ご幸運を祈ります
Gokōun o inorimasu
The Japanese phrase for "I wish you good luck" is ご幸運を祈ります (Gokōun o inorimasu).
This phrase is a polite way to express the hope that someone succeeds or experiences a positive outcome in a future event. It is most often used in written correspondence, such as formal letters and emails or during speeches.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the honorific prefix go, the noun kōun (good luck), the particle o (the object marker) and the verb inorimasu (to pray or wish).
Which one should you use?
While ご幸運を祈ります is a formal wish for a positive outcome, the more common and casual way to encourage someone to work hard or persevere is to use 頑張って.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
ご幸運を祈ります is a formal and polite expression suitable for professional settings or written messages. In contrast, expressions like 頑張ってね！ are informal. Other formal variations include 幸運をお祈りします and 頑張ってください」。
How do you pronounce it?
Gokōun o inorimasu
Did you know?
- In Japan, wishing someone 'good luck' for an exam or a specific challenge can sometimes be seen as a backhanded way of suggesting they might fail without luck. It is often more culturally appropriate to use 頑張って (do your best) to focus on the person's effort rather than fate.
- Japanese has a specific concept called 縁 called 'en', which refers to a mysterious fate or connection between people. While 幸運 is 'good luck', 縁 is the kind of 'luck' that brings two people together by destiny.
- While 'good luck' is a common wish in English, the Japanese phrase ご幸運を祈ります literally translates to 'I pray for your good fortune'. The verb 祈る (to pray) gives the expression a much more serious, almost spiritual weight than its English counterpart.
Examples in context
- 山田さん、頑張ってください。Yamada-san, please do your best.
Example conversation
Misaki is leaving for a job interview.
- 大翔 Hiroto準備は大丈夫？Junbi wa daijoubu?Are you ready?
- 美咲 Misakiはい、頑張ってきます！Hai, ganbatte kimasu!Yes, I'll do my best!
- 大翔 Hiroto美咲さん、ご幸運を祈ります。Misaki-san, go-kouun o inorimasu.Misaki, I wish you good luck.
- 美咲 Misakiありがとうございます、大翔さん。Arigatou gozaimasu, Yamato-san.Thank you, Yamato.
