szczęśliwy
/ʂt͡ʂɛw̃ɕˈli.vɘ/
The Polish word for lucky is szczęśliwy.
The adjective szczęśliwy is used to describe people who have good fortune. It is also the standard word used to express that someone is happy in terms of their emotional state.
Meaning: of people, having good fortune (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The adjective is derived from the noun szczęście, which means both 'happiness' and 'luck'.
Which one should you use?
While szczęśliwy can mean 'lucky' in the sense of having good fortune, it is also the standard word for 'happy' in terms of emotional state.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective must agree in gender with the noun it modifies. Use szczęśliwa for feminine nouns and szczęśliwe for neuter nouns. When referring to a group of people that includes at least one male, use the masculine personal plural form szczęśliwi.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 3 syllables. The stress is on the 2nd syllable. The IPA is /ʂtʂɛw̃ɕˈli.vɘ/.
Did you know?
- To wish someone 'good luck' before an exam or a performance, Poles often say powodzenia rather than using a form of szczęśliwy.
- The root of szczęśliwy is closely related to the word for 'portion' or 'part' in ancient Slavic languages, implying that luck is a 'portion' of fate assigned to a person.
- In Poland, it is common to say do widzenia or do zobaczenia when leaving, but saying szczęśliwej drogi specifically wishes someone a 'lucky' or safe journey.
Examples in context
- To jest twój szczęśliwy dzień.This is your lucky day.This is useful for stating that today is someone's lucky day using szczęśliwy.Tatoeba #3935126 by jeedrek, translation #2210813 by Hybrid
- Więc, Tom, dzisiaj jest twój szczęśliwy dzień.Well, Tom, today is your lucky day.This is useful for emphasizing that today is someone's lucky day using szczęśliwy.Tatoeba #8529690 by MCcommand, translation #3729558 by CM
- szczęśliwy trafLucky guessThis shows how to use the adjective in the phrase for a lucky guess using szczęśliwy.
- Nie zdziw się, jeśli wygrasz jeszcze raz, jesteś prawdziwym szczęściarzemDon't be surprised if you win again, you're a true lucky person
- Mam nadzieję, że będziesz miał szczęście na egzaminieI hope you will be lucky on the exam
- Ona jest bardzo szczęśliwa, że wygrała nagrodęShe is very lucky to have won the prize
- Miło cię poznać, jesteś prawdziwym szczęściarzemNice to meet you, you're a real lucky person
- Gdybym miał więcej szczęścia, wygrałbym w loteriiIf I had more luck, I would win the lottery
- Życzę ci dużo szczęścia w przyszłościI wish you a lot of luck in the future
Example conversation
Anna and Piotr are talking about a lottery ticket.
- AnnaWygrałeś w loterii! Jesteś taki szczęśliwy.You won the lottery! You are so lucky.
- PiotrTak, sam w to nie wierzę.Yes, I can't believe it myself.
- AnnaTo naprawdę niesamowite zdarzenie.It is truly an amazing event.
- PiotrMam nadzieję, że będę dalej szczęśliwy.I hope I will continue to be lucky.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “lucky” translations and entries szczęśliwy, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries szczęśliwy, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR, Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
