How do you use "Good Luck" in a sentence?

Good luck with your exam! Good luck—you'll need it.' (sarcastic) I'm going to ask for a raise.' 'Good luck with that. Good luck to you both!

Good Luck

Q: What does "Good Luck" mean?

Wishing someone fortune; sometimes sarcastic Sincere wish for someone's success, or sarcastic commentary that they'll need luck (because success is unlikely). Tone and context distinguish the meanings.

Slang Term BritishAmericanAustralian ★★★★★ Very Common Neutral

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Meaning: Wishing someone fortune; sometimes sarcastic

祝好运；有时带讽刺意味

Desear suerte a alguien; a veces sarcástico

幸運を祈る；時に皮肉

행운을 빌어; 때로는 비꼬는 표현

Sincere wish for someone's success, or sarcastic commentary that they'll need luck (because success is unlikely). Tone and context distinguish the meanings.

真诚地祝愿某人成功，或讽刺地暗示他们需要运气（因为不太可能成功）。语气和上下文区分两种含义。

Un deseo sincero de éxito para alguien, o un comentario sarcástico de que necesitará suerte (porque el éxito es poco probable). El tono y el contexto distinguen los significados.

相手の成功を心から願う言葉であると同時に、（成功しそうにないから）運が必要だろうという皮肉なコメントにもなります。トーンと文脈で意味が区別されます。

누군가의 성공을 진심으로 기원하는 표현이거나, 성공 가능성이 낮다는 것을 빈정대는 표현. 말투와 맥락이 의미를 구분한다.

Examples

Good luck with your exam!
考试加油！
¡Buena suerte con tu examen!
試験頑張ってね！
시험 잘 봐!
Good luck—you'll need it.' (sarcastic)
讽刺
sarcástico
皮肉
행운을 빌어—필요할 거야. (비꼼)
I'm going to ask for a raise.' 'Good luck with that.
我打算去要求加薪。''那祝你好运吧
Voy a pedir un aumento.' 'Buena suerte con eso
「昇給を頼むつもりなんだ」「まあ頑張って」
연봉 인상을 요청하려고.' '그래, 행운을 빌어.
Good luck to you both!
祝你们俩好运！
¡Buena suerte a los dos!
お二人ともうまくいきますように！
두 분 다 잘 되길 바라요!

Pronunciation

/ɡʊd lʌk/

Usage Guide

Context: encouragement, sarcasm, wishes

Tone: encouraging or sarcastic

✓ Do Say

Good luck!
祝好运！
¡Buena suerte!
頑張って！
행운을 빌어!
Good luck with that.
那你好运吧。
Buena suerte con eso.
まあ、頑張って。
행운을 빌어.
Best of luck.
祝你一切顺利。
La mejor de las suertes.
幸運を祈ります。
행운을 빕니다.

✗ Don't Say

Sarcastic usage can be mean
讽刺的用法可能很刻薄
El uso sarcástico puede resultar hiriente
皮肉な使い方は意地悪になることがあります
비꼬는 용법은 상처를 줄 수 있음
Tone is crucial
语气至关重要
El tono es crucial
トーンが重要です
말투가 매우 중요함

Common Mistakes

'Good luck with that' often sarcastic
Some superstitious people prefer 'break a leg'

Origin & History

Traditional expression wishing someone favorable fortune. The sarcastic usage implies the task is difficult or unlikely to succeed.

Etymology: Wishing someone good (favorable) luck (fortune)

First recorded: Traditional English expression

Cultural Context

Era: Traditional

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal

Pop culture: Universal expression; Theatre: 'break a leg' preferred

Regional notes: Universal across English-speaking countries.

Variations

Good luckBest of luckGood luck with that