What “Good Luck” Really Sounds Like In Mandarin
祝你好運 is the clean, literal way to wish someone luck. It’s polite, crystal clear, and completely correct. In real life, though, speakers often choose more specific wishes that match the situation. For exams, careers, performances, or travel, a targeted blessing lands warmer than a generic “good luck.” Learning these patterns turns one phrase into a fluent toolkit.
Core Meaning And Pronunciation
祝你好運（zhù nǐ hǎo yùn）literally means “wish you good fortune.”
祝（zhù）= to wish; 你（nǐ）= you; 好運（hǎo yùn）= good luck.
Keep the rhythm compact: zhù (fall) nǐ (dip) hǎo (dip) yùn (falling-evens). Say it in one breath, friendly but not rushed.
When To Use 祝你好運
The neutral default works fine for cards, emails, and any situation where the outcome is uncertain and you want a graceful, one-line wish. It fits job interviews, lotteries, sports brackets, first days at school, visa appointments, and any “may the odds be with you” moment. If the context is clearer—like “big exam tomorrow” or “on stage in an hour”—switch to the targeted formulas below for a more natural tone.
Natural Alternatives By Situation
Exams, Tests, Certifications
考試順利（kǎoshì shùnlì）— May the exam go smoothly.
金榜題名（jīnbǎng tímíng）— May your name be on the honor roll (high-stakes exam blessing).
旗開得勝（qí kāi dé shèng）— Win from the very first charge (confident, uplifting).
好好發揮（hǎo hǎo fāhuī）— Do your best; show what you’ve got.
加油（jiāyóu）— Give it your all; you’ve got this.
Jobs, Promotions, Interviews
面試順利（miànshì shùnlì）— Smooth interview.
工作順利（gōngzuò shùnlì）— Smooth work ahead.
馬到成功（mǎ dào chénggōng）— Success as soon as you set off.
一切順利（yíqiè shùnlì）— May everything go well.
Sports, Competitions, Performances
比賽加油（bǐsài jiāyóu）— Go crush the match.
演出順利（yǎnchū shùnlì）— Smooth performance.
全力以赴（quánlì yǐ fù）— Give it everything.
拿下來！（ná xiàlái）— Bring it home!
Projects, Pitches, Launches
順利過關（shùnlì guòguān）— Clear the gate smoothly.
開門紅（kāimén hóng）— An auspicious, roaring start.
一帆風順（yì fān fēng shùn）— Smooth sailing.
Travel, Moves, Big Transitions
一路順風（yílù shùnfēng）— Have a smooth trip.
旅途平安（lǚtú píng’ān）— Safe travels.
新生活順利（xīn shēnghuó shùnlì）— May your new life go smoothly.
Health, Recovery, Procedures
早日康復（zǎorì kāngfù）— Get well soon.
手術順利（shǒushù shùnlì）— Smooth surgery.
平安無事（píng’ān wú shì）— Safe and sound.
（Note: in health contexts, specific wishes like 早日康復 often feel more considerate than a generic “good luck.”）
“Good Luck” Without Saying “Luck”
加油（jiāyóu）is the everyday booster in Mandarin. It means “keep it up,” “you can do it,” or “go for it,” and fits almost anywhere a supportive push beats superstition. Other indirect encouragements include 放輕鬆（fàng qīngsōng “relax”）, 穩住（wěn zhù “stay steady”）, and 別緊張（bié jǐnzhāng “don’t be nervous”）— all of which calm nerves better than luck talk.
Replies That Sound Native
謝謝（xièxie）— Thanks.
謝謝，你的好話我收下了（xièxie, nǐ de hǎo huà wǒ shōu xià le）— Thanks, I’ll take those good words.
承你貴言（chéng nǐ guì yán）— I’ll take your auspicious words (formal).
托你的福（tuō nǐ de fú）— Thanks to your blessing (modest).
我會加油（wǒ huì jiāyóu）— I’ll do my best.
借你吉言（jiè nǐ jí yán）— Borrowing your lucky words.
Dialogues For Real Situations
考前在走廊
A：明天大考，考試順利！
A: Míngtiān dàkǎo, kǎoshì shùnlì!
B：謝謝，我會加油。
B: Xièxie, wǒ huì jiāyóu.
面試電梯口
A：面試順利，等你捷報。
A: Miànshì shùnlì, děng nǐ jiébào.
B：承你貴言，謝謝。
B: Chéng nǐ guì yán, xièxie.
上台前
A：演出順利，盡情享受！
A: Yǎnchū shùnlì, jìnqíng xiǎngshòu!
