Common Ways to Say Good Luck in Chinese
If you’d like to extend your best wishes in Mandarin, consider these common and appropriate ways to express good luck in Chinese. Below, you’ll find expressions suitable for various situations, ensuring you convey your sincere words.
祝你好运 (zhù nǐ hǎo yùn) – Wishing You Good Luck
One of the most direct and commonly used ways to say good luck in Chinese is 祝你好运 (zhù nǐ hǎo yùn). This phrase is perfect for general situations where you want to wish someone success or fortune or simply use it as a way. It also works nicely as a follow-up after greeting someone with Good Morning in Chinese.
加油 (jiā yóu) – Keep It Up / Go for It
If you want to encourage someone when confronting a challenging situation, 加油 (jiā yóu) is a great phrase to use. It literally means “add oil,” but it’s commonly understood as “keep it up” or “go for it.” This phrase is often used in sports, exams, or work-related challenges.
好运连连 (hǎo yùn lián lián) – Continuous Good Luck
好运连连 (hǎo yùn lián lián) is a common way to say good luck in Chinese, meaning “continuous good luck.” Often used in celebrations and business contexts, this phrase conveys wishes for lasting success and prosperity. It reflects the cultural importance of fortune and positivity in achieving long-term success.
See Also: Happy New Year in Chinese
Context-Specific Good Luck Phrases
In Chinese culture, the expressions of good luck in Chinese vary depending on the situation. Understanding the right phrase to use ensures your wishes are not only well-received but also deeply meaningful.
Academic Success
Students preparing for exams or pursuing educational achievements often need encouragement. Here are some good luck phrases for academic success:
- 考试顺利 (kǎo shì shùn lì) – Wishing you success in your exams.
- 金榜题名 (jīn bǎng tí míng) – May your name be on the honor roll.
- 学业有成 (xué yè yǒu chéng) – May you achieve academic success.
- 一举夺魁 (yī jǔ duó kuí) – May you win the top prize in one attempt.
- 聪明伶俐 (cōng míng líng lì) – May you be bright and quick-witted.
- 超常发挥 (chāo cháng fā huī) – May you perform beyond expectations.
- 敏而好学 (mǐn ér hào xué) – “May you be diligent and eager to learn.
Professional Endeavors
Wishing someone good luck in Chinese for their career or work-related pursuits can be both motivational and thoughtful. Here are some commonly used phrases:
- 事业有成 (shì yè yǒu chéng) – May you achieve success in your career.
- 步步高升 (bù bù gāo shēng) – May you be promoted step by step.
- 大展宏图 (dà zhǎn hóng tú) – May you expand your grand vision
- 蒸蒸日上 (zhēng zhēng rì shàng) – May you rise and prosper day by day.
- 财源广进 (cái yuán guǎng jìn) – May wealth flow in from all directions.
- 前程似锦 (qián chéng sì jǐn) – May your future be as bright as brocade.
- 功成名就 (gōng chéng míng jiù) – May you achieve success and fame.
Business Ventures
In addition to congratulating in Chinese regarding business settings, entrepreneurs and business professionals can use these phrases to wish for prosperity and success.
- 生意兴隆 (shēng yì xīng lóng) – May your business prosper.
- 日进斗金 (rì jìn dǒu jīn) – May you earn gold by the bucket every day.
- 一本万利 (yī běn wàn lì) – May a small investment bring ten-thousandfold profits.
- 鹏程万里 (péng chéng wàn lǐ) – May your business soar like a mighty peng bird.
- 生意红红火火 (shēng yì hóng hóng huǒ huǒ) – May your business be booming and prosperous
- 旗开得胜 (qí kāi dé shèng) – May you win as soon as you start.
- 水到渠成 (shuǐ dào qú chéng) – May success come naturally when the time is right
Related Article: 30 Best Ways to Say Congratulations in Chinese
Good Luck Expressions During Festivities
Festivals in China are filled with joyous celebrations and well-wishes for prosperity, happiness, and longevity. During occasions like Lunar New Year, Mid-Autumn festival, or weddings, people exchange optimistic phrases to bring good fortune, strengthen relationships, and express heartfelt blessings.
Lunar New Year
Lunar New Year, also known as Spring Festival in China, is a time of celebration and well-wishing. If you want to say good luck in Chinese instead of the traditional Happy New Year in Chinese, here are some fitting phrases:
- 恭喜发财 (gōng xǐ fā cái) – Wishing you prosperity and wealth.
- 好运连连 (hǎo yùn lián lián) – Continuous good luck throughout the year.
- 大吉大利 (dà jí dà lì) – Great fortune and great profit!
- 鸿运当头 (hóng yùn dāng tóu) – May great luck be upon you!
- 万事如意 (wàn shì rú yì) – May everything go as you wish!
- 年年有余 (nián nián yǒu yú) – “May you have abundance year after year!
- 阖家幸福 (hé jiā xìng fú) – Wishing happiness for your whole family!
Weddings
Weddings are a wonderful occasion that brings blessings of joy and prosperity. If you want to express good luck in Chinese towards the newly-wed, here are some suitable phrases:
- 新婚快乐 (xīn hūn kuài lè) – Happy wedding!
- 百年好合 (bǎi nián hǎo hé) – Wishing you a harmonious union for a hundred years.
- 永结同心 (yǒng jié tóng xīn) – May you be united in heart forever.
- 白头偕老 (bái tóu xié lǎo) – May you grow old together in harmony!
- 佳甜甜蜜蜜 (tián tián mì mì) – May your love be sweet and full of happiness!
- 花好月圆 (huā hǎo yuè yuán) – May your love be as beautiful as flowers and as complete as the full moon!
- 早生贵子 (zǎo shēng guì zǐ) – May you soon have a precious child!
Final Thoughts
There are more than “祝你好运” or “加油 ” to express good luck in Chinese and they are not difficult. If you are interested in enriching your Chinese vocabulary, you might also want to visit our website – Gurulango!
