10 Ways to Say Good Luck in Spanish
All languages and cultures have their own expressions, beliefs, rituals and charms to attract luck.
Spanish-speaking cultures are no different! Wishing someone luck is a gesture of support that is often expressed wholeheartedly.
That said, there is more than one way to say “good luck” in Spanish.
So, let’s check out some luck-worthy situations and learn their appropriate luck wishing expressions!
Contents
- Good luck! — ¡Buena suerte!
- The best of luck — La mejor de las suertes
- May you have good luck — Que tengas buena suerte
- May you have a lot of luck — Que tengas mucha suerte
- Fingers crossed for you! — ¡Cruzaré los dedos por ti!
- I wish you the best of this world! — ¡Te deseo lo mejor del mundo!
- I hope it all goes well — Que todo salga bien
- Wish you success! — ¡Éxito!
- Hit it hard! — ¡Dale duro!
- Forward — ¡Adelante!
- Spanish Beliefs About Luck
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Good luck! — ¡Buena suerte!
This is the basic expression for wishing someone luck. It is a generic phrase that covers just about everything.
If you are leaving a shop and about to walk out into the rain, the shopkeeper may say, “¡Buena suerte!” and tell you to try and walk between the raindrops.
Going on a first date?
¡Buena suerte!
Buying a used car?
¡Buena suerte!
You can pretty much wish someone luck on anything!
¡Buena suerte con tu nueva casa! (Good luck with your new home!)
¡Buena suerte con tu nuevo novio! (Good luck with your new boyfriend!)
¡Buena suerte en tu nuevo trabajo! (Good luck on your new job!)
The best of luck — La mejor de las suertes
This is also a pretty standard expression, and one that you might hear many times during the course of a week when you are in a Spanish-speaking country.
May you have good luck — Que tengas buena suerte
This construction is a bit more formal. It is useful in less casual situations, like with someone you just met for the first time or in a business setting.
May you have a lot of luck — Que tengas mucha suerte
Telling someone to have a lot of luck is like wishing them an abundance of good fortune!
Fingers crossed for you! — ¡Cruzaré los dedos por ti!
Crossing your fingers for someone (or even yourself) expresses hope and the wish for something to happen in a favorable way. This expression is widely used in the English language, as well.
I wish you the best of this world! — ¡Te deseo lo mejor del mundo!
This is a very enthusiastic expression of luck and well wishing. When used between family members or close friends, it can be a very heartfelt and sincere wish.
I hope it all goes well — Que todo salga bien
This is another expression that applies to situations where someone has undertaken an activity that does not automatically come with assured success.
Wish you success! — ¡Éxito!
Less commonly used than some of the other expressions, this concise expression of good wishes is helpful to know. It rolls off the tongue effortlessly and is great with a hand wave as you are taking your leave.
Hit it hard! — ¡Dale duro!
Thinking of heading to the beautiful country of Puerto Rico? Then, you will likely hear this regional idiom that not only wishes someone good luck but encourages them to do their very best!
Forward — ¡Adelante!
When someone is attempting a new venture, activity or even just pressing on through a difficult time, this short yet encouraging expression expresses warm wishes for a successful outcome.
Spanish Beliefs About Luck
By taking a closer look at some Spanish beliefs about luck—and the charms that assist in bringing on this phenomenon—you will gain a glimpse of some intriguing Spanish customs, which will only connect you deeper to the language and culture.
In Mexico, good luck charms are often called milagros (miracles) and come in the form of small religious charms. The charms, which are often made of metal, can be affixed to a place or just carried or worn by the one who is looking for an upswing in their fate.
They are believed to improve fortune, heal and keep evil at bay. Milagros are not used only in Mexico, however. Some Latin American countries, as well as some places in the United States, adhere to the belief that milagros carry great power.
Wishing someone good luck in Spain can be an interesting exchange. It is not unusual to wish or have someone wish onto you, mucha mierda, which translates to “lots of crap.” This expression is equivalent to the English phrase, “break a leg.”
In Spain, wearing red underwear is thought to bring good luck in finding a mate. Some say it applies only on New Year’s Eve, but others feel it works year-round.
Originating in the Almeria province of Spain, Indalo Man is a figure who represents luck and hope. He was first discovered drawn on a cave wall—a piece of ancient art from thousands of years ago—and today is a widely-recognized lucky symbol!
Wherever you are, luck and good fortune are part of the day-to-day in most Spanish-speaking locations. From religious medallions to colorful undergarments, luck is part of the culture.
Learning some expressions to acknowledge or wish someone luck are certainly good additions to your growing Spanish vocabulary.
And who knows, by wishing others luck and good fortune, you might, in turn, attract your own luck and become an afortunado (lucky person).
Download: This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that you can take anywhere. Click here to get a copy. (Download)
