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. Register: informal. Usage frequency: common.
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.
Common translation traps
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.
The notes above explain why these versions do not work in this context in German.
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 updated 2026-09-11