How do you say good luck in Portuguese?
Say Boa sorte!; for a test or an interview, add what it's for: Boa sorte na prova! ("Good luck on the test!").
| Portuguese | Meaning | In CiaoSpeak |
|---|---|---|
| Boa sorte! | Good luck! | Unit 30 |
| Boa sorte! Vai dar tudo certo. | Good luck! It's all going to be fine. | Speak: Language exchange |
| Boa sorte! Você consegue! | Good luck! You can do it! | Speak: Test day |
| Boa sorte na prova! | Good luck on the test! | Not in the course |
When do you wish someone luck in CiaoSpeak?
Twice in the Speak tab: Ana starts an internship and asks you to wish her luck, and your neighbor Juliana's son has a test.
Language exchange
Segunda-feira começo o meu estágio! Me deseja sorte?
On Monday I start my internship! Will you wish me luck?
Boa sorte! Vai dar tudo certo.
Good luck! It's all going to be fine.
Your neighbor, test day
Bom dia! Hoje é o dia da prova do Pedro. Fala alguma coisa para ele?
Good morning! Today is Pedro's test day. Will you say something to him?
Boa sorte! Você consegue!
Good luck! You can do it!
What else do Brazilians say about luck?
Que sorte! is "How lucky!", Você tem sorte! is "You're lucky!", and Tomara! is "I hope so!".
| Portuguese | Meaning | In CiaoSpeak |
|---|---|---|
| Que sorte! | How lucky! | Unit 30 |
| Você tem sorte! | You're lucky! | Unit 30 |
| a sorte | luck | Unit 30 |
| Tomara! | I hope so! Fingers crossed! | Not in the course |
What mistakes do English speakers make with sorte?
The common mistake is Você é sorte or Você está sorte for "you're lucky"; luck is something you have: Você tem sorte.
- Você é sorte / Você está sorte. Luck takes ter: Você tem sorte.
- Bom sorte. Sorte is feminine: boa sorte.
How can you practice saying it out loud?
Say it to someone who answers. In CiaoSpeak's Brazilian Portuguese course, the lessons teach Boa sorte! with a recording in a Brazilian accent, and in the Speak tab a character in a real scene (a São Paulo baker, a Rio ride-app driver, your language-exchange partner Ana) talks to you and you answer out loud. The app tells you whether a Brazilian would understand you, with one gentle fix if not. Lessons are free; in the Speak tab, today's questions (up to five a day) are free too, and CiaoSpeak+ adds practice in any scene whenever you like. More phrases: how to say everyday things in Portuguese.