How do you say ‘good luck’ in French?

Good Luck in French is “Bonne Chance!” but you’ve probably heard other expressions used as well, such as “Bon Courage!”

It can definitely be confusing but don’t worry, we’re going to cover all the options in this article so you’ll know which Phrase to use and when to use it.

When I first moved to France, over seven years ago now, I was like a deer in headlights when a French person spoke to me.

It all felt so complicated, and they seemed to speak so fast. Add to that the confusion of gender and getting my head around how on earth a table can be feminine and a book can be masculine, and it was all a bit overwhelming.

But I was determined to learn French so I could at least get by, and I’m happy to say, that once you start getting into it, it’s not as complicated as it first appears.

All you need to begin with is a few key phrases, and this is a good one. So let’s get started.

The question of gender when speaking French

Before we dive into the different ways to say “Good Luck” in French, I want to touch on French grammar, in particular gender and how important it is, even in this scenario.

When I first started to learn French, I really struggled with things being masculine or feminine. It annoyed me because it made no sense to me.

However, my long suffering French teacher Sharon, told me that there was no rhyme or reason to it. There was no logic I could apply, I simply had to learn the word with its “le” or “la” counterpart, as it would be important moving forward.

She also told me that French people know which one to use instinctively, as they grow up knowing. They know that an apple (pomme) is feminine, whilst a grapefruit (pamplemousse) is masculine.

But why is it so important?

Because it changes the way certain words are spelt and pronounced, including the word good.

In French, if you want to say good luck, “bonne chance”, the word “luck” is feminine, so the word “bonne” has an extra ‘n’ and an ‘e’, and you pronounce the ‘n’.

However, if you say “bon courage”, the word “courage” is masculine, so there is no extra letter and no pronouncing the ‘n’.

Confused? I was too, but I’m slowly getting my head around it.

12 Different Ways To Say Good Luck In French

I love living in France, and the French language is just one of the many things I love. At first, it felt like an uphill battle trying to speak French, but as I persevered, I realised it wasn’t completely hopeless.

And, just like so many things in life, if I really made the effort and stuck at it, I’d be able to at least get by, and make myself understood.

The first things I learned were common phrases like the ones below to help build my confidence.

No 1 Bonne Chance!

The first cab off the ranks is the obvious one, “Bonne Chance!” which directly translates as good luck. It’s used in a similar way to how we’d use it in English.

Perhaps the most common scenario is wishing someone “Bonne Chance!” before a test or a job interview. 

For example, a parent might say to their child, “Bonne chance pour votre examen de demain!” (“Good luck with your exam tomorrow!”).

Another common use is if you’re embarking on a new venture, such as starting a business, moving to a new city, or undertaking a significant project. 

Friends or family might say, “Bonne chance pour ta nouvelle entreprise!” (“Good luck with your new business!”).

No 2 Bon Courage!

So what about Bon Courage? When is that used instead of Bonne Chance? Well, it comes down to effort instead of luck. 

This phrase isn’t about wishing someone good luck, it’s more an encouragement of strength and perseverance.

So if someone is moving house, you’d probably use “Bon Courage” instead of “Bonne Chance”. It’s a way of acknowledging the effort and strength required.

I’ve heard people say it to a checkout person when there is a screaming child behind them who is acting up. It’s usually followed by a conspiratory smile.

In work settings, especially when someone is facing a daunting task or a busy period, “Bon Courage” is commonly used. 

No 3 Merde!

Be careful with this one, as it can mean something very different. It’s often used as a swear word, “shit”, so tread carefully.

However, when used in this context, it’s different. If you’ve ever heard the phrase “break a leg”, then this is the French equivalent.

Yes, I know it’s only one word, but in typical French fashion, it’s the short version of “je te dis merde”.

Where did it come from? Well, as someone who loves history, I enjoyed finding out more about this one.

It supposedly originated from the arts around the 19th century. Actors are a superstitious lot, and, they believed that wishing people good luck before a performance actually brought bad luck. 

So, to ward off the superstitions, they wished each other “beaucoup de merde”. Why? Because in those days, people came to the theatre in horse-drawn carriages. And the more carriages that came, the more successful the play.

But that wasn’t the only thing that there was more of. Where horses go, so does plenty of horse pooh. So the more pooh, the more luck. And that’s where the expression came from.

