How to Say 'Good Luck' in Italian: Why You Must Never Say 'Grazie' — and What to Say Instead

Imagine an Italian wishes you luck before an important exam. They say «In bocca al lupo!» — literally, into the mouth of the wolf. You smile. You say «Grazie!». And the Italian winces. Because you just did it wrong. The correct response is «Crepi!» — may the wolf die. Accepting the wolf's mouth with a grateful smile means you have walked in willingly, and that is bad luck. Kill the wolf instead. Once you understand this logic, you will understand something essential about how Italians think about fate, language, and the power of words.

The origin of «in bocca al lupo» is debated. Some link it to hunters who would wish each other into the most dangerous position to invoke the opposite outcome — a classic Italian superstition logic. Others trace it to the theatre world, where backstage traditions run deep and «in bocca al lupo» was the Italian equivalent of 'break a leg.' Both expressions share the same reverse-luck logic: wish someone harm to invoke good fortune. What is beyond debate is how embedded the phrase is in Italian culture. You hear it before exams, job interviews, performances, difficult operations, and any moment that matters.

Beyond the wolf idiom, Italian has many other expressions to wish people well — some formal, some casual, some specific to particular contexts. The most versatile of all is «auguri!», which works for birthdays, holidays, weddings, new jobs, and almost any positive occasion. Then there are the more direct expressions of encouragement that come from Italian sporting culture: «forza!», «dai!», «ce la puoi fare!» — all rooted in the idea that with enough will, you can overcome anything. Even the wolf.

Italian superstitions around luck are rich and varied. Beyond «in bocca al lupo», there are many beliefs that shape how Italians talk about fate. The evil eye (il malocchio) is taken seriously in southern Italy — a compliment given too enthusiastically can bring bad luck, so Italians sometimes add «tocca ferro» (touch iron, equivalent to 'knock on wood') after praise. And here is one that surprises most foreigners: in Italy, the unlucky number is 17, not 13. Friday the 17th — not Friday the 13th — is the ominous date on the Italian calendar. Some airlines operating in Italy quietly skip row 17.