Good luck
in Spanish¡Buena suerte!
/BWEH-nah SWEHR-teh/
This is the most direct and universally understood way to say 'good luck' in Spanish. It's a fantastic, all-purpose phrase that works in almost any situation, from casual to formal.
Wishing someone '¡Buena suerte!' or '¡Mucho éxito!' is a great way to show support before a challenge or new adventure.
💬Other Ways to Say It
¡Mucha suerte!
/MOO-chah SWEHR-teh/
Literally 'much luck,' this is a slightly more emphatic and warmer version of '¡Buena suerte!'. It's extremely common and expresses a genuine, heartfelt wish for someone's good fortune.
¡Éxito!
/EKS-ee-toh/
This translates to 'Success!' and is used when you're wishing someone well on something that depends on their skill, not just chance. It implies you believe in their ability to succeed.
¡Mucho éxito!
/MOO-choh EKS-ee-toh/
Meaning 'Much success!', this is the more emphatic version of '¡Éxito!'. It carries a strong, encouraging tone that's perfect for significant professional or personal undertakings.
¡Que te vaya bien!
/keh teh VAH-yah bee-EHN/
A friendly and very common phrase meaning 'May it go well for you!'. It's less about pure luck and more of a general, kind wish for a positive outcome. It's also often used as a way to say goodbye.
¡Te deseo lo mejor!
/teh deh-SEH-oh loh meh-HOR/
This means 'I wish you the best!' It's a personal and sincere expression that can be used in a wide variety of situations, often for bigger life events.
¡Cruzo los dedos!
/KROO-soh lohs DEH-dohs/
The direct equivalent of 'I'm crossing my fingers!' or 'Fingers crossed!'. It's a casual and visual way to express hope for a good outcome for someone.
¡A por todas!
/ah por TOH-dahs/
A very encouraging and energetic phrase from Spain, similar to 'Go for it!' or 'Give it your all!'. It's less about luck and more about motivating someone to put in their best effort.
¡Rómpete una pierna!
/ROM-peh-teh OO-nah pee-EHR-nah/
This is the direct Spanish equivalent of the theatrical superstition 'Break a leg!'. It's said to actors and performers before they go on stage.
Mucha mierda
/MOO-chah mee-EHR-dah/
Literally 'a lot of shit,' this is a very informal, slangy, and insider way of saying 'break a leg' in the theater world. The tradition comes from the hope that the show is so popular that the streets outside are full of horse-drawn carriages, and thus, horse manure.
🔑Key Words
Key Words to learn:
📊Quick Comparison
Choosing the right way to say 'good luck' depends on the situation. Here’s a quick comparison of the most common options.
| Phrase | Formality | Best For | Avoid When |
|---|---|---|---|
| ¡Buena suerte! | Neutral | General, all-purpose situations where chance is a factor. | It's never really wrong, but '¡Éxito!' might be better for professional goals. |
| ¡Éxito! | Neutral | Wishing success in skill-based endeavors like exams, interviews, or presentations. | Wishing someone luck on something purely random, like winning the lottery. |
| ¡Que te vaya bien! | Informal | Everyday situations, trips, or as a friendly goodbye. | Very formal settings or when a stronger wish for success is needed. |
| ¡Cruzo los dedos! | Informal | Casually expressing hope for a good outcome among friends. | Formal or professional contexts where it might seem too casual. |
📈Difficulty Level
Fairly easy. The main challenge for beginners might be the soft 't' sound and the slightly rolled 'r' in 'suerte'.
These are set phrases, so there's no complex grammar to worry about. The only small catch is remembering 'buena' (feminine) for 'suerte'.
The main nuance is knowing when to use 'suerte' (luck) versus 'éxito' (success). Choosing the right one makes you sound more like a native speaker.
Key Challenges:
- Distinguishing between 'suerte' and 'éxito'
- Remembering to use 'buena' instead of 'bueno'
💡Examples in Action
Mañana tengo mi entrevista de trabajo. — ¡Mucha suerte! Sé que lo harás genial.
I have my job interview tomorrow. — Lots of luck! I know you'll do great.