No 4 Bonne chance demain!

A popular extension of “Bonne Chance!”, this phrase simply means good luck tomorrow.

No 5 Meilleurs voeux

“Meilleurs Vœux” translates to “Best Wishes” in English. It’s a great phrase for wishing someone festive or celebratory greetings, rather than directly addressing an upcoming challenge or endeavour.

The most common use of “Meilleurs Vœux” is during the New Year. It’s a way to wish someone all the best for the upcoming year. 

It’s also used for occasions such as birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, or even retirements. It’s a way to express hope for happiness and success in someone’s life journey.

During a wedding, for example, a guest might say, “Meilleurs voeux pour votre mariage” (Best wishes for your wedding).

No 6 Je croise les doigts!

I learnt this phrase from my French teacher when I told her I was hoping to go up to the next level in my line dancing classes. 

I’d started out in the débutante class, which is a much nicer way of saying the basic class, and was hoping to go up to the novice class.

The phrase, when translated into English, means I’m crossing my fingers, which for this was very apt, so just as you’d use it in English.

No 7 Je touche du bois.

Another common phrase we use in English is “knock on wood” or “touch wood”, and that’s exactly what this phrase means.

No 8 Bonne continuation.

The French love this phrase, and it translates to “good continuation” or “all the best going forward” in English. It’s typically used to wish someone well in their current activities or future endeavours.

A great example is when someone is moving from one phase of life to another, such as changing jobs, moving to a new city, or even transitioning to retirement, “Bonne continuation” is a way to express goodwill for what lies ahead.

No 9 Je vous/te souhaite bonne chance!

For a more formal version of “Bonne Chance” you could use “Je vous souhaite bonne chance”

This phrase translates to “I wish you good luck” in English. The choice between “vous” and “te” depends on the formality of the relationship – “vous” is more formal and used with strangers, older people, or in professional settings, while “te” is informal and used with friends, family, or close colleagues.

No 10 Bonne route

“Bonne route” is specifically used in the context of wishing someone a safe and pleasant journey. It translates directly to “Good road” or “Have a good trip” in English.

No 11 Que la chance vous/te sourie.

This is one of those little phrases that doesn’t literally translate into English and is quintessentially French.  It translates to “May luck smile upon you” and is more of a poetic way to wish someone luck.

No 12 Que la force soit avec toi/vous.

I couldn’t help but add this one, as it’s the famous Star Wars saying, “May the Force be with you.” And in my mind, another way of wishing you luck.

3 Helpful French Phrases using the word ‘Good’

Out of the three phrases below, I use two of them pretty much every day. But one that isn’t listed, which is extremely important in France, is the word Bonjour.

For example, not using this word when you walk into a shop is considered rude. 

No 1 Bon appétit

You’d have to have been living under a rock not to have heard this phrase. It was made popular back in the late fifties and early sixties by American chef, author and TV personality, Julia Child.

Translated, it simply means enjoy your meal. You’ll hear it said in restaurants all the time. When waiters deliver your meal, they’ll say, “Bon Appétit!”.

When I have a meal at the home of one of my French friends, they always say “Bon Appétit!”.

But it isn’t just for meals. If you’re grabbing a baguette from a stall, you’re just as likely to hear it then too.

No 2 Bonne journée

I love this phrase. It literally means have a good day, and people use it all the time. My post lady says it to me, and our bread delivery man shouts it at me as he goes past in his van.

The most common time you’ll hear it is at the supermarket, along with when you leave a shop or restaurant. It’s usually followed by the words “au revoir”, goodbye.

No 3 Bonne rentrée

This phrase is one that had me stumped, as you only see it for the last couple of weeks of August. It’s all about going back to school after the summer break.

You’ll see it all over the shops with promotions for back to school items.

When you translate it, it is simply wishing students a good return to school and a successful new school year.

FAQS: Wishing people good luck in French

Final thoughts on saying good luck in French

Just as we do in English, the French have different ways of wishing people good luck. It’s a case of knowing which one to use and when.

And, the biggest tip I can give you is knowing whether the word that comes after ‘good’ is masculine or feminine. 

The post How To Say Good Luck in French | 12 Different Phrases appeared first on Life in Rural France.