Phrase in 30 Seconds
The essential Swedish way to wish someone success in any upcoming endeavor, from exams to job interviews.
- Means: 'Good luck' or literally 'Luck until'.
- Used in: Exams, job interviews, sports, or starting new projects.
- Don't confuse: Avoid saying 'God lycka', which is an incorrect literal translation of English.
شرح بمستواك:
المعنى
Wishing success to someone.
خلفية ثقافية
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'.
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.
اختبر نفسك
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.
🎉 النتيجة: /4
وسائل تعلم بصرية
When to use Lycka till
Education
- • Exams
- • Presentations
- • Graduation
Work
- • Interviews
- • New Projects
- • Meetings
Personal
- • Dates
- • Moving
- • Travel
Lycka till vs. Håller tummarna
بنك التمارين
5 تمارينLycka 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.
🎉 النتيجة: /5
الأسئلة الشائعة
10 أسئلةIt 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.
عبارات ذات صلة
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
أين تستخدمها
Before an exam
Student A: Jag är så nervös för tentan.
Student B: Det kommer gå bra. Lycka till!
Job Interview
Partner: Nu går jag till intervjun.
Partner: Lycka till! Jag håller tummarna.
First Date
Friend: Jag ska träffa henne kl 19.
You: Spännande! Lycka till!
Sports Match
Coach: Kom igen nu laget, lycka till!
Players: Tack!
Moving House
Neighbor: Vi flyttar till Malmö imorgon.
You: Åh, lycka till i den nya staden!
Sarcastic reaction
Person A: Jag ska försöka montera hela IKEA-skåpet på tio minuter.
Person B: Okej... lycka till med det.
احفظها
وسيلة تذكّر
Think of 'Luck' + 'Until' (till). You are giving someone luck until they finish their task.
ربط بصري
Imagine a Swedish Dala horse standing at the start of a race, and you are patting it on the head saying 'Lycka till!'
Rhyme
Lycka till, gör vad du vill! (Good luck, do what you want!)
Story
A young Viking is about to set sail. His mother doesn't say 'Don't go', she says 'Lycka till', giving him a small bag of 'luck' to carry 'until' he reaches land.
In Other Languages
It is very similar to the German 'Viel Glück' or the English 'Good luck', sharing the same Germanic logic of wishing for 'luck'.
Word Web
تحدٍّ
Today, find three opportunities to say 'Lycka till' to someone—even if it's just to yourself in the mirror before a task!
Review this phrase every time you have something important to do this week.
النطق
The 'y' is a tight, rounded vowel (like 'ee' but with rounded lips). The 'ck' is a short, sharp 'k' sound.
Short 'i' as in 'bit', and a long 'l' sound.
طيف الرسمية
Jag tillönskar dig all lycka i din nya tjänst. (Career transition)
Lycka till på det nya jobbet! (Career transition)
Lycka till med nya jobbet nu! (Career transition)
Kör hårt på nya stället, lycka till! (Career transition)
The phrase combines 'Lycka' (from Middle Low German 'lucke') and the preposition 'till'. It appeared in its modern form as a standard greeting in the 1700s.
حقيقة ممتعة
The word 'lycka' is related to the English word 'luck', but also to the Swedish word 'lycklig' (happy).
ملاحظات ثقافية
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.
“Inför premiären säger man inte lycka till, man säger tvi tvi!”
Swedes often use 'Håller tummarna' (holding thumbs) alongside 'Lycka till'. This is the physical gesture of tucking your thumb inside your fist.
“Jag håller tummarna för dig imorgon, lycka till!”
Usage is identical to Sweden, but in very formal contexts, you might hear 'Framgång!' (Success!) used more frequently.
“Vi önskar er all framgång med projektet.”
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.
“Lycka till med allt i London!”
بدايات محادثة
Jag har en viktig intervju imorgon.
Ska du göra något speciellt i helgen?
Jag funderar på att starta ett eget företag.
أخطاء شائعة
God lycka!
Lycka till!
L1 Interference
Lycka till för provet.
Lycka till på provet.
L1 Interference
Lycka till! (after someone won)
Grattis!
L1 Interference
Bra lycka!
Lycka till!
L1 Interference
In Other Languages
¡Mucha suerte!
Spanish uses an adjective (mucha), Swedish uses a preposition (till).
Bonne chance !
French uses the adjective 'bonne' (good), which Swedish avoids.
Viel Glück!
German focuses on the quantity of luck, Swedish on the direction (till).
頑張って (Ganbatte)
Effort vs. Fortune.
بالتوفيق (Bil-tawfiq)
Arabic focuses on the outcome of success, Swedish on the luck leading to it.
祝你好运 (Zhù nǐ hǎoyùn)
Chinese often includes the verb 'wish' (zhù).
행운을 빌어요 (Haeng-uneul bireoyo)
Korean explicitly mentions the act of wishing/praying.
Boa sorte!
Portuguese uses 'Boa' (Good), Swedish uses 'Till' (To/Until).
Spotted in the Real World
“Lycka till, jag önskar dig lycka till”
A classic Swedish pop song about wishing an ex-partner well.
“Lycka till med körkortet då.”
Ove says this to his neighbor who is trying to learn to drive.
“Lycka till alla som strejkar idag!”
Wishing luck to climate strikers globally.
“Ja, lycka till med det projektet, Mickan.”
A husband being slightly sarcastic about his wife's new ambitious plan.
“Hela Sverige säger lycka till till landslaget.”
Before a major football match.
سهل الخلط
Learners think it means 'lucky' because of 'lycka'.
'Lycklig' means happy (emotion). 'Tur' or 'Lycka' means luck (event).
Both involve luck.
'Ha tur' is having luck (passive). 'Lycka till' is wishing luck (active).
الأسئلة الشائعة (10)
It is neutral. You can use it in almost any situation, from a job interview to a chat with a friend.
basic understanding'Lycka till' is a general wish. 'Håller tummarna' is more personal, like 'I'm rooting for you'.
comparisonsIt'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!
usage contextsSay 'Lycka till på provet' or 'Lycka till med provet'. Both are acceptable.
grammar mechanicsIt's a superstitious way of wishing luck, especially in theater, to avoid jinxing someone.
cultural usageUse 'med' for things/projects and 'på' for events/occasions.
grammar mechanicsYes, with a flat intonation, it can mean 'Good luck with that (you'll need it because you'll probably fail)'.
practical tipsNot really, but in texting, some might just write 'Lycka till!'.
practical tipsNo, it also means 'happiness', but in this specific phrase, it always refers to luck/success.
basic understandingYes, it works for one person or a hundred people.
usage contexts
