頑張る

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 頑張る is read as がんばる and is a godan verb appearing as polite 頑張ります and as the connective form 頑張って before another verb.
• Basic usage: It describes sustained effort, whether persevering to the end of a game or studying every day toward a goal.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Form choice
  • 最後まで頑張ります states the effort itself, while 頑張って勉強する describes how the studying is done.
• Duration
  • Both examples involve continued effort rather than a single brief attempt.