French · Real conversations
How to respond to “Bonne chance !” in French
A good-luck wish offers encouragement before an event. Acknowledge it and, if you want, offer a later update.
What you might hear
Bonne chance !
Good luck!
Choose a reply that fits
Merci. Je ferai de mon mieux.
Thank you. I'll do my best.
Accept the encouragement and state your intention.
Merci, j'en ai besoin.
Thanks, I need it.
A light informal acknowledgment.
Je te dirai comment ça s'est passé.
I'll let you know how it goes.
Offer to share the outcome later.
Merci pour tes encouragements.
Thanks for the encouragement.
Thank the person for their support.
Two short exchanges
Before an important event
Bonne chance !
Good luck!
Merci. Je ferai de mon mieux.
Thank you. I'll do my best.
Before an exam
Bonne chance pour ton examen !
Good luck with your exam!
Merci, j'en ai besoin.
Thanks, I need it.
Your turn
Offer to tell the person how the event goes.
Reveal a sample reply
Je te dirai comment ça s'est passé.
I'll let you know how it goes.
This response guide in other languages
A note on speaking French
Use vous with strangers, staff, and people you address formally; use tu when that relationship is established. Je voudrais and pourriez-vous can make a request considerate. The most appropriate choice depends on the person and the situation.
Keep accents and apostrophes. A familiar spoken expression may differ from its literal English translation. Read the complete line, including the pronoun and the words that connect the request.
