Russian · phrasebook
Good luck in Russian
Good luck in Russian is удачи! (udachi), the word luck standing in the genitive because Russian wishes are genitive. Before exams and auditions Russians use the ritual ни пуха ни пера, which demands the reply к чёрту, to the devil.
Aurélien CuvelierAug 9, 2026 · Updated Aug 10, 2026The ways to say it
удачи! (udachi), standard
ни пуха ни пера! (ni pukha ni pera), the ritual: neither fluff nor feather; hunters' reverse luck
к чёрту! (k chyortu), the reply: to the devil! obligatory answer to the above
в добрый путь! (v dobry put), safe travels: for departures and new beginnings
How to use it
Russian wishes drop желаю (I wish you) and leave the wished thing in the genitive: удачи, счастливого пути, спокойной ночи all follow the same machine you have met on the good-night page.
Ни пуха ни пера is anti-jinx logic: wishing a hunter no down and no feathers so the spirits do not spoil the hunt. Answering спасибо breaks the spell; the only correct reply is к чёрту. Use it before someone's exam and watch them grin.
Watch out
Never thank someone for ни пуха ни пера: спасибо ruins the ritual. The exchange is fixed, ни пуха ни пера answered by к чёрту, and Russians genuinely observe it.
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