French Conversation · Level 169
15 words
French word
porte-bonheur
Pronunciation
IPA/pɔʁtbɔnœʁ/
Meaning
- masculine nounlucky charm
Example
Elle garde toujours son porte-bonheur dans son sac.
She always keeps her lucky charm in her bag.
More examples
Elle porte souvent son porte-bonheur lors des examens.
She often wears her good-luck charm during exams.
Core concept
A pocket-sized object treated as a companion that attracts luck.
Common phrases
porter un porte-bonheur
wear a good-luck charm
accrocher un porte-bonheur
hang a good-luck charm
un petit porte-bonheur
a small good-luck charm
Similar words
amulette: A small religious or magical object worn for protection from harm or illness.
talisman: A small object believed to have special powers that bring good luck.
grigri: A small, informal good-luck charm carried or worn for protection.
Definition in French
Désigne un petit objet que l'on porte ou conserve parce qu'on croit qu'il apporte de la chance.
Word origin
French formed porte-bonheur by joining a form of porter with bonheur, whose second element heur comes from Old French and means 'luck'.
Usage tips
- Porte-bonheur is a broad everyday term, while amulette and talisman can suggest more explicit protective or magical functions.
Other meanings
- talismannoun
Opposites
- porte-malheurbad-luck charmnoun