zhù nǐ hǎo yùn: 祝你好运 - Good Luck

• Keywords: zhu ni hao yun, zhunihaoyun, 祝你好运, good luck in Chinese, how to say good luck in Chinese, wish you good luck in Mandarin, Chinese for good luck, Chinese blessing, Chinese encouragement, 加油 vs 好运
• Summary: Learn how to say “Good luck” in Chinese with the essential phrase 祝你好运 (zhù nǐ hǎo yùn). This page provides a deep dive for beginners, breaking down the characters, cultural context, and practical usage. Discover when to use 祝你好运 versus the encouragement phrase 加油 (jiāyóu), and explore common examples for exams, job interviews, and everyday conversations to sound like a native speaker.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): zhù nǐ hǎo yùn
• Part of Speech: Phrase / Verb Phrase
• HSK Level: Approx. HSK 3 (based on individual character levels)
• Concise Definition: I wish you good luck.
• In a Nutshell: 祝你好运 (zhù nǐ hǎo yùn) is the most direct and universally understood way to say “Good luck” in Mandarin Chinese. It's a straightforward and sincere expression of hope for someone's positive outcome in a future endeavor. It's composed of four simple characters that literally mean “Wish You Good Luck,” making it very easy for learners to grasp.

• 祝 (zhù): To wish; to express good wishes; to pray for. This character is the foundation of many positive expressions, such as in birthday greetings (`祝你生日快乐 - zhù nǐ shēngrì kuàilè`).
• 你 (nǐ): You (singular). The person you are wishing well.
• 好 (hǎo): Good; well; fine. One of the most fundamental characters in Chinese, indicating positivity.
• 运 (yùn): Luck; fortune; fate. This character is also found in the word for “luck” itself, `运气 (yùnqi)`.

The characters combine logically and transparently: 祝 (Wish) + 你 (you) + 好 (good) + 运 (luck) = Wish you good luck.

While “luck” is a universal concept, 祝你好运 (zhù nǐ hǎo yùn) holds a slightly different weight than the English “Good luck.” In Western culture, “Good luck” can sometimes be a casual, almost automatic throwaway line. In China, while it can also be used casually, expressing a wish for someone's fortune is a more conscious act of showing support and goodwill. It connects to the cultural value of maintaining positive and harmonious relationships. By wishing someone good luck, you are actively contributing positive energy to their endeavor and strengthening your social bond. Compared to Western culture's emphasis on individual agency (“make your own luck”), Chinese culture traditionally gives more weight to external factors like fate, destiny (`命运 - mìngyùn`), and luck (`运气 - yùnqi`). Therefore, wishing someone 好运 (hǎo yùn) is a genuine hope that these external forces will align in their favor. It is not seen as superstitious, but rather as a practical and kind gesture.

祝你好运 is a versatile phrase used across many contexts in modern China.

• Formality: It is generally neutral and can be used with friends, family, classmates, and colleagues. It is friendly and sincere without being overly formal or slangy.
• Common Scenarios:
  • Academics: Before a major exam like the `高考 (gāokǎo)` (college entrance exam).
  • Career: Before a job interview, a presentation, or starting a new business venture.
  • Competitions: Before a sports match, a music performance, or any contest.
  • Travel: Before someone embarks on a long journey or trip.
• On Social Media and Texting: It's very common to see `祝你/你们好运!` or the shortened `好运!` (Good luck!) in text messages or social media posts to show support.

