Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| in bocca al lupo! | /in ˈbok.ka al ˈlu.po/ (word by word) | |
| in culo alla balena! | /in ˈku.lo ˈal.la baˈle.na/ (word by word) | vulgar |
in bocca al lupo! is a way to wish someone good luck. While it is a common expression of best wishes for a performer, it is also used in everyday Italian to wish someone luck for any challenge or exam.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase in bocca al lupo! literally translates to "in the mouth of the wolf!"
Which one should you use?
in bocca al lupo! is the standard way to wish luck, whereas in culo alla balena! is a much more vulgar and irreverent version of the same sentiment.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
in culo alla balena! is a vulgar and informal expression that translates literally to "in the whale's ass".
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Milanese dialect, you can say in bocca al luf instead of in bocca al lupo.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation of in bocca al lupo! is /in ˈbok.ka al ˈlu.po/. It has 5 syllables, and the stress is on the 2nd syllable.
When do people say it?
When someone says in bocca al lupo!, the traditional response is Crepi!, which means "May it die!" (referring to the wolf).
Did you know?
- While in bocca al lupo! sounds like a threat, some believe it refers to a mother wolf protecting her cubs. In this context, the phrase is a wish for the person to be sheltered and safe.
- The word bocca comes from the Latin word bucca, which originally referred to the cheek.
- The standard response Crepi! is a way of figuratively 'killing' the bad luck or the threat posed by the wolf.
Examples in context
- In bocca al lupo!Break a leg!This example shows how to use in bocca al lupo! to wish someone luck.Tatoeba #1110183 by al_ex_an_der, translation #2795777 by sundown
- In culo alla balena per il tuo colloquio!Break a leg for your job interview!
Example conversation
Matteo is about to go on stage for a play.
- SofiaSei pronto per lo spettacolo?Are you ready for the show?
- MatteoSì, ma sono un po' nervoso.Yes, but I am a little nervous.
- SofiaNon preoccuparti, in bocca al lupo!Don't worry, break a leg!
- MatteoGrazie mille, Sofia!Thanks a lot, Sofia!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “break a leg” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (in, bocca, al, lupo, culo, alla, balena) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries balena, bocca, culo, in, lupo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
