How to say "guts" in Japanese

• ガッツCommon
  nounThe straightforward loanword for 'guts', used in casual speech for raw toughness or fighting spirit. It carries a punchy, informal feel, often in sports or motivational contexts.
  私にはガッツとやる気きがあります。↗

  I'm a person with guts and a strong will.
• 根性こんじょうCommon
  nounCovers the willpower-and-determination sense of 'guts': gritting your teeth and enduring hardship to see something through. It often suggests stubborn persistence and an unpolished fighting spirit.
  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?
• 意気地いくじCommon
  nounPoints to the backbone sense: the self-respect and pride that keep a person from backing down. It is very common in negative expressions meaning spineless, so it is often about the lack of guts.
• 度胸どきょうCommon
  nounMatches 'guts' as nerve or pluck: the courage to act calmly in a risky or frightening situation. Use it when what counts is daring in the moment rather than long-term determination.
  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.
• 気概きがいCommon
  nounRefers to a strong, dignified spirit or mettle, often in the face of adversity. It is more elevated in tone than 根性, fitting a person of real character and resolve.

For 'guts' as sheer determination use 根性 or 気概, for courage in facing danger 度胸, for backbone and self-respect 意気地; 「ガッツ」 is the direct loanword for the raw, informal sense.

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

• ガッツguts
• 根性こんじょうwillpower
• 意気地いくじself-respect
• 度胸どきょうcourage
• 気概きがいstrong spirit
• わたentrails
• 度肝どぎもguts
• 肝っ玉きもったまguts
• どてっ腹どてっぱらguts
• 荒肝あらぎもguts
• もつentrails
• 胆気たんきcourage
• 強心臓きょうしんぞうboldness
• グリットgrit
• 心臓しんぞうguts
• 肝きもcourage
• はらわたentrails