Translation guide
In Japanese, expressing 'one's fortune' depends on context: general luck/fate, financial fortune, or fortune-telling. The most common and natural expressions are 運 (un) for luck/fate and 運勢 (unsei) for fortune-telling.
Referring to one's overall luck, destiny, or fate in life.
The most common word for 'luck' or 'fortune' in a general sense. Can be used in many contexts.
運がいいですね。
You're lucky.
彼は運が悪かった。
He had bad luck.
Means 'fate' or 'destiny', often with a more dramatic or predetermined nuance.
それは運命だった。
That was fate.
Referring to one's fortune as predicted by fortune-telling, omikuji, or horoscopes.
Specifically refers to one's fortune or luck as predicted, e.g., in a horoscope or omikuji.
今日の運勢はどうですか？
What's your fortune for today?
おみくじで大吉の運勢が出た。
I got a great fortune on my omikuji.
Means 'fortune-telling' or 'divination'. Can refer to the practice or the result.
Referring to one's financial situation or wealth.
Means 'property' or 'fortune' in the financial sense. Often used for a large amount of wealth.
彼は大きな財産を築いた。
He built a large fortune.
Means 'wealth' or 'riches'. More abstract than 財産.
富を求める。
To seek fortune/wealth.
占いを信じますか？
Do you believe in fortune-telling?