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Luck and Superstitions in France

Wish someone luck the French way, touch wood, and talk about good and bad luck from exam day to a winning scratch card.

Before an exam, a driving test or a show, many French people wish you luck with a rude word, « merde », and you're not supposed to answer « merci ». In France Friday the 13th counts as a lucky day for many people, and the national lottery runs special draws on it. Scratch cards and Loto tickets are sold at the tabac, and walking under a ladder or opening an umbrella indoors is still said to bring bad luck.

A simple green four-leaf clover taped on a textured white wall for a minimalist touch.
Photo: Anna Shvets on Pexels
  1. 1

    Je croise les doigts.

    I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

  2. 2

    Bonne chance pour demain !

    Good luck for tomorrow!

  3. 3

    Merde pour demain !

    Break a leg for tomorrow!

    Tip: French people say a rude word to wish luck before an exam or a show, and you mustn't say thank you back.

  4. 4

    Pour l'instant, tout va bien, je touche du bois.

    So far so good, touch wood.

  5. 5

    T'as de la chance !

    You're so lucky!

  6. 6

    Pas de chance !

    Bad luck!

  7. 7

    Il a une chance de cocu.

    He's incredibly lucky.

    Tip: The image is a betrayed husband, who is supposed to be lucky at everything else.

  8. 8

    C'était un coup de bol.

    It was a stroke of luck.

  9. 9

    Je suis tombé sur lui par hasard.

    I bumped into him by chance.

  10. 10

    La troisième fois sera la bonne !

    Third time lucky!

  11. 11

    Jamais deux sans trois.

    Things come in threes.

  12. 12

    Le vendredi 13, certains jouent au Loto.

    On Friday the 13th, some people play the lottery.

    Tip: In France this date is seen as lucky, with special lottery draws.

  13. 13

    Passer sous une échelle, ça porte malheur.

    Walking under a ladder brings bad luck.

  14. 14

    Dis pas ça, tu vas nous porter la poisse !

    Don't say that, you'll jinx us!

  15. 15

    Je suis vraiment pas verni.

    I'm really not lucky.

  16. 16

    Avec un peu de chance, on aura des places.

    With a bit of luck, we'll get seats.

  17. 17

    J'ai gagné 100 € avec un jeu à gratter !

    I won 100 euros on a scratch card!

  18. 18

    On va voir si la chance nous sourit.

    Let's see if luck is on our side.

  19. 19

    J'espère bien !

    I do hope so!

  20. 20

    C'est mon jour de chance.

    It's my lucky day.