חודש טוב
chodesh tov
The Hebrew phrase for "happy new moon" is חודש טוב (chodesh tov).
חודש טוב is a greeting used at the start of a new Hebrew month to wish someone a successful or pleasant month ahead.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally means "good month".
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase is gender-neutral and remains the same regardless of whom you are addressing.
How do you pronounce it?
chodesh tov
Did you know?
- Because the Hebrew calendar is lunisolar, saying חודש טוב can occur at any point during a Gregorian month. You might wish someone a 'good month' on the 15th of an English month if the lunar cycle has just reset.
- In Jewish tradition, the new moon is called ראש חודש ('head of the month'). This is a specific time for prayer and celebration that precedes the actual greeting חודש טוב.
- In Hebrew, the word חודש is deeply connected to the word 'khadash', which means 'new'.
Examples in context
- חודש טוב לכולם!khodesh tov le-kulam!A good month to everyone!
- אני רוצה לאחל לך חודש טוב.ani rotze le-akhel lekha khodesh tov.I want to wish you a good month.
- חודש טוב ומוצלח.khodesh tov ve-mutslakh.A good and successful month.
Example conversation
Noam and Agur are meeting at a social gathering at the start of the month.
- נועם Noamשלום עגור, חודש טוב!shalom agur, khodesh tov!Hello Agur, a good month!
- עגור Adiתודה נועם, גם לך חודש טוב.toda noam, gam lekha khodesh tov.Thanks Noam, a good month to you too.
- נועם Noamתודה, שיהיה לנו חודש נעים.toda, she-yihiye lanu khodesh na'im.Thanks, may we have a pleasant month.
- עגור Adiאמן, שיהיה חודש טוב לכולנו.amen, she-yihiye khodesh tov le-kulanu.Amen, may it be a good month for all of us.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries חודש, חודש טוב, טוב, CC BY-SA 4.0.
