Wishing someone good luck is a universal gesture of goodwill. Whether it’s before an important presentation, an exam, or even starting a new adventure, offering good luck wishes can make someone feel supported and encouraged. If you want to extend your well wishes to someone in a foreign language, this guide will help you learn how to say “good luck” in various languages. We’ll provide both formal and informal phrases, as well as some regional variations where applicable.
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1. Spanish
The Spanish language offers a variety of ways to express good luck. Here are some phrases you can use:
Formal:
- “Buena suerte” – Literally translates to “good luck”.
- “Que tengas buena suerte” – Translates to “may you have good luck”.
Informal:
- “¡Mucha suerte!” – Translates to “lots of luck!”
- “¡Suerte!” – Simply means “luck!”.
2. French
The French language also has its own phrases to convey good luck:
Formal:
- “Bonne chance” – Equivalent to “good luck”.
- “Que la chance soit avec vous” – Translates to “may luck be with you”.
Informal:
- “Bonne chance à toi” – Means “good luck to you”.
- “Je te souhaite bonne chance” – Translates to “I wish you good luck”.
3. German
German is known for its precise and straightforward language. Here’s how to wish someone good luck:
Formal:
- “Viel Glück” – This phrase literally means “much luck”.
Informal:
- “Viel Erfolg” – Equivalent to “much success”.
4. Italian
If you want to offer good luck wishes in Italian, try these phrases:
Formal:
- “Buona fortuna” – Translates to “good luck”.
Informal:
- “In bocca al lupo” – Literally means “in the mouth of the wolf”. It’s an informal way of wishing someone good luck, and the response should be “crepi il lupo” (may the wolf die).
5. Russian
In Russian, you can convey good luck with these phrases:
Formal and Informal:
- “Удачи” (Udachi) – Equivalent to “good luck”.
6. Mandarin Chinese
Chinese is a language with several regional variations. Here’s a common phrase used in Mandarin:
Formal and Informal:
- “祝你好运” (Zhù nǐ hǎo yùn) – This phrase means “I wish you good luck”.
7. Japanese
Japanese has a unique way of expressing good luck:
Both Formal and Informal:
- “がんばってください” (Ganbatte kudasai) – This phrase can be translated as “do your best” or “good luck”.
8. Portuguese
If you want to offer good luck wishes in Portuguese, try these phrases:
Formal:
- “Boa sorte” – Equivalent to “good luck”.
Informal:
- “Sorte!” – Simply means “luck!”.
- “Divirta-se!” – Translates to “enjoy yourself!” and can be used casually to wish someone luck.
9. Arabic
Arabic is a language with many different dialects, but here’s a common phrase:
Formal and Informal:
- “حظًا سعيدًا” (Hazan sa’eedan) – This phrase means “good luck”.
10. Swedish
If you want to wish someone good luck in Swedish, here’s a phrase you can use:
Formal and Informal:
- “Lycka till” – Equivalent to “good luck”.
Remember, offering good luck wishes in another language is a thoughtful gesture. However, it’s always a good idea to consider the cultural context and relationship with the person you’re addressing. If you’re unsure, it’s best to use a more neutral phrase like “I hope everything goes well!”. People will appreciate your kindness and goodwill, regardless of how you express it.
Now armed with these phrases, you can extend your good luck wishes to multilingual friends and colleagues. Always remember that a kind gesture transcends language barriers and brings people closer together. So, go ahead and spread some luck in different languages!
