Short answer
“good luck” in French is Bonne chance
How to say good luck in French?
How to say good luck in French: the standard phrase is Bonne chance (roughly pronounced 'bon shahns'). French speakers also use Bon courage when the situation is about effort and endurance rather than luck. The more complete, personal wish is Je te souhaite bonne chance, while Merde acts as the informal 'break a leg'. Pick Bonne chance for exams and interviews, Bon courage for tough tasks and long days, and save Merde for people you know very well.
Common pairings
souhaiter bonne chance à quelqu'unbonne chance pour ton examenbon courage pour la journéetenter sa chanceavoir de la chanceporter chance à quelqu'un
How to use it
- Prefer Bon courage over Bonne chance when the task depends on effort rather than luck: a long workday, a marathon, a hard presentation. French speakers reach for Bon courage in many daily situations where English speakers would simply say 'good luck'.
- Bonne chance and Bon courage work at any politeness level, from close friends to your boss. Je te souhaite bonne chance is a warmer, complete sentence for people you call tu; use Je vous souhaite bonne chance with vous. Merde is strictly for friends, classmates and close colleagues.
- If a French friend tells you about a difficult week ahead and answers Bon courage, it is not sarcasm — it is empathy. The phrase means 'I see the effort ahead and I am on your side'.
Examples
Bonne chance pour ton examen !
Good luck with your exam!
The go-to expression. Follow Bonne chance by pour and the thing you are wishing luck for. Safe in informal and formal settings.
Bon courage pour ta présentation !
Good luck with your presentation — hang in there!
Bon courage literally means 'good courage'. Use it when effort matters more than luck, which is why colleagues say it so often at work.
Je te souhaite bonne chance pour ton entretien.
I wish you good luck with your interview.
A complete, personal sentence. Te is the familiar 'you'; switch to Je vous souhaite bonne chance for formal situations or for several people.
Merde pour ton concert !
Break a leg for your concert!
Merde is the French 'break a leg', literally the word for 'shit'. Strictly informal, and common before exams and performances. Many actors say it backstage because Bonne chance is considered bad luck in the theatre.
Common mistakes
| Wrong | Correct | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Je te souhaite |
Je te souhaite bonne chance pour l'examen. | In the fixed expression souhaiter bonne chance, no article une is needed. Adding une sounds unnatural and marks you as a non-native speaker. |
| Bonne chance pour votre entretien, Madame. | Merde is far too crude for someone you address with vous. Keep the informal 'break a leg' for friends only. |
| Unnatural | Natural | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Bon courage pour ta séance de sport ! | A workout depends on your effort, not on luck. For tiring or challenging tasks, French speakers choose bon courage. |
FAQ
- How to say good luck in French?The standard phrase is Bonne chance (roughly 'bon shahns'). Use Bon courage when the task needs effort and endurance, and Merde as a very informal 'break a leg' between friends.
- What is the difference between Bonne chance and Bon courage?Bonne chance is for situations where chance plays a role — an exam, a job interview, a draw. Bon courage is for situations that demand effort and stamina — a long project, a hard workout, a difficult week. In everyday encouragement, French often prefers bon courage.
- Is Merde really a way to say good luck in French?Yes, between friends and close colleagues. Merde is the French version of 'break a leg', very common before exams, performances or competitions. Avoid it in formal situations and with people you do not know well.
- Why do actors avoid Bonne chance in France?In theatre circles, saying Bonne chance to an actor is believed to bring bad luck, so people say Merde instead. If you know someone about to go on stage, Merde is the traditional word of encouragement.