sretno
The English phrase "best of luck" is translated into Croatian as sretno.
sretno is used to wish someone success in a future endeavor.
Which one should you use?
While sretno is a common and slightly more informal way to wish someone luck, the full phrase Sretno ti želim is a more complete alternative.
How does it change in a sentence?
sretno is an adverbial form that is used as a standalone interjection to mean "good luck".
When do people say it?
A natural way to use this is to simply say Sretno! when someone is about to take an exam or start a journey. If someone wishes you luck, the standard response is Hvala! (Thanks!).
Did you know?
- The root of sretno comes from sretati, which means 'to meet'. In the Croatian mindset, luck is historically viewed as a chance meeting between a person and their destiny.
- While sretno is the standard wish for luck, theater performers in Croatia often avoid it. Like the English 'break a leg', they might use phrases that avoid wishing for 'luck' to prevent jinxing a performance.
- Because sretno shares a root with sreća, a Croatian speaker wishing you luck is linguistically wishing you the same thing they would wish for your lifelong happiness.
Examples in context
- Sve najbolje u svemu što radite!All the best in everything you do!
- Sretno s novim poslom!Good luck with the new job!
- Sretno! Siguran sam da ćeš biti izvrsna umjetnica.Good luck! I'm sure you'll be an excellent artist.
- Sretno na novom poslu!Best of luck with your new job!
- Sretno s ispitom sutra.Best of luck with your exam tomorrow.
Example conversation
Petra is saying goodbye to Marko before his job interview.
- PetraIdem sada na razgovor za posao.I am going to the job interview now.
- MarkoSretno, Marko! Moći ćeš to.Best of luck, Marko! You can do it.
- PetraHvala puno, Petra.Thank you very much, Petra.
- MarkoJavi mi kako je prošlo.Let me know how it went.
