בהצלחה
behatzlacha
The English phrase "good luck" is expressed in Hebrew as בהצלחה (behatzlacha).
בהצלחה is used to wish someone fortune or to provide encouragement. While English speakers use the concept of "luck" to wish someone well, Hebrew speakers use the concept of "success" to express the same sentiment.
Meaning: used to wish fortune on someone or as encouragement (intj)
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, בהצלחה translates to "with success".
How do you pronounce it?
behatzlacha
Did you know?
- In some traditional Jewish contexts, instead of בהצלחה, people use the phrase בסיעתא דשמיא, which asks for the help of Heaven to achieve the goal.
- The root of בהצלחה is shared with the Hebrew word for 'prosperity', connecting a short-term wish for luck to a lifelong wish for flourishing.
- While בהצלחה is for success, an Israeli might use the word מזל to describe a 'lucky break' that requires no effort at all.
Examples in context
- בהצלחה עם זה, תום.Good luck with that, Tom.This sentence shows how to use בהצלחה when wishing luck for a specific thing.Tatoeba #6054327 by fekundulo, translation #5716762 by CK
- בהצלחה עם השכנוע שלו.Good luck convincing him.This sentence demonstrates using בהצלחה in the context of a task like convincing someone.Tatoeba #5896853 by fekundulo, translation #1740679 by Spamster
- תהיה חזק ובטוח. בהצלחה!Stay strong and safe. Good luck!This sentence shows how בהצלחה can be used as a standalone exclamation of encouragement.Tatoeba #2063687 by MrShoval, translation #2063671 by dryhay
- 8 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Rotem is wishing Itay luck before a job interview.
- רוטם Rotemאיפה הראיון שלך היום, איתי?Eifo ha-re'ayon shelcha hayom, Itay?Where is your interview today, Itay?
- איתי Itayזה בעיר, אני יוצא עכשיו.Ze ba-ir, ani yotze achshav.It's in the city, I'm leaving now.
- רוטם Rotemבהצלחה! אני בטוחה שתקבל את התפקיד.Be-hatzlacha! Ani betucha she-tekabel et ha-tafkid.Good luck! I'm sure you'll get the job.
- איתי Itayתודה רבה, רוטם.Toda raba, Rotem.Thank you very much, Rotem.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
