Meaning
Dependent on chance.
Cultural Background
The concept of 'Kalo-tychia' (good luck) is often celebrated with specific foods, like the Vasilopita cake on New Year's, where finding a coin is 'θέμα τύχης'. In Cyprus, the phrase is used similarly, but you might hear more local dialect variations for 'luck' like 'ριζικό' (riziko). Greek expats often use this phrase to describe the randomness of bureaucratic processes in foreign countries. In Greek shipping culture, despite high technology, many still believe that a safe voyage is partly 'θέμα τύχης' and the favor of St. Nicholas.
The 'Purely' Booster
Add 'καθαρά' (kathara - purely) before 'θέμα' to sound more like a native speaker when emphasizing total randomness.
Don't be dismissive
Avoid using this phrase when someone tells you about a hard-earned achievement.
Meaning
Dependent on chance.
The 'Purely' Booster
Add 'καθαρά' (kathara - purely) before 'θέμα' to sound more like a native speaker when emphasizing total randomness.
Don't be dismissive
Avoid using this phrase when someone tells you about a hard-earned achievement.
Past Tense
Use 'Ήταν θέμα τύχης' (It was a matter of luck) to describe past events. It's very common in storytelling.
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct form of the word 'τύχη'.
Το να βρεις δουλειά σήμερα είναι θέμα _______.
We need the genitive case 'τύχης' to follow the noun 'θέμα'.
Which sentence is the most natural way to say 'It's a matter of luck'?
Choose the correct option:
This is the standard idiomatic expression.
Match the situation to the response.
Situation: You are playing the lottery.
Lotteries are entirely based on chance.
Complete the dialogue.
Α: Θα βρούμε τραπέζι στο εστιατόριο; Β: Δεν ξέρω, Σάββατο βράδυ _______.
Finding a table on a busy night depends on luck.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesΤο να βρεις δουλειά σήμερα είναι θέμα _______.
We need the genitive case 'τύχης' to follow the noun 'θέμα'.
Choose the correct option:
This is the standard idiomatic expression.
Situation: You are playing the lottery.
Lotteries are entirely based on chance.
Α: Θα βρούμε τραπέζι στο εστιατόριο; Β: Δεν ξέρω, Σάββατο βράδυ _______.
Finding a table on a busy night depends on luck.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes, 'ζήτημα' and 'θέμα' are interchangeable here, though 'θέμα' is more common in daily speech.
It can be. If they worked hard, it's better to say 'μπράβο για την προσπάθεια' (well done for the effort).
Because it's in the genitive case, meaning 'of luck'.
Just add 'δεν' at the beginning: 'Δεν είναι θέμα τύχης'.
Yes, 'είναι πώς θα σου κάτσει' is the most common informal way to say it.
Yes, it applies to both good and bad outcomes as long as they are random.
'Τύχη' is random chance; 'μοίρα' is destiny or fate.
Yes, it's neutral enough for professional settings to describe market risks.
It's a soft 'h' sound, like you're blowing air through the roof of your mouth.
Extremely common! Greek lyrics often talk about luck and fate.
Related Phrases
καλή τύχη
similarGood luck
στην τύχη
similarAt random
είναι θέμα χρόνου
builds onIt's a matter of time
έχω τύχη
similarTo be lucky
