How to say "Good luck" in Korean
The natural way Koreans say "Good luck" — with the polite form, close alternatives, and audio for every line.
화이팅
hwaiting
Literally: Fighting!
When to use it
Not really good luck - it is you got this. Koreans shout it before exams, games, interviews and hard days. It comes from the English word fighting.
Polite form
- 화이팅하세요hwaitinghaseyoUse this with strangers, anyone older than you, and at work.
Other ways to say it
- 파이팅paiting= Fighting (alt spelling)Same word. Both spellings are everywhere.
- 잘 봐jal bwa= Do well (on the test)Specifically before an exam.
- 행운을 빌어haeng-uneul bireo= I wish you luckThe literal translation - but it sounds bookish. 화이팅 is what people say.
In a sentence
- 시험 화이팅!siheom hwaiting!Good luck on your exam!
- 오늘도 화이팅!oneuldo hwaiting!You got this today!
Practise this one. These phrases are in the phrase quiz — five rounds, no sign-up. Not reading Hangul yet? Start with the alphabet in 20 minutes.
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