February 1, 2025by Alexandre Harzo

How to Say Good Luck in Croatian

In this blog article, you will find 12 ways to say Good Luck in Croatian if you ever need to wish someone good luck in Croatia.

How to Say Good Luck in Croatian

Wishing someone good luck in Croatian is more than just saying “Sretno.” Whether you're cheering on a friend, sending best wishes for an exam, or hoping for success in a big event, knowing the right phrase can make your message more heartfelt.

Why Learn to Say Good Luck in Croatian?

If you're visiting Croatia or have Croatian friends, you'll probably need at some point to wish someone good luck. From sports games to job interviews, people use different expressions to encourage and support each other. While “Sretno” (good luck) is the most common way to say it, there are other phrases that fit different situations and levels of formality.

To help you wish someone well like a local, we’ve put together this guide with 12 popular ways to say “good luck” in Croatian.

12 Ways to Say ‘Good Luck’ in Croatian

Here’s a handy list of Croatian phrases you can use to wish someone good luck, along with their English translations and when to use them.

Croatian PhraseEnglish TranslationUse Case
SretnoGood luckUniversal: formal/informal
Puno srećeLots of luckFriendly, encouraging
Držim figeI’m keeping my fingers crossedInformal, supportive
Neka ti se posrećiMay you get luckyEncouraging, hopeful
Samo hrabroJust be braveMotivational, reassuring
Vjerujem u tebeI believe in youSupportive, personal
Nek ti bude sretnoMay it be lucky for youTraditional, well-wishing
Uspjet ćešYou will succeedConfident, motivational
Idemo do pobjedeLet’s go for victoryCompetitive, sports-related
Nek ti zvijezde budu naklonjeneMay the stars be in your favorPoetic, formal
Sve najboljeAll the bestUniversal, polite
Nek ti vjetar bude u leđaMay the wind be at your backEncouraging, poetic

How to Use Different Forms of ‘Good Luck’ in Croatian

There are many ways to wish someone good luck in Croatian. A simple "Sretno" works well for most situations, whether it's an exam, a job interview, or a big event. But if you want to be more encouraging, "Držim fige" (I’m keeping my fingers crossed) is excellent for informal settings, while "Nek ti bude sretno" (May it be lucky for you) adds a traditional touch. For sports or competitions, "Idemo do pobjede" (Let’s go for victory) brings extra motivation. Basically, choosing the right phrase helps show your support in the best way!

Sretno (Good luck)

"Sretno" is the most common way to wish someone good luck in Croatian. It’s a universal phrase that works in almost any situation, from casual conversations to formal occasions. Whether someone is about to take an exam, start a new job, or embark on a big journey, "Sretno" is the perfect way to show your support.

This phrase is short, simple, and widely understood, making it a great go-to option when you want to wish someone success.

To pronounce it correctly, say "Sret-no."

Puno sreće (Lots of luck)

"Puno sreće" is a friendly and encouraging way to wish someone good luck. It translates to "lots of luck," making it slightly more emphatic than a simple "Sretno." This phrase is great for showing extra enthusiasm and support, whether someone is preparing for a big challenge or an important event.

You’ll often hear "Puno sreće" in messages to wish someone good luck, like before a competition, an exam, or a new business venture.

If you want to pronounce it correctly, say "Poo-no sret-che."

Držim fige (I’m keeping my fingers crossed)

"Držim fige" is a casual and supportive way to wish someone good luck. It directly translates to "I’m keeping my fingers crossed" and is commonly used when you want to express hope that things will turn out well for someone.

This phrase is perfect for informal settings, especially when talking to friends or family members. It’s often said when someone is about to face an uncertain outcome, such as waiting for results or making an important decision.

To pronounce it correctly, say "Dr-zheem fee-geh."

Neka ti se posreći (May you get lucky)

"Neka ti se posreći" is a hopeful and encouraging way to wish someone good luck. It carries a sense of optimism and conveys the idea that luck will be on their side. This phrase is often used when someone is facing a situation where luck plays a big role, such as gambling, competitions, or taking a chance on something new.

