תודה לאל
toda la'el
The English phrase "thanks be to God" is translated into Hebrew as תודה לאל (toda la'el).
תודה לאל is used both to express religious gratitude and as a secular exclamation of relief when a situation turns out well.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the noun תודה (thanks), the preposition ל (to) and the noun אל (God).
Which one should you use?
The form תּוֹדָה לֵאלֹהִים also means "Thanks to God" and is a formal way to thank God.
How do you pronounce it?
toda la'el
Did you know?
- The root of the word תודה is shared with the verb 'to confess' or 'to acknowledge'. In ancient Hebrew, thanking someone was seen as the same act as acknowledging the truth of their kindness.
- The word תודה is derived from a root that also relates to the physical act of stretching out the hand.
- The short form לאל used in the phrase is a version of the word 'God' more typical of biblical poetry than modern speech.
Examples in context
- תודה לאל, הגעתי בזמן.toda la'el, he'agti bazman.Thanks be to God, I arrived on time.
- היא מרגישה טוב יותר, תודה לאל.hi margisha tov yoter, toda la'el.She feels better, thanks be to God.
- הכל עבר בשלום, תודה לאל.hakol avar beshalom, toda la'el.Everything passed safely, thanks be to God.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about a difficult exam.
- רוטם Rotemנועם, קיבלת כבר את הציון?Noam, kibalta kvar et ha-tziyun?Noam, did you get the grade already?
- נועם Noamכן, עברתי את המבחן!Ken, avarti et ha-mivchan!Yes, I passed the test!
- רוטם Rotemאיזה יופי, תודה לאל.Eize yofi, toda l'El.That's great, thanks be to God.
- נועם Noamבאמת, הייתי כל כך לחוץ.Be-emet, hayiti kol kach lahutz.Really, I was so stressed.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries תודה, CC BY-SA 4.0.
