wünsch mir Glück
The English phrase "wish me luck" is translated into German as wünsch mir Glück.
You use this phrase to request that someone expresses their hope that you will succeed in a future task.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the imperative verb wünsch (wish), the dative pronoun mir (me) and the noun Glück (luck/happiness).
When do people say it?
A common response to this request is Viel Glück!, meaning "Good luck!" Another very common idiomatic response is Ich drücke dir die Daumen!, which literally means "I press the thumbs for you!" You may also use the informal phrase Drück mir die Daumen! to mean "Keep your fingers crossed for me!"
Did you know?
- While English speakers cross their fingers, Germans 'press' their thumbs. The phrase Ich drücke dir die Daumen refers to the gesture of tucking the thumb inside the fist.
- The word Glück likely entered the German language as a loanword from Old Dutch, potentially arriving via the influence of Flemish knight culture.
- In German, Glück means both 'luck' and 'happiness'. This means that when you ask someone to wünsch mir Glück, you are using the same word used to describe a lifelong state of joy.
Examples in context
- Okay, wünsch mir Glück.OK, wish me luck.Tatoeba #7836403 by bonny37, translation #5758114 by CM
- Wünsch mir Glück.Please wish me luck.Tatoeba #342191 by lilygilder, translation #65447 by CK
- Wünsch mir Glück bei meinem Vorstellungsgespräch!Wish me luck with my job interview!
Example conversation
Julia is about to enter a classroom for a difficult exam.
- JuliaIch bin so nervös, wünsch mir Glück!I'm so nervous, wish me luck!
- MaximilianViel Glück, Julia! Du schaffst das.Good luck, Julia! You can do it.
- JuliaDanke, Maximilian. Ich versuche mein Bestes.Thanks, Maximilian. I'll try my best.
- MaximilianIch drücke dir die Daumen.I'll keep my fingers crossed for you.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Glück, mir, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
