Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| buena suerte | /ˌbwena ˈsweɾte/ |
| suerte | /ˈsweɾte/ |
| mucha suerte | /mut͡ʃa sweɾte/ (from spelling rules) |
The phrases are used to wish fortune on someone or as encouragement. You can say ¡Buena suerte! to wish someone good luck. The noun suerte itself can also be used to mean positive fortune.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase buena suerte is composed of the adjective buena (good) and the noun suerte (luck).
Which one should you use?
While buena suerte is a literal translation, mucha suerte is a very common way to say good luck and is often used to add more emphasis or warmth than the literal version.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In parts of Latin America, the phrase ¡Échale ganas! is used to encourage someone and wish them success.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When wishing luck regarding a specific task or object, use the preposition con (for example, Suerte con tu proyecto). When wishing luck for an event or a location, use the preposition en (for example, Suerte en el viaje).
How do you pronounce it?
/ˌbwena ˈsweɾte/
When do people say it?
In many Spanish-speaking regions, including Spain, the phrase ¡Mucha mierda! is a popular way to wish someone good luck, especially in the performing arts community.
Did you know?
- In the theater world, people say ¡Mucha mierda! instead of buena suerte. This comes from the days of horse-drawn carriages, where a lot of manure outside a theater meant many wealthy people had attended the show.
- The word suerte is a linguistic relative of the English word 'sort'. Both come from the Latin 'sortem', which referred to the drawing of lots to determine a fate.
- The phrase ¡Échale ganas! is a common way to encourage someone in Latin America, but it literally translates to 'throw inclination/desire at it' rather than wishing for luck.
Examples in context
- Suerte con eso, Tom.Good luck with that, Tom.This sentence uses suerte to wish luck with a specific thing.Tatoeba #5718657 by arh, translation #5716762 by CK
- ¡Suerte en el examen!Good luck on the exam!This sentence uses suerte to wish luck for an event.Tatoeba #590640 by Leono, translation #409429 by FeuDRenais
- Te deseo buena suerte.I wish you good luck.This sentence uses buena suerte to express a wish for luck.Tatoeba #972469 by Shishir, translation #54468 by CK
- Le deseo mucha suerte en su nueva oportunidad laboralI wish you a lot of luck in your new job opportunity
- 35 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sofía is leaving for a job interview.
- Javier¡Buena suerte en la entrevista, Sofía!Good luck on the interview, Sofía!
- SofíaMuchas gracias, Javier.Thank you very much, Javier.
- JavierTú puedes hacerlo.You can do it.
- SofíaEspero que sí.I hope so.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “good luck” translations and entries buena suerte, suerte, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries buena suerte, suerte, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
