Breakdown of Viel Glück! Du kannst das.
du
you (informal singular)
können
can / to be able to
Viel Glück
good luck
Questions & Answers about Viel Glück! Du kannst das.
Why do we say Viel Glück instead of Gutes Glück?
In English, we say 'good luck', but in German, the standard phrase translates literally to 'much luck'. We use Viel (much) because Glück is something you cannot count. If you were talking about countable things, you would use viele (many).
Does Glück mean 'luck' or 'happiness'?
It means both! The German word Glück covers both 'luck' and 'happiness' depending on the context. In a wishing phrase like Viel Glück, it always means 'luck'.
Why isn't there a word for 'do' in Du kannst das?
In German, when you use a modal verb like können (can), you can often completely drop the main action verb if the meaning is obvious. Literally, it translates to 'You can that', which is the most natural way to say 'You can do it' in German.
Why use das (that) instead of es (it)?
While es translates directly to 'it', Germans frequently use das to refer to a whole situation, challenge, or task. Saying Du kannst das sounds punchy and natural, very similar to saying 'You've got this!' in English.
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