How to say good luck in Korean — 시험 잘 봐, 파이팅 and what to say before an exam

Your group chat lights up: "내일 면접 있어 ㅠㅠ" ("I have an interview tomorrow"). Or a Korean friend has a big exam in the morning. Here is what Koreans actually type back.

Is there one word for "good luck"?

Not really. 행운 (haengun) means "good fortune," and 행운을 빌어 (haenguneul bireo) means "I wish you luck." It is correct Korean. But it sounds a bit like a greeting card.

In daily life, Koreans usually wish you luck on the thing you are doing. You don't hear "good luck." You hear "take your test well" or "do your interview well."

Here is the key grammar bit. In Korean, you don't "take" a test. You see it: 시험을 보다 (siheomeul boda). So 시험 잘 봐 means "see your test well," or in other words, "do well on your test."

Say it like a local

When in doubt, name the thing and add 잘 봐: 시험 잘 봐, 면접 잘 봐.

You will also see 화이팅 (hwaiting). It is the same cheer. The dictionary spelling is 파이팅, and it comes from the English word "fighting." Both spellings are everywhere. Our Konglish guide has more words like it.

Why is November exam season?

Every year, usually in November, Korea holds 수능 (Suneung). It is short for 대학 수학 능력 시험, the national college entrance exam. The exam for 2027 university entry falls on Thursday, November 19, 2026.

The week before, you'll hear these a lot:

• 수능 잘 봐! (suneung jal bwa!) — "Good luck on the Suneung!"
• 수능 대박! (suneung daebak!) or 수능 대박 나! (suneung daebak na!) — "Hope your Suneung is a huge success!" 대박 means a big hit here.

Why do sticky snacks bring luck?

The verb 붙다 (butda) means "to stick." The Standard Korean Language Dictionary lists a second meaning: "to pass" an exam. So 붙었어! (buteosseo!) means "I passed!"

That's why sticky treats are a classic exam gift. 엿 [엳] (yeot) is a chewy, sticky Korean sweet. 찹쌀떡 (chapssaltteok) is a soft rice cake made from sticky rice. The idea is a pun: giving one says "I hope you stick," which means "I hope you pass." It's a custom, not a rule.

One warning: 엿 먹어 (yeot meogeo) is a rude insult, so don't say it while handing over the gift. Just say 시험 잘 봐.

There is also an opposite. In casual Korean, failing an exam is sometimes described as "slipping," 미끄러지다 (mikkeureojida). It is often said that some students avoid slippery seaweed soup before an exam. It is a superstition, not a rule. You can read more about the soup in our guide to Korean birthday traditions.

Easy mistakes

• Using 봐 with an older person. 시험 잘 봐 is casual. For an older coworker, a boss or someone you just met, say 시험 잘 보세요.
• Saying 파이팅 like a threat. It sounds like "fighting," but it is pure cheering. Say it with a smile and a raised fist.
• Using 행운을 빌어 for everything. It's correct, just a bit stiff, like a greeting card. With friends, 시험 잘 봐 or 파이팅 sounds warmer.

Quick check

1. Your friend says, "내일 면접 있어" ("I have an interview tomorrow"). What do you say? → 면접 잘 봐!
2. An older coworker has a certification exam tomorrow. Which is better, 시험 잘 봐 or 시험 잘 보세요? → 시험 잘 보세요
3. Your friend texts you "붙었어!" What happened? → They passed!

In one line: Koreans wish luck on the task itself, so say 시험 잘 봐 before a test and 파이팅 before anything big.