Saying "good luck" seems simple enough, but in French, the phrase shifts dramatically depending on context, register, and exactly how much sarcasm you intend to convey. If you are looking for the most accurate translation for good luck with that in french, the answer isn't a single phrase. It is a menu of options ranging from polite encouragement to a dismissive shrug. Mastering these nuances is the difference between sounding like a textbook and sounding like a native speaker.
It sounds simple, but the gap is usually here.
The Standard Go-To: Bonne chance
The most direct, dictionary-approved translation is bonne chance. It is grammatically correct, universally understood, and appropriate for almost any situation where you genuinely wish someone success.
- Usage: Exams, job interviews, driving tests, competitions, or any genuine challenge.
- Tone: Neutral to warm. Sincere.
- Example: "Tu as ton examen de français demain ? Bonne chance !" (You have your French exam tomorrow? Good luck!)
Because chance implies luck or fortune, this phrase carries a slight connotation that the outcome is partially out of the person's control. It is the safest bet for learners, but it lacks the specific flavor of "with that" which often implies a specific, perhaps difficult, task.
The "Effort-Based" Alternative: Bon courage
This is arguably the most culturally distinct French phrase for this context. Bon courage translates literally to "good courage," but functionally it means "hang in there," "stay strong," or "good luck with the effort required."
- Usage: Difficult tasks, tedious work, painful situations, moving house, dealing with French bureaucracy, or a long shift at work.
- Tone: Empathetic, supportive, acknowledging difficulty.
- Nuance: Unlike bonne chance (luck), bon courage implies the outcome depends on grit. You aren't wishing for a lucky break; you are wishing for the stamina to finish.
If someone says, "I have to assemble this IKEA wardrobe with missing screws," the correct response is bon courage. If you say bonne chance, it sounds like you hope the furniture magically builds itself And that's really what it comes down to. Turns out it matters..
Capturing "With That": Pour ça and Avec ça
English speakers often want to literally translate "with that" (avec ça or pour ça). While grammatically possible, it often sounds clunky or overly specific in French.
- "Bonne chance pour ça" / "Bon courage pour ça": This works well when pointing to a specific noun or event mentioned previously. "Tu dois appeler la préfecture ? Bon courage pour ça." (You have to call the prefecture? Good luck with that.)
- "Bonne chance avec ça": This is used when "that" refers to a physical object, a person, or a tangible situation. "Voici ton nouveau chaton, il griffe tout. Bonne chance avec ça !" (Here is your new kitten, he scratches everything. Good luck with that!)
In spoken French, however, natives frequently drop the "with that" entirely. The context does the heavy lifting. A simple "Bonne chance" or "Bon courage" delivered with the right intonation covers the "with that" implication perfectly.
The Informal & Friendly: Merde and Croiser les doigts
Moving into colloquial territory, the vocabulary shifts significantly.
Merde (Literally: Sh*t)
This is the famous "theater superstition" phrase. In the performing arts, wishing someone "good luck" (bonne chance) is considered bad luck. So, actors say merde to one another before going on stage.
- Modern Usage: It has leaked into general slang among friends. It means "Break a leg" or "Go get 'em."
- Register: Strictly informal. Never say this to a boss, a police officer, or your girlfriend's parents.
- Variation: Je te dis merde (I'm saying merde to you / Wishing you luck).
Je croise les doigts (I’m crossing my fingers)
This is the direct equivalent of the English idiom. It is friendly, slightly superstitious, and very common in text messages or casual conversation.
- Example: "Tu passes ton permis aujourd'hui ? Je croise les doigts !"
Tiens le coup / Accroche-toi
These translate to "Hold on tight" or "Hang in there." They are variations of bon courage, used when someone is in the middle of a struggle (burnout, heartbreak, a terrible project deadline).
- Tone: Supportive, solidarity-focused.
The Sarcastic "Good Luck With That"
This is likely why many people search for this specific phrase. Now, in English, "Good luck with that" is often a mic drop. It means: *"That is a terrible idea / You are being unreasonable / You will fail, and I am washing my hands of it.
French has a specific arsenal for this energy And that's really what it comes down to..
1. Bonne chance... (said with a specific tone)
Just like in English, bonne chance becomes sarcastic purely through prosody. A flat tone, a slight pause, raised eyebrows, or a slow articulation ("Booonne chaaance") signals: "You're on your own, buddy."
2. Bon courage... (The Resigned Version)
Similarly, a sigh followed by "Bon courage..." implies: "That situation is a nightmare, and I pity you, but I'm not helping."
3. C’est ton problème / C’est ton affaire (That’s your problem / That’s your business)
This is the verbal equivalent of stepping aside. It translates the dismissive "Good luck with that" perfectly.
- Context: "Je vais dire au patron qu'il a tort." (I'm going to tell the boss he's wrong.)
- Response: "Ah bon ? C'est ton problème." (Oh really? Good luck with that / That's your funeral.)
4. Tu as de l'audace / C’est courageux (You have nerve / That’s brave)
Often said with a tight smile. It acknowledges the difficulty but frames it as the speaker's choice, removing the speaker's responsibility for the outcome But it adds up..
5. On verra bien (We’ll see)
The ultimate French shrug. It dismisses the prediction of success without explicitly wishing failure. It implies skepticism.
6. Fais comme tu veux (Do as you want)
The classic passive-aggressive closer. It grants permission while withdrawing support Turns out it matters..
Structural Grammar: Prepositions Matter
If you insist on constructing the full sentence "Good luck with [noun/verb]," French grammar requires specific prepositions.
With a Noun: Pour or Avec
- Bonne chance pour [noun/event]: Focuses on the event/appointment.
- Bonne chance pour ton entretien. (Good luck for your interview.)
- Bonne chance avec [person/thing]: Focuses on the tool, person, or object you must manage.
- Bonne chance avec ce logiciel. (Good luck with this software.)
- Bonne chance avec ton frère. (Good luck with your brother.)
With a Verb: Pour + Infinitive
You cannot say "Bonne chance avec faisant." You must use pour + infinitive That alone is useful..
- Bonne chance pour trouver une place de parking. (Good luck finding a parking spot.)
- Bon courage pour finir ce dossier. (Good luck finishing this file.)
The "False Friend" Trap: Bonne chance vs. Bonne chance pour la suite
Be careful with bonne chance pour la suite ("Good luck for the rest/what comes next").
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