B：收到，我會好好發揮。
B: Shōudào, wǒ huì hǎo hǎo fāhuī.
開案會議
A：今天開門紅，一切順利。
A: Jīntiān kāimén hóng, yíqiè shùnlì.
B：借你吉言，衝一波！
B: Jiè nǐ jí yán, chōng yì bō!
送機口
A：一路順風，到了記得報平安。
A: Yílù shùnfēng, dào le jìdé bào píng’ān.
B：好，謝謝。回來請你喝飲料。
B: Hǎo, xièxie. Huílái qǐng nǐ hē yǐnliào.
Micro-Pronunciation Notes
好運（hǎo yùn）keeps a neat third-tone dip on 好, then a quick, clipped 韻 on 運. 運 often shortens in fast speech; avoid letting it fall into a vague “yún.” In 金榜題名, keep 題（tí）bright; in 馬到成功, mark 到（dào）cleanly so the idiom pops. Idioms carry cadence—say them with a bit of confident rhythm.
Message, Card, And Mic-Safe Lines
祝你面試順利，等你的好消息。
Zhù nǐ miànshì shùnlì, děng nǐ de hǎo xiāoxi.
Wishing you a smooth interview; can’t wait for good news.
考試加油，放輕鬆，該會的都會。
Kǎoshì jiāyóu, fàng qīngsōng, gāi huì de dōu huì.
Good luck on the exam—relax, what you’ve learned will show.
一路順風，旅途平安。
Yílù shùnfēng, lǚtú píng’ān.
Have a smooth trip and a safe journey.
手術順利，早日康復。
Shǒushù shùnlì, zǎorì kāngfù.
Wishing a smooth procedure and a speedy recovery.
Common Learner Pitfalls And Easy Fixes
Only saying 祝你好運 can feel generic when the moment is specific; switch to 順利/成功/平安 formulas tailored to the task. Overusing 加油 in sensitive medical contexts may read too casual—prefer 手術順利、早日康復. Translating English “break a leg” literally won’t work; use 演出順利 or 好好表現 instead. Finally, don’t forget a reply: 承你貴言／托你的福 adds native polish.
Practice Drills（Copy-Ready）
替換場景
祝你＿＿＿順利！
Zhù nǐ ______ shùnlì!
Wish you a smooth ______!
（面試／演出／旅行／報告／比賽）
升級祝福
今天一定開門紅，馬到成功！
Jīntiān yídìng kāimén hóng, mǎ dào chénggōng!
A roaring start today—success right out of the gate!
柔和安慰
別緊張，放輕鬆，好好發揮。
Bié jǐnzhāng, fàng qīngsōng, hǎo hǎo fāhuī.
Don’t be nervous—breathe and show your best.
回覆練習
謝謝，你的好話我收下了。
Xièxie, nǐ de hǎo huà wǒ shōu xià le.
Thanks—I’ll take those good words.
托福回應
托你的福，一切順利。
Tuō nǐ de fú, yíqiè shùnlì.
Thanks to your blessing, everything went well.
Quick Reference Table
| English Use | Traditional Chinese | Pinyin | Notes |
| Good luck | 祝你好運 | zhù nǐ hǎo yùn | Neutral, card-friendly |
| Do your best / You got this | 加油 | jiāyóu | Universal booster |
| Exam success | 考試順利 / 金榜題名 | kǎoshì shùnlì / jīnbǎng tímíng | Smooth exam / top score wish |
| Performance wish | 演出順利 / 好好發揮 | yǎnchū shùnlì / hǎo hǎo fāhuī | Stage-natural |
| Interview wish | 面試順利 | miànshì shùnlì | Work-safe |
| Launch/project | 開門紅 / 一帆風順 | kāimén hóng / yì fān fēng shùn | Auspicious start / smooth sailing |
| Travel | 一路順風 / 旅途平安 | yílù shùnfēng / lǚtú píng’ān | Smooth and safe |
| Health | 早日康復 / 手術順利 | zǎorì kāngfù / shǒushù shùnlì | Considerate, specific |
| Thank-you replies | 承你貴言 / 托你的福 / 我會加油 | chéng nǐ guì yán / tuō nǐ de fú / wǒ huì jiāyóu | Native-sounding responses |
Yak’s Lucky Tail-Swipe
Generic luck is fine; precise blessings feel human. Lead with the phrase that matches the moment—順利 for smooth execution, 成功 for outcomes, 平安 for safety, 康復 for health—and keep 加油 in your pocket when confidence beats chance. Land the reply with 承你貴言 or 我會加油, and every wish turns from superstition into support.