Hanukkah, the winter festival commemorating the Maccabees’ victory and the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem, is a time for celebration and joy. The eight-day Festival of Lights brings family, friends, and communities together, and offering warm Hanukkah wishes is a wonderful way to join in the spirit of the holiday.
While Hanukkah’s timing near Christmas has made it one of the most recognized Jewish holidays, it is actually a minor holiday not mentioned in the Torah. That said, its beautiful themes of light, resilience, and miracles make it a beloved occasion.
If you’re wondering how to greet someone during Hanukkah, here’s your guide to festive phrases that go beyond the generic “Happy Holidays.”
In English
It’s always appropriate to wish someone “Happy Hanukkah.” Simple, heartfelt, and universally understood, it’s a greeting that never goes out of style.
In Hebrew
For a Hebrew touch, say chag Chanukah sameach (חַג חֲנֻכָּה שַׂמֵחַ), pronounced chahg cha-nu-KAH sah-MAY-ach, meaning “Happy Hanukkah holiday.”
In Israel, it’s common to simply say Chanukah sameach (חֲנֻכָּה שַׂמֵחַ), or for a poetic variation, try chag urim sameach (חַג אוּרִים שָׂמֵחַ), which means “Happy Festival of Lights.”
In Yiddish
Want to channel the charm of Yiddish? You can greet someone with Ah Freilichin Hanukkah (אַ פֿרײלעך חנוכה), meaning “A happy Hanukkah.” For a lesser-known but equally meaningful phrase, try A Lichtiger Hanukkah (אַ ליכטיקער חנוכה), which translates to “A Hanukkah full of light.”
In Ladino
In Ladino, the Judeo-Spanish language, wish your friends Hanukah alegre, which means “Happy Hanukkah” in this beautiful Sephardic tongue.
Add to Your Hanukkah Vocabulary
Feeling inspired to learn more? Expand your Hanukkah knowledge with key phrases and traditions to truly embrace the season.
Whether you keep it simple with “Happy Hanukkah” or embrace the linguistic variety of Hebrew, Yiddish, or Ladino, your greetings will surely light up someone’s holiday. Let’s spread the joy, warmth, and miracles of Hanukkah this season!