Translation guide
The English word "fortune" covers several distinct concepts: luck or chance, a large amount of money, and a prediction of the future. This guide separates these meanings and provides natural Japanese expressions for each.
Expressing the idea of luck, fate, or chance that affects one's life.
The most common and general word for luck or fortune. Can be used in many contexts.
Referring to a great deal of money or wealth.
Telling someone's future, often through divination.
運 (うん) is general luck, while 運命 (うんめい) implies a fated destiny. Use 運 for everyday luck, and 運命 for more profound, life-changing events.
When 'fortune' means a lot of money, avoid using 運 (luck). Use 財産 (assets) or 大金 (large sum) instead.
彼は株式市場で財産を築いた。
He made a fortune in the stock market.
彼女は幸運にも彼に出会った。
She had the good fortune to meet him.
運がいいですね。
You're lucky.
彼は運が悪かった。
He had bad luck.
Refers to destiny or fate, often with a sense of a predetermined course of events.
それは運命だったのかもしれない。
Perhaps it was fate.
Good fortune or luck, often used in more formal or written contexts.
幸運を祈ります。
I wish you good luck.
An idiomatic phrase meaning 'luck turns in one's favor'.
ようやく運が向いてきた。
My luck has finally turned.
The standard word for a fortune in the sense of assets or wealth.
彼は大きな財産を築いた。
He built a large fortune.
Literally 'large money', used for a large sum of money.
その絵は大金で売れた。
The painting sold for a fortune.
A colloquial way to say 'a fortune', often used in phrases like 'cost a fortune'.
この車は一財産かかった。
This car cost a fortune.
The general term for fortune-telling or divination.
彼女は占いを信じている。
She believes in fortune-telling.
Refers to one's fortune or luck as predicted, often used in contexts like horoscopes.
今日の運勢はどうですか？
What's your fortune for today?