How to say "grit" in Japanese

• 砂すなJLPT N4approx.Common
  nounThe literal sense: loose particles of sand or fine gravel, as on a path or stuck to the skin. Japanese uses one word for sand, grit, and fine gravel, so this is the natural choice.
  後ろ足うしろあしで砂すなをかけるようなことをした。↗

  He raised his heel against me.
• 根性こんじょうCommon
  nounGrit in the figurative sense of guts and determination: the stubborn willpower to keep going and refuse to quit. This is the closest match for 'she has real grit'.
  セッティングは整ととのえておいたから、後あとはまーくんが根性こんじょう見みせなきゃダメだからね？↗

  I've set the stage so now you just have to show some guts, OK?
• 度胸どきょうCommon
  nounReally 'courage' or 'nerve': the boldness to act or face something without flinching. It covers 'grit' only in that plucky shade; for dogged perseverance, 根性 is the better word.
  あいつの度胸どきょうを試ためしてみよう。↗

  I'll put his courage to the test.
• 気骨きこつCommon
  nounGrit as moral backbone: an unyielding spirit and integrity of character. Choose it when 'grit' implies principled fiber rather than stamina or boldness.
  彼かれにはその法ほう案あんに反対はんたいの発言はつげんをする気骨きこつがあるだろうか。↗

  Will he have the backbone to speak out against the bill?
• 砂子すなごCommon
  nounAlso names literal sand or grit, but it is a dated term, so it is seldom the word you want; for sand or grit in ordinary use, 砂 is the common choice.

For literal grit—tiny sand particles—use 砂; the figurative senses split between 根性 (gutsy determination), 気骨 (moral backbone), and 度胸 (boldness or nerve), while 砂子 is a dated literal alternative.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 砂すなsand
• 根性こんじょうwillpower
• 度胸どきょうcourage
• 気骨きこつ(moral) backbone
• 食いしばるくいしばるto clench (one's teeth)
• グリットgrit
• 沈砂ちんさgrit
• かみ合わせるかみあわせるto clench (one's teeth)
• 胆力たんりょくcourage
• ど根性どこんじょうutter gutsiness
• 砂子すなごsand