со среќа!
so sreḱa![sɔ ˈsrɛca]word by word
The English phrase 'good luck' is translated into Macedonian as со среќа! (so sreḱa!) Wiktionary also lists среќно! (sreḱno!).
Meaning: used to wish fortune on someone or as encouragement (intj)
Ways to say it
| Macedonian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| со среќа! | so sreḱa! | [sɔ ˈsrɛca] (word by word, narrow) |
| среќно! | sreḱno! |
Macedonian speakers use these phrases to wish fortune upon someone or to offer encouragement. You may also hear the common shorthand Среќа! to mean 'good luck', or the expression Да ти е со среќа!, which translates to 'May luck be with you!'
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase со среќа! literally translates to 'with luck!'
Which one should you use?
While со среќа! is a standard way to wish someone luck, среќно! is an adverbial form. Its literal meaning is 'happily!' or 'luckily!', but it is often used as a shorthand for 'good luck!'
How does it change in a sentence?
When using the phrase as a standalone wish in written Macedonian, it is standard to include an exclamation mark, though it is considered optional.
How do you pronounce it?
so sreḱa!
Did you know?
- While со среќа! is a general wish, Macedonians often avoid saying it to performers or actors. Similar to the English 'break a leg', there is a superstitious belief that wishing direct luck can actually attract bad luck.
- The root of среќа comes from the Proto-Slavic word *sъręťa, which originally referred to a meeting or an encounter. This suggests that 'luck' was historically viewed as a 'chance meeting' with fortune.
- In Macedonian, the word среќа does not just mean 'luck' but also 'happiness'. Because of this, the same word is used to wish someone 'good luck' and to wish them a 'happy' life.
Examples in context
- Со среќа!Good luck!This sentence shows how to use the standalone wish со среќа!Tatoeba #4154902 by Lepotdeterre, translation #429220 by Clavain
Example conversation
Elena and Filip are talking before Filip starts a new job.
- Елена ElenaФилип, утре е првиот ден!Filip, utre e prviot den!Filip, tomorrow is the first day!
- Филип FilipДа, малку сум нервозен.Da, malku sum nervozen.Yes, I am a little nervous.
- Елена ElenaЌе бидеш одличен, со среќа!Ḱe bideš odličen, so sreќa!You will be great, good luck!
- Филип FilipФала ти, Елена.Fala ti, Elena.Thank you, Elena.
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 (со, среќа) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries среќа, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
