souhaite-moi bonne chance
The English phrase "wish me luck" can be translated into French as souhaite-moi bonne chance.
You use this phrase when you are making a request for someone to express their hope that you will be successful in a future task.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the imperative verb souhaite (wish), the pronoun moi (me) and bonne chance (good luck).
Which one should you use?
While souhaite-moi bonne chance is a direct request to the listener, simply saying bonne chance is the standard way to wish someone else luck.
How does it change in a sentence?
If you are speaking to more than one person or using the formal vous form, you must use souhaitez-moi bonne chance instead of souhaite-moi bonne chance.
When do people say it?
When someone is about to face a challenge, the French say Bonne chance! to mean "Good luck!"
Did you know?
- In certain contexts, such as theater, telling someone bonne chance is actually considered bad luck. Performers instead say merde to wish each other success.
- The word chance in French is related to the English word 'cadence'. Both stems originate from the idea of something 'falling' into place.
- In some contexts, avoir de la chance means to be lucky, but avoir une chance means to have an opportunity.
Examples in context
- Souhaite-moi bonne chance.Wish me luck.This sentence is useful for practicing the phrase souhaite-moi bonne chance.Tatoeba #11973784 by Fenrir, translation #2254917 by CK
- Souhaitez-moi bonne chance, s'il vous plaîtPlease wish me good luck.
- Croise les doigts pour moi, s'il te plaîtCross your fingers for me, please.
- Souhaite-moi bonne chance pour mon entretien.Wish me luck for my interview.
- Je pars en voyage, souhaite-moi bonne chance !I am leaving on a trip, wish me luck!
Example conversation
Emma is about to go on stage for a performance.
- EmmaJe vais bientôt monter sur scène.I am going on stage soon.
- HugoTu vas être géniale, Emma.You are going to be great, Emma.
- EmmaSouhaite-moi bonne chance, s'il te plaît !Wish me luck, please!
- HugoBonne chance, je crois en toi.Good luck, I believe in you.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries chance, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
