'Zǒu yùn' literally combines 'zǒu' (to go, to move) and 'yùn' (fate, luck, fortune), suggesting the idea of 'fortune moving toward you' — that is, experiencing unexpected or favorable luck. It’s an idiomatic verb phrase, not a noun, and conveys a temporary, positive shift in circumstances, often implying serendipity rather than long-term good fortune.

This expression is commonly used in informal spoken and written Chinese to describe situations where someone benefits from chance — like finding money on the street, getting a promotion unexpectedly, or avoiding trouble by coincidence. Unlike 'xìng yùn' (lucky), which describes a general state or personality trait, 'zǒu yùn' emphasizes a specific, timely stroke of luck. It carries a light, conversational tone and is rarely used in formal documents or solemn contexts.