What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of iyi (good) and şanslar (the plural form of luck).
Which one should you use?
While iyi şanslar is the standard way to wish someone luck, Bol şans translates to "lots of luck" and is a common casual alternative used to wish someone great success. For more formal or professional contexts, such as an exam or a job interview, Başarılar dilerim (I wish you success) is often more natural.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For a more formal way to express "good luck," you can use Uğurlar olsun. Among friends or peers, the colloquial phrase Şansın açık olsun is often used. In sincere or heartfelt situations, the religious expression Rabbim yardımcın olsun may be used to wish someone luck.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The word şans (luck) takes the plural suffix -lar to form the standard idiomatic expression iyi şanslar.
How do you pronounce it?
For the sounds, use: /i/ as in cr[ee]k, /j/ as in [y]es, /ʃ/ as in [sh]oe, /n/ as in [n]ot, /s/ as in [s]end and /ɾ/ as in AmE a[t]om.
Did you know?
- When using the word şans, it is worth noting that it is a loanword from French 'chance', which entered the Turkish vocabulary during the Ottoman era.
- The phrase Şansın açık olsun literally means 'may your luck be open', imagining luck as a door or a path that needs to be unobstructed.
- The word iyi in iyi şanslar shares an ancient root with the word for 'thing' or 'object', stemming from the Proto-Turkic root *ed-.
Examples in context
- Sana iyi şanslar, Tom.Good luck to you, Tom.This example shows how to wish luck specifically to a person named Tom using iyi şanslar.Tatoeba #5710234 by duran, translation #5710165 by CK
- Güle güle ve iyi şanslar.Goodbye and good luck.This sentence shows how to use iyi şanslar alongside a goodbye.Tatoeba #1167949 by duran, translation #434818 by lukaszpp
- Gelecek için iyi şanslar.Good luck for the future.This sentence demonstrates wishing luck for the future using iyi şanslar.Tatoeba #5787971 by duran, translation #5786052 by alvations
- Yeni işinizde uğurlar olsun.Good luck in your new job.
- Sınavda başarılı olman için Rabbim yardımcın olsun.May God help you succeed in your exam.
- Gelecek maçta bol şanslar!Lots of luck in the upcoming game!
- 30 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Selin is wishing Burak luck before a job interview.
- SelinMülakatın ne zaman başlıyor, Burak?When does your interview start, Burak?
- BurakOn dakika sonra başlıyor.It starts in ten minutes.
- SelinTamam, sana iyi şanslar dilerim!Okay, I wish you good luck!
- BurakÇok teşekkür ederim, Selin.Thank you very much, Selin.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “good luck” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Turkish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries iyi, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
