Best contemporary equivalent of "God willing?" (Central American Spanish, "Dios primero.")
A Central American asked me for the English translation of "Dios primero." Literally, it translates "God first," but it is clear from context, and confirmed by her, that it means the same thing as "si Dios quiere." This translates well into "God willing." She uses it commonly in the context of future plans, as in "I'll see you next week, God willing."

The problem is that "God willing" is outdated and unusual today. My dad (hardly a religious person) used to say "God willing," but I'm not sure I've ever heard anyone else say it--and my wife has never heard it. (We're both native US speakers).

What do you think would be the normal contemporary equivalent? "With luck?" "If all goes well?" "Hopefully?"

Question

Best contemporary equivalent of "God willing?" (Central American Spanish, "Dios primero.")
A Central American asked me for the English translation of "Dios primero." Literally, it translates "God first," but it is clear from context, and confirmed by her, that it means the same thing as "si Dios quiere." This translates well into "God willing." She uses it commonly in the context of future plans, as in "I'll see you next week, God willing."

The problem is that "God willing" is outdated and unusual today. My dad (hardly a religious person) used to say "God willing," but I'm not sure I've ever heard anyone else say it--and my wife has never heard it. (We're both native US speakers).

What do you think would be the normal contemporary equivalent? "With luck?" "If all goes well?" "Hopefully?"

Answer

I agree with Bill that it’s just a cultural thing. Many people use the phrase with no particular religious significance, so it should not make non-religious people the least bit uncomfortable.  In reality, it is IMHO a cultural thing that doesn’t really need to be translated into English. Dan, you may want to consider using it yourself when speaking Spanish, while your language partners should probably not seek an equivalent when speaking English. It’s in the form of words, but really, it’s a sort of ritual act more than it is verbal communication. Trying to translate it would make about as much sense as trying to translate the Parisian custom of kissing everyone on the cheek.

Here’s another cultural tip — you can help the Creator out a bit by pinging your language partner a few hours before your scheduled meeting ;)

Following up on Suki’s idea, it’s interesting (for language nerds like me) to note that Yiddish “Alevei” was originally from Hebrew (where the meaning is more like “I wish”). “Inshaa’llah” was borrowed into Spanish many centuries ago as “ojalá” — where the meaning is also more like “I wish.”

Answer

I use "all being well" as the completely secular equivalent of "Dios primero",  In'shallah (Arabic), Alevei (Yiddish), Be’ezrát hashém (Hebrew) and so on.

"My plane's due to land at 5.  So..all being well...I should be home by by 7."

Answer

I live in a very non-religious corner of the US and people here (including me) say "God willing."  (or even the longer "God willing and the creek don't rise" despite the fact that we're urban and nowhere near a creek.)

But, "with any luck" or might be a substitute.

Answer

Most English speakers don't say anything after saying " See you next week.".   The probability of this happening is left to chance.  Many, if not most of my latin american friends do say "Si Dios quiere".  It is a cultural difference is all.  I try to use it whenever I can remember it.  They seem to appreciate it

Answer

God willing would actually be correct and understood, although you are right that a secular person such as myself would never say.  You could say -- If all goes well, if everything goes well, if everything goes according to plan, hopefully.  "With luck" is used more commonly (for whatever reason) at the start of a sentence.  "If I'm lucky" is more common usage.  So "With luck, I'll see her again" or "I'll see her again if I'm lucky"