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How to Say "luck" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “luck” is “suerte” — use 'suerte' for general luck, fortune, or chance, often in expressions of good wishes.

English → Spanish

suerte

SWER-tehˈsweɾ.te

nounA1general
Use 'suerte' for general luck, fortune, or chance, often in expressions of good wishes.
A vibrant illustration of a lucky charm, like a four-leaf clover, glowing brightly against a simple background.

Examples

¡Te deseo mucha suerte!

I wish you lots of luck!

¡Qué mala suerte que perdimos el tren!

What bad luck that we missed the train!

Tuvimos la suerte de conseguir una mesa sin reserva.

We had the good fortune of getting a table without a reservation.

To Be Lucky = 'Tener suerte'

In Spanish, you don't 'be' lucky, you 'have' luck. Always use the verb 'tener' (to have). For example, 'Yo tengo suerte' means 'I am lucky'.

Saying 'Soy suerte'

Mistake: “To say 'I am lucky', many learners translate directly and say 'Soy suerte'.”

Correction: The correct way is 'Tengo suerte'. Think of luck as a thing you possess. You can also use the adjective 'suertudo/a' ('Soy suertudo'), but 'tener suerte' is far more common.

fortuna

for-TOO-nahfoɾˈtuna

nounA2general
Use 'fortuna' when referring to good fortune or a positive outcome that happened by chance.
A bright green, perfect four-leaf clover centered on a lush background, symbolizing good luck.

Examples

Tuve la fortuna de encontrar mi cartera en el parque.

I had the good fortune (luck) to find my wallet in the park.

La fortuna le sonrió y ganó la lotería.

Fortune smiled on him and he won the lottery.

Por fortuna, llegamos justo antes de que cerraran.

Luckily, we arrived just before they closed.

Always Feminine

Since 'fortuna' ends in '-a' and describes a non-gendered concept, it is always a feminine noun and uses 'la' or 'una'.

Using 'Por Suerte' vs. 'Por Fortuna'

Mistake: “Using 'afortunadamente' too formally in casual speech.”

Correction: 'Por fortuna' is a very natural and common way to say 'luckily,' often replacing the longer adverb 'afortunadamente'.

azar

ah-SAHR/ or /ah-THARaˈθaɾ

nounB1general
Use 'azar' to describe pure chance, randomness, or fate, especially when there's no discernible reason for an outcome.
A brightly colored storybook illustration showing a large six-sided die frozen mid-roll in the air just before landing, symbolizing chance.

Examples

La lotería depende del puro azar.

The lottery depends on pure chance.

Encontré mi viejo libro por azar en la librería.

I found my old book by chance in the bookstore.

Elegimos el ganador al azar de entre todos los participantes.

We chose the winner at random from all the participants.

Always Masculine

Even though it ends in 'r', 'azar' is always a masculine noun, meaning you must use the article 'el' (el azar).

Confusing 'al azar' and 'por azar'

Mistake: “Using 'por azar' when describing the method of selection.”

Correction: Use 'al azar' (at random) to describe the *way* something is chosen (e.g., 'Lo elegí al azar'). Use 'por azar' (by chance) to describe *why* something happened (e.g., 'Nos encontramos por azar').

puntería

nounB2informal
Use 'puntería' to describe the luck of finding something or someone at a very opportune moment, often implying good timing.

Examples

¡Qué puntería! Justo cuando iba a salir, empezó a llover.

What timing! Just as I was about to leave, it started to rain.

ventura

ben-TOO-rahbenˈtuɾa

nounB2formal
Use 'ventura' for a more formal or literary way to refer to fate or good fortune, often in blessings or well wishes.
A simple four-leaf clover growing in a patch of green grass.

Examples

Le deseo toda la ventura en su nuevo camino.

I wish you all the luck on your new path.

Por ventura, encontramos el camino de regreso antes de que anocheciera.

By chance, we found the way back before it got dark.

La buena ventura no siempre acompaña al que más trabaja.

Good fortune does not always accompany the one who works the hardest.

Always Feminine

This word is always feminine, so you must use 'la' or 'una' with it, even though it ends in 'a' like many other feminine words.

Using 'Por' with Ventura

When you put 'por' in front of 'ventura', it turns into an adverbial phrase meaning 'by chance' or 'accidentally'.

Ventura vs. Aventura

Mistake: “Using 'ventura' to mean an exciting trip or experience.”

Correction: Use 'aventura' for an adventure. 'Ventura' is specifically about luck or happiness.

Suerte vs. Fortuna

Learners often confuse 'suerte' and 'fortuna'. Remember that 'suerte' is the most general term for luck, while 'fortuna' specifically implies good fortune or a lucky outcome. Use 'suerte' for general wishes and 'fortuna' when something good happened by chance.

Related Translations

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