走运

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zǒuyùn: 走运 - To be lucky, To have good fortune

Quick Summary

  • Keywords: zouyun, zǒuyùn, 走运, how to say lucky in Chinese, good fortune in Chinese, lucky streak Chinese, to get lucky, 运气, Chinese culture luck, Chinese word for luck
  • Summary: Discover the meaning of 走运 (zǒuyùn), a common Chinese term for “to be lucky” or “to have good fortune.” More than just a single lucky event, `走运` describes entering a period or a “lucky streak,” as if you are literally “walking into fortune.” This page breaks down its characters, cultural significance, and practical use in modern China, contrasting it with its antonym `倒霉 (dǎoméi)` (to have bad luck) and the more general term `幸运 (xìngyùn)` (fortunate).

Core Meaning

  • Pinyin (with tone marks): zǒu yùn
  • Part of Speech: Verb, Adjective
  • HSK Level: HSK 5
  • Concise Definition: To be in a period of good luck; to have a lucky streak.
  • In a Nutshell: `走运 (zǒuyùn)` literally translates to “walk luck.” It's not just about being lucky in a single moment, but rather the feeling that things are generally going your way for a period of time. It implies a dynamic shift where fortune has turned in your favor, and you're currently “on a roll.”

Character Breakdown

  • 走 (zǒu): This character means “to walk,” “to go,” or “to move.” Its original form was a pictogram of a person walking. Here, it gives the sense of movement and progression.
  • 运 (yùn): This character means “luck,” “fortune,” or “transport.” It's a key component in words like `运气 (yùnqì)` (luck) and `命运 (mìngyùn)` (destiny).
  • Together, 走运 (zǒuyùn) creates a vivid image of actively “walking into a phase of good fortune.” The luck isn't static; it's something you are moving through.

Cultural Context and Significance

  • In Chinese culture, luck (`运`) is often seen as a cyclical and dynamic force, not just a random occurrence. It's a key part of one's `运气 (yùnqì)`, which can be good or bad and can change over time. The concept of `走运` fits perfectly into this worldview. It acknowledges that a person can enter a phase where the flow of events is auspicious.
  • Comparison to Western Concepts: While an English speaker might say “I got lucky,” which often refers to a single event, or “I'm a lucky person,” which implies a permanent trait, `走运` sits in between. It's more like saying “I'm on a lucky streak” or “Things are finally going my way.” It's less about an inherent quality (“being lucky”) and more about experiencing a favorable cosmic tide. It lacks the “you make your own luck” undertone common in American culture, instead suggesting an external, temporary blessing of good fortune.

Practical Usage in Modern China

  • `走运` is a very common, informal term used in everyday conversation.
  • Expressing Genuine Luck: It's frequently used to describe a series of fortunate events, like getting a promotion, winning a small prize, and finding a parking spot all in the same week.
  • Sarcastic Usage: Like “what great luck I'm having” in English, `走运` can be used sarcastically to complain about misfortune. The tone of voice is key. For example, if you miss your bus and then it starts to rain, you might say to a friend, “我今天真走运 (wǒ jīntiān zhēn zǒuyùn)!”
  • In Wishes: While you would wish someone `好运 (hǎoyùn)` (good luck), you would comment on their current state by saying they are `走运`.

