Meaning
To experience favorable circumstances.
Cultural Background
In Brazil, wishing 'boa sorte' is very common, but people also use 'boa viagem' for trips or 'sucesso' for work. Portuguese speakers in Portugal are slightly more formal, but 'boa sorte' remains the standard way to wish someone well. Luck is often seen as a mix of effort and destiny, so wishing luck is a way to show support for someone's efforts.
Subjunctive usage
Always use 'tenha' (subjunctive) when wishing luck to someone else. It makes you sound much more natural.
Shorten it
In casual settings, you don't need the full sentence. Just saying 'Boa sorte!' is perfectly fine and very common.
Meaning
To experience favorable circumstances.
Subjunctive usage
Always use 'tenha' (subjunctive) when wishing luck to someone else. It makes you sound much more natural.
Shorten it
In casual settings, you don't need the full sentence. Just saying 'Boa sorte!' is perfectly fine and very common.
Test Yourself
Complete the sentence with the correct form.
Eu espero que você ____ boa sorte no exame.
The subjunctive 'tenha' is required after 'espero que'.
Which is the correct phrase?
Choose the correct option:
Sorte is feminine, so 'boa' is correct, and 'ter' is the correct verb.
Match the phrase to its meaning.
Match 'Ter boa sorte' to the correct English meaning.
The phrase literally means to possess good fortune.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Vou viajar amanhã. B: ____!
The shortened exclamation 'Boa sorte' is the most natural response.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesEu espero que você ____ boa sorte no exame.
The subjunctive 'tenha' is required after 'espero que'.
Choose the correct option:
Sorte is feminine, so 'boa' is correct, and 'ter' is the correct verb.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
The phrase literally means to possess good fortune.
A: Vou viajar amanhã. B: ____!
The shortened exclamation 'Boa sorte' is the most natural response.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
6 questionsYes, it is very versatile. You can use it for exams, interviews, or even just starting a new day.
Yes, 'ter sorte' is just a shorter way of saying it. Both mean the same thing.
In Brazilian Portuguese, the letter 't' before 'e' is pronounced as 'chi'.
It is neutral. It works in both formal and informal situations.
It's better to say 'Eu tenho muita sorte' or 'Eu tenho boa sorte'. The article 'uma' is usually omitted.
You can say 'Ele é sortudo' or 'Ele tem muita sorte'.
Related Phrases
Dar sorte
similarTo bring luck
Ter azar
contrastTo have bad luck
Boa sorte
specialized formGood luck!
