The Japanese culture is ancient and full of superstitions about luck and misfortune. Historically, it was believed that everything could be influenced for good and bad with the help of amulets, actions, numbers, and other things related to luck. Another interesting factor is the kanji or ideograms of the Japanese language that can express different ideas and meanings. This resulted in a language full of words for luck, each for a specific occasion. In this article, we will learn various ways to say luck in Japanese.
It is interesting to analyze the words related to luck because we can see that they have connections to various other words that are or are not literally linked to luck and misfortune. Words like happiness, safety, prosperity, etc. This article is very interesting, especially for those who are learning Japanese or for those who wish to satisfy their curiosity.
We also recommend reading:
- Sanpaku Eyes – Superstition, Death, and Meaning
- Japanese Superstitions – Misfortune and luck in Japan
Table of Contents
Fuku – 福 – Luck in Japanese
Fuku is a noun that means good luck and also an ideogram (福) that means blessing, fortune, luck, and wealth. Its kanji is used in dozens of words that describe happiness or things related to luck. For example, a Fukubukuro is a “lucky bag” traditionally sold during the Japanese New Year, containing mysterious items.
Read also: Fukubukuro – Lucky Bags
See some derived words written with the kanji of fuku below:
- 福祉 – fukushi – well-being, safety;
- 福音 – fukuin – good news, gospel, glad tidings;
- 福岡 – fukuoka – (Name of a city);
- 福引 – fukubiki – lottery;
- 福寿 – fukujyu – long life, happiness;
- 福徳 – fukutoku – fortune, happiness, and prosperity;
Engimono – 縁起物 – Lucky Charm
Engimono means “lucky charm or talisman.” It is a generic term to describe anything or object that is considered lucky, such as a Daruma doll. This word can encompass various things like food, bags, dolls, fruits, flowers, incense, music, etc. Anything that can bring good luck can be called Engimono or literally things of luck.
Ungaii – 運がいい – Adjective
Ungaii is an adjective to describe something or someone who is lucky. Its ideogram (運 – un) means fortune, luck, destiny, advancement, progress, and is also used in words related to luck.
- 運命 – unmei – destiny;
- 運良く – unyoku – happily;
- 運勢 – unsei – fortune, luck;
Tsuiteru – 付いてる – Verb
Tsuiteru is a verb used to describe the state of having luck. The negative form of the verb, Tsuitena means misfortune or not having luck. The verb also means to be attached, to have, to be included, to contain, and to be in a state.
Rakkii – ラッキー – Luck
Rakki is luck derived from the word “Luck” in the English language. This is occasionally used in Japan. If you say luck in English, many will understand.
We also recommend reading:
Yatta – やった – What luck!
Yatta means “Yay!” It is commonly used to express a sudden feeling of happiness. For example, if you win the lottery, you might say yatta! One of its possible translations is luck!
Other ways to say Luck in Japanese
To conclude the article, we will leave other words that mean luck in Japanese and some related articles. Some of them are:
- 吉 – kichi – Another word and kanji that means good luck or good fortune
- 幸せ – shiawase – Means happiness, but gives the idea of luck on some occasions;
- 不運 – fuun – Means bad luck;
Leave a Reply