Encouragement Phrases in Japanese – with English Translation

During a soccer match, B tries to lift a teammate’s spirits.
A: “We’re gonna lose…”
B: “If you give up, that’s when the game ends. We still have a chance!”

Applied Example

受験勉強に疲れた友人を励ますシーン。
「諦めたらそこで受験終了ですよ。最後まで頑張ろう！」

Encouraging a friend who’s tired of studying for entrance exams.
“If you give up, that’s when your exam ends. Let’s keep pushing to the finish!”

Voice sample: AI

石に立つ矢

いしにたつや (Ishi ni tatsu ya)

Where there’s a will, there’s a way

Hope Motivation Determination Encouragement Praise

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Basic Example

努力を重ねれば、不可能も石に立つ矢となる。

If you put in enough effort, the impossible becomes possible — even an arrow can stand on a stone.

Applied Example

最弱と呼ばれた剣士の一撃が、強敵の盾を貫いた。石に立つ矢だ。

The blow of the weakest swordsman pierced the enemy’s shield — an arrow standing on stone.

Voice sample: AI

待てば海路の日和あり

まてばかいろのひよりあり (Mateba kairo no hiyori ari)

All things come to those who wait / Good things come to those who wait

Calm Hope Advice Encouragement

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Basic Example

苦しい時期も、待てば海路の日和ありと信じて耐えた。

He endured the hard times, trusting that all things come to those who wait.

Applied Example

嵐が去り、海が静かになる。待てば海路の日和あり、船は再び進み出した。

The storm passed and the sea calmed. Good sailing weather comes to those who wait, and the ship moved again.

Voice sample: AI

案ずるより産むが易し

あんずるよりうむがやすし (Anzuru yori umu ga yasushi)

It's easier done than said / It's easier to do than to worry

Calm Advice Encouragement

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Basic Example

新しいプロジェクトも、案ずるより産むが易しで意外と順調に進んだ。

Starting a new project turned out smoother than expected — it’s easier done than said.

Applied Example

「やってみたら案ずるより産むが易しだったな。」

Once we tried it, it was easier done than said.

Voice sample: AI

千里の道も一歩から

せんりのみちもいっぽから (Senri no michi mo ippo kara)

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step

Hope Motivation Advice Encouragement

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Basic Example

どんな大きな目標も、千里の道も一歩からだと自分に言い聞かせて走り始めた。

Even the longest journey begins with a single step — he reminded himself as he started running.

Applied Example

新入部員が初めてラケットを握る。千里の道も一歩から、その一振りが未来を作る。

A rookie picked up a racket for the first time. A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single swing.

Voice sample: AI

継続は力なり

けいぞくはちからなり (Keizoku wa chikara nari)

Practice makes perfect / Perseverance is power

Motivation Determination Encouragement

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Basic Example

毎日5分の読書でも、継続は力なりだと実感する。

Even five minutes of reading daily can make a big difference — perseverance is power.

Applied Example

小さな筋トレを欠かさなかった彼は、夏の大会で体格が別人のようになっていた。継続は力なり。

The one who never skipped small workouts looked like a different person at the summer tournament — perseverance is power.

Voice sample: AI

蒔かぬ種は生えぬ

まかぬたねははえぬ (Makanu tane wa haenu)

You reap what you sow / Nothing comes from nothing

Seriousness Determination Encouragement

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Basic Example

準備を怠れば結果は出ない。蒔かぬ種は生えぬ。

If you neglect preparation, you can’t expect results — you reap what you sow.

Applied Example

「準備してないのに勝てると思った？蒔かぬ種は生えぬんだ。」

You thought you could win without preparing? Nothing comes from nothing.

Voice sample: AI

努力は裏切らない

どりょくはうらぎらない (Doryoku wa uragiranai)

Hard work pays off

Hope Motivation Determination Encouragement

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Basic Example

長時間の練習を重ね、努力は裏切らないことを証明した。

After long hours of training, he proved that hard work pays off.

Applied Example

何度も負けた選手が、最後の一戦で笑顔を見せた。努力は裏切らない。

The player who lost countless times finally smiled after the last match — hard work pays off.

Voice sample: AI

雨垂れ石を穿つ

あまだれいしをうがつ (Amadare ishi wo ugatsu)

Constant dripping wears away the stone / Perseverance prevails

Hope Motivation Determination Encouragement

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Basic Example

毎日の基礎練習は小さな一歩でも、雨垂れ石を穿つのだ。

Even small steps in daily drills can have a big impact — constant dripping wears away the stone.

Applied Example

「見ろよ、この成果。雨垂れ石を穿つって本当だな。」

Look at this progress. Constant dripping wears away the stone — it’s true.