French Phrase
Bonne chance !
Meaning
A friendly way to wish someone good luck before a test, competition, or any challenging situation. It conveys hope that fortune will be on the person's side.
When to use
Use it right before someone embarks on a new venture, such as an exam, job interview, sports match, or any moment where success is uncertain.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Bonnechance
Adjective agreement
"Bonne" is the feminine form of the adjective "bon" and must agree with the feminine noun "chance".
Noun gender
"Chance" is a feminine noun, so the accompanying adjective takes the feminine form.
Exclamation mark
The exclamation mark adds a friendly, encouraging tone, common in spoken French.
🗨In Conversation
Bonne chance !
Good luck!
Merci, j'en aurai bien besoin.
Thanks, I’ll really need it.
✕Common Mistakes
Bon chance !
"Bon" is masculine; the noun "chance" is feminine, so the adjective must be "bonne".
Bonne chanse !
The final "e" in "chance" is silent; the correct spelling is "chance".
Bonne chanse !
Pronounce the "ch" as /ʃ/ (like "sh" in English), not /tʃ/.
↔Alternatives
Bon courage !
Hang in there!
Bonne réussite !
Wishing you success!
Je te souhaite bonne chance.
I wish you good luck.
Cultural Tip
While "Bonne chance" is perfectly polite, French speakers often prefer "Bon courage" when the upcoming task requires effort rather than luck. In informal settings, you might also hear "Merde!" (literally “shit”) as a cheeky way to wish luck, especially among friends.