Japanese word

運

Pronunciation

Romajiun

Meaning

  • nounluck

Example

試合では運も大切です。shi ai de wa un mo tai setsu de su

Luck is also important in a game.

Illustration for 運 (luck)

More examples

旅行の日は運がよくて、すばらしい席が取れました。ryo kō no hi wa un ga yo ku te su ba ra shi i seki ga to re ma shi ta

On the day of the trip, I was lucky and got a great seat.

Core concept

Describes the favorable or unfavorable turn that events take, often seen as an unseen force affecting outcomes.

Common phrases

  • 運がいいun ga i i

    be lucky

  • 運が悪いun ga waru i

    be unlucky

  • 運を試すun o tame su

    try one's luck

Similar words

幸運kōun: Good luck or a favorable turn of events.
ツキtsuki: Luck, especially when it helps someone succeed.
不運fuun: Bad luck or an unfavorable turn of events.

Definition in Japanese

物事の結果を左右する、目に見えない巡り合わせ。mono goto no kek ka o sa yū su ru me ni mi e na i megu ri a wa se

Word origin

運 (un, "movement; fortune") is a Sino-Japanese word whose kanji originally relates to carrying or moving, then developed the sense of a turn of events or luck.

Usage tips

  • In everyday conversation, 運 (un) often appears in phrases such as 運がいい (un ga ii) for "lucky" and 運が悪い (un ga warui) for "unlucky."

Other meanings

  • fortunenoun
  • chancenoun

Opposites

Word lists with this word