好运
hǎo yùn
Good fortune · trad. 好運
好运 (hǎoyùn) refers to good luck or good fortune. It's commonly used to describe a fortunate situation or to wish someone well.
When to use it
Neutral. It's often used in the phrase 祝你好运 (zhù nǐ hǎoyùn), meaning "wish you good luck/fortune." For a more profound sense of blessings or inherent good fortune, especially regarding one's life circumstances, 福气 (fúqi) is often used. For "great fortune," especially in a more formal or literary context, you might hear 鸿运 (hóngyùn).
How to pronounce it
Sounds like "how-YOON." Both characters are originally third tones, so the first "好" changes to a rising tone, making it sound like "háo yùn."
Other ways to say it
- 祝你好运zhù nǐ hǎo yùnwish you good fortune / good luck
- 福气fú qìblessings / good fortune (often inherent)
- 鸿运hóng yùngreat fortune (formal/literary)
Examples
祝你考试好运！
zhù nǐ kǎo shì hǎo yùn ！
Good luck with your exam!
他最近总是遇到好运。
tā zuì jìn zǒng shì yù dào hǎo yùn 。
He always encounters good fortune recently.
真是个有福气的人啊！
zhēn shì gè yǒu fú qì de rén a ！
What a fortunate person!
Pro tip: Remember the tone change for 好运: when two third tones appear together, the first one changes to a second (rising) tone. So, it's pronounced "háo yùn," not "hǎo yùn."
Related phrases
和平 · Peace钱 · Money闭嘴 · Shut up
Want to speak Chinese for real?
Start a free lesson with a native teacher →
Start a free lesson with a native teacher →