好运
hǎoyùn
The English phrase "good fortune" is translated into Chinese as 好运 (hǎoyùn).
好运 is typically used to describe a streak of luck or a fortunate event rather than a permanent state of being blessed.
Meaning: Translations (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The term is composed of 好 (hǎo), meaning 'good' and 运 (yùn), meaning 'luck' or 'fortune'.
Which one should you use?
While 好运 (hǎoyùn) refers to luck or fortune, 福气 (fúqi) is a different term often used to describe a person's inherent blessings or a life filled with happiness and longevity.
How do you pronounce it?
hǎoyùn
When do people say it?
The character 福 is often placed upside down to symbolize the arrival of good fortune.
Did you know?
- In Chinese culture, the character 福 (fú) is often hung upside down on doors during the New Year. This is because the word for 'upside down' sounds exactly like the word for 'arrive', creating a pun that means 'good fortune has arrived'.
- The character 好 (hǎo) used in 好运 is composed of two parts: a 'woman' and a 'child'. Historically, this combination symbolized something being 'good' or 'excellent'.
- In certain gambling or game contexts, instead of saying 'good luck', people might use the term 手气 (shǒu qì), which literally translates to 'hand air' to describe a player's current streak of fortune.
Examples in context
- 她嫉妒我的好运。She is envious of my good fortune.This sentence is useful for seeing how to express envy regarding someone's 好运.Tatoeba #11236385 by klzlueylx, translation #314330 by CH
- 我祝您福如东海，寿比南山I wish you fortune as boundless as the East Sea and a long life as enduring as the South Mountain.
- 祝您吉祥如意Wishing you good fortune and success.
- 我祝你生意兴隆，大吉大利I wish you a thriving business and great fortune.
- 祝你生意兴隆，发财致富Wishing you a prosperous business and becoming wealthy.
- 愿你的愿望都能心想事成May all your wishes come true.
- 有时候好运会降临。Yǒushíhou hǎoyùn huì jiànglín.Sometimes good fortune will arrive.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking before a job interview.
- 雨婷 Yuting我有点紧张。Wǒ yǒudiǎn jǐnzhāng.I am a little nervous.
- 俊杰 Junjie别担心，你会带来好运的。Bié dānxīn, nǐ huì dàilái hǎoyùn de.Don't worry, you will bring good fortune.
- 雨婷 Yuting谢谢你的鼓励，俊杰。Xièxiè nǐ de gǔlì, Jùnjié.Thank you for the encouragement, Junjie.
- 俊杰 Junjie加油，雨婷！Jiāyóu, Yǔtíng!Go for it, Yuting!
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
