mazel tov

or ma·zal tov

[ mah-zuhl tawv, tawf, tohv ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

an expression of congratulations and best wishes, used chiefly by Jews:
A chorus of mazel tovs greeted the newlyweds as they circulated from table to table.

interjection

Congratulations!; Best wishes!:
“Mazel tov,” Grandpa said as he thrust a five-dollar bill into my pocket. “I'm so proud of you!”

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Word History and Origins

Origin of mazel tov¹

First recorded in 1860–65; from Yiddish mazltov, from Hebrew mazzāl tōv, literally, “good luck”; mazzāl “constellation, destiny, luck,” ultimately from Akkadian manzaltu, mazzaztum “location of a star, position”; tōv “good,” cognate with Arabic ṭayyib; schlimazel ( def )

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Example Sentences

You can say the Dodgers are ruining the game, or you can just say mazel tov.

From Los Angeles Times

And if you’re a person like my own mother, who would never permit such backchat in her house, mazel tov.

From New York Times

You and your husband just became parents — mazel tov to that.

From The Verge

Spears also got engaged along the way — mazel tov!

From Los Angeles Times

Those included the signing of a ketubah and the stomping of a glass to cheers of “mazel tov!” when they were pronounced married.

From New York Times

maze mazer

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