How to Say Good Luck in Punjabi: Rabb Bhala Kare, Shubh Kaamnavan and What People Actually Say
There's no single word for good luck in Punjabi. People say Rabb bhala kare (ਰੱਬ ਭਲਾ ਕਰੇ, may God do good), Waheguru mehar kare, Rabb tuhade naal hove, or formally shubh kaamnavan — and in the diaspora, best of luck ji. Wishes for exams, interviews, driving tests, matches, surgery and new jobs, with Gurmukhi, pronunciation, the replies and the blessings elders give.
Punjabi has no single phrase that means exactly "good luck", because Punjabi doesn't think in luck — it thinks in blessings. What people say is Rabb bhala kare (ਰੱਬ ਭਲਾ ਕਰੇ, "may God do good"), Rabb tuhade naal hove (ਰੱਬ ਤੁਹਾਡੇ ਨਾਲ ਹੋਵੇ, "God be with you"), Waheguru mehar kare (ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਮਿਹਰ ਕਰੇ, "may God be kind") or, on cards and in speeches, shubh kaamnavan (ਸ਼ੁਭ ਕਾਮਨਾਵਾਂ, "good wishes"). And in Brampton, Birmingham and Fresno, honestly, it's "best of luck ji". Here is every option, which to use for an exam, an interview, a driving test, a match or an operation, and what to say back.
Good Luck in Punjabi
| English | Punjabi | Gurmukhi | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| May God do good (all-purpose good luck) | Rabb bhala kare | ਰੱਬ ਭਲਾ ਕਰੇ | rubb BHUL-aa ka-RAY |
| God be with you | Rabb tuhade naal hove | ਰੱਬ ਤੁਹਾਡੇ ਨਾਲ ਹੋਵੇ | rubb tu-HAA-day naal HO-vay |
| May God be kind | Waheguru mehar kare | ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਮਿਹਰ ਕਰੇ | VAA-heh-gu-roo MEH-ur ka-RAY |
| May God make you successful | Rabb kaamyaab kare | ਰੱਬ ਕਾਮਯਾਬ ਕਰੇ | rubb kaam-YAAB ka-RAY |
| May everything go well | Sab theek hove | ਸਭ ਠੀਕ ਹੋਵੇ | sub theek HO-vay |
| Best wishes (formal, written) | Shubh kaamnavan | ਸ਼ੁਭ ਕਾਮਨਾਵਾਂ | shubh kaam-NAA-vaan |
| My prayers are with you | Meriyan duaavan tuhade naal han | ਮੇਰੀਆਂ ਦੁਆਵਾਂ ਤੁਹਾਡੇ ਨਾਲ ਹਨ | MAY-ree-aan du-AA-vaan … |
| Best of luck (what people say) | Best of luck ji | ਬੈਸਟ ਆਫ਼ ਲੱਕ ਜੀ | — |
| Go and smash it | Chak de phatte! | ਚੱਕ ਦੇ ਫੱਟੇ! | chuk day FUT-tay |
| Give it your whole heart | Dil laa ke karin | ਦਿਲ ਲਾ ਕੇ ਕਰੀਂ | dil laa kay ka-REEN |
| Don't worry, it'll work out | Fikar na kar, ho jaayega | ਫ਼ਿਕਰ ਨਾ ਕਰ, ਹੋ ਜਾਵੇਗਾ | FIK-ur naa kur, ho JAA-vay-gaa |
| Trust in God | Rabb te bharosa rakh | ਰੱਬ 'ਤੇ ਭਰੋਸਾ ਰੱਖ | rubb tay bha-RO-saa rukh |
| Say a prayer before you go | Ardaas kar ke jaayin | ਅਰਦਾਸ ਕਰ ਕੇ ਜਾਈਂ | ur-DAAS kur kay JAA-een |
| Come back having won | Jitt ke aayin | ਜਿੱਤ ਕੇ ਆਈਂ | jitt kay AA-een |
| Keep your courage up | Himmat rakh | ਹਿੰਮਤ ਰੱਖ | HIM-mut rukh |
Good Luck for Specific Occasions
| Occasion | Say | Gurmukhi | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| An exam | Paper vadhiya hove! | ਪੇਪਰ ਵਧੀਆ ਹੋਵੇ! | May the exam go well |
| Results day | Pass ho jaayin, Rabb mehar kare | ਪਾਸ ਹੋ ਜਾਈਂ, ਰੱਬ ਮਿਹਰ ਕਰੇ | May you pass, God willing |
| A job interview | Interview vadhiya hove. Naukri mil jaave. | ਇੰਟਰਵਿਊ ਵਧੀਆ ਹੋਵੇ। ਨੌਕਰੀ ਮਿਲ ਜਾਵੇ। | May the interview go well. May you get the job. |
