das  Glück

A2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ɡlʏk/

🍀 What does "das Glück" mean?

The German word das Glück is a noun and primarily has two meanings:

1. A state of inner contentment and joy: This describes the feeling of happiness or bliss. Example: Wahres Glück findet man oft in kleinen Dingen. (True happiness is often found in small things.)
2. A favorable coincidence or turn of fate: Here, Glück means luck or good fortune, the opposite of bad luck (Pech); something positive that happens unexpectedly. Example: Er hatte Glück im Spiel. (He had luck in the game / He was lucky at gambling.)

It's important to understand from the context which meaning is intended. The article is always das (neuter).

🧐 Grammar in Detail: Das Glück

Das Glück is a neuter noun. It is mostly used in the singular.

Singular Declension

Plural Declension

The plural "die Glücke" is rare and typically used only in elevated or poetic language to refer to individual moments of happiness or strokes of luck.

📝 Example Sentences

• Ich wünsche dir viel Glück! (I wish you lots of luck! - Accusative, meaning: fortune)
• Das Streben nach Glück ist menschlich. (The pursuit of happiness is human. - Dative, meaning: contentment)
• Das ist das Glück des Tüchtigen. (That's the luck of the diligent/competent. - Genitive, meaning: fortune)
• Glück gehabt! (Got lucky! / That was lucky! - Colloquial, meaning: fortune)

💡 How to use "das Glück"?

The use of das Glück heavily depends on the intended meaning:

• Glück as happiness/contentment: Often found in philosophical or personal contexts. People talk about Lebensglück (life's happiness), das kleine Glück (the little joys/happiness in everyday life), or persönliches Glück (personal happiness).
• Glück as luck/fortune: Common in situations where something unexpected or favorable occurs. Typical expressions include:
  • Glück haben: To be lucky. (e.g., "Ich hatte Glück, dass der Bus noch kam." - I was lucky the bus was still there.)
  • Viel Glück wünschen: To wish someone good luck.
  • Zum Glück: Luckily / Fortunately. (e.g., "Zum Glück habe ich den Schirm dabei." - Luckily, I have my umbrella with me.)
  • Glück im Unglück: A blessing in disguise / lucky break in a bad situation.

Distinction from similar words:

• Freude (joy): Often a more short-term, intense feeling than Glück (happiness).
• Zufriedenheit (contentment): A calmer, more lasting state than the often ecstatic Freude. Glück (happiness) can encompass Zufriedenheit.
• Zufall (coincidence, chance): Is neutral, whereas Glück (fortune) is always positive.

🧠 Mnemonics for "das Glück"

For the article (das): Imagine Glück (happiness/luck) as something neutral, universal, transcending gender – like the neuter article DAS. Or think of a lucky charm, maybe a toy (das Spielzeug) - many abstract concepts and things are neuter in German.

For the meanings (happiness & luck): Think of finding a four-leaf clover (das vierblättrige Kleeblatt) - a symbol of Glück (luck 🍀). When you find one, you feel Glück (happiness 😊). One symbol connects both meanings.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms for "das Glück"

⚠️ Similar Sounding Words

• Glucke (die): A brooding hen. Sounds similar but is unrelated to Glück.
• glucksen: To chuckle, gurgle. A sound verb.

😂 A Little Joke

German: Fragt der Lehrer: "Was ist Glück?" Antwortet Fritzchen: "Glück ist, wenn Sie mich heute nicht aufrufen!"

English: The teacher asks: "What is luck/happiness?" Little Fritz answers: "Luck is when you don't call on me today!"

📜 Poem about Glück

German:
Das Glück, mal sanft, mal wild,
Ein flüchtiges, schönes Bild.
Mal Zufall, der uns lacht,
Mal Freude, tief entfacht.
Man sucht es hier und dort,
Doch oft liegts an kleinem Ort.
Ein Lächeln, warm und rein,
Kann schon das größte Glück sein.

English:
Good fortune, sometimes wild, sometimes mild,
A fleeting image, beautifully styled.
Sometimes it's chance that brings a grin,
Sometimes it's joy, ignited deep within.
We seek it here, we seek it there,
Yet often find it in moments rare.
A smile, so warm and truly free,
Can be the greatest luck/happiness, you see.

🧩 Little Riddle

German:
Ich habe keinen Körper, doch bringe Freude oder Sieg.
Man wünscht mich oft, doch kaufen kann man mich nicht.
Manchmal bin ich nur ein Gefühl, manchmal ein günstiger Augenblick.
Mal bin ich Zufall, mal Zufriedenheit im Blick.
Was bin ich?

English:
I have no body, but bring joy or victory.
People often wish for me, but I cannot be bought.
Sometimes I am just a feeling, sometimes a favorable moment.
Sometimes I'm chance, sometimes contentment in sight.
What am I?

Answer: das Glück (luck/happiness)

✨ More about "das Glück"

Compound Words: The word "Glück" is part of many German words:

• Glücksbringer: A lucky charm (e.g., horseshoe - Hufeisen, four-leaf clover - vierblättriges Kleeblatt).
• Glückspilz: A lucky person (lit. 'luck mushroom').
• Glücksspiel: Gambling, game of chance.
• Glücksgefühl: Feeling of happiness.
• Unglück: The opposite of Glück (both bad luck and unhappiness/misfortune).

Idioms (Redewendungen):

• Jeder ist seines Glückes Schmied: Every man is the architect of his own fortune (lit. 'everyone is the smith of his luck').
• Mehr Glück als Verstand haben: To have more luck than sense / To be more lucky than smart.

Etymology: The word derives from Middle High German "gelücke", meaning something like "success" or "favorable fate".