Voy a presentar el examen final de historia. — ¡Éxito, amigo! Has estudiado mucho.
I'm going to take the final history exam. — Success, my friend! You've studied a lot.
Bueno, me voy al aeropuerto. — ¡Que te vaya bien! Mándame fotos.
Well, I'm off to the airport. — Hope it goes well! Send me pictures.
Es mi primera vez cantando en un escenario. Estoy nervioso. — ¡Tranquilo! ¡Rómpete una pierna!
It's my first time singing on a stage. I'm nervous. — Don't worry! Break a leg!
🌍Cultural Context
Luck vs. Success: Suerte vs. Éxito
In English, we say 'good luck' for almost everything. Spanish speakers often make a distinction: 'suerte' is for things based on chance (like the lottery), while 'éxito' is for things based on skill and effort (like an exam or a business launch). Wishing someone 'éxito' is a way of showing you have confidence in their abilities.
Common Superstitions
Just like in English, there are superstitions around luck. Instead of 'knock on wood,' Spanish speakers say 'tocar madera' (touch wood). A common bad luck superstition is 'Martes 13' (Tuesday the 13th), not Friday the 13th. So don't be surprised if someone warns you, 'En martes 13, ni te cases ni te embarques' (On Tuesday the 13th, neither get married nor set sail).
The Theatrical 'Mierda'
The phrase 'mucha mierda' ('a lot of shit') might sound shocking, but it's a cherished tradition in the theater world. It comes from a time when a successful play meant many horse-drawn carriages outside, leaving behind... well, you know. It's a quirky, insider way of wishing for a full house and a great show.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Gender Agreement: 'Bueno' vs. 'Buena'
Mistake: "Saying '¡Bueno suerte!'"
Correction: ¡Buena suerte!
Using 'Suerte' for Skill-Based Events
Mistake: "Wishing a surgeon '¡Mucha suerte!' right before a complex operation."
Correction: ¡Mucho éxito!
Misusing 'Break a Leg'
Mistake: "Telling a friend '¡Rómpete una pierna!' before their driving test."
Correction: ¡Mucha suerte! or ¡Que te vaya bien!
💡Pro Tips
Match the Phrase to the Moment
Think about the context. Is it about chance or skill? For a lottery ticket, say '¡Mucha suerte!'. For a PhD defense, say '¡Mucho éxito!'. For a friend heading out on a date, '¡Que te vaya bien!' is perfect. Matching the phrase shows a deeper understanding of the language.
Make It Personal
You can easily make your good luck wish more personal by adding the person's name or a term of endearment. For example, '¡Mucha suerte, María!' or '¡Éxito, campeón!' (Success, champ!). It adds a nice, warm touch.
How to Respond
If someone wishes you good luck, a simple '¡Gracias!' (Thanks!) is the perfect response. You can also add '¡Igualmente!' (You too! / Likewise!) if the situation applies to them as well, or '¡La necesitaré!' (I'll need it!).
🗺️Regional Variations
Spain
The phrase '¡A por todas!' is a very common and energetic way to cheer someone on, especially in sports or competitions. '¡Que te sea leve!' (May it be light for you) is a unique way to wish someone luck with a difficult or boring task, like a long day at work.
Mexico
'¡Échale ganas!' (literally 'Throw desire into it!') is an extremely common and culturally significant phrase of encouragement. It's less about luck and more about urging someone to give their best effort and have a positive attitude.
Argentina
Argentinians often use 'vos' instead of 'tú,' so you might hear wishes like '¡Que te vaya bien a vos!'. The slang term '¡Rompela!' (Break it!) is a very common and informal way to tell someone to do an amazing job, similar to 'Kill it!' in English.
💬What Comes Next?
Someone wishes you good luck
¡Mucha suerte en tu examen!
Lots of luck on your exam!
¡Gracias! ¡La voy a necesitar!
Thanks! I'm going to need it!
You wish someone good luck, and they are grateful
¡Gracias por tus buenos deseos!
Thanks for your good wishes!
¡De nada! ¡Estaré pensando en ti!
You're welcome! I'll be thinking of you!
