fēlīx
The English word 'lucky' can be translated into Latin as fēlīx, faustus or fortūnātus.
Meaning: of people, having good fortune (adj)
Ways to say it
| Latin | IPA |
|---|---|
| fēlīx | |
| faustus | [ˈfau̯s.tʊs] (Classical Latin, narrow) [ˈfau̯s.tus] (narrow) |
| fortūnātus |
These terms are used to describe people who possess good fortune.
What does it mean word for word?
The form fortūnātus is a participle that literally means 'having been endowed with fortune'.
How does it change in a sentence?
Because fēlīx is a third-declension adjective, its form will change to fēlīcem when it functions as the direct object of a verb (the accusative singular).
Did you know?
- Ancient Romans believed that certain words were 'lucky' or 'unlucky' in themselves, and they would avoid 'unlucky' words during critical rituals.
- In Roman agriculture, fēlīx could describe a fruit or a crop that was 'lucky' in the sense of being ripe or fertile.
- The word fēlīx was used as a cognomen for the Roman general Sulla, who claimed his military success was due to divine favor.
Examples in context
- Vir fortunatus estThe man is lucky.
- Res fausta mihi evenitGood fortune has befallen me.
- Iuvenes erant beatiThe young men were lucky.
- Felix sit fortuna tua!May your fortune be lucky!
- Habet fortunam maximam!He has the greatest luck!
- Puer fēlīx est.The boy is lucky.
Example conversation
Lucius and Lucia are talking about a prize.
- LuciusVīcistī, Lucia! Fēlīx es!You won, Lucia! You are lucky!
- LuciaIta, vīnum vīcī.Yes, I won the wine.
- LuciusTū semper fēlīx es.You are always lucky.
- LuciaGrātiās tibi agō, Lucī.Thank you, Lucius.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “lucky” translations and entries faustus, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
