mazel tov
See also: mazeltov
English
[edit]
Alternative forms
[edit]Etymology
[edit]Borrowed from Yiddish מזל־טובֿ (mazl tov), from Hebrew מַזָּל (mazál, “star, constellation; fate, luck”), from Akkadian 𒌓𒁕 (manzaltum) + Hebrew טוֹב (tov, “good”); literally “good stars, good luck”.
Pronunciation
[edit]- (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /ˈmaz(ə)l ˌtɒf/, /ˈmaz(ə)l ˌtɒv/
- (General American) IPA(key): /ˈmɑz(ə)lˌtɔf/, /ˈmɑz(ə)lˌtɔv/, /ˈmɑz(ə)lˌtɑf/, /ˈmɑz(ə)lˌtɑv/
- Hyphenation: ma‧zel tov
Interjection
[edit]mazel tov
- (in a Jewish context) Used to express congratulations or good wishes, especially at weddings.
- 2021, Gordon Korman, Linked, page 168:
- “Mazel tov on your bar mitzvah, young man. You honor us all by what you're doing.”
- (humorous) Said after a glass has been accidentally broken.
Usage notes
[edit]Although often parsed as good luck, mazel tov originally and principally offers congratulations or admiration at something already achieved (your stars have been good, your luck has been good, etc.) rather than expressing hopes for future good luck. Additionally, in sense 2, this usage is a reference to the tradition of breaking a glass as part of a Jewish wedding, after which “mazel tov” is sometimes said.
Translations
[edit](Hebrew/Yiddish) congratulations or good wishes, especially at weddings
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