Inklingo

How to Say "fortunate" in Spanish

English → Spanish

afortunado

ah-for-too-NAH-doha.for.tuˈna.ðo

adjectiveA2general
Use this word when you feel blessed by fate or luck, often implying a sense of gratitude for good circumstances.
A close-up illustration of a perfect, vibrant green four-leaf clover.

Examples

Soy muy afortunado de tener amigos tan buenos.

I am very lucky to have such good friends.

Fue un comentario afortunado que calmó la situación.

It was a fortunate comment that calmed the situation.

¿Te sientes afortunada hoy? ¡Yo sí!

Do you feel lucky today? I do!

Gender and Number Agreement

As an adjective, 'afortunado' changes its ending to match the person or thing it describes: 'afortunada' (feminine singular), 'afortunados' (masculine plural), 'afortunadas' (feminine plural).

Using Ser or Estar

You typically use 'ser' (es/son) because being lucky is seen as a characteristic or long-term state. However, you can use 'estar' (está/están) if you are describing a temporary feeling: 'Estoy afortunado hoy' (I feel lucky today).

Forgetting the Gender Change

Mistake: “Ella es afortunado.”

Correction: Ella es afortunada. (The adjective must end in -a to match the feminine subject 'ella'.)

dichoso

dee-CHOH-sohdiˈtʃoso

adjectiveB1general
This word implies a deep sense of happiness and contentment derived from having good luck or a favorable situation, often used in more poetic or heartfelt contexts.
A child with a wide smile jumping in the air in a field of flowers.

Examples

Soy un hombre dichoso por tenerte a mi lado.

I am a happy man for having you by my side.

Dichosos los ojos que te ven.

Blessed are the eyes that see you (A common way to say 'it's great to see you').

Vivieron unos años dichosos en el campo.

They lived some happy years in the countryside.

Ending Changes

This word changes to 'dichosa' when describing female people or things, and adds an 's' for groups.

Dichoso vs. Feliz

Mistake: “Using 'dichoso' for a quick mood boost.”

Correction: Use 'feliz' for 'happy' in general. 'Dichoso' feels more like 'lucky' or 'blessed' in this context.

feliz

feh-LEESfeˈlis

adjectiveA1general
While 'feliz' primarily means 'happy', it can also be used informally to mean 'lucky' or 'fortunate' in very general, everyday situations, especially when expressing immediate good fortune.
A brightly colored image of a child leaping joyfully into the air under a bright sun, illustrating happiness and contentment.

Examples

Estoy muy feliz hoy.

I am very happy/lucky today.

¡Feliz cumpleaños!

Happy birthday!

Ella tuvo una infancia feliz.

She had a happy childhood.

One Form for Masculine & Feminine

Unlike many Spanish adjectives, 'feliz' doesn't change for men or women. It's always 'feliz'. For example: 'un hombre feliz' (a happy man) and 'una mujer feliz' (a happy woman).

Making it Plural

To talk about more than one person or thing, 'feliz' changes to 'felices'. The 'z' becomes a 'c'. For example: 'Los niños están felices' (The children are happy).

Two Ways to Be Happy: 'Ser' vs. 'Estar'

Use 'estar feliz' for a temporary feeling or mood ('I'm happy right now'). Use 'ser feliz' to describe someone's general nature or a deep, lasting state of being ('He is a happy person').

Using 'Ser' for a Temporary Feeling

Mistake: “Soy feliz porque hoy es viernes.”

Correction: Estoy feliz porque hoy es viernes. (Use 'estar' for feelings caused by a specific event, like it being Friday.)

Forgetting the Plural Form

Mistake: “Mis amigos son muy feliz.”

Correction: Mis amigos son muy felices. (When talking about more than one person, remember to change 'feliz' to 'felices'.)

Confusing 'feliz' with 'afortunado' or 'dichoso'

Learners often use 'feliz' for any instance of 'fortunate' because it's a basic word for 'happy'. However, 'afortunado' and 'dichoso' are more specific to luck and blessings. Reserve 'feliz' for when the feeling of happiness is directly tied to good luck, or when you mean simply 'happy'.

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