Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| chance | /ʃɑ̃s/ | feminine |
| veine | /vɛn/ | familiar, feminine |
| bol | /bɔl/ | informal, masculine |
| cul | /ky/ | masculine, vulgar |
| chatte | /ʃat/ | feminine, vulgar |
The primary way to express the concept of luck is through the word chance, which refers to things happening by chance or randomness. In French, to say that you are lucky, you use the phrase avoir de la chance, which literally means 'to have luck'.
Which one should you use?
While chance is the standard and neutral term, it is a false friend to the English word 'chance' (which refers to opportunity). In French, it primarily signifies luck or randomness. Other forms exist for different social contexts, such as the colloquial veine or the informal bol.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
chance is the standard, neutral term. veine is a familiar, colloquial way to refer to luck, often used when someone has a streak of luck. bol is used in informal expressions. For very crude or extreme contexts, the vulgar masculine term cul or the highly vulgar feminine term chatte may be used. The latter is often seen in the phrase avoir de la chatte to describe someone with extreme good luck.
How does it change in a sentence?
When using the colloquial term veine to mean luck, you use the verb avoir (to have) in the phrase avoir de la veine.
How do you pronounce it?
/ʃɑ̃s/
When do people say it?
In French, it is common to use the word Merde (shit) as an informal way of wishing someone luck. This is used in creative fields like theater, where a phrase like Merde pour ce soir ! can be used to mean 'Break a leg tonight!'
Did you know?
- The highly vulgar expression avoir de la chatte uses a word that literally means 'female cat'.
- When people say they have 'luck' using the word veine, they are literally saying they 'have a vein'.
- The French word for luck, chance, actually comes from the Latin word for 'falling'.
Examples in context
- Pas de bol !No luck.This sentence is useful for expressing frustration at bad luck using the word bol.Tatoeba #4627897 by sacredceltic, translation #10457372 by ToxicFriu
- Tente ta chance !Try your luck!Tatoeba #3670110 by sacredceltic, translation #3123565 by chajadan
- Tu as de la chance.You're in luck.Tatoeba #4599985 by sacredceltic, translation #69674 by CK
- Je te souhaite bonne chance pour ton examen demain.I wish you good luck for your exam tomorrow.
- Je lui ai souhaité bonne chance dans sa nouvelle carrière.I wished him good luck in his new career.
- Avant de commencer votre présentation, permettez-moi de dire : Que la chance soit avec vous.Before you begin your presentation, allow me to say: May luck be with you.
- Bonne chance pour ton entretien d'embauche !Good luck for your job interview!
- Bonne chance avec ton match de football ce soir !Good luck with your soccer match tonight!
- Merde pour ton examen !Good luck on your exam!
- Merde pour ta course !Good luck in your race!
- Bon courage pour ta soutenance de thèse.Good luck with your thesis defense.
- Bonne chance, Sophie, pour ton rendez-vous galant ce soir !Good luck, Sophie, on your date tonight!
- 203 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Emma and Gabriel are talking about a recent lottery ticket.
- EmmaTu as tenté ta chance ?Did you try your luck?
- GabrielOui, mais je n'ai pas eu de chance.Yes, but I didn't have any luck.
- EmmaC'est dommage pour toi, Gabriel.That is a shame for you, Gabriel.
- GabrielCe n'est pas grave, Emma.It's not a big deal, Emma.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “luck” translations and entries chance, veine, bol, cul, chatte, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bol, chance, cul, veine, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
