How do you say “Break a leg” in German?
The closest natural German equivalent is Hals- und Beinbruch!, which literally means “Neck and leg break!”. English speakers use break a leg to mean a way of wishing someone good luck, especially before a performance. A genuine German expression, not a translation. Germans really do say this before exams, performances and difficult tasks. It is informal and common in everyday German.
Closest natural German
Hals- und Beinbruch!
/hals ʊnt ˈbaɪnbʁʊx/
- Literal meaning
- “Neck and leg break!”
- Register
- informal
- How often it's used
- common
- Equivalence
Near-exact equivalent
95 out of 100
What a native German speaker would actually say
The match here is unusually good. Like the English phrase, "Hals- und Beinbruch" wishes harm out loud in order to avoid inviting it, and both are used in exactly the same moments: before a performance, an exam, a test or an operation.
The one difference is reach. "Break a leg" is strongly associated with the stage; "Hals- und Beinbruch" is used a little more widely in everyday German. In the theatre itself, many German speakers prefer "Toi, toi, toi!".
How close is the meaning?
- Meaning5 out of 5
- Tone5 out of 5
- Context5 out of 5
- Literal similarity4 out of 5
These ratings are editorial approximations, not measurements.
What are other ways to say it in German?
Viel Erfolg!
Literally: “Much success!”
The safe, neutral choice for work, exams and anything formal.
Toi, toi, toi!
Literally: “(a spitting sound, said three times)”
Theatre superstition, often accompanied by knocking on wood. Very close in spirit to 'break a leg'.
Viel Glück!
Literally: “Much luck!”
General good luck, used when chance rather than skill decides.
Don't translate it literally
Brich dir ein Bein!
This is the literal translation and simply means 'break your leg', a German speaker will hear an insult or a bad joke, not a good wish.
Word-for-word versions like these are understood as literal statements in German, not as expressions.
In context
English
Break a leg tonight!
German
Hals- und Beinbruch für heute Abend!
English
Break a leg in your exam tomorrow.
German
Toi, toi, toi für deine Prüfung morgen.
Related expressions
- What “Break a leg” means in English
- Go the extra mile, To make an extra effort.
- Get cold feet, To become nervous and back out.
Last reviewed 2026-09-11