Ways to say it
| Russian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| успе́х | uspéx | masculine |
| уда́ча | udáča | feminine |
The word успе́х is the appropriate term to use when discussing professional, academic or personal achievements. For instance, if you want to say you want to achieve success, you can use the phrase добиться успеха.
Which one should you use?
While both can relate to positive outcomes, успе́х refers specifically to the achievement of a goal or a triumph. In contrast, уда́ча refers to luck or a stroke of good fortune.
How does it change in a sentence?
When using the word in the genitive case, such as after the preposition 'без' to mean 'without success', the form changes from успе́х to успе́ха.
How do you pronounce it?
uspéx
When do people say it?
To describe someone reaching their full potential or experiencing flourishing success, you can metaphorically use the verb Расцветать, which means to bloom. In a financial context, the phrase Выйти в плюс is used to mean coming out on top or being in the black.
Did you know?
- If you wish someone success in a specific endeavor, like a performance, you might say Ни пуха, ни пера, which literally translates to 'neither fluff nor feather'.
- When responding to the phrase Ни пуха, ни пера, it is customary to reply with К чёрту! meaning 'to the devil!', to avoid bad luck.
- In old Russian literature, the concept of success was often tied to the idea of 'following' or 'pursuing' a path, a nuance embedded in the linguistic roots of achievement.
Examples in context
- Желаю успе́ха!I wish you success!
- Мы желаем вам огромного успе́ха.My zhelayem vam ogromnogo uspekha.We wish you huge success.
- Этот метод принесёт успе́х.Etot metod prinesyot uspesh.This method will bring success.
Example conversation
Alexander and Olga are discussing a business presentation.
- Александр AleksandrОльга, твоя презентация была отличной!Olga, tvoya prezentatsiya byla otlichnoy!Olga, your presentation was excellent!
- Ольга OlgaСпасибо, Александр! Я очень переживала.Spasibo, Aleksandr! Ya ochen' perezhivala.Thank you, Alexander! I was very nervous.
- Александр AleksandrЭто был огромный успе́х.Eto byl ogromnyj uspekha.It was a huge success.
- Ольга OlgaЯ рада, что всё получилось.Ya rada, chto vsyo poluchilos'.I am glad that everything worked out.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “success” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
