la chance

Definition & meaning

Chance most commonly means luck or good fortune: something favorable that happens without being fully under someone’s control.

It can also mean:

• Possibility or odds, especially when talking about how likely an outcome is: une chance sur deux means “a one-in-two chance.”
• An opportunity or prospect: avoir une chance de réussir means “to have a chance of succeeding.”

The meaning is usually positive when referring to luck or an opportunity. In probability contexts, it can be neutral.

Grammar & Word origin

Chance is a feminine noun: une chance. Its plural is des chances.

It comes through Old French cheance ↗, which referred to the fall of dice, and ultimately derives from Latin cadentia, related to “falling.” This history reflects the idea of an outcome depending on chance.

Synonyms & antonyms

Synonyms vary by meaning:

• fortune ↗ means luck or fortune, often with a slightly more formal or broad sense.
• hasard ↗ emphasizes randomness or unpredictability, rather than a favorable result.
• possibilité ↗ means a possibility; it does not necessarily suggest luck.
• occasion ↗ means an opportunity or occasion, often one that can be actively taken.
• opportunité ↗ means a favorable or suitable opportunity.

Antonyms, depending on the sense, include:

• malchance ↗, meaning bad luck.
• infortune ↗, meaning misfortune, often with a more serious or literary tone.

Common phrases & collocations

• avoir de la chance ↗ — to be lucky.
• par chance ↗ — fortunately; by good luck.
• bonne chance ↗ — good luck.
• avoir la chance de ↗ — to have the good fortune or opportunity to do something.
• une chance sur deux ↗ — a one-in-two chance; even odds.
• donner sa chance à quelqu’un ↗ — to give someone a chance.