Welcoming the arrival of a new year is always a joyous occasion, giving us an opportunity to reflect, set new goals, and wish happiness for ourselves and those we care about. If you want to extend warm wishes and say “Happy New Year” in Hebrew, we’ve got you covered! In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore both formal and informal ways to express this greeting, and provide tips, examples, and even audio pronunciations for your convenience.
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Formal Ways to Say Happy New Year in Hebrew
When addressing someone formally, especially if they are older or to whom you have a respectful relationship, you can use the following phrases:
“שָׁנָה טוֹבָה” (shanah tovah) – This is the most commonly used formal way to wish someone a good or happy new year. Break it down as “shanah” meaning “year” and “tovah” meaning “good.”
Audio pronunciation: [sound:shana_tovah]
“שָׁנָה טוֹבָה וּמְבוֹרָכָה” (shanah tovah u’mevorachah) – This slightly longer phrase adds “u’mevorachah,” which means “and blessed.” It conveys an extended wish for a good, blessed year.
Audio pronunciation: [sound:shana_tovah_umevorachah]
These phrases are widely accepted and suitable for use in almost any situation, ensuring you express your well-wishes with the utmost respect.
Informal Ways to Say Happy New Year in Hebrew
When addressing friends, family, or close acquaintances, you can use more informal greetings. Here are a couple of common options:
“שָׁנָה טוֹבָה וּמְתוּקָה” (shanah tovah u’metukah) – This popular phrase brings an extra touch of sweetness to the new year, as “metukah” means “sweet.”
Audio pronunciation: [sound:shana_tovah_umetukah]
“שָׁנָה חֲדָשָׁה וּמְבוֹרָכֶת” (shanah chadashah u’mevorachet) – This phrase includes “chadashah,” meaning “new” and “mevorachet,” meaning “blessed.” It signifies the anticipation of a new and blessed year.
Audio pronunciation: [sound:shana_chadashah_umevorachet]
Using these informal greetings helps create a warm and friendly atmosphere while conveying your good wishes to those close to your heart.
Tips for Pronunciation
Here are a few tips to help you pronounce these phrases accurately:
- Vowels: Hebrew has vowel diacritics, but we won’t dive too deeply into that here. However, to pronounce “shanah” correctly, emphasize the “ah” sound at the end. It should rhyme with “la.” Similarly, “tovah” is pronounced with the “oh” sound as in “boat.” For “metukah,” pronounce the “oo” like in “boot.”
- Soft pronunciation: Pay attention to the “ch” sound present in “chadashah.” It should be soft, similar to the “ch” in the German word “Bach”. Practice producing the sound from the back of your throat without using your vocal cords, trying to produce a gutteral sound.
- Audio guide: The audio pronunciations provided throughout this guide offer a valuable resource. Feel free to listen to them as often as needed to master the correct pronunciation.
Examples in Context
Now that we’ve covered the formal and informal ways to say “Happy New Year” in Hebrew, let’s explore how these phrases can be applied in different contexts:
Formal:
A: שָׁנָה טוֹבָה! אֵיךְ אַתָּה מְחַזֵּר אֶת הַשָׁנָה הַבָּאָה?
B: שָׁנָה טוֹבָה וּמְבוֹרָכָה! מְחַזֵּר אוֹתָה בְּכָה יֵום, לְיוֹתֵר פַּרְטִים.
A: תוֹדָה! אֵיחָל לְךָ שָׁנָה טוֹבָה וּמְבוֹרָכָה גַּם.
Translation:
A: “Happy New Year! How are you planning for the upcoming year?”
B: “A good and blessed year! I will plan it in detail, day by day.”
A: “Thank you! I also wish you a good and blessed year.”
Informal:
A: שָׁנָה טוֹבָה וּמְתוּקָה, חַבֵּר! אִיזֶה תְכֵנָה יֶש לְךָ מְיוֹם אֶחָד לְיוֹם אַחֵר?
B: תוֹדָה! אֲנִי שָׁמֵר עַל מְחַזֵּר נוֹסְטָלְגִי שֶׁל כסף בַּפּוֹעֵל.
A: הַיְדִידוּת שֶלָּנוּ תִּפְצֵחַ גַם בְּשַנָה הַבָּאָה.
Translation:
A: “Happy New Year, my friend! What’s your plan from one day to another?”
B: “Thank you! I’m keeping a vintage coin collection at work.”
A: “Our friendship will bloom in the upcoming year as well.”
Remember, these examples are just a few possibilities to illustrate how you can incorporate these greetings in conversations with others. Feel free to adapt them to suit your specific situation and personalize your well-wishes.
Welcoming the New Year on a Positive Note
Celebrating the new year is an opportunity for joy, reflection, and connection. By learning how to say “Happy New Year” in Hebrew, you can enhance your celebrations and extend warm wishes to your loved ones. Whether you choose to use the formal or informal versions, your words will undoubtedly convey positivity, love, and hope, setting the stage for a year filled with happiness and success.
