How to Say Good Luck in Spanish
How to say good luck in Spanish: 'buena suerte' (BWEH-nah SWEHR-teh). Learn the pronunciation, the casual 'suerte', '¡Mucha suerte!', and what to say back.
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Quick answer
To say good luck in Spanish, say 'Buena suerte' (BWEH-nah SWEHR-teh), literally 'good luck.' Casually, people often just say 'Suerte' (SWEHR-teh) or '¡Mucha suerte!' (lots of luck). All three are warm, everyday ways to wish someone well.
Buena suerte
/BWEH-nah SWEHR-teh/ — Spanish
How to Say Good Luck in Spanish
Wishing someone buena suerte is one of those warm little phrases that makes any conversation friendlier — whether before an exam, a job interview, or a big game.
The Phrase
Buena suerte — pronounced BWEH-nah SWEHR-teh
Copy the Phrase
The Spanish phrase for “good luck” is Buena suerte (BWEH-nah SWEHR-teh).
Pronunciation Guide
| Part | Pronunciation | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Buena | BWEH-nah | ”ue” = “weh” (not “way”) |
| suerte | SWEHR-teh | ”ue” = “weh”; tapped ‘r’ |
Both words share the “weh” diphthong. Keep the final -te soft, and tap the r lightly rather than rolling it hard.
The Literal Meaning
Buena suerte is a direct, word-for-word match:
- buena = good (feminine)
- suerte = luck
Because suerte is a feminine noun, the adjective is buena, not bueno.
Formal vs. Informal Variants
| Spanish | Pronunciation | Tone |
|---|---|---|
| Buena suerte | BWEH-nah SWEHR-teh | Standard, works everywhere |
| Suerte | SWEHR-teh | Casual, very common |
| ¡Mucha suerte! | MOO-chah SWEHR-teh | Warm, emphatic (“lots of luck!”) |
| Que tengas suerte | keh TEN-gas SWEHR-teh | ”May you have luck” (informal) |
In everyday speech, simply calling out “¡Suerte!” as someone leaves is extremely common.
Related Well-Wishes
| Spanish | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Que te vaya bien | May it go well for you |
| Que todo salga bien | May everything turn out well |
| ¡Ánimo! | Cheer up / You can do it! |
| ¡Tú puedes! | You can do it! |
”Break a Leg”: ¡Mucha Mierda!
In the theater world, just like the English “break a leg,” Spanish performers say ¡Mucha mierda! — literally “lots of dung.” Wishing plain buena suerte before a show is traditionally considered bad luck on stage, so this earthy phrase is used instead. It’s affectionate and humorous, not crude, in that context.
Cultural Notes
To respond when someone wishes you luck, a simple Gracias or Gracias, igualmente (Thanks, likewise) is perfect. The phrase igualmente is especially handy for bouncing the good wishes right back. Whether you go with the full buena suerte or the breezy ¡Suerte!, you’ll come across as warm and natural.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you say good luck in Spanish?
'Good luck' in Spanish is 'Buena suerte' (BWEH-nah SWEHR-teh). In casual speech people often shorten it to just 'Suerte' (SWEHR-teh) or emphasize it as '¡Mucha suerte!' (Lots of luck!). All are common and friendly.
How do you pronounce buena suerte?
'Buena suerte' is pronounced BWEH-nah SWEHR-teh. 'Buena' = BWEH-nah ('ue' is a 'weh' sound). 'Suerte' = SWEHR-teh, where 'ue' again sounds 'weh', with a tapped 'r' and a soft final 'teh.' Stress falls on 'BWEH' and 'SWEHR.'
What does buena suerte literally mean?
'Buena suerte' translates word-for-word as 'good luck' — 'buena' means 'good' (feminine) and 'suerte' means 'luck.' Since 'suerte' is a feminine noun, the adjective is 'buena', not 'bueno.' It's a direct equivalent of the English phrase.
How do you respond to buena suerte in Spanish?
You can reply 'Gracias' (Thank you) or 'Gracias, igualmente' (Thanks, you too / likewise). If wishing it back, say 'Igualmente' (Likewise) or 'Lo mismo para ti' (The same to you). A warm 'Muchas gracias' also works.
What is a stronger or informal way to wish good luck in Spanish?
'¡Mucha suerte!' (MOO-chah SWEHR-teh) means 'Lots of luck!' and is warmer. 'Que te vaya bien' (may it go well for you) is a kind send-off. There's also the theatrical '¡Mucha mierda!' (literally 'lots of dung'), the Spanish equivalent of 'break a leg' for performers.