22 Japanese ways to say “Try your luck”

Trying your luck is something we all do from time to time, whether it’s a game, a new opportunity, or just a hopeful guess.

In Japanese, there are many ways to express this idea, each with its own nuance and flavor.

Whether you want to sound casual, polite, or native-like, this list has you covered.

Learning these expressions can be fun and help you connect more deeply with Japanese speakers and culture.

Plus, it’s a great way to spice up your daily conversations and try your luck in language learning at the same time!

Ready to explore 22 Japanese ways to say “Try your luck”? Let’s dive in!

Casual and Friendly Ways to Say “Try Your Luck”

These expressions are great for everyday conversations with friends or in informal settings.

They’re easy to remember and sound natural, perfect for practicing your Japanese with peers.

Using casual phrases helps you blend in naturally while keeping things light and fun.

Sometimes, a good phrasebook for casual Japanese is the perfect companion to get started with fun expressions.

These phrases can also be paired with some slang to sound even more natural.

They’re a great entry point before moving into more formal or traditional language.

Part 1: Casual Suggestions

1. 運試ししよう (Undameshi shiyou) – “Let’s try our luck.”

This phrase directly means “try your luck” and is super common among friends.

“運” (un) means “luck,” “試し” (dameshi) means “test” or “try,” and “しよう” (shiyou) is the volitional form of “do,” so it invites someone to try luck together.

It’s encouraging and inclusive, making it perfect for casual conversations.

Using this phrase feels like a friendly cheer.

You might hear it when someone’s about to buy a lottery ticket or try a new game.

It’s a great go-to phrase for lighthearted moments where you just want to take a chance.

2. 運を試してみて (Un o tameshite mite) – “Try testing your luck.”

This phrase is slightly longer but very clear and natural.

“運” (un) means “luck,” “試して” (tameshite) is the te-form of “try,” and “みて” (mite) means “try to do,” so combined it’s an invitation to give luck a shot.

It sounds polite enough for casual use but still friendly and warm.

It’s often used when encouraging someone to take a chance on something uncertain.

Don’t confuse it with overly formal phrases; this keeps things light.

Great for when you want to encourage a friend gently to go for it.

3. 一か八かやってみる (Ikka bachi ka yatte miru) – “Try it, win or lose.”

This idiomatic phrase literally means “one or eight,” which is like saying “all or nothing.”

It’s used when you’re about to take a risky chance and don’t know the outcome.

“一か八か” (ikka bachi ka) means “sink or swim,” and “やってみる” (yatte miru) means “try doing.”

It’s a bold way to say “try your luck,” perfect for adventurous moments.

You might hear this when someone is about to gamble or take a big risk.

Use it to sound native-like and show you’re ready to face uncertainty head-on.

4. 運が良ければ (Un ga yokereba) – “If luck’s on your side.”

This phrase gently implies “try your luck” by focusing on luck being favorable.

“運” (un) means “luck,” “良ければ” (yokereba) means “if it’s good,” so it’s like saying “if you’re lucky.”

It’s a nice, hopeful way to suggest taking a chance without pressure.

Often used in conversations about uncertain outcomes.

It can be paired with other verbs like “やってみる” (try) to create longer phrases.

It’s good for polite but casual settings.

5. 勝負してみよう (Shoubu shite miyou) – “Let’s give it a go.”

“勝負” (shoubu) means “match” or “contest,” so this phrase invites someone to try their luck in a challenge.

“してみよう” (shite miyou) is the volitional form of “try doing,” meaning “let’s try.”

It’s confident and energetic, great for motivating friends to take a chance.

Use this when you want to sound competitive but fun.

It works well in games, sports, or any friendly contest.

It’s a phrase that encourages action with a hopeful spirit.

6. 運試しに行こう (Undameshi ni ikou) – “Let’s go try our luck.”

A casual invitation to go somewhere for the purpose of trying your luck.

“運試し” (undameshi) means “luck test,” and “に行こう” (ni ikou) means “let’s go.”

It’s often used when heading to places like festivals or events with games of chance.

The phrase feels spontaneous and fun.

Good for inviting friends to join in on a hopeful adventure.

It’s a natural way to say “let’s try our luck” in a casual setting.

7. ダメ元でやってみる (Dame moto de yatte miru) – “Try even if it might not work.”

“ダメ元” (dame moto) means “expecting failure,” so this phrase means “try even if you expect to fail.”

It’s a humble yet hopeful way to say “try your luck.”

“やってみる” (yatte miru) means “try doing.”

This phrase eases the pressure, making it great for nervous beginners.

Use it when you want to encourage trying without stress.

It’s very common in everyday speech.

8. 勇気を出してやってみよう (Yuuki o dashite yatte miyou) – “Let’s try it with courage.”

This phrase adds the nuance of bravery to trying your luck.

“勇気” (yuuki) means “courage,” “を出して” (o dashite) means “to bring out,” and “やってみよう” (yatte miyou) is “let’s try.”

It’s encouraging and positive.

Perfect if you want to motivate yourself or someone else to take a chance.

It’s often used before big decisions or challenges.

Use it to sound supportive and warm.

Part 2: Polite & Formal Suggestions

9. 運試しをしてみてはいかがですか (Undameshi o shite mite wa ikaga desu ka) – “How about trying your luck?”

This is a very polite and formal way to suggest trying one’s luck.

It’s perfect for business or respectful conversations.

“いかがですか” (ikaga desu ka) is a polite way to ask “how about.”

Use this when you want to sound respectful and considerate.

