שבוע טוב
shavu'a tov/ʃɔːˈvuːʕ/ [ʃɔːˈvuː.aʕ tˤoːb/word by word
The Hebrew phrase for "have a good week" is שבוע טוב (shavu'a tov).
שבוע טוב is a friendly wish used to say goodbye to someone at the start of a new week.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the noun shavu'a (week) and the adjective tov (good).
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /ʃɔːˈvuːʕ/ [ʃɔːˈvuː.aʕ tˤoːb]. The word has 4 syllables and the stress is on the 2nd syllable.
When do people say it?
This phrase is most commonly used on Saturday night or Sunday morning, marking the transition from the Sabbath to the start of the work week.
Did you know?
- Hebrew uses the same root for the word שבוע ('week') and the word for 'oath' or 'seven', reflecting the seven-day cycle.
- Although it is a Hebrew phrase, its structure is a direct translation of the Yiddish expression אַ גוטע וואָך (a gute vokh).
- Using שבוע טוב on a Tuesday or Wednesday would sound strange to a native speaker, as it is strictly reserved for the very start of the week.
Examples in context
- שבוע טוב!Have a good week!This sentence is useful for seeing the phrase שבוע טוב in use.Tatoeba #4220032 by BEASY8, translation #4220036 by BEASY8
- שבוע טוב לכולם!shavua tov le'kulam!Have a good week, everyone!
- אני מאחל לך שבוע טוב.ani ma'achel lecha shavua tov.I wish you a good week.
Example conversation
Iti and Agur are leaving work on a Sunday morning.
- איתי Itayלהתראות, עגור, שבוע טוב!lehitraot, Agur, shavua tov!Goodbye, Agur, have a good week!
- עגור Adiתודה, גם לך שבוע טוב!toda, gam lecha shavua tov!Thanks, have a good week too!
- איתי Itayתודה רבה.toda raba.Thank you very much.
- עגור Adiנתראה בקרוב.nitra'e be'karov.See you soon.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (שבוע, טוב) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries טוב, שבוע טוב, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
