καλή τύχη
kalí týchi
The English phrase 'best of luck' is translated into Greek as καλή τύχη (kalí týchi).
καλή τύχη is used to wish someone success in a future event or endeavor. You can also use the phrase Καλή τύχη με αυτό! to say 'Good luck with that!' in an informal way.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase καλή τύχη literally translates to 'good luck', where καλή means 'good' and τύχη means 'luck'.
Which one should you use?
You can also use Καλή επιτυχία when you want to wish someone success. The word επιτυχία specifically means 'success'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase uses the feminine form of the adjective καλή to agree with the feminine noun τύχη.
How do you pronounce it?
kalí týchi
Did you know?
- The Greek word τύχη is a distant relative of the English word 'dough', as both trace back to a Proto-Indo-European root meaning 'to produce' or 'to milk'.
- In Greece, wishing someone καλή τύχη before a theater performance can be seen as a jinx, so actors often use alternative phrases to avoid bad luck.
- The word τύχη can be used in a sentence to mean 'fate' or 'destiny', implying that the outcome is decided by a higher power rather than random chance.
Example conversation
Kostas is leaving for a job interview.
- Κώστας KostasΠηγαίνω τώρα για τη συνέντευξη.Pigaino tora gia ti syneftexi.I'm going to the interview now.
- Αναστασία AnastasiaΚαλή τύχη, Κώστα! Θα τα πας περίφημα.Kali tyhi, Kosta! Tha ta pas perifima.Best of luck, Kostas! You'll do great.
- Κώστας KostasΕυχαριστώ πολύ, Αναστασία!Efcharisto poly, Anastasia!Thank you very much, Anastasia!
- Αναστασία AnastasiaΠεριμένω τα νέα σου.Perimeno ta nea sou.I'll be waiting for your news.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry καλή τύχη, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries τύχη, CC BY-SA 4.0.