It’s often heard in service or customer-related contexts.

Great for formal invitations or gentle suggestions.

10. 運を試してみませんか (Un o tameshite mimasen ka) – “Would you like to try your luck?”

This phrase uses the negative question form to politely invite someone.

“試してみませんか” (tameshite mimasen ka) literally means “won’t you try?”

It’s gentle and respectful, ideal for formal or semi-formal situations.

It encourages action without pressure.

You might use it when inviting someone to a raffle or contest.

It sounds natural and courteous in polite conversation.

11. 運を試す価値があります (Un o tamesu kachi ga arimasu) – “It’s worth trying your luck.”

This phrase emphasizes that trying your luck is worthwhile.

“価値があります” (kachi ga arimasu) means “there is value” or “worth it.”

It’s a polite, positive way to encourage trying.

Useful in formal advice or recommendations.

It sounds both encouraging and professional.

Great for speeches or presentations involving chance or risk.

12. 運次第で結果が決まります (Un shidai de kekka ga kimarimasu) – “The result depends on luck.”

This phrase explains that the outcome depends on luck.

“運次第” (un shidai) means “depending on luck.”

It’s a formal way to acknowledge uncertainty politely.

You might use it in discussions about risk assessment.

It’s factual but can soften disappointment if things don’t go as hoped.

Good for professional or polite settings.

13. 運を味方につけましょう (Un o mikata ni tsukemashou) – “Let’s make luck our ally.”

This phrase is optimistic and motivational.

“味方につける” (mikata ni tsukeru) means “to make an ally of.”

It encourages a proactive attitude toward luck.

Great for speeches or coaching moments.

Sounds hopeful and uplifting in polite conversation.

Use it to inspire confidence when taking a chance.

14. 運を試すことをおすすめします (Un o tamesu koto o osusume shimasu) – “I recommend trying your luck.”

A polite and helpful way to suggest trying luck.

“おすすめします” (osusume shimasu) means “recommend.”

Good for formal advice or written suggestions.

It sounds professional and caring.

Perfect for letters, emails, or formal conversations.

Use it to politely encourage without pressure.

15. 運に身を任せましょう (Un ni mi o makasemashou) – “Let’s leave it to luck.”

This phrase means “let’s entrust ourselves to luck.”

“身を任せる” (mi o makaseru) means “to entrust oneself.”

It’s calm and philosophical, fitting polite and reflective moments.

Use it when encouraging acceptance of outcomes.

It sounds mature and thoughtful.

Great for conversations about fate or destiny.

16. 運を信じて挑戦しましょう (Un o shinjite chousen shimashou) – “Let’s challenge ourselves trusting luck.”

This phrase combines trust in luck with the idea of challenge.

“信じて” (shinjite) means “believe” and “挑戦しましょう” (chousen shimashou) means “let’s challenge.”

It’s encouraging and polite, ideal for motivational speeches.

Use it when inspiring others to take calculated risks.

Sounds positive and respectful.

Great for workplace or school settings.

Part 3: Very Casual / Native-like Expressions

17. 運かけてみる (Un kakete miru) – “Put your luck on the line.”

This phrase is very casual and native-sounding.

“運をかける” (un o kakeru) means “to bet on luck.”

“みる” (miru) suggests trying.

It’s commonly used among friends when taking a risk.

Use it to sound spontaneous and bold.

Great for casual, risk-taking contexts.

18. 運任せでやってみる (Un makase de yatte miru) – “Try it leaving it to luck.”

This phrase is casual with a laid-back feel.

“運任せ” (un makase) means “leaving to luck.”

It implies going for it without overthinking.

Perfect for native-like everyday conversation.

Use it when you want to express “let’s see what happens.”

Sounds relaxed and natural.

19. 運試しに賭けてみる (Undameshi ni kakete miru) – “Try betting your luck.”

A more playful and casual phrase.

“賭ける” (kakeru) means “to bet.”

It’s perfect for gaming or gambling contexts among friends.

Use it to sound lively and informal.

It’s a fun way to say “try your luck.”

Great for social situations.

20. どうせなら運試ししよう (Douse nara undameshi shiyou) – “If you’re going to do it, try your luck.”

This phrase has a casual, slightly cheeky vibe.

“どうせなら” (douse nara) means “if you’re going to do it anyway.”

It’s a fun way to encourage giving luck a shot.

Use it with friends to sound playful.

It’s commonly heard in casual speech.

Great for spontaneous moments.

21. 運試し、やってみっか (Undameshi, yattemikka) – “Wanna try your luck?”

This is very informal and sounds like native slang.

“やってみっか” (yattemikka) is a shortened, casual form of “やってみようか” (let’s try).

Perfect for close friends or peers.

Use it when you want to sound effortlessly natural.

It’s great for casual invitations to take a chance.

Sounds easygoing and friendly.

22. 運に任せてみるわ (Un ni makasete miru wa) – “I’ll leave it to luck.”

This phrase is casual and feminine, ending with “わ” for softness.

“任せてみる” (makasete miru) means “try entrusting.”

It expresses a relaxed, hopeful attitude.

Use it to sound native-like with a gentle tone.

It works well in informal conversations among women.

It’s a charming way to show you’re ready to try your luck without stress.

Concluding Thought

Exploring these 22 ways to say “try your luck” in Japanese shows just how rich and varied the language can be.

From casual chats with friends to formal invitations, there’s a perfect phrase for every situation.

So go ahead, pick your favorite expression, and try your luck with Japanese—it’s a fun and rewarding adventure!