“Chag” sounds like the English word “cog. ”[2] X Research source
Do not pronounce it with the English “ch” sound. [4] X Research source
Sephardic Jews prefer using the greeting “chag sameach. ”
If you are unsure on what to say, what for the other person to speak and repeat what they say.
You can often place the holiday name in between “chag” and “sameach” to create a more specific greeting.
Although “holiday happy” may sound