حظاً موفقاً
hazzan muwaffaqan
The English phrase "best of luck" is translated into Arabic as حظاً موفقاً (hazzan muwaffaqan).
This phrase is used to wish someone success in a future event or endeavor.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the noun حظ (luck) in the accusative case and the adjective موفق (successful/prosperous).
Which one should you use?
While حظاً موفقاً is a direct translation of "best of luck", the word بالتوفيق (with success/God-given success) is a more common and natural way to wish someone success in Modern Standard Arabic.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For a formal setting, you can use بالتَوْفِيقِ (with success), أتمنَّى لَكَ التَّوْفِيقَ (I wish you success) or أتمنَّى لَكَ حَظًّا مُوَفَّقًا (I wish you good luck). In informal situations, you might say رَبِّي مَعَاكَ (may God be with you).
How do you pronounce it?
hazzan muwaffaqan
When do people say it?
You can also say بالتَّوْفِيقِ والسَّعَادَةِ to mean "with success and happiness".
Did you know?
- In many Arabic-speaking cultures, wishing someone 'good luck' before a major event can be seen as tempting fate. Some people prefer to say إن شاء الله ('if God wills') to avoid the perceived bad luck of being too confident.
- The root of the word موفق (successful) is the same as the root for 'agreement' or 'reconciliation' (وفق). To have 'best of luck' is linguistically to be in harmony or agreement with one's circumstances.
- In many Middle Eastern cultures, the phrase بالتوفيق is often used not just for exams or jobs, but as a general way to say 'goodbye' when someone is embarking on a journey.
Examples in context
- بالتَوْفِيقِ في امتِحَانِكَ القَادِمِBest of luck in your upcoming exam
- حَظًّا سَعِيدًا في رحلَتِكَ!Good luck on your journey!
- حظاً موفقاً في امتحانك.ḥaẓẓan muwaffaqan fī imtiḥānik.Best of luck in your exam.
- حظاً موفقاً في العمل الجديد.ḥaẓẓan muwaffaqan fī al-ʿamali al-jadīd.Best of luck in the new job.
- أتمنى لك حظاً موفقاً.atamannā laka ḥaẓẓan muwaffaqan.I wish you best of luck.
Example conversation
Mariam is seeing Omar off before his big job interview.
- مريم Maryamحظاً موفقاً في المقابلة يا عمر.ḥaẓẓan muwaffaqan fī al-muqābalati yā ʿumar.Best of luck in the interview, Omar.
- عمر Omarشكراً لكِ يا مريم.shukran laki yā maryam.Thank you, Mariam.
- مريم Maryamأنا واثقة من نجاحك.anā wāthiqatun min najāḥika.I am confident in your success.
- عمر Omarهذا لطيف منكِ حقاً.hādhā laṭīfun minki ḥaqqan.That is really kind of you.
