gangi þér vel!
singular
The English phrase 'good luck' can be expressed in Icelandic as gangi þér vel! If unsure, use gangi þér vel! Wiktionary also lists gangi ykkur vel!
Meaning: used to wish fortune on someone or as encouragement (intj)
Ways to say it
| Icelandic | Note |
|---|---|
| gangi þér vel! | singular |
| gangi ykkur vel! | plural |
Icelandic speakers use this phrase to wish someone good fortune or to offer encouragement. While it is an idiomatic way to say 'good luck', it is distinct from the noun gæfa, which refers to the abstract concept of luck or fortune itself.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to 'may it go well to you!'
Which one should you use?
The choice between forms depends on how many people you are addressing. Use gangi þér vel! when speaking to one person, and use gangi ykkur vel! when wishing good luck to a group of people.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When addressing a group, the pronoun changes to the plural form: gangi ykkur vel! translates to 'may it go well to you (plural)!'
Did you know?
- The pronoun þér in the phrase underwent a linguistic shift where a 'þ' was added through a process called rebracketing. It evolved from the Old Norse word ér as speakers reinterpreted how the verb endings sounded in speech.
- The verb 'gangi' comes from 'ganga', which means 'to go' or 'to walk'. The phrase evokes the mental image of one's path or journey proceeding successfully.
- While gangi þér vel! is used for luck, the word gæfa describes a person's inherent fortune. An Icelandic speaker might describe someone as being gæfumaður, meaning a lucky man, regardless of the immediate situation.
Examples in context
- Gangi þér vel í prófin.Good luck in your exams.
Example conversation
Katrín is saying goodbye to Sigurður before a job interview.
- KatrínErtu tilbúinn fyrir viðtalið, Sigurður?Are you ready for the interview, Sigurður?
- SigurðurJá, ég vona að það gangi vel.Yes, I hope it goes well.
- KatrínGangi þér vel!Good luck!
- SigurðurTakk, Katrín!Thanks, Katrín!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “good luck” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries vel, þér, CC BY-SA 4.0.
