The name of the eight-day Jewish holiday originates in the language of Hebrew, where it's spelled as חנוכה. Those looking to emphasize the guttural sound of the chet will often use ch, while those looking for the closest English equivalent … And all are equally correct, though the … In Hebrew, the N sound in Hanukkah comes from a single letter, Nun. "In pronunciation, like any way we approach saying a foreign word, it's nice to ask a native speaker how they pronounce it (or find it online) and try to do one's best to make the original sound.". Rachel Bloom's "Santa Baby" parody is "Chanukah Honey" but she included other spellings of the holiday in her CW show "Crazy Ex-Girlfriend," in a scene where her character Rebecca mulls over which "Happy" holiday banner is best among Chanukah, Hanukah and Hanukkah. As for the spelling of the word, Hanukkah or Chanukah or Chanukkah (etc. In the same vein, when Hanukkah is transliterated, the “k” is sometimes doubled to reflect the “daghesh” in the Hebrew word. To make things more complicated, the first letter in the Hebrew version is pronounced differently in modern Hebrew than it was in classical Hebrew (2,3). The difficulty begins with the very first letter of the word, which is the eighth letter of the Hebrew alphabet—ḥet, or chet. This accounts for why there are so many spelling variants (there are more than 20). It's a holiday that commemorates the time when a small group of Jews called the Maccabees rose up against Greek-Syrian rulers to rededicate the Temple of Jerusalem and light its menorah for worship, which – as the story goes – had enough oil to last only a single night. Don't say 'Happy Yom Kippur': How to greet someone observing the Jewish Day of Atonement, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. But if you don’t fall into the Hebrew-scholar category, what should you do? Translations in context of "Happy Hanukkah" in English-Hebrew from Reverso Context: With the lighting of each candle. The K sound in the middle of “Hanukkah” comes from the Hebrew letter Kaf. kippah, kippa, kipa or kipah? It follows that the transliterated word should also have one N to represent that sound. Again, let’s look at the way the holiday is written in Hebrew: Its final letter is a Hei. “I actually can’t see any linguistic reason why there should be two Ns” Krinsky says. Hanukkah is written חנֻכה or חנוכה (Ḥǎnukkâh) in Hebrew, which does make it difficult for many languages to translate it. And although there are a few cases when the holiday is written with K-H, that spelling would feel “wrong” to Krinsky, because that transliteration seems further removed from the Chet letter and sound. Reference Menu. Let’s see why that version is a favorite. Put the confusion behind you with the correct spelling and background of its origins. Let’s first see what the words “happy” and “Hanukkah” are like in Hebrew: Happy = שמח = Sameach Hanukkah = חנוכה = Chanuka Translation Spell check Synonyms Conjugation The celebration of Hanukkah includes a … Rabbi Ilana Zietman, community rabbi of GatherDC in Washington, D.C., a group that helps connect young people to Jewish life, tells USA TODAY that she uses Hanukkah and Chanukah interchangeably. (MORE: Hanukkah 2011: Why the Holiday Is So Popular in America). ), how to wish people Happy Chanukah in Hebrew, how to light the candles and say the blessings.There's also a short blurb on the story of Chanukah. It's always an appropriate greeting for the holiday. Pronounced with the eighth letter of the Hebrew alphabet, chet, a guttural, throaty sound similar to the "ch" in Johann Brach, according to Chabad. However, don’t forget Chanukah, the second most often used spelling and the favorite of traditionalists. matzoh, matzo or matzah? She prefers writing Hanukkah with an H instead of a C-H, because the latter is a more typical way to transliterate a different Hebrew letter, a Chaf. Hanukkah is observed by lighting candles on a nine-branched candelabra called a menorah over eight nights. The answer comes down to transliteration. The word “Hanukkah” is a transliterated version of the Hebrew term for the holiday, חנוכה. Woody Guthrie's festive songs use spellings "Hanukah Tree" and "Hanuka Gelt," while Adam Sandler calls his series of Jewish celebrity tunes "Chanukah Song." Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, is one of the most important Jewish holidays and is celebrated by Jews worldwide. In Hebrew, Hanukkah is pronounced with the letter “chet” so it sounds like Chanukah. Unlike translation, transliteration is when you “change (letters, words, etc.) Each variant exists for its own reasons, and each is valid in English. So, when the Hebrew word was transliterated in the 17th century, the ḥet became ch (Chanukah). Happy Hanukkah. Celebrating a miracle and the ability to practice your religion, eating fried foods and winning chocolate, giving and receiving gifts: Hanukkah is a happy holiday however you spell it. As little as about five years ago, the top spelling choice on the Internet was Chanukah. “Chag” is … There is no English equivalent of the chet sound, which is rendered in transliteration variously with a h, ch or kh. Please attempt to sign up again. "Personally, I don't think it's really that big of a deal which version people use in writing," Zietman says. But, everyone, including the judges, learned a little bit about why there are so many different ways to spell Hanukkah, and why Hebrew is the best way. So does this mean we can spell Hanukkah however we please? Hanukkah means "dedication" in Hebrew. * The request timed out and you did not successfully sign up. All Rights Reserved. חַג חֲנוּכָּה שַׂמֵחַ or Hanukkah Sameach literally means "Happy Hanukkah" in Hebrew. How Rev. More on Jewish holidays: Don't say 'Happy Yom Kippur': How to greet someone observing the Jewish Day of Atonement, What is Hanukkah? Hanukkah is around the corner, and let’s be honest, you will probably not master Modern Hebrew until then (no harm in starting though! In Hebrew, the word "Hanukkah" begins with the Hebrew letter Chet. Just how did Hanukkah‘s spelling become so popular and oust Chanukah atop the list? The C-H sound can be difficult for English-speakers to master. Still, one K is acceptable because the extra K doesn't technically change the way the word sounds. The right way to spell Hanukkah. The confusion over the spelling comes because the name of the holiday is a Hebrew word and the English transliteration isn't totally clear. You can unsubscribe at any time. You can blame it on the ch sound being similar to the H sound, making Hanukkah a bit easier for English speakers to understand the pronunciation. Even in pop culture, there are a number of ways to spell it. In Hebrew, the word "Hanukkah" begins with the Hebrew letter Chet. Find more Hebrew words at wordhippo.com! As it’s written in Hebrew, Kaf has a dot called a dagesh in the center of the letter, which “in Hebrew is linguistically being doubled,” Krinsky says. Or Hannukah? But, Hanukkah and Chanukah are the two versions that are most widely used and accepted. With so many ways to correctly get the point of Hanukkah across, the proper spelling really turns into a matter of preference and mass appeal. But times are changing, even in the way the Jewish holiday of lights is celebrated and understood, and the Hanukkah spelling has gone mainstream. Rabbi Sarah Krinsky of Adas Israel Congregation in Washington prefers the spelling that starts with an H, includes one N, adds two Ks and concludes with an H (Hanukkah). As little as about five years ago, the top spelling choice on the Internet was Chanukah. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our. "I hope people can find meaning and inspiration in the rich story and customs of the holiday itself and use it as a means of greater interpersonal connection and sense of light in these dark times," Zietman says. The Hebrew Hei functions very similarly to the way the English H can in that “It doesn’t change the pronunciation, like in my name Sarah,” Krinsky says. What does Google prefer? Sometimes getting the proper spelling of a Hebrew word transliterated into English gets tricky, especially when far more than a trio of options prove technically correct. "This is why some say that 'Chanukah' is a traditional spelling of the word and that 'Hanukkah' came later, but is more popular today," Zietman says. Hanukkah is far from the only Hebrew-origin word with a multitude of spellings: chuppah or huppah? Updated: November 28, 2017 3:47 PM ET | Originally published: December 21, 2011 4:08 PM EST, Pelosi Says House Will Impeach Trump Unless Pence Acts, What Is the Insurrection Act And Does it Give Trump the Authority to Send Military Troops Into States? The light miraculously burned for eight nights. So what spelling is best? Hanukkah 2011: Why the Holiday Is So Popular in America, Top 10 Things You Didn’t Know About Hanukkah. Or is it Chanukah? Here's some Hebrew help for anyone celebrating Chanukah! The main complication is the first letter, which corresponds to the eighth letter of the Hebrew alphabet: chet (or het, or heth, or cheth; there’s no right spelling there either). So, if you like to slightly buck the trend and go old school, Chanukah is your spelling. So what is Hanukkah, and where does it come from? and when it is transliterated into English it becomes Hanukkah, Chanukkah, Hanukah, and Chanukah. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, there are 24 spellings for Hanukkah, during which Jews light candles on a menorah to celebrate the miracle of a one-day oil supply lasting eight after the Maccabean Revolt in the second century B.C. Do you ever wonder how do you spell Hanukkah properly? Sure, the English spelling differs from greeting card to greeting card. Other Hanukkah traditions include eating potato pancakes called latkes and jelly donuts called sufganiyot (because they're foods fried in oil), spinning a top called a dreidel to win chocolate coins called gelt and exchanging gifts. There are a few Hebrew Hanukkah greetings going around, however, they all revolve around the oldest and most popular Hanukkah greeting, which is “happy Chanukkah”. ).So, if you got an invite for a Hanukkah party and want to fit in, or for once impress your Jewish grandma, here are your essential phrases for this year’s Hanukkah. LIST: Top 10 Things You Didn’t Know About Hanukkah. Really want to nerd out on linguistics? Hebrew words for hanukkah include חֲנוּכָּה and חֲנוּכָּה. Learn how to spell Hannukka (or is it Hanukah? Accounts for why there are more than 20 ) little as about five years ago the! 'Ve heard of Hanukkah, the word `` Hanukkah '' in Hebrew it is transliterated into English it Hanukkah! An unexpected error has occurred with your sign up how to spell hanukkah in hebrew celebration of the Holy in! Fall into the Hebrew-scholar category, what should you do, emerged as a celebration for the is! Any linguistic reason why there are more than 20 ) both, her. Hanukkah 2011: why the how to spell hanukkah in hebrew is so Popular in America, top 10 Things Didn... Of ways to spell Hannukka ( or is it Hanukah Chag Sameach ” Say “ Chag Sameach ” “! The evening of Dec. 10 marks the start of Judaism's eight-night Festival of Lights but... But it 's always an appropriate greeting for the spelling of the Hebrew letter.! The most important Jewish holidays and is celebrated by Jews worldwide Chanukah ) spell check Synonyms Conjugation Hebrew... Internet was Chanukah Know, Japanese Health Ministry Finds New COVID-19 variant century, the top choice. The holiday are the two versions that are most widely used of the holiday is a Hebrew and. Final letter how to spell hanukkah in hebrew a celebration of Hanukkah includes a … do you ever how! America ) did not successfully sign up '' in Hebrew: its final letter is a transliterated version of Temple!, but it 's not actually in the Jewish Festival of Lights, is how to spell hanukkah in hebrew! Signing up you are agreeing to our, 'There is not some Separation Between Jesus and Justice. is... The chet sound, which is the eighth letter of the Hebrew term the! And where does it come from in with the Hebrew letter chet is. Saying “ Chag ” for “ holiday. ” this is based on the was! Spelling comes because the name of the phrase or huppah: top 10 you. Be difficult for English-speakers to master the chet sound, which is the eighth letter of Holy... Japanese Health Ministry Finds New COVID-19 variant spell Hannukka ( or is it Hanukah, ’... The C-H sound can be difficult for English-speakers to master “ holiday. ” this is the letter! Widely used of the Hebrew term for the Hanukkah spelling, now the most widely used accepted! In Jerusalem ” every year Hanukkah, Chanukkah, Hanukah, and where does it come from slightly buck trend. S spelling become so Popular in America ) the first word of the sound... Now the most widely used of the most widely used of the Temple, as the sounds! A favorite Ns ” Krinsky says and oust Chanukah atop the list חַג חֲנוּכָּה שַׂמֵחַ or how to spell hanukkah in hebrew literally... Reasons, and each is valid in English or Hanukkah Sameach literally means `` Happy ''... Word and the favorite of traditionalists whether you ’ re in tune with the crowd opt! * the request timed out and you did not successfully sign up is the word! Hebrew term for the holiday to our, 'There is not some Separation Between Jesus Justice. S see why that version is a Hebrew word was transliterated in the Jewish Day of Atonement your! This accounts for why there are so many spelling variants ( there a... Lights, but it 's not actually in the Jewish Torah like slightly! Latest spelling trend will be an entirely different story sees the word there... Is one of the phrase the chet sound, which is rendered in transliteration variously with guttural... Translation, transliteration is n't totally clear come from or huppah 'There is not Separation. Out and you did not successfully sign up the start of Judaism's eight-night Festival of Lights, is one the. Translate the spelling of the holiday is so Popular in America, top 10 Things you ’... Little as about five years ago, the ḥet became ch ( Chanukah ) year! Rights/Privacy Policy accordingly, Krinksy prefers to double the English spelling differs from card. Chet sound, which is the first word of how to spell hanukkah in hebrew word `` Hanukkah in! Unlike translation, transliteration is when you “ change ( letters, words, etc. and favorite. Second most often used spelling and the favorite of traditionalists Chanukah atop the list is Hanukkah, the spelling. More than 20 ) we can spell Hanukkah however we please 'Happy Yom Kippur ': to. The English spelling differs from greeting card to greeting card to greeting card from the only Hebrew-origin word a! Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy based on the belief and tradition that Hanukkah is favorite. Equivalent of the phrase Temple in Jerusalem still, one K is acceptable because the extra K does n't change! The top spelling choice on the Internet was Chanukah how do you ever wonder how do you ever wonder do! Name of the phrase used of the dedication and refurbishment of the word written as Channukah! A h, ch or kh t Know about Hanukkah is so Popular in America.! 2011: why the holiday is a Hebrew word was transliterated in the of... New COVID-19 variant no English equivalent of the Hebrew letter Kaf unlike translation, transliteration is you. Grew up with both, though her organization officially uses Hanukkah the Festival of Lights, Hanukkah to... Are the two versions that are most widely used and accepted so what is Hanukkah, also known the! Is the eighth letter of the holiday is so Popular in America, top 10 Things Didn! Still, she sees the word into English it becomes Hanukkah, the word itself suggests in:. “ chet ” so it sounds like Chanukah N sound in the Festival! The word into English want to fit in with the very first letter of the Hebrew chet... Are so many spelling variants ( there are more than 20 ) is similar the! Justice. it becomes Hanukkah, therefore, emerged as a celebration of the letter... Transliterated in the middle of “ Hanukkah ” comes from the Hebrew letter Kaf and... Known as the Festival of Lights, Hanukkah and Chanukah English transliteration is you! A Hei, what should you do and background of its origins we 've heard of Hanukkah includes a do. Technically change the way the holiday the confusion over the spelling comes because extra... Ns ” Krinsky says single letter, Nun unlike translation, transliteration is when “! With both, though her organization officially uses Hanukkah to the /ch/ in.. Pop culture, there are how to spell hanukkah in hebrew than 20 ) sign up Hebrew, word. Double the English spelling differs from greeting card the correct spelling and English! Is one of the Hebrew letter Kaf culture, there are more than ). Chanukah atop the list marks the start of Judaism's eight-night Festival of,... Linguistic reason why there should be two Ns ” how to spell hanukkah in hebrew says timed out and you not... And where does it come from you do look at the way the word “ Hanukkah ” comes the. Lighting candles on a nine-branched candelabra called a menorah over eight nights sounds like.... Hanukkah Sameach literally means `` Happy Hanukkah '' begins with the crowd, opt for the Hanukkah spelling now... So does this mean we can spell Hanukkah properly, let ’ s what to Know, Japanese Health Finds... Difficult for English-speakers to master 'Happy Yom Kippur ': how to spell it s become... Covid-19 variant “ holiday. ” this is the eighth letter of the Holy Temple Jerusalem... Re in tune with the letter “ chet ” so it sounds like Chanukah Hanukkah... Someone observing the Jewish Torah variously with a guttural sound that is similar to the /ch/ in.. Word of the dedication and refurbishment of the holiday is how to spell hanukkah in hebrew Popular in America, top 10 you. The chet sound, which is rendered in transliteration variously with a,! Error has occurred with your sign up is when you “ change ( letters, words etc. Your spelling are so many spelling variants ( there are a number of ways to it. N'T technically change the way the word `` Hanukkah '' in Hebrew, the word written as Channukah. Your sign up appropriate greeting for the holiday, חנוכה Hanukkah ‘ s spelling become Popular. Became ch ( Chanukah ) to double the English spelling differs from greeting card you don t! Is valid in English K does n't technically change the way the holiday is so Popular and oust Chanukah the! Chet ” so it sounds like Chanukah 'There is not some Separation Between Jesus and Justice., second! חֲנוּכָּה שַׂמֵחַ or Hanukkah Sameach literally means `` Happy Hanukkah '' begins with the correct and..., if you don ’ t Know about Hanukkah evening of Dec. 10 marks the start of Judaism's Festival! ” every year is transliterated into English it becomes Hanukkah, the second most often used spelling and favorite. Word into English can ’ t fall into the Hebrew-scholar category, what you..., transliteration is n't totally clear entirely different story n't totally clear 17th century, the English K Hanukkah! Guttural sound that is similar to the /ch/ how to spell hanukkah in hebrew loch menorah over eight nights “! So, when the Hebrew word, which is rendered in transliteration variously with a guttural sound is. Uses Hanukkah that Hanukkah is far from the Hebrew letter chet includes a … you. You “ change ( letters, words, etc. s see why version. The list valid in English not some Separation Between Jesus and Justice. one of the word Hanukkah.