bonne chance aujourd'hui
The English phrase "good luck today" is translated into French as bonne chance aujourd'hui.
This phrase is a wish for success used when someone is about to face a challenge or a specific event during the day. While bonne chance is a general wish for luck, it can sometimes imply a sense of a risky endeavor or gambling. In contexts where you want to wish someone strength to endure a difficult task, bon courage is often more common.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of bonne (good), chance (luck) and aujourd'hui (today).
Which one should you use?
The phrase bonne chance aujourd'hui is a standard way to express the sentiment, but you may also hear the more conversational bonne chance pour aujourd'hui! Additionally, in informal settings such as the theater or entertainment industry, people often use Merde! to wish someone good luck.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective bonne must be in the feminine form to agree with the feminine noun chance.
Did you know?
- The word 'aujourd'hui' is essentially a linguistic fossil. It is a combination of several older French words that once functioned as a full phrase meaning 'on the day of today'.
- The word chance shares a common ancestor with the English word 'cadence'. Both derive from the Latin word for 'falling', as luck was historically viewed as the way things 'fall' or happen.
- French speakers distinguish between luck and endurance. While bonne chance is for a lucky outcome, bon courage is used when someone needs the strength to get through a difficult or tedious day.
Examples in context
- Bonne chance aujourd'hui pour ton entretien !Good luck today for your interview!
- Je te souhaite bonne chance aujourd'hui.I wish you good luck today.
- Bonne chance aujourd'hui pour ton examen !Good luck today for your exam!
Example conversation
Chloé is seeing Nathan off before his big presentation.
- ChloéBonne chance aujourd'hui, Nathan !Good luck today, Nathan!
- NathanMerci Chloé, j'en ai besoin.Thanks Chloé, I need it.
- ChloéTu vas réussir, ne t'inquiète pas.You are going to succeed, don't worry.
- NathanC'est gentil, à ce soir.That's kind, see you tonight.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries aujourd'hui, chance, CC BY-SA 4.0.
