Translation guide
The English word "fortune" covers several distinct concepts: luck or chance, a large amount of money, and a prediction of the future. This guide separates these meanings and provides natural Japanese expressions for each.
Expressing the idea of luck, fate, or chance that affects one's life.
The most common and general word for luck or fortune. Can be used in many contexts.
運がいいですね。
You're lucky.
He had bad luck.
Refers to destiny or fate, often with a sense of a predetermined course of events.
Perhaps it was fate.
Good fortune or luck, often used in more formal or written contexts.
I wish you good luck.
An idiomatic phrase meaning 'luck turns in one's favor'.
My luck has finally turned.
Referring to a great deal of money or wealth.
The standard word for a fortune in the sense of assets or wealth.
He built a large fortune.
Literally 'large money', used for a large sum of money.
A colloquial way to say 'a fortune', often used in phrases like 'cost a fortune'.
Telling someone's future, often through divination.
The general term for fortune-telling or divination.
She believes in fortune-telling.
Refers to one's fortune or luck as predicted, often used in contexts like horoscopes.
A fortune slip, especially from a shrine or temple. Often translated as 'fortune' in this context.
運 (うん) is general luck, while 運命 (うんめい) implies a fated destiny. Use 運 for everyday luck, and 運命 for more profound, life-changing events.
When 'fortune' means a lot of money, avoid using 運 (luck). Use 財産 (assets) or 大金 (large sum) instead.
He made a fortune in the stock market.
She had the good fortune to meet him.
その絵は大金で売れた。
The painting sold for a fortune.
This car cost a fortune.
今日の運勢はどうですか？
What's your fortune for today?
I drew a fortune slip.