It’s a great way to show encouragement and positivity, helping to boost someone's confidence before an important event.

The best way to pronounce it is "Ne-ka tee se pos-re-chee."

Samo hrabro (Just be brave)

"Samo hrabro" is a motivational phrase that means "Just be brave." It’s used to encourage someone to face challenges with confidence and courage. This phrase is ideal for situations where persistence and determination are needed, such as before an important presentation, competition, or life change.

It’s a great way to remind someone that bravery often leads to success and that they have the strength to overcome obstacles.

To pronounce it correctly, say "Sa-mo hrah-bro."

Vjerujem u tebe (I believe in you)

"Vjerujem u tebe" is a deeply supportive and personal way to wish someone good luck. It directly translates to "I believe in you" and is often used to uplift and inspire someone who might need reassurance before an important moment.

This phrase is great for close friends, family members, or anyone who needs encouragement and motivation.

Pronounce this phrase like that: "Vyeh-roo-yem oo teh-beh."

Nek ti bude sretno (May it be lucky for you)

"Nek ti bude sretno" is a traditional and well-wishing way to offer good luck. This phrase conveys a sense of sincerity and warmth, making it suitable for various situations, from exams to new beginnings.

It’s often used in a slightly formal context but can also be said in everyday conversations when you want to express your hopes for someone’s success.

Pronounce this phrase like that: "Nek tee boo-deh sret-no."

Uspjet ćeš (You will succeed)

"Uspjet ćeš" is a confident and motivational way to wish someone success. It translates to "You will succeed," making it perfect for boosting someone's confidence before a big challenge.

This phrase reassures the person that they have the capability to achieve their goals and overcome difficulties, making it great for exams, sports, or professional challenges.

To pronounce it correctly, say "Oos-pyet chesh."

Idemo do pobjede (Let’s go for victory)

"Idemo do pobjede" is a high-energy, competitive phrase used to encourage someone or a team to strive for victory. It is commonly used in sports, competitions, and any scenario where a determined mindset is needed.

This phrase is great for motivating friends, teammates, or colleagues before an important challenge.

To pronounce it correctly, say "Ee-de-mo do po-bye-de."

Nek ti zvijezde budu naklonjene (May the stars be in your favor)

"Nek ti zvijezde budu naklonjene" is a poetic and formal way to wish someone good luck. It carries a sense of destiny and cosmic alignment, making it ideal for special occasions, important life moments, or even literary contexts.

This phrase adds a touch of elegance and depth to a well-wishing message, making it suitable for both written and spoken encouragement.

To pronounce it correctly, say "Nek tee zvyezd-eh boo-doo nah-klo-nye-neh."

Sve najbolje (All the best)

"Sve najbolje" is a polite and universal way to offer well wishes. It is commonly used in formal and informal settings alike, making it a safe and widely accepted phrase for wishing success and happiness.

This phrase works well in professional emails, casual conversations, and any situation where you want to wish someone good fortune in life.

Pronounce it like that: "Sve nah-yeh-boh-lye."

Nek ti vjetar bude u leđa (May the wind be at your back)

"Nek ti vjetar bude u leđa" is a beautiful and encouraging way to wish someone good luck. It conveys the idea of smooth sailing and a favorable journey, making it an excellent phrase for someone starting a new job, traveling, or taking on a new challenge.

This phrase has a poetic and motivational tone, making it ideal for heartfelt encouragement.

This phrase needs to be pronounced like that: "Nek tee vye-tar boo-deh oo le-dja."

Conclusion

We hope this guide has helped you learn how to say "good luck" in Croatian, which is what we believe is an nice skill to have when navigating daily conversations while in Croatia. As we mentioned before, wishing good luck in Croatian is not just about saying the right words, but also about choosing the best version of Good Luck to the right person or situation.

If you're looking to expand your Croatian language skills further, be sure to check out our other blog articles for more helpful guides and tips.

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