Bedeutung
Remarking on good luck.
Kultureller Hintergrund
Italians often 'touch iron' (toccare ferro) when talking about luck to avoid jinxing it. This is the equivalent of 'knocking on wood'. The 'Cornetto Napoletano' is a symbol of luck. If you say 'Che fortuna', a Neapolitan might point to their cornetto charm. In business, attributing success to 'fortuna' can be a sign of modesty (umiltà), even if hard work was involved. The number 13 is actually lucky in Italy, while 17 is unlucky. So 'Che fortuna' is often heard on Friday the 13th!
Tone Matters
Say it with an upward inflection to sound genuinely happy. A flat tone can sound sarcastic.
Avoid 'Cosa'
Never say 'Cosa fortuna'. It's a dead giveaway that you are translating from English.
Bedeutung
Remarking on good luck.
Tone Matters
Say it with an upward inflection to sound genuinely happy. A flat tone can sound sarcastic.
Avoid 'Cosa'
Never say 'Cosa fortuna'. It's a dead giveaway that you are translating from English.
The 'Che fortuna che...' trick
Add 'che' and a verb to explain exactly why you are lucky. 'Che fortuna che sei venuto!'
The Horns Gesture
If you want to be very Italian, make the 'horns' gesture (index and pinky out, pointing down) while saying it to protect your luck.
Teste dich selbst
Fill in the blank to complete the exclamation.
___ fortuna! Ho trovato un biglietto da 10 euro!
'Che' is the standard exclamative used with nouns in Italian.
Which phrase is used to wish someone luck for an exam?
Domani ho un esame importante!
'Buona fortuna' is for future wishes; 'Che fortuna' is for past/present lucky events.
Match the situation to the most likely reaction.
You missed your bus, but then you realize you left your phone at home and can go back to get it.
Even though you missed the bus, the 'lucky' part is being able to get your phone.
Complete the dialogue.
A: 'Ho vinto il primo premio!' B: 'Davvero? ___!'
B is reacting to A's already achieved good luck.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
When to say 'Che fortuna!'
Daily Wins
- • Free coffee
- • Green light
- • Found keys
Big Wins
- • Lottery
- • Job offer
- • Contest prize
Che vs. Buona
Aufgabensammlung
4 Aufgaben___ fortuna! Ho trovato un biglietto da 10 euro!
'Che' is the standard exclamative used with nouns in Italian.
Domani ho un esame importante!
'Buona fortuna' is for future wishes; 'Che fortuna' is for past/present lucky events.
You missed your bus, but then you realize you left your phone at home and can go back to get it.
Even though you missed the bus, the 'lucky' part is being able to get your phone.
A: 'Ho vinto il primo premio!' B: 'Davvero? ___!'
B is reacting to A's already achieved good luck.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenIt is neutral. You can use it with your boss or your best friend. It's safe everywhere.
Yes, if it starts raining, you can say 'Che fortuna...' with a sigh, but 'Che sfiga' is more common for that.
'Fortuna' is the everyday word for luck. 'Sorte' is more like 'fate' or 'destiny' and is used in more formal or literary contexts.
You say 'Sono fortunato' (if male) or 'Sono fortunata' (if female).
It's very common, but don't use it in a job interview or with your grandmother unless she's very cool.
Yes, like in English, it can mean a large amount of money (e.g., 'Costa una fortuna'), but in this exclamation, it always means luck.
'Che' is the standard exclamative adjective for 'What a...'. 'Quale' is used for 'Which'.
You can say 'Ho molta fortuna', but as an exclamation, it's always 'Che fortuna!'.
In Rome, you might hear 'Che spertica', and in the North, 'Che pacchia', but 'Che fortuna' is universal.
You say 'Che fortuna che hai!' or simply 'Che fortunato che sei!'.
Verwandte Redewendungen
Che colpo di fortuna
builds onWhat a stroke of luck
Meno male
similarThank goodness
Che culo
synonymWhat luck (vulgar)
Per fortuna
similarFortunately
Buona fortuna
contrastGood luck
Che sfiga
contrastWhat bad luck
