Cool MateGood fortune to you vs Good luck
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Good fortune to you
Beyond 10,000 (less common)
Good luck
Top 1,000 (very common)
Most common: Good luck
| Good fortune to you | Good luck | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ɡʊd ˈfɔːtʃuːn tə juː//🇺🇸 //ɡʊd ˈfɔrʧən tə ju// | 🇬🇧 //ɡʊd lʌk//🇺🇸 //ɡʊd lʌk// |
| Meaning | I wish you luck and happiness. | I hope you succeed or have a good outcome. |
| Example | As you start your new job, I just want to say, good fortune to you. | I know you have a big presentation today, so good luck! |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Beyond 10,000 (less common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| Collocations | wish you good fortune, good fortune awaits, have good fortune, bring good fortune, give good fortune | wish good luck, send good luck, give good luck |
| Antonyms | - | bad luck, misfortune, ill fortune, unluckiness |
| Common mistakes | Using 'good luck to you' instead., Confusing with 'good luck with you' which is incorrect., Forgetting the context; too formal for close friends. | Used inappropriately in formal situations., Confused with 'good lucking' which is incorrect. |
| Usage notes | Use this phrase to express well-wishing, suitable in both formal and casual situations. Avoid in very informal settings. | Commonly used to wish someone success. Suitable for various contexts but avoid in formal settings like job interviews. |
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Frequently asked questions: Good fortune to you vs Good luck
What's the difference between Good fortune to you and Good luck?
Good fortune to you: I wish you luck and happiness. Good luck: I hope you succeed or have a good outcome.
Which is more common: Good fortune to you and Good luck?
Good luck is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Good fortune to you: As you start your new job, I just want to say, good fortune to you. Good luck: I know you have a big presentation today, so good luck!
Can I use Good fortune to you and Good luck interchangeably?
Not always. Good fortune to you and Good luck are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.