• Example 1:
  • 明天你有一个重要的面试，祝你好运！
  • Pinyin: Míngtiān nǐ yǒu yí ge zhòngyào de miànshì, zhù nǐ hǎo yùn!
  • English: You have an important interview tomorrow, good luck!
  • Analysis: This is a classic, straightforward use case. It's a sincere expression of support for a friend facing a challenge.
• Example 2:
  • 我们都知道这不容易，但我们都祝你好运。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen dōu zhīdào zhè bù róngyì, dàn wǒmen dōu zhù nǐ hǎo yùn.
  • English: We all know this isn't easy, but we all wish you good luck.
  • Analysis: This example shows empathy. It acknowledges the difficulty of a situation while still offering positive support.
• Example 3:
  • 这是我为你准备的一点小礼物，祝你好运！
  • Pinyin: Zhè shì wǒ wèi nǐ zhǔnbèi de yìdiǎn xiǎo lǐwù, zhù nǐ hǎo yùn!
  • English: This is a small gift I prepared for you, good luck!
  • Analysis: Here, the phrase is coupled with a physical gesture (a gift), which can amplify the sincerity of the wish.
• Example 4:
  • A: 我要去参加一个歌唱比赛。 B: 哇！祝你好运！
  • Pinyin: A: Wǒ yào qù cānjiā yí ge gēchàng bǐsài. B: Wā! Zhù nǐ hǎo yùn!
  • English: A: I'm going to participate in a singing competition. B: Wow! Good luck!
  • Analysis: A simple, exclamatory response in a conversation, showing excitement and support for a friend's plans.
• Example 5:
  • 祝你们在新公司一切顺利，祝你们好运。
  • Pinyin: Zhù nǐmen zài xīn gōngsī yíqiè shùnlì, zhù nǐmen hǎo yùn.
  • English: Wishing you all the best at the new company, good luck to you all.
  • Analysis: This demonstrates the plural form by changing `你 (nǐ)` to `你们 (nǐmen)`. Note the pairing with another common wish, `一切顺利 (yíqiè shùnlì)`.
• Example 6:
  • 不管结果如何，我先祝你好运。
  • Pinyin: Bùguǎn jiéguǒ rúhé, wǒ xiān zhù nǐ hǎo yùn.
  • English: Regardless of the result, I'll wish you good luck first.
  • Analysis: This phrasing emphasizes that the support is unconditional and not dependent on success.
• Example 7:
  • A: 我的幸运数字是8。 B: 好吧，祝你好运！
  • Pinyin: A: Wǒ de xìngyùn shùzì shì bā. B: Hǎo ba, zhù nǐ hǎo yùn!
  • English: A: My lucky number is 8. B: Alright then, good luck!
  • Analysis: This shows a more casual, slightly playful usage, responding to someone's belief in their own luck.
• Example 8:
  • 考试加油，祝你好运！
  • Pinyin: Kǎoshì jiāyóu, zhù nǐ hǎo yùn!
  • English: Do your best on the exam, and good luck!
  • Analysis: This is a powerful combination. `加油 (jiāyóu)` encourages effort, while `祝你好运` wishes for favorable circumstances. See “Nuances” section below for more detail.
• Example 9:
  • 我要开始自己的生意了。希望能得到你的祝福。 B: 当然，祝你好运，马到成功！
  • Pinyin: A: Wǒ yào kāishǐ zìjǐ de shēngyì le. Xīwàng néng dédào nǐ de zhùfú. B: Dāngrán, zhù nǐ hǎo yùn, mǎ dào chéng gōng!
  • English: A: I'm about to start my own business. I hope to have your blessing. B: Of course, good luck, and may you have swift success!
  • Analysis: Here, 祝你好运 is used as a lead-in to a more formal, idiomatic blessing like `马到成功 (mǎ dào chéng gōng)`.
• Example 10:
  • （In a text message） 好运！🍀
  • Pinyin: Hǎo yùn!
  • English: Good luck! 🍀
  • Analysis: This shows the most abbreviated and informal version, `好运 (hǎo yùn)`, often used in texting among friends, sometimes accompanied by a lucky emoji.

• “Good Luck” vs. `加油 (jiāyóu)`: This is the most critical distinction for learners.
  • 祝你好运 (zhù nǐ hǎo yùn) wishes for good fortune, an external factor. You say it for things outside of a person's control (e.g., hoping the test questions are easy, hoping the judges like your style).
  • 加油 (jiāyóu) literally means “add oil” and is a cheer of encouragement. It's about a person's own effort. You say it to tell someone “Do your best!”, “Keep it up!”, or “Don't give up!”.
  • Incorrect Usage: If your friend is pulling an all-nighter to study, saying `祝你好运` isn't the best choice. The more appropriate phrase is `加油!` to encourage their hard work. You would say `祝你好运` right before they walk into the exam room.
• Avoid Literal Translations: Do not translate English idioms like “Break a leg!” into Chinese. This would be completely nonsensical. 祝你好运 is the standard, safe, and universally understood expression.
• Overuse in Trivial Situations: While friendly, `祝你好运` is generally reserved for situations with some degree of uncertainty or challenge. Using it for something very minor, like “I'm going to the supermarket,” might sound a bit strange or overly dramatic.

• 加油 (jiāyóu) - The most common phrase of encouragement, focusing on effort (“Go for it!”). A crucial counterpart to `祝你好运`.
• 运气 (yùnqi) - The noun for “luck” or “fortune.” You can say `你运气真好! (Nǐ yùnqi zhēn hǎo!)` - “Your luck is so good!”.
• 顺利 (shùnlì) - Smoothly; without a hitch. Often used in wishes like `祝你一切顺利 (zhù nǐ yíqiè shùnlì)` (Wishing you success in everything).
• 祝福 (zhùfú) - A noun or verb meaning “blessing” or “to bless.” It is more formal and general than `祝你好运`.
• 马到成功 (mǎ dào chéng gōng) - An idiom for wishing someone swift and immediate success upon their arrival/start. More formal and literary.
• 心想事成 (xīn xiǎng shì chéng) - A four-character idiom meaning “May all your wishes come true.” A common blessing for birthdays or New Year.
• 一路平安 (yílù píng'ān) - “Have a safe journey.” A specific good wish for someone who is traveling, focusing on safety.
• 一路顺风 (yílù shùnfēng) - Literally “smooth wind all the way.” Another common way to wish someone a pleasant journey.