Example Sentences

  • Example 1:
    • 我最近好像挺走运的，面试一去就通过了。
    • Pinyin: Wǒ zuìjìn hǎoxiàng tǐng zǒuyùn de, miànshì yī qù jiù tōngguò le.
    • English: It seems I've been quite lucky recently; I passed the job interview on my first try.
    • Analysis: This is a classic use of `走运` to describe a recent positive turn of events. `最近 (zuìjìn)` (recently) is often paired with `走运`.
  • Example 2:
    • 你今天可走运了！这是最后一个蛋糕，被你买到了。
    • Pinyin: Nǐ jīntiān kě zǒuyùn le! Zhè shì zuìhòu yī ge dàngāo, bèi nǐ mǎi dào le.
    • English: You really got lucky today! This was the last cake, and you got it.
    • Analysis: Here, `可…了 (kě…le)` is used to add emphasis, highlighting just how lucky the person was in that specific moment.
  • Example 3:
    • 他真走运，居然抽中了一等奖。
    • Pinyin: Tā zhēn zǒuyùn, jūrán chōu zhòng le yī děng jiǎng.
    • English: He's so lucky, he actually won the first prize in the lottery.
    • Analysis: `居然 (jūrán)` emphasizes the unexpected and surprising nature of his luck.
  • Example 4:
    • A: 我的手机掉在出租车上了。 B: 你太不走运了。
    • Pinyin: A: Wǒ de shǒujī diào zài chūzūchē shàng le. B: Nǐ tài bù zǒuyùn le.
    • English: A: I left my phone in the taxi. B: You're so unlucky.
    • Analysis: This shows the negative form, `不走运 (bù zǒuyùn)`, which is a common way to say someone is having a bit of bad luck. It's a synonym for `倒霉 (dǎoméi)`.
  • Example 5: (Sarcastic)
    • 我今天可真走运，刚洗完车就下暴雨了。
    • Pinyin: Wǒ jīntiān kě zhēn zǒuyùn, gāng xǐ wán chē jiù xià bàoyǔ le.
    • English: I'm so lucky today, it started pouring right after I washed my car.
    • Analysis: The context makes it clear this is sarcasm. The speaker is complaining about their bad luck by ironically calling it good luck.
  • Example 6:
    • 人不可能一辈子都走运，总会有起起落落。
    • Pinyin: Rén bù kěnéng yī bèi zi dōu zǒuyùn, zǒng huì yǒu qǐ qǐ luò luò.
    • English: A person can't be lucky their whole life; there will always be ups and downs.
    • Analysis: This sentence reflects the cultural view of luck as cyclical. `走运` is a temporary state.
  • Example 7:
    • 他那几年特别走运，做什么生意都赚钱。
    • Pinyin: Tā nà jǐ nián tèbié zǒuyùn, zuò shénme shēngyì dōu zhuànqián.
    • English: He was especially lucky during those few years; every business he started made money.
    • Analysis: This demonstrates `走运` describing a longer period of sustained fortune (a few years).
  • Example 8:
    • 看来我的好运气用完了，最近一点儿也不走运。
    • Pinyin: Kànlái wǒ de hǎo yùnqì yòng wán le, zuìjìn yīdiǎnr yě bù zǒuyùn.
    • English: It seems my good luck has run out; I haven't been lucky at all recently.
    • Analysis: This sentence directly connects the state of `走运` to the underlying concept of `运气 (yùnqì)`.
  • Example 9:
    • 你是不是走运了？看你最近总是笑呵呵的。
    • Pinyin: Nǐ shì bu shì zǒuyùn le? Kàn nǐ zuìjìn zǒngshì xiào hēhē de.
    • English: Are you on a lucky streak? I see you're always smiling and happy recently.
    • Analysis: This shows how one might ask if someone is `走运` based on their positive demeanor.
  • Example 10:
    • 如果你觉得自己不走运，就去健健身，换换心情。
    • Pinyin: Rúguǒ nǐ juéde zìjǐ bù zǒuyùn, jiù qù jiànjiàn shēn, huànhuan xīnqíng.
    • English: If you feel like you're having bad luck, go work out and change your mood.
    • Analysis: This shows `走运` used in a sentence giving advice, treating the feeling of being unlucky as a temporary state that can be managed.

Nuances and Common Mistakes

  • `走运 (zǒuyùn)` vs. `幸运 (xìngyùn)`: This is the most common point of confusion.
    • `幸运 (xìngyùn)` is a more general, neutral adjective for “fortunate” or “lucky.” It can describe a person's general state or a single event. You can say `他是一个幸运的人 (tā shì yī ge xìngyùn de rén)` - “He is a lucky person.”
    • `走运 (zǒuyùn)` is more of a verb or a temporary state. It implies a process or a streak of luck. It's awkward to use it to describe a permanent personal trait.
  • Common Mistake: Saying `他是一个走运的人 (tā shì yī ge zǒuyùn de rén)`.
    • Why it's wrong: This sounds unnatural because `走运` describes a temporary phase, like “walking through luck.” It's not a permanent characteristic.
    • How to fix it: Use `幸运` instead: `他是一个幸运的人 (tā shì yī ge xìngyùn de rén)`. Or, describe the recent situation: `他最近很走运 (tā zuìjìn hěn zǒuyùn)`.

Related Terms and Concepts

  • 幸运 (xìngyùn) - The general adjective for “lucky” or “fortunate.” `走运` is a specific way of being `幸运`.
  • 运气 (yùnqì) - The underlying noun for “luck” or “fortune” (which can be good or bad). `走运` is what happens when your `运气` is good.
  • 倒霉 (dǎoméi) - The direct antonym of `走运`. It means “to have bad luck” or “to be on an unlucky streak.”
  • 好运 (hǎoyùn) - “Good luck.” Primarily a noun. You wish someone `好运`, and if they experience it, you can say they are `走运`.
  • 时来运转 (shí lái yùn zhuǎn) - A formal idiom meaning “one's luck has changed for the better.” It's a more literary way to describe the beginning of a `走运` phase.
  • 手气 (shǒuqì) - A specific type of luck related to one's “hand,” used for games, gambling, or drawing lots. If you keep winning at cards, you have good `手气`.
  • 命运 (mìngyùn) - A broader, philosophical concept of “destiny” or “fate.” `运` (luck) is seen as a component of one's `命运`.