אַ פֿרײליכע חנוכּה
a freylekhe khanike
אַ פֿרײליכע חנוכּה (a freylekhe khanike) is the Yiddish way to say "happy Hanukkah".
This phrase is used as a holiday greeting to wish someone a happy Hanukkah.
Meaning: holiday greeting (phrase)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase consists of the indefinite article אַ (a), the adjective פֿרײליכע (happy) and the noun חנוכּה (Hanukkah).
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective פֿרײליכע is in the feminine singular form to agree with the feminine noun חנוכּה.
How do you pronounce it?
a freylekhe khanike
Did you know?
- The word פֿרײליכע shares the same Germanic root as the English word 'cheerful' and the German 'fröhlich'.
- Yiddish uses the Hebrew alphabet for חנוכּה but the Germanic-derived אַ for 'a', blending two different writing traditions in one short phrase.
- The word חנוכּה shares its root with the Hebrew word for 'dedication', meaning the holiday is literally the 'Festival of Dedication'.
Examples in context
- אַ פֿרײליכע חנוכּה!a fraylikhe khanuke!Happy Hanukkah!
- צו אַלע, אַ פֿרײליכע חנוכּה!tsu ale, a fraylikhe khanuke!To everyone, a happy Hanukkah!
Example conversation
Two neighbors meet on the street during the holiday.
- מנחם Menahemאַ פֿרײליכע חנוכּה, חנה!a fraylikhe khanuke, khane!Happy Hanukkah, Hannah!
- חנה Chanaאַ פֿרײליכע חנוכּה אויך דיר, מנחם.a fraylikhe khanuke oykh dir, menkhem.Happy Hanukkah to you too, Menachem.
- מנחם Menahemזײַט געזונט!zayt gezunt!Stay well!
- חנה Chanaאַ דאַנק, זײַט געזונט!a dank, zayt gezunt!Thank you, stay well!
