Good Luck in German (Viel Glück and All the Ways to Wish Someone Well)

When I took my very first German exam, my roommate popped his head into my room right before I left and shouted:
« Viel Glück! » /fiːl ɡlʏk/
Then he added,
« Und keine Panik, Yak. Du bist nur ein bisschen unvorbereitet. »
“And don’t panic, Yak. You’re only a little unprepared.”

That was the moment I learned two things:

1. Germans really use Viel Glück all the time.
   
2. Germans will wish you luck while cheerfully telling you you’re doomed.
   

Let’s make sure you can wish good luck confidently in German—whether someone is taking an exam, starting a new job, going on a date, or attempting the impossible task of assembling IKEA furniture without tears.

Quick Primer

The essential phrase is:

• Viel Glück /fiːl ɡlʏk/ — Good luck.
  

But German has many flavors of “good luck,” each with its own vibe:

• Viel Erfolg /fiːl ɛɐ̯ˈfɔlk/ — Much success / Best of success.
  
• Ich drücke dir die Daumen /ɪç ˈdrʏkə diːɐ̯ diː ˈdaʊ̯mən/ — I’m keeping my fingers crossed for you.
  
• Toi toi toi /tɔɪ̯ tɔɪ̯ tɔɪ̯/ — Good luck! (theatrical, old-fashioned, charming)
  
• Hals- und Beinbruch /hals ʊnt ˈbaɪ̯nˌbʁʊx/ — “Break your neck and leg” (German equivalent of “break a leg”)
  

Now let’s break these down and learn when (and how) to use them like a confident, supportive yak.

Viel Glück: The Standard Good Luck

Viel Glück /fiːl ɡlʏk/ literally means “Much luck.”
It’s the most common, most neutral, most useful phrase.

Use it for:

• exams
  
• job interviews
  
• first days of work or school
  
• sports events
  
• performances
  
• big moments
  
• small moments
  
• any time someone needs a little magic
  

Examples:

You can never go wrong with it.

Viel Erfolg: Success-Luck (More Serious and Work-Related)

Sometimes Germans prefer success over luck:

• Viel Erfolg /fiːl ɛɐ̯ˈfɔlk/ — Lot of success.
  

Use it for:

• job interviews
  
• school presentations
  
• business meetings
  
• long-term projects
  
• exams (if you want to sound a bit more grown-up)
  

This one feels professional, encouraging, and very German.

Ich Drücke Dir Die Daumen: Fingers Crossed

One of the most charming German expressions:

• Ich drücke dir die Daumen /ɪç ˈdrʏkə diːɐ̯ diː ˈdaʊ̯mən/
  (informal) — I’m pressing my thumbs for you = I’m keeping my fingers crossed.
  
• Ich drücke Ihnen die Daumen /ɪç ˈdrʏkə ˈiːnən diː ˈdaʊ̯mən/
  (formal)
  

Germans press their thumbs, not cross their fingers.

Use this when you really want to show support.

Toi Toi Toi: Theatrical Good Luck

This old expression comes from stage traditions.

Toi toi toi /tɔɪ̯ tɔɪ̯ tɔɪ̯/

Use it when:

• someone’s performing
  
• someone’s singing
  
• someone’s giving a public speech
  

It has a fun, dramatic flair.

Hals- und Beinbruch: German “Break a Leg”

This one sounds violent but it’s friendly:

• Hals- und Beinbruch /hals ʊnt ˈbaɪ̯nˌbʁʊx/
  “Neck and leg break” = “Break a leg!”
  

Use sparingly (mostly with performers, athletes, or close friends who enjoy dramatic expressions).

Cute, Romantic, or Friendly Good-Luck Phrases

Perfect for close friends, partners, or people you want to impress with supportive cuteness.

These sound supportive without being over-the-top.

Formal Good-Luck Phrases

Use these in professional or respectful situations.

When NOT To Say Viel Glück

An important cultural note:

Germans don’t usually say Viel Glück for:

• birthdays
  
• weddings
  
• basic daily tasks
  
• ordering food
  
• situations where the person doesn’t need luck
  

They might instead say Alles Gute (All the best) for birthdays or life events.

Use Viel Glück only when someone needs luck, not routine politeness.

Region Notes

Across Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, Viel Glück is understood and used everywhere.

• In Austria, Viel Erfolg may appear slightly more often in school or work contexts.
  
• In Switzerland, people might combine Swiss German variations in casual speech, but Viel Glück remains universal in Standard German.
  

Stick to the standard forms as a learner—they work everywhere.

Mini Dialogues

Dialogue 1 – Before an Exam

Viel Glück heute!
/fiːl ɡlʏk ˈhɔʏ̯tə/
Good luck today!

Danke! Ich hoffe, ich schaffe das.
/ˈdaŋkə ɪç ˈhɔfə ɪç ˈʃafə das/
Thanks! I hope I can do it.

Natürlich schaffst du das.
/naˈtyːɐ̯lɪç ʃafst duː das/
Of course you can.

Dialogue 2 – Job Interview

Ich drücke Ihnen die Daumen.
/ɪç ˈdrʏkə ˈiːnən diː ˈdaʊ̯mən/
I’m keeping my fingers crossed for you.

Vielen Dank.
/ˈfiːlən daŋk/
Thank you very much.

Viel Erfolg beim Gespräch!
/fiːl ɛɐ̯ˈfɔlk baɪ̯m ɡəˈʃpʁɛːx/
Best of success with the interview!

Dialogue 3 – Before a Performance

Toi toi toi!
/tɔɪ̯ tɔɪ̯ tɔɪ̯/
Break a leg!

Oh Gott, danke! Ich bin so nervös.
/oː ɡɔt ˈdaŋkə ɪç bɪn zoː nɛɐ̯ˈvøːs/
Oh God, thanks! I’m so nervous.

Du schaffst das, viel Spaß da oben.
/duː ʃafst das fiːl ʃpaːs daː ˈoːbn̩/
You’ve got this—have fun up there.

Quick Reference

Five-Minute Practice Plan

1. Repeat Core Phrases
   Say each out loud 5 times:
   Viel Glück, Viel Erfolg, Ich drücke dir die Daumen, Toi toi toi.
   
2. Supportive Tone Drill
   Say:
   
   • encouraging
     
   • neutral
     
   • dramatic
     Viel Glück, du schaffst das!
     
3. Formal vs Informal
   Practice pairs:
   
   • Ich drücke Ihnen die Daumen.
     
   • Ich drücke dir die Daumen.
     
4. Mini Scenario Practice
   Imagine a friend taking an exam—say a 2–3 sentence encouragement.
   Then imagine a colleague with an important meeting—say a formal version.
   
5. Shadow a Dialogue
   Choose the exam or performance dialogue and repeat it slowly until the rhythm feels natural.
   

Sending Luck Like a Mighty German-Speaking Yak

Now you can wish luck in German with warmth, elegance, drama, or professional politeness—whatever the situation demands. Whether you’re cheering on a friend, supporting a colleague, or blessing someone before a terrifying German bureaucracy appointment, you’ve got the right words.

Viel Glück out there—may all your German adventures be successful, and may your IKEA furniture stand tall without a single screw left over.