gambaru tried to pass the exam, the athlete gambaru practice was difficult to win the game, and the company worker gambaru tried to increase sales. It also means working hard or working patiently, ensuring a person's way, and occupying a place that never leaves, just like working at a job or employment location. Gambaru also cites the following proverb: "The deaf who are not working should not eat."

There is an urgent form of "gambaru, Gambare or Gambette. Mandatory terminology means high achievement, motivation and direction of team harmony. This term is also used by members to encourage others to perform group activities.

Japanese people often use the word "gambare" for a variety of reasons. They usually use the word at least once a day, say goodbye, and write at the end of a letter. The Japanese also use this expression to encourage each other and imply "please continue to work until the goal is achieved."

This term is also used in expression in many cases. Japanese can use this expression in the initial state of the project. E.g:

a] Slogan after the earthquake in Kobe, Japan from

Gambare Kobe from

 It was used to encourage the people of Kobe to rebuild their cities and rebuild their lives.

b] The Japanese also use the expressions between the members of the group to encourage each other in the cooperative activities. For example, on the school's track and field day, children can hear "gambare" or "gambatte" to encourage their friends to participate in the competition.

c] The Japanese also use this expression as an audience to cheer for their team. For example, in the 1998 World Cup in France, the Japanese audience cheered for this slogan. from

Gambare Nippon! from

  This slogan is used every day on TV shows and commercials during the championship.

The literal meaning of gambaru is "there is something that exists in toughness." This is a very popular term for encouraging someone under very difficult tasks. Other meanings are: from

Stick to it, don't give up, do your best, from

 with from

Give it all to you! from

  The word also means working hard and patiently. In addition, it advises others about their enthusiasm and hard work.

Gamburu has some additional implications, some of which can be considered negative. According to the extended form of the word, it also means "ensure that there is a way" and "occupy a place, never leave." In addition, the word comes from ga-o-haru, meaning "willfulness." This expression initially had a negative meaning to group decisions and normative claims.

Someone may ask if other languages ​​have the same gambari. According to Amanuma [1987, pp. 51-53], gambari from gambaru does not have any exact equivalent in non-Japanese. In addition, Amanuma said, "Although both Chinese and Koreans have the role of gambaru [gambari from gambaru], they do not have the same nuanced expression and express some qualities of the Japanese.

There are various proverbs that may indicate a difference between Japanese culture and American culture because it is related to the virtues of Gambaru. A proverb based on Japanese culture says: "The deaf who do not work should not eat." This means that a person must work and be able to live through work. In the following slang, Japan does not consider the game time or free time in this slang, which is different from the Americas.

Or, an American proverb says: "All work and no play will make Jack a dull boy." This assumes that a person does not have to work, but rest and play. It puts the game and work in the same category and is at the same level as the virtues. The game record in this proverb made the Japanese feel uneasy about the Americans' advantage of Gambaru.

©Joseph S. Spence,Sr.,8/16/09

©All rights reserved

Submitted by "Epulaeryu Master".

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