Translation guide
The concept of luck in Japanese is expressed through several words and phrases that distinguish between good fortune, chance, and the quality of being lucky. The most common and versatile word is 運 (un), which can be used in many contexts. Other expressions like 運がいい (un ga ii) describe a person's state of being lucky, while 幸運 (kouun) is a more formal term for good fortune. Japanese also has set phrases for wishing luck, such as 頑張って (ganbatte), which is used more broadly than the English 'good luck'.
Good luck! (general encouragement)
Used for encouragement, not just luck. More common than direct 'luck' translations.
Good luck! (wishing success)
Formal, literal 'I pray for your good fortune'.
Expressing the concept of luck as a force that brings good outcomes.
The most general and common word for luck, fate, or fortune. Can be used in many compounds and phrases.
I was lucky today.
Try one's luck.
Good luck, good fortune. More formal and often used in writing or set phrases.
Good luck, favorable fortune. Less common than 幸運, but similar in meaning.
Describing a person who often has good luck or is in a lucky state.
To be lucky. The most common way to say someone is lucky. Can be conjugated: 運が良かった (was lucky), 運が良ければ (if lucky).
Expressing the concept of bad luck or being unlucky.
To be unlucky. The standard way to say someone has bad luck.
Expressing 'good luck' to someone before an endeavor.
Do your best, good luck. The most common encouragement phrase, used in many situations where English would say 'good luck'. Not a direct translation of luck, but functionally equivalent.
Referring to luck as a neutral force or fate, not necessarily good or bad.
Describing something that brings luck or is associated with luck.
To be lucky, auspicious. Used for objects, events, or omens that are considered to bring good luck.
運がいい describes a general state of being lucky, often as a personality trait. ラッキー is a casual exclamation for a lucky moment. ついている is used when you feel luck is on your side at a particular time, similar to 'I'm in luck'.
He is a lucky person.
I have bad luck with weather.
A natural way to express being unlucky with something, using 恵まれない (not blessed).
幸運が訪れた。
Good luck came my way.
好運に恵まれる。
Be blessed with good luck.
He is really lucky.
If we're lucky, it might be sunny tomorrow.
To have strong luck, to be consistently lucky. Implies a robust fortune.
She has strong luck, so she'll surely be fine.
Lucky. A casual loanword from English, very common in everyday speech.
Lucky! I caught the train!
To be in luck, to be lucky (at a particular moment). Often used when something good happens unexpectedly.
I'm in luck today.
Unfortunately, I got rained on.
Misfortune, bad luck. More formal and often used in writing.
Unfortunately, I had an accident.
Misfortune, bad luck, evil. Often used in contexts of superstition or calamity.
Ward off bad luck.
Good luck on your exam.
I pray for your good luck. A formal, literal expression used in serious or formal contexts.
I wish you success. Good luck.
Good luck. Direct loanword from English, used casually but less common than 頑張って.
Fate, destiny. Often used when luck is seen as predetermined.
That's fate.
Chance, coincidence, fate. Emphasizes the coming together of circumstances.
It's a strange twist of fate.
This charm is lucky.
Lucky (as an adjective). Used in phrases like 'lucky charm' (幸運のお守り).
A symbol of luck
ラッキー！財布を見つけた！
Lucky! I found my wallet!
I'm in luck today.
In English, 'good luck' is used as a general encouragement. In Japanese, 幸運 is more formal and less common in casual speech. Use 頑張って for everyday encouragement, and reserve 幸運を祈ります for formal situations.
運 can be combined with other kanji to form words like 運勢 (うんせい, fortune, luck), 運気 (うんき, luck, fortune), and 強運 (きょううん, strong luck). These are useful for expanding vocabulary.
Just my luck!
Casual expression for when something unlucky happens.
Better luck next time.
Encouragement for the future, not a direct translation.