チャレンジ

Japanese

Etymology

From English challenge. Compare 挑戦 (chōsen, “challenge; attempt”).

Pronunciation

• (Tokyo) チャレンジ [chàréꜜǹjì] (Nakadaka – [2])
• (Tokyo) チャレンジ [cháꜜrèǹjì] (Atamadaka – [1])
• IPA^(key): [t͡ɕa̠ɾẽ̞ɲ̟d͡ʑi]

Noun

チャレンジ • (charenji) 

1. an attempt; an endeavor; striving
   • 1988 July 30 [1983 December 25], Fujiko F. Fujio, “コマーさる”, in ひとりぼっちの宇宙戦争 (藤子不二雄少年SF短編集; 1), 16th edition, volume 1 (fiction), Tokyo: Shogakukan, →ISBN, page 52:

     じゃ、まんがをやめるの？

     Ja, manga o yameru no?

     So, are you gonna quit making manga?

     いや、最(さい)後(ご)のチャレンジをこころみる‼

     Iya, saigo no charenji o kokoromiru‼

     No, I’m making one last attempt!!

     >

Verb

チャレンジする • (charenji suru) suru (stem チャレンジし (charenji shi), past チャレンジした (charenji shita))

1. to attempt; to endeavor; to strive

Usage notes

• This word has shifted meaning from the English word challenge from which it came. It refers to challenging oneself, or taking on a challenge, rather than an attack on something. Therefore this word should be used when the speaker is taking on a new task, a new challenge. It is not to be translated literally as the verb challenge, or one will end up with sentences like "he is a challenging person" or "I will challenge tennis."