Luck meanings in Japanese

運 (うん, un)

Example:

I had great luck today!

今日は素晴らしい運があった！

It was pure luck that I found my lost wallet.

失くした財布を見つけたのは運が良かったからだ。

Usage: InformalContext: Everyday conversations, expressing good fortune

Note: 運 is commonly used in daily conversations to refer to good fortune or chance events. It can also imply bad luck when used in a negative context.

幸運 (こううん, kouun)

Example:

She is known for her good luck.

彼女は幸運で知られている。

You brought me such happiness and luck.

あなたは私に幸せと幸運をもたらしてくれた。

Usage: FormalContext: Formal discussions, literature, or when expressing blessings

Note: 幸運 is a more formal way to refer to good luck, often used in written language or formal settings.

運命 (うんめい, unmei)

Example:

Is it fate or just luck that brought us together?

私たちを引き合わせたのは運命か、それともただの運か？

He believes that luck plays a role in his destiny.

彼は運が彼の運命に影響を与えると信じている。

Usage: Formal/InformalContext: Philosophical discussions, literature, and personal beliefs

Note: 運命 refers to fate or destiny, often intertwined with the concept of luck. It can be used in both formal and informal contexts.

運の良さ (うんのよさ, un no yosa)

Example:

His luckiness in games is remarkable.

彼のゲームでの運の良さは素晴らしい。

You have a talent for luckiness.

あなたは運の良さの才能がある。

Usage: InformalContext: Casual conversations, especially in gaming or competitions

Note: 運の良さ refers specifically to the quality of being lucky. It's often used in a light-hearted context.

不運 (ふうん, fuun)

Example:

She has had a lot of bad luck lately.

彼女は最近、不運が続いている。

It was just bad luck that we missed the train.

電車を逃したのはただの不運だった。

Usage: InformalContext: Casual conversations about unfortunate events

Note: 不運 specifically refers to bad luck and is commonly used in everyday speech when discussing negative outcomes.

fortune

Fortune refers to chance or luck as a force affecting human affairs.

Example: She had the good fortune to win the lottery.

Note: Fortune often implies a positive outcome or success resulting from luck.

chance

Chance refers to events that seem to be determined by luck or fate.

Example: Winning the game was just a stroke of chance.

Note: Chance can imply a random or unpredictable occurrence.

fate

Fate refers to the development of events beyond a person's control, regarded as determined by a supernatural power.

Example: It was his fate to meet her on that fateful day.

Note: Fate often implies a predetermined course of events.

destiny

Destiny refers to the events that will necessarily happen to a particular person or thing in the future.

Example: She believed it was her destiny to become a famous singer.

Note: Destiny often implies a sense of inevitability or predestination.

Good luck

Wishing someone success or good fortune in a particular endeavor.

Example: Good luck on your job interview tomorrow!

Note: The phrase 'good luck' directly conveys positive wishes for someone's success, while 'luck' itself refers to the arbitrary force that causes things to happen.

Stroke of luck

Refers to a sudden and unexpected piece of good fortune.

Example: Winning the lottery was a real stroke of luck for him.

Note: This phrase emphasizes the unexpected and fortuitous nature of the luck experienced.

Down on one's luck

To be experiencing a period of misfortune or bad luck.

Example: He's been down on his luck ever since he lost his job.

Note: While 'luck' refers to general fortune, this phrase specifically highlights a prolonged period of negative luck.

Lucky break

A fortunate opportunity or turn of events that improves one's situation.

Example: Getting that promotion was a lucky break for her career.

Note: This phrase suggests a sudden opportunity or event that changes one's circumstances for the better.

Make your own luck

The idea that one's actions and choices can influence their level of fortune.

Example: By working hard and staying persistent, she believed she could make her own luck.

Note: Contrary to luck being seen as random chance, this phrase emphasizes the role of effort and determination in creating favorable outcomes.

Beginner's luck

When someone achieves success in an activity despite being inexperienced or new to it.

Example: She won the card game on her first try; it must be beginner's luck!

Note: This phrase suggests that the luck experienced is based on inexperience rather than skill or knowledge.

Out of luck

Having no luck or fortune in a particular situation.

Example: I tried to buy tickets, but they were sold out, so I was out of luck.

Note: Indicates a lack of favorable circumstances or opportunities at a given moment.

Feeling lucky

Feeling confident or optimistic about having success or good fortune.

Example: I'm feeling lucky today, so I bought a lottery ticket.

Note: This differs from just 'luck' as it implies a personal sense of expectation or belief in favorable outcomes.

Lady luck

A personification of luck, often associated with a feminine figure who brings good fortune.

Example: I'm counting on lady luck to help me win at the casino.

Note: This personification adds a human-like quality to the abstract concept of 'luck'.

Luck of the draw

Refers to a situation where outcomes are based on chance or luck rather than skill or merit.

Example: Winning this competition is just the luck of the draw; anyone could have won.

Note: This phrase emphasizes the random or unpredictable nature of the outcome, not influenced by personal actions.

No such luck

Expresses disappointment or frustration when hoping for a favorable outcome that does not occur.

Example: I tried to find my lost keys, but no such luck.

Note: It indicates the absence of anticipated luck or success.

Run of luck

A period of experiencing consistent good or bad luck.

Example: I've been on a good run of luck lately; everything seems to be going my way.

Note: It highlights the continuity or streak of luck, whether positive or negative, instead of isolated events.

Potluck

A communal meal where each guest contributes a dish to be shared.

Example: Let's have a potluck dinner where everyone brings a dish to share.

Note: The term derives from 'luck of the pot' indicating that what you get is based on luck, signifying a random or unexpected variety of dishes.

Down to the luck of the last button

A situation where the outcome hinges on luck or chance until the very end.

Example: It all came down to the luck of the last button to decide who won the race.

Note: This phrase underscores the critical role that luck plays in determining the final result, often in a thrilling or suspenseful way.

Luck is on my side today.

He had no luck in finding a job.

She is a very lucky person.

Luck - Noun (Noun) / Noun, singular or mass (Noun, singular or mass)

Lemma: luck

Conjugations

Noun, plural (Noun, plural): luck

Noun, singular or mass (Noun, singular or mass): luck

Verb, past tense (Verb, past tense): lucked

Verb, gerund or present participle (Verb, gerund or present participle): lucking

Verb, 3rd person singular present (Verb, 3rd person singular present): lucks

Verb, base form (Verb, base form): luck

Verb, non-3rd person singular present (Verb, non-3rd person singular present): luck

Syllabification and Stress

luck Contains 1 syllables: luck

Phonetic transcription: ˈlək

luck , ˈlək (The red syllable is stressed)

The word frequency and importance index indicates how often a word appears in a given language. The smaller the number, the more frequently the word is used. The most frequently used words typically range from about 1 to 4000.

luck: ~ 2700 (Very common).

This importance index helps you focus on the most useful words during your language learning process.

Luck