Chinese phrases
How to say good luck in Chinese
Good luck in Chinese is 祝你好运 (zhù nǐ hǎo yùn), “I wish you good luck.” Before an exam or a hard task, most people say 加油 (jiā yóu) instead.
祝你好运
good luck; I wish you luck
Ways to say good luck
祝你好运
Everydaygood luck
For things that are partly out of your hands: a job application, a lottery draw, a long wait for a result.
加油
Everydayyou can do it
Literally “add fuel.” The most common thing to say before an exam, a match or a hard day. It cheers the effort, not the luck.
一切顺利
Everydayhope everything goes well
For a trip, a move, a new job or an operation. Often 祝你一切顺利 at the end of a message.
考试顺利
Everydaygood luck in your exam
The usual exam wish. Change the first word for other events: 面试顺利 for a job interview.
祝你成功
FormalI wish you success
For a big plan: a new business, a project, a competition.
How to answer
谢谢
thank you
Always right.
我会加油的
I’ll do my best
The natural answer to 加油.
借你吉言
I hope your kind words come true
A warm set answer to 祝你好运 or 一切顺利, common with adults.
Common mistakes
Wishing only luck before an exam
祝你好运 is not wrong, but it puts the result down to luck. Before an exam, 加油 or 考试顺利 sounds more natural.
Mixing up 幸运 and 好运
幸运 describes someone who was lucky: 你真幸运, “you’re so lucky.” To wish luck, say 祝你好运.
The tone of 一 in 一切
一切 is yí qiè. Before a fourth tone, 一 takes the second tone.
The night before an exam
明天我要考试，好紧张。
Leon: I have an exam tomorrow. I’m so nervous.
别紧张，你准备得很好。加油！
Qiqi: Don’t be nervous. You’re well prepared. You can do it!
谢谢，我会加油的！
Leon: Thanks, I’ll do my best!
祝你考试顺利！
Qiqi: Good luck in your exam!
