das Glück
happiness
A state of intense joy and contentment.
EXAMPLE
Für sie bedeutet das größte Glück, Zeit mit ihren Enkelkindern zu verbringen.
For her, the greatest happiness means spending time with her grandchildren.
das Glück
happiness / luck
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Meanings
das Glück
luck
A fortunate coincidence or a positive turn of fate.
EXAMPLE
Er hatte Glück und fand auf der Straße einen 50-Euro-Schein.
He had luck and found a 50-euro note on the street.
Glück haben
to be lucky
The fixed expression for having a fortunate coincidence happen to you.
EXAMPLE
Du hast wirklich Glück gehabt, dass du den Zug noch erwischt hast.
You were really lucky that you still caught the train.
zum Glück
fortunately
A fixed expression that expresses relief that something unpleasant did not happen or that something good happened; synonymous with 'glücklicherweise' (fortunately).
EXAMPLE
Ich hatte meinen Schirm vergessen, aber zum Glück hat es nicht geregnet.
I had forgotten my umbrella, but fortunately it didn't rain.
Usage tips
Two main meanings
'Glück' has two central meanings: an inner feeling of joy and contentment (happiness) or a positive coincidence (luck). The context makes clear which meaning is intended.
EXAMPLE
Er fand sein Glück in der Musik.
He found his happiness in music.
Fixed expression
To express that someone experiences a fortunate coincidence, you use the fixed expression 'Glück haben' (to be lucky). You cannot say 'Glück sein'.
EXAMPLE
Wow, du hast aber Glück gehabt!
Wow, you really were lucky!
Sentence adverb
The expression 'zum Glück' functions like an adverb and means 'fortunately'. If it stands at the beginning of a sentence, the verb follows directly after it in position 2.
EXAMPLE
Ich dachte, ich hätte meinen Schlüssel verloren. Zum Glück war er in meiner anderen Jacke.
I thought I had lost my key. Fortunately, it was in my other jacket.
Viel Glück!
The wish 'Viel Glück!' almost always means 'Good luck!', that is, the wish for a positive coincidence. It is used before exams or challenges, not to wish someone general joy in life.
EXAMPLE
Du hast morgen dein Vorstellungsgespräch? Viel Glück!
You have your job interview tomorrow? Good luck!
Compare with
Glück vs Freude
joy
Freude is usually a positive reaction to a specific, pleasing occasion. Glück generally refers more to an all-encompassing state of intense joy and contentment. A good piece of news therefore often calls for Freude, while the positive experience of life as a whole is more likely to be described as Glück.
Glück
Im Kreis seiner Familie empfindet Paul tiefes Glück.
Paul feels profound happiness surrounded by his family.
Freude
Über die gute Nachricht empfindet Paul große Freude.
Paul feels great joy at the good news.
In real life
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