The Russian language has wishing good luck and cheering someone up many ways. The phrase choice depends on the situation, the relationship between the speakers (formal or informal) and your desire to support your conversation partner. We suggest that you learn some useful expressions for wishing good luck in Russian.
Удачи! / Good luck! — is the most common and simplest option that comes to mind first. It can be used in almost any situation.
t can be diluted by adding the specific occasion for which you wish good luck to the person you are talking to:
Note that you may need different prepositions when adding a good luck event. Usually they are “на”, “в” or “с”. The preposition “on” is used more often if you are talking about an event, the preposition “с” when wishing good luck refers to a specific object or person.
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The second most common phrase is Желаю удачи! / I wish you good luck! The verb “желать” is added. In order to use the verb correctly in wishes, you need to remember how it changes in person:
Я желаю удачи на новой работе! — I wish you the best of luck in your new job!
Мы желаем вам удачи в этом начинании! — We wish you the best of luck in this endeavor!
“Желать/Wish ” is an imperfect verb, “пожелать/wish” is a perfect verb. The second will be used in a phrase like this:
Я хочу пожелать тебе удачи! — I want to wish you good luck!
It is possible to wish good luck in Russian without using the word “удача”. There are other interesting options as well.
Счастливо! / All the best! In English, it literally means “happily”. It is usually used in conjunction with farewell phrases.
Ни пуха ни пера! The closest English expression is “break a leg”. Literally, it translates as “neither fluff nor feather” and is associated with a superstition, which holds that wishing good luck directly can lead, on the contrary, to unfortunate consequences. This is why good luck is wished in such a veiled way. The response to such a wish is a definite ‘К черту!’. (Knock on wood, literally – go to hell).
В добрый путь! / Have a safe trip! From the content of this phrase, it is already clear that good luck is wished when travelling, before the road. The phrase can also be used figuratively when wishing good luck in an endeavour.
Дай бог! С богом! / May God grant! Despite the reference to God, people who are far from faith and religion also use these expressions. It is simply a stable expression. “Дай бог” means that you hope that things will work out well, God “поможет”. “С богом” is saying it a common way when encouraging a person to do something.
Пусть все получится! Пусть все пройдет хорошо! / Let everything be great! Such expressions are appropriate in most situations. They are especially appropriate when planning some future action.
Успехов! Всего наилучшего! / All the best! Neutral expressions that can be used in any situation. Sound an admonition for a successful outcome.
Держу пальцы за тебя! Скрещу пальцы! / I’ll keep my fingers crossed. Another wish for good luck in Russian related to superstition. It is believed that if you cross your index and middle fingers during a difficult matter or when expecting positive results, luck will be on your side. And if someone else close to you crosses their fingers while you and your case thinking about, a successful outcome chance increase.
Ты справишься! / You’ll make it! This phrase is not good luck, just an expression but also helps to cheer up someone who is in doubt, giving them confidence that they will succeed.
В следующий раз повезет! / Better luck next time! This phrase comes in handy when the person you are talking to has failed and you now want to cheer them up by wishing them good luck for the future.
Use these phrases soon, when you get the chance, to practice active memorisation. We wish you good luck in learning Russian!
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