hap

word

Definition

An old or literary word meaning luck or chance, especially as something that happens randomly.

Usage & Nuances

Very rare in modern use—mostly found in poetry, old literature, or historical phrases like 'haply' or 'happy' (originally from 'hap'). Do not use in everyday speech. 'Hap' usually refers to chance happenings, not skill or effort.

Spanish: suerte (arcaico) - casualidad (arcaico)Portuguese (BR): destino (arcaico) - acaso (arcaico)Portuguese (PT): destino (arcaico) - acaso (arcaico)Chinese (Simplified): 偶然（古语）- 运气（古语）Chinese (Traditional): 偶然（古語）- 運氣（古語）Hindi: योग (पुरातन) - संयोग (पुरातन)Arabic: حظ (قديم) - صدفة (قديم)Bengali: ভাগ্য - সংকট (পুরাতন সাহিত্যিক অর্থে)Russian: удача (устаревшее) - случай (устаревшее)Japanese: 運（うん）(古語)Vietnamese: vận may (cổ văn) - số phận (cổ văn)Korean: 행운 (옛 표현) - 우연 (옛 표현)Turkish: talih (eski/edebi) - rastlantı (eski/edebi)Urdu: قسمت (قدیم) - نصیب (ادبی)Indonesian: nasib (lama/sastra) - keberuntungan (lama/sastra)

Example Sentences

In old stories, hap meant luck or chance.

basic

Some poems use the word hap instead of 'luck'.

basic

The old text spoke of hap guiding men's lives.

basic

"It was pure hap that they met by the river," said the bard.

natural

He blamed his failure on bad hap, not his choices.

natural

With a bit of good hap, they found their way home before dark.

natural