חַג שָׂמֵחַ
Chag Same'ach
“Happy Holidays”
Chag Same'ach (חַג שָׂמֵחַ) is a Hebrew phrase meaning “happy holidays,” pronounced “khag sa-ME-akh.” The literal translation is “happy festival.” A universal holiday greeting that works for any Jewish festival — Passover, Sukkot, Shavuot, Hanukkah, Purim, and more.
| Hebrew | חַג שָׂמֵחַ |
|---|---|
| Transliteration | Chag Same'ach |
| English Meaning | Happy Holidays |
| Literal Translation | Happy festival |
| Pronunciation | khag sa-ME-akh |
| Category | Celebrations & Holidays |
| Origin | Biblical Hebrew. The word chag appears throughout the Torah referring to the three pilgrimage festivals. Same'ach (joyful) is commanded in Deuteronomy 16:14: 'You shall rejoice in your festival.' The combination as a greeting is a feature of modern spoken Hebrew. |
If you learn only one Hebrew holiday greeting, make it Chag Same'ach. This beautifully versatile phrase — meaning simply 'Happy Festival' — works for every Jewish holiday on the calendar. Passover? Chag Same'ach. Hanukkah? Chag Same'ach. Sukkot? Chag Same'ach. The word chag comes from the root meaning 'to circle' or 'to celebrate,' evoking the cyclical nature of the Jewish festival calendar. And same'ach means 'happy' or 'joyful,' rooted in the biblical commandment 'V'samachta b'chagekha' — 'You shall rejoice in your festival' (Deuteronomy 16:14). Joy isn't just an option on Jewish holidays; it's a commandment.
Where Does “Chag Same'ach” Come From?
Biblical Hebrew. The word chag appears throughout the Torah referring to the three pilgrimage festivals. Same'ach (joyful) is commanded in Deuteronomy 16:14: 'You shall rejoice in your festival.' The combination as a greeting is a feature of modern spoken Hebrew.
When and How to Say “Chag Same'ach”
Used for all Jewish holidays. For specific holidays, you can say 'Chag Pesach Same'ach,' 'Chag Chanukah Same'ach,' etc. The generic 'Chag Same'ach' is always appropriate if you're unsure which specific holiday it is or if you want an all-purpose greeting.
Cultural Context of Chag Same'ach
In Israel, Chag Same'ach appears on banners, in text messages, and in every workplace before a holiday break. It's the Jewish equivalent of 'Happy Holidays' but with the added weight of a divine commandment to be joyful. Even the most secular Israeli will text 'Chag Same'ach' before a major holiday.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you say “Happy Holidays” in Hebrew?
“Happy Holidays” in Hebrew is Chag Same'ach (חַג שָׂמֵחַ), pronounced “khag sa-ME-akh.” The literal translation is “Happy festival.” A universal holiday greeting that works for any Jewish festival — Passover, Sukkot, Shavuot, Hanukkah, Purim, and more.
How do you pronounce Chag Same'ach?
Chag Same'ach is pronounced “khag sa-ME-akh.” The literal meaning is “Happy festival.”
Can you say Chag Same'ach for any Jewish holiday?
Yes — Chag Same'ach is a universal greeting that works for every Jewish holiday: Passover, Shavuot, Sukkot, Hanukkah, Purim, and more. You can make it specific by adding the holiday name: 'Chag Pesach Same'ach.' For Rosh Hashanah, 'Shanah Tovah' is more traditional, and for Shabbat, use 'Shabbat Shalom.'
What is the difference between Chag Same'ach and Moadim L'simcha?
'Chag Same'ach' (Happy Holiday) is a general greeting. 'Moadim L'simcha' (Seasons of joy) is a more specific greeting used during the intermediate days (Chol HaMoed) of Passover and Sukkot. The traditional response to 'Moadim L'simcha' is 'Chagim u'Zmanim l'sasson' (Holidays and times for joy).
How do you pronounce the 'ch' in Chag?
The 'ch' in Chag is a guttural sound made in the back of the throat, similar to the Scottish 'loch' or German 'Bach.' It is NOT the English 'ch' as in 'church.' This sound (called a voiceless velar fricative) is one of the distinctive features of Hebrew pronunciation.
Related Hebrew Words
More Celebrations & Holidays Phrases
Explore other Hebrew phrases in the Celebrations & Holidays category
Related Hebrew Phrases
Learn a New Hebrew Phrase Every Day
Join 12,000+ Christians discovering the depth of Scripture through Biblical Hebrew.
Subscribe Free