Mazel tov


"Mazel tov" or "mazal tov" is a Jewish phrase used to express congratulations for a happy and significant occasion or event.

Etymology and pronunciation

The expression comes from the Mishnaic Hebrew mazzāl, meaning "constellation" or "destiny", which may be related to nazal, meaning "to flow down".
While the words mazal and tov are Hebrew in origin, the phrase is of Yiddish origin, and was later incorporated into Modern Hebrew.
Although the Yiddish pronunciation of mazel has the stress on the first syllable, the modern Hebrew word "mazal" has the stress on the last syllable, as is standard in modern Hebrew.
The phrase "mazel tov" is recorded as entering into American English from Yiddish in 1862.
Similarly the Yiddish , transliterated as shlimazl, also made its way into US English in the 20th century.
The same words were also lent to German, as Massel, and also as the verb :wikt:vermasseln|vermasseln and "".
In Czech and Slovak, the words :wikt:šlamastyka|šlamastyka/šlamastika respectively mean a "pickle".
In Polish, the word ślamazara, also derived from Yiddish shlimazl, denotes a person who is slow, sluggish, or lifeless.
In Hungarian the informal mázli means luck, and slamasztika means an unpleasant, distressful situation.
The words mazzel, tof/toffe and the verb mazzelen have entered Dutch.
The American English pronunciation is.

Translation

Although mazel tov is literally translated as "good luck", it really means "good luck has occurred" or "your fortune has been good" and is an acknowledgement of this fact. It is similar to the word "congratulations!" and conveys roughly that "I am pleased this good thing has happened to you!"
The phrase for wishing "good luck" in Hebrew, meaning the same as English "good luck", is b'hatzlacha, literally meaning "with success."

Usage

Throughout the Jewish world, including the diaspora, "mazel tov!" is a common Jewish phrase, such as after a bar or bat mitzvah or a wedding. At a Jewish wedding, after the groom breaks the glass everyone yells "Mazel Tov!" "Mazal tov" is used for all sorts of happy occasions, whether they be a new driver's license, a birthday, or getting a new job.