| A driving test | Test pass ho jaave, hauli chalaayin! | ਟੈਸਟ ਪਾਸ ਹੋ ਜਾਵੇ, ਹੌਲੀ ਚਲਾਈਂ! | May you pass — drive slowly! |
| A match or race | Jitt ke aayin! Chak de phatte! | ਜਿੱਤ ਕੇ ਆਈਂ! ਚੱਕ ਦੇ ਫੱਟੇ! | Come back a winner! Smash it! |
| An operation or treatment | Rabb mehar kare, sab theek hovega | ਰੱਬ ਮਿਹਰ ਕਰੇ, ਸਭ ਠੀਕ ਹੋਵੇਗਾ | God be kind, everything will be fine |
| A new job or business | Rabb barkat paave | ਰੱਬ ਬਰਕਤ ਪਾਵੇ | May God put blessing (abundance) in it |
| A new home | Nave ghar vich khushiyan vasan | ਨਵੇਂ ਘਰ ਵਿੱਚ ਖ਼ੁਸ਼ੀਆਂ ਵੱਸਣ | May happiness dwell in the new home |
| A journey | Rabb rakha, dhyaan naal jaana | ਰੱਬ ਰਾਖਾ, ਧਿਆਨ ਨਾਲ ਜਾਣਾ | God protect you, go carefully |
| A performance or speech | Dil laa ke karin, tu kar lavenga | ਦਿਲ ਲਾ ਕੇ ਕਰੀਂ, ਤੂੰ ਕਰ ਲਵੇਂਗਾ | Give it your heart, you can do it |
Luck, Fate and Blessings
The word for luck or fate is kismat (ਕਿਸਮਤ): kismat changi hove (may your luck be good), tuhadi kismat vich hai (it's in your fate), kismat wala (a lucky person). But when Punjabis wish someone well they rarely invoke luck; they invoke God (Rabb, Waheguru) and they give asees (ਅਸੀਸ) or duaavan (ਦੁਆਵਾਂ) — blessings. That's why an elder answers "wish me luck" with a hand on your head and Rabb bhala kare, jeonde raho, and why the natural reply to any of these wishes credits the blessing, not the luck.
How to Reply
| They say | You reply | Gurmukhi | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rabb bhala kare | Shukriya ji, tuhadi dua naal | ਸ਼ੁਕਰੀਆ ਜੀ, ਤੁਹਾਡੀ ਦੁਆ ਨਾਲ | Thank you — with your blessing |
| Best of luck ji | Shukriya ji | ਸ਼ੁਕਰੀਆ ਜੀ | Thank you |
| Paper vadhiya hove | Rabb di mehar naal | ਰੱਬ ਦੀ ਮਿਹਰ ਨਾਲ | God willing (with God's kindness) |
| Jitt ke aayin | Zaroor! | ਜ਼ਰੂਰ! | Definitely! |
Afterwards, when it went well, the words change to well done in Punjabi and congratulations; if nerves are the problem, see the comforting phrases in emotions in Punjabi.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you say good luck in Punjabi?
There's no exact equivalent; say Rabb bhala kare (ਰੱਬ ਭਲਾ ਕਰੇ, may God do good), Rabb tuhade naal hove (God be with you) or, formally, shubh kaamnavan. Many Punjabis simply say best of luck ji.
How do you say best of luck for an exam in Punjabi?
Paper vadhiya hove! (ਪੇਪਰ ਵਧੀਆ ਹੋਵੇ, may the exam go well) or Rabb mehar kare, pass ho jaayin.
What does Rabb bhala kare mean?
Literally "may God do good" — a blessing that covers good luck, best wishes and "God bless you" at once. It is used by Punjabis of every religion.
How do you say all the best in Punjabi?
Sab theek hove (ਸਭ ਠੀਕ ਹੋਵੇ, may everything go well) or Rabb kaamyaab kare (may God make you successful).
Wish Them Well in Punjabi
The blessing means more in the language the family prays in. Alfaazo teaches everyday Punjabi with native audio, the Gurmukhi script and bite-sized lessons you can finish in five minutes a day. Free on iOS and Android.
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