You wish someone success
¡Mucho éxito en tu presentación!
Lots of success in your presentation!
¡Gracias! Espero que todo salga bien.
Thanks! I hope everything goes well.
🧠Memory Tricks
The similar sound between 'suerte' and 'sweater' can help you remember the word for luck.
This links the sound of the word to the concept of a successful completion or outcome.
🔄How It Differs from English
The biggest difference is the common Spanish distinction between 'suerte' (luck/chance) and 'éxito' (success from effort). English speakers use 'good luck' for both a lottery ticket and a surgical procedure, whereas a Spanish speaker would likely differentiate. This reflects a cultural emphasis on acknowledging skill and hard work separately from random fortune.
Spanish expressions for good luck are just as direct as in English. Phrases like '¡Buena suerte!' are straightforward. However, phrases like '¡Que te vaya bien!' are slightly more indirect and gentle, wishing for a generally positive outcome rather than specifically 'luck'.
🎯Your Learning Path
➡️ Learn Next:
How to say 'Congratulations'
After someone has good luck and succeeds, this is the natural next thing to say.
How to say 'I hope so'
Often, when wishing someone luck, you're expressing hope. Learning 'Ojalá' (I hope/God willing) is a perfect next step.
How to say 'Don't worry'
People often feel nervous before an event where they need luck. Knowing how to say 'No te preocupes' is a great way to reassure them.
How to say 'You can do it'
This is a key phrase for encouragement that pairs perfectly with wishing someone success ('¡Mucho éxito! ¡Tú puedes!')
✏️Test Your Knowledge
💡 Quick Quiz: Good luck
Question 1 of 4
Your friend is about to take her final university exam. What is the BEST way to wish her well?
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the real difference between '¡Buena suerte!' and '¡Mucha suerte!'?
They are very similar, but '¡Mucha suerte!' feels a bit warmer and more emphatic. Think of 'Buena suerte' as 'Good luck' and 'Mucha suerte' as 'Lots of luck!' or 'Best of luck!'. Both are correct and universally used, but '¡Mucha suerte!' is slightly more common in everyday speech.
When is it better to use '¡Éxito!' instead of '¡Suerte!'?
Use '¡Éxito!' (Success!) when the outcome depends on someone's skill, preparation, or hard work. It's perfect for exams, job interviews, presentations, or business launches. Use '¡Suerte!' (Luck!) for situations based on chance, like playing a game, buying a lottery ticket, or hoping for good weather.
Is '¡Que te vaya bien!' only a way to say goodbye?
While it's very frequently used when someone is leaving, it's more than just a goodbye. It's a genuine wish for things to go well for them in whatever they are about to do, whether it's for the rest of their day, on a trip, or at an appointment. It functions as both a farewell and a good luck wish.
How do I respond if someone wishes me good luck in Spanish?
The simplest and most common response is a heartfelt '¡Gracias!' (Thanks!). If you want to add a little more, you could say '¡Muchas gracias!' (Thanks a lot!) or '¡Gracias, la necesitaré!' (Thanks, I'll need it!).
I heard someone say 'mucha mierda' for good luck. Can I use it?
Be very careful with this one! 'Mucha mierda' literally means 'a lot of shit' and is a very specific slang term used almost exclusively within the world of theater and performance arts as a way to say 'break a leg.' Using it outside that context will sound vulgar and confusing. Stick to '¡Buena suerte!' or '¡Éxito!' in 99% of situations.
Why do people say '¡Rómpete una pierna!' for good luck?
This is a direct translation of the English theatrical superstition 'Break a leg!'. The idea, in both languages, is that wishing for a good thing to happen is bad luck. So, by wishing for something bad (like a broken leg), you are actually warding off misfortune and inviting a great performance.
📚Continue Learning Spanish Phrases
Explore More Phrases in These Categories
Find similar phrases to expand your Spanish vocabulary:
Want to Learn More Spanish Phrases?
Browse our complete collection of Spanish phrases organized by situation, from basic greetings to advanced conversations. Perfect for travelers, students, and anyone learning Spanish.
View All Spanish Phrases →