German word of the day: Glückspilz

What does Glückspilz mean?

The German word Glückspilz (pronounced like this) is a masculine noun (der Glückspilz, plural: die Glückspilze).

It’s a classic German compound word which literally translates as "happy mushroom", formed from the words Glück (luck) and Pilz (mushroom).

Despite its whimsical literal meaning, it’s used idiomatically to describe someone who is especially fortunate – the sort of person who always seems to land on their feet.

In English, that might translate as "lucky devil" or (colloquially in the UK) "jammy bastard".

You might hear it exclaimed on its own – "Du Glückspilz!" (You lucky thing!) – or embedded in a sentence:

Wir haben den letzten Tisch im Restaurant bekommen – wir sind echte Glückspilze

We got the last table in the restaurant – we’re really lucky

Its opposite in German is just as vivid: der Pechvogel (bad luck bird). While a Glückspilz floats through life on a bed of roses, a Pechvogel tends to attract mishaps – missing trains, spilling coffee or invariably choosing the slowest queue.

Why do I need to know Glückspilz?

The "mushroom" part isn’t random. The red-and-white spotted toadstool, known as a Fliegenpilz in German, is a traditional symbol of good luck here, much like a four-leaf clover in the UK.

That’s why you tend to see them so often in Germany – on New Year’s cards, chocolate wrappers and festive decorations.

READ ALSO: Fettnäpfchen to Pechvogel - What's the story behind 'unlucky' German phrases?

There are, of course, alternatives. You could call someone ein Glückskind (lucky child) or ein Sonntagskind (a "Sunday child", thought to be blessed with good luck for life).

Or, if you’re in rural Bavaria, you might try der Duselbauer (lucky farmer) – a highly regional term which combines Dusel, a southern slang word for a stroke of unearned luck and Bauer (farmer).

But really, despite these alternatives, what could be more fun than calling someone a "lucky mushroom"?

Use it like this:

Du hast das letzte Ticket bekommen? Du Glückspilz!

You got the last ticket? You lucky thing!

Sie hat schon wieder eine Gehaltserhöhung bekommen – ein echter Glückspilz.

She’s had another pay rise – a real lucky devil.

Ich stehe hier im Regen, und du liegst am Strand, du Glückspilz.

I’m standing here in the rain while you’re on the beach, you lucky so-and-so.

Er hat den Unfall ohne Verletzungen überlebt – was für ein Glückspilz.

He survived the accident without injuries – what a lucky man.