bona sort!
[ˈbo̞.nə ˈso̞rt]word by word
In Catalan, "good luck" is expressed as bona sort! If unsure, use bona sort! Wiktionary also lists sort! and molta sort!
Meaning: used to wish fortune on someone or as encouragement (intj)
Ways to say it
| Catalan | IPA |
|---|---|
| bona sort! | [ˈbo̞.nə ˈso̞rt] (Northern, word by word, narrow) |
| sort! | |
| molta sort! |
These phrases are used to wish fortune or provide encouragement to someone. You might also use the informal expression Sort i força! to say "Luck and strength!" among friends and peers, or Que vagi tot bé! to informally wish that everything goes well.
What does it mean word for word?
The word sort means luck, fate or destiny.
Which one should you use?
While bona sort! is a standard way to wish someone luck, molta sort! is a more emphatic way to say it, translating to "much luck!"
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective bona (good) must agree in gender with the feminine noun sort.
Did you know?
- While bona sort! is used for general luck, Catalan speakers often use the specific phrase merda! (literally 'shit') to wish luck to performers before a show.
- The Catalan word sort shares the same root as the English word 'sort' because both come from the Latin 'sors', which referred to a lot or a pebble used for drawing straws.
- In some contexts, sort can refer to a specific 'lot' or 'share' of something, mirroring how someone might have a 'lucky share' of an inheritance.
Examples in context
- Molta sort en el teu nou treball! Que tinguis molt d'èxit!Good luck in your new job! May you have great success!
Example conversation
Montserrat is seeing Aleix off before a job interview.
- MontserratJa t'has de marxar, Aleix.You have to leave now, Aleix.
- AleixSí, ja m'en vaig. Estic nerviós.Yes, I'm going now. I'm nervous.
- MontserratHo faràs molt bé. Bona sort!You'll do great. Good luck!
- AleixMoltes gràcies, Montserrat!Thank you very much, Montserrat!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “good luck” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (bona, sort) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries molta, sort, CC BY-SA 4.0.
