Bedeutung
Wishing success to someone.
Kultureller Hintergrund
In Swedish theater, saying 'Lycka till' is considered bad luck. Instead, people say 'Tvi tvi!' and pretend to spit over the person's left shoulder. Swedes often use 'Håller tummarna' (holding thumbs) alongside 'Lycka till'. This is the physical gesture of tucking your thumb inside your fist. Usage is identical to Sweden, but in very formal contexts, you might hear 'Framgång!' (Success!) used more frequently. Among Swedes living abroad, 'Lycka till' is often one of the last phrases to be replaced by English, as it carries a specific 'homey' feeling of support.
The 'Nu' Addition
Add 'nu' at the end ('Lycka till nu!') to sound much more like a native speaker when saying goodbye.
Avoid 'God Lycka'
Even though 'Good Luck' is standard in English, 'God Lycka' sounds very strange in Swedish. Stick to 'Lycka till'.
Bedeutung
Wishing success to someone.
The 'Nu' Addition
Add 'nu' at the end ('Lycka till nu!') to sound much more like a native speaker when saying goodbye.
Avoid 'God Lycka'
Even though 'Good Luck' is standard in English, 'God Lycka' sounds very strange in Swedish. Stick to 'Lycka till'.
The Response
Always respond with 'Tack!' (Thanks!) when someone wishes you luck. It's considered polite and acknowledges their support.
Teste dich selbst
Fill in the missing word to wish someone luck on their test.
Lycka till ___ provet!
We use 'på' for events and specific occasions like tests (prov).
Which phrase is the most natural Swedish way to say 'Good luck'?
Välj det mest naturliga alternativet:
'Lycka till!' is the standard fixed expression. The others are literal translations from English.
Match the situation with the best response.
Situation: Din vän ska på en anställningsintervju (job interview).
You wish someone luck before an interview.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Jag ska springa loppet imorgon. B: Vad spännande! ________.
When someone is about to do a race (lopp), you wish them luck.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
When to use Lycka till
Education
- • Exams
- • Presentations
- • Graduation
Work
- • Interviews
- • New Projects
- • Meetings
Personal
- • Dates
- • Moving
- • Travel
Lycka till vs. Håller tummarna
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenLycka till ___ provet!
We use 'på' for events and specific occasions like tests (prov).
Välj det mest naturliga alternativet:
'Lycka till!' is the standard fixed expression. The others are literal translations from English.
Situation: Din vän ska på en anställningsintervju (job interview).
You wish someone luck before an interview.
A: Jag ska springa loppet imorgon. B: Vad spännande! ________.
When someone is about to do a race (lopp), you wish them luck.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenIt is neutral. You can use it in almost any situation, from a job interview to a chat with a friend.
'Lycka till' is a general wish. 'Håller tummarna' is more personal, like 'I'm rooting for you'.
It's better to say 'Grattis!' or 'All lycka i framtiden'. 'Lycka till' alone can sound like you think the marriage will be a difficult challenge!
Say 'Lycka till på provet' or 'Lycka till med provet'. Both are acceptable.
It's a superstitious way of wishing luck, especially in theater, to avoid jinxing someone.
Use 'med' for things/projects and 'på' for events/occasions.
Yes, with a flat intonation, it can mean 'Good luck with that (you'll need it because you'll probably fail)'.
Not really, but in texting, some might just write 'Lycka till!'.
No, it also means 'happiness', but in this specific phrase, it always refers to luck/success.
Yes, it works for one person or a hundred people.
Verwandte Redewendungen
Håller tummarna
similarHolding thumbs (crossing fingers)
Kör hårt
similarGo hard / Give it your all
Grattis
contrastCongratulations
Tvi tvi
specialized formSpitting for luck
Framgång
builds onSuccess
