Glück im Unglück
/ɡlʏk ɪm ˈʊnˌɡlʏk/word by word
The English phrase "blessing in disguise" is translated into German as Glück im Unglück.
This phrase describes a misfortune or a bad situation that eventually results in something positive happening.
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, Glück im Unglück means "luck in the misfortune".
Which one should you use?
While the English expression uses the metaphor of a "blessing," which carries religious or spiritual connotations, the German version focuses on the concept of "luck" (Glück) occurring within a bad situation.
How do you pronounce it?
/ɡlʏk ɪm ˈʊnˌɡlʏk/
Did you know?
- The word Glück likely entered the German language in the 12th century via the culture of Flemish knights.
- In German, the word Glück can mean both 'luck' and 'happiness', meaning Glück im Unglück can also be felt as finding 'happiness in misfortune'.
- While 'blessing in disguise' implies something hidden, Glück im Unglück suggests that the good luck exists simultaneously inside the bad luck.
Examples in context
- Es war Glück im Unglück, dass ich mir das Bein gebrochen habe, denn sonst hätte ich meine Frau nie kennen gelernt.It was a blessing in disguise that I broke my leg, because otherwise I’d have never met my wife.This sentence shows how to use Glück im Unglück to describe a situation where a broken leg led to a positive outcome.
- Mein Computer ist kaputtgegangen, aber dank der Reparatur habe ich nun ein viel schnelleres Gerät. Ein echtes Glück im Unglück!My computer broke down, but thanks to the repair, I now have a much faster device. A real stroke of luck!
- Dass der Zug ausfiel, war echtes Glück im Unglück.The fact that the train was cancelled was a real blessing in disguise.
- Der Jobverlust war am Ende nur Glück im Unglück.Losing the job was only a blessing in disguise in the end.
Example conversation
Felix and Laura are discussing a failed job interview.
- FelixIch habe den Job nicht bekommen.I didn't get the job.
- LauraDas ist vielleicht Glück im Unglück, Felix.Maybe that is a blessing in disguise, Felix.
- FelixWarum glaubst du das, Laura?Why do you think that, Laura?
- LauraJetzt hast du Zeit für ein besseres Angebot.Now you have time for a better offer.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry Glück im Unglück, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (Glück, im, Unglück) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Glück, Glück im Unglück, Unglück, im, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
