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English - Hungarian

luck

gb/lˈʌk/ us/lˈʌk/
A2 English
~ 2800
szerencse
NOUN A2
1
szerencse A2
Usage pattern:
to have [good/bad] luck
She couldn't believe her luck when she won the lottery.
Alig hitt a szerencséjének, amikor megnyerte a lottót.
With a bit of luck, we'll finish the project on time.
Egy kis szerencsével időben befejezzük a projektet.
It was pure luck that they found the missing keys.
They had bad luck with the weather during their trip.
By luck, he caught the last train home.
Learner examples
I had good luck in the game.
Szerencsém volt a játékban.
We need luck to win.
Egy kis szerencsére is szükségünk van ahhoz, hogy nyerjünk.
She had bad luck yesterday.
He found his phone by luck.
They had no luck finding the cat.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'luck' with 'happy' or 'success', but 'luck' refers to chance, not effort or emotion.
Meaning
Chance influencing outcomes
Collocations
good luck |bad luck |bring luck |by luck |luck runs out
Synonyms
fortune (Slightly more formal and can imply destiny as well as chance.) | chance (Focuses on randomness rather than a personal force.)
Antonyms
misfortune (Refers specifically to bad events caused by chance.) | fate (Implies a fixed outcome beyond random chance.)
Themes
daily life |emotions |beliefs |core_vocabulary
Definition

The way things happen by chance, not by what you do.

The force that seems to cause good or bad things to happen to a person without being planned or controlled.

NOUN A2
2
szerencse A2
Usage pattern:
to have [some] luck with [something]
It was a stroke of luck that the store had one left in stock.
Nagy szerencse volt, hogy az üzletben még volt belőle egy raktáron.
We had some luck with the fishing this morning.
Ma reggel volt némi szerencsénk a horgászattal.
Finding that old photo was pure luck.
Learner examples
It was luck that I met her there.
Szerencse volt, hogy ott találkoztam vele.
We had luck finding a taxi.
Szerencsénk volt, találtunk taxit.
It was good luck to get the job.
Meaning
Good results from chance
Collocations
stroke of luck |piece of luck |lucky break
Synonyms
break (Informal; suggests a sudden positive opportunity.) | blessing (Often carries a religious or grateful tone.)
Antonyms
setback (A negative event that stops progress.)
Themes
daily life |emotions |core_vocabulary
Definition

When something good happens without you planning it.

Success or positive outcomes that happen by chance rather than through one's own actions.

Grammar
Dictionary form
luck
IPA
GB/lˈʌk/
US/lˈʌk/
Syllables & stress
luck (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (luck)
Word forms
Noun
  • Base: luck
  • Plural: luck
Word family
Core family
lucky adjective A2 luckily adverb A2
Negative and opposite forms
unlucky adjective A2 unluckily adverb
Advanced or less common
luckless adjective
Expressions

bad luck

1
/bˈæd lˈʌk/
fixed phrase

Misfortune from chance

When something bad happens because of chance, not because of what you did.

Examples
  • It was bad luck that it rained during the picnic.
  • Losing your wallet is just bad luck.

good luck

1
/ɡˈʊd lˈʌk/
fixed phrase

Wishing someone success

Used to tell someone you hope they will succeed or have good things happen.

Examples
  • Good luck with your exam tomorrow!
  • Good luck in your new job.

beginner's luck

1
/bɪɡˈɪnɚz lˈʌk/
idiom

Unusually good first-time success

When someone who is new to an activity does very well the first time, often better than expected.

Examples
  • She won her first game—must be beginner's luck.
  • She won the card game on her first try, and everyone said it was just beginner's luck.
  • I think it was just beginner's luck that he scored so well.
  • Don't let your beginner's luck fool you; this game gets much harder.
  • He scored a goal in his first match, but it was probably beginner's luck.

push your luck

1
/pˈʊʃ jˈʊɹ lˈʌk/
idiom informal

risk losing by seeking more gain

To try for more success after being lucky, which may cause you to lose what you have.

Examples
  • You won twice—don’t push your luck.
  • She decided not to push her luck and left while she was ahead.

push your luck

2
/pˈʊʃ jˈʊɹ lˈʌk/
idiom informal

Risk losing gained advantage

To try something risky after you have already been lucky, which may cause you to lose what you gained.

Examples
  • You've won twice—don't push your luck!
  • I think you're pushing your luck asking for another day off.

stroke of luck

1
/stɹˈoʊk əv lˈʌk/
idiom

sudden event of good luck

A sudden and very lucky event that helps you.

Examples
  • By a stroke of luck, the train was delayed and I didn’t miss it.
  • Finding that old photo was a real stroke of luck.
  • It was a stroke of luck that she called just when I needed help.

stroke of luck

2
/stɹˈoʊk əv lˈʌk/
idiom

Sudden lucky event

A sudden and unexpected piece of good fortune.

Examples
  • Meeting her there was a real stroke of luck.
  • It was a stroke of luck that we caught the earlier train.
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