Inklingo

How to Say "lucky" in Spanish

English → Spanish

afortunado

ah-for-too-NAH-doh/a.for.tuˈna.ðo/

adjectiveA2general
Use this word when you mean 'lucky' in the sense of having good fortune or experiencing good luck.
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'.)

felices

feh-LEE-ses/feˈli.ses/

adjectiveA1general
This word primarily means 'happy,' but it can occasionally be used to describe a situation or a person feeling fortunate or blessed, though 'afortunado' is more direct for 'lucky'.
Two simplified, brightly colored figures, one blue and one yellow, high-fiving and smiling happily against a simple background, illustrating shared joy.

Examples

Los niños están muy felices hoy.

The children are very happy today.

Les deseo unas felices fiestas.

I wish you happy holidays.

Fueron momentos felices para toda la familia.

They were happy moments for the whole family.

Special Plural Rule

When making the singular word 'feliz' plural, the 'z' must change to a 'c' before you add '-es'. This is a standard spelling change in Spanish for words ending in 'z'.

Adjective Agreement

'Felices' is used to describe two or more people or things. It looks the same whether you are describing a group of masculine nouns (los hombres felices) or feminine nouns (las mujeres felices).

Incorrect Pluralization

Mistake: “Los niños son 'felizs'.”

Correction: The correct plural is 'felices'. Always remember to change 'z' to 'c' and then add '-es'.

Confusing 'lucky' and 'happy'

The most common mistake is using 'felices' when you mean 'lucky' in the sense of good fortune. While 'felices' can sometimes imply good luck, 'afortunado' is the direct and unambiguous translation for experiencing good luck.

Related Translations

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