To wish someone “good luck” in Spanish, it’s as easy as saying ¡Buena suerte!. But there are plenty more culturally appropriate expressions that you can use in various scenarios.
Learn some alternative ways to wish someone “good luck” in Spanish, how to respond when someone wishes you ¡Suerte!, and discover some cultural traditions and superstitions around luck.
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How to say ‘good luck’ in Spanish
Each of these expressions can work in many situations. Just pay attention to the usted vs. tú expectation in the specifics of your circumstance.
While many people even use the informal tú with strangers or new acquaintances in Spain, in other regions it would be considered too forward, so it’s best to opt for the formal usted form until you’re confident that tú would be appropriate.
¡Suerte! (Luck)
When you don’t have a lot of time and want to wish someone good luck in Spanish quickly, it’s enough to say ¡Suerte! (luck!) You can assume they’ll know that you mean buena (good) luck rather than mala (bad).
¡Que tenga suerte! (I hope that you have luck)
In Spanish, the expression for “to be lucky” is tener suerte, which translates directly as “to have luck.” Saying ¡Qué tenga suerte! is like saying “I hope/wish you have luck.”
You’ll notice the conjugation of the verb, tenga, is different from what you may be used to in the present tense. This is because it falls into the category of the Spanish subjunctive as you’re expressing a wish.
Tenga is the usted form, so adjust slightly for casual settings by saying tengas instead. When talking to more than one person, use the ustedes form: tengan.
- ¡Qué tengas suerte! (informal)
- ¡Qué tenga suerte! (formal)
- ¡Qué tengan suerte! (plural)
¡Le deseo buena suerte! (I wish you good luck)
This longer expression is the equivalent of “I wish you good luck” in Spanish. It’s a nice sentiment for a written communication like an email or a card where full sentences are appreciated.
For a friend, switch the indirect object pronoun le to te.
- ¡Te deseo buena suerte! (informal)
- ¡Le deseo buena suerte! (formal)
- ¡Les deseo buena suerte! (plural)
¡Que le vaya (muy) bien! (I hope it goes (really) well for you)
This phrase means “(I hope) that it goes (really) well for you.” The “I hope” is implied, making this another expression that uses the subjunctive mood.
- ¡Que le vaya bien! (formal)
- ¡Que te vaya bien! (informal)
- ¡Que les vaya bien! (plural)
Buena suerte con todo (Good luck with everything)
This means “Good luck with everything.” It’s a great catch-all phrase if you’re wishing luck to someone who is busy with a series of events and you won’t see them for a while.
Espero que todo salga bien (I hope everything turns out well)
When “good luck” doesn’t quite fit the situation, but you still want to express the same sentiment, try this kind expression. It means “I hope everything turns out well.”
You might say this to someone about to undergo a medical procedure or an uncomfortable conversation. It’s proper for both formal and informal speech as long as it’s said with sincerity.
How to respond to ‘good luck’
When someone wishes you ‘good luck,’ you can respond with gracias, which is a simple “thank you” in Spanish. But what should you say if you want to return the sentiment?
¡A usted/A ti también! (you too)
You might want to wish someone ‘good luck’ in return, by saying “you too.” Use this expression with también (also/too).
- ¡A usted también! (formal)
- ¡A ti también! (informal)
- ¡A ustedes también! (plural)
When it’s bad luck to say ¡buena suerte!
Don’t wish someone buena suerte when they’re about to perform at the theater, as superstition suggests this may bring bad luck on the performance. In English, many performers would prefer to hear “break a leg.” But don’t wish anyone a pierna rota (broken leg) in Spanish, either.
Instead, you’d have to use a word that in any other context would be considered rude. It is, however, perfectly expected at the theater. You might be more comfortable saying ¡Éxito! (success) instead.
Spanish expressions related to luck
There are a few other expressions related to luck in Spanish, both good and bad. Give them a try in your next conversation with a Spanish-speaker.
Don’t be afraid to ask for their feedback as you try out new and sophisticated expressions. Rosetta Stone tutors are also a great resource if you want to take a few more risks.
| Spanish | English |
| afortunado/a | fortunate/lucky |
| arriesgarse | to press your luck |
| (algo) de la suerte | a lucky (object) |
| desafortunado/a | unlucky/down on one’s luck |
| despreocupado/a | happy-go-lucky (unworried) |
| un golpe de suerte | a lucky strike/a stroke of good luck |
| una mala/buena racha | a streak of bad/good luck |
| quiso la suerte | as luck would have it |
| nacido/a con estrella | born under a lucky star |
| la suerte del principiante | beginner’s luck |
‘Lucky’ customs and superstitions from Spanish-speaking cultures
Many cultures celebrate traditions, customs, or even superstitions surrounding good luck. Some are year-round, like tocar madera (knock on wood/touch wood) to avoid a negative outcome after mentioning it.
Others are specific to certain times of year. While these vary widely according to region, here are a few popular ones around Spain and Latin America for Año Nuevo (New Year) and Nochevieja (New Year’s Eve) in Spanish.
- Barrer (to sweep): sweeping out the house rids it of bad luck prior to midnight.
- Monedas (coins): putting coins in your pockets for good fortune.
- Ropa interior amarilla (underwear): wearing new yellow underwear can attract good luck.
- Doce uvas (twelve grapes): eating a grape with each chime of the clock at midnight brings good fortune. Just don’t choke!
- Lentejas (lentils): eating lentils brings prosperity.
- Maletas (suitcases): walking around the block with a suitcase for travel in the upcoming year.
- Años viejos (“old years”): burning symbolic effigies, dolls, or figures that represent the bad of the past year.
- Agua (water): throwing water out the window to cleanse the home.
- Saltar (to jump): jumping into the new year from a chair brings good energy and fortune.
Frequently asked questions about saying ‘good luck’ in Spanish
Beginner learners can get by with the phrase buena suerte, but you can take it a step further. Here are a few of the most frequently asked questions to help you.
Is it bueno or buena suerte?
It will always be either buena suerte for good luck or mala suerte for bad luck, never bueno or malo because the noun suerte is feminine. Like all Spanish adjectives, the word “good” in Spanish has to match the gender of the noun.
How do you say ‘good luck studying’ or something similar?
While English speakers often use the gerund form, or a verb ending in “-ing,” in Spanish there are more common alternatives. You could use the infinitive, which is an unconjugated verb that ends in -AR, -ER, or -IR.
• ¡Mucha suerte al estudiar! = Good luck studying!
You can also reword your phrase with the noun instead of the verb.
• ¡Buena suerte con los estudios! = Good luck with your studies!
How do you say ‘Wish me luck!’ in Spanish?
A formal option is ¡Deséeme suerte! or, informally, ¡Deséame suerte!
What if I’m in Spain? How do I wish multiple friends ‘good luck’ in the vosotros form?
In Peninsular Spanish, the vosotros form is common as a replacement for ustedes in less formal speech. This will affect the verb forms and the pronouns in familiar expressions.
• ¡Os deseo mucha suerte! = I wish you all lots of luck!
• ¡Que os vaya bien! = Hope it goes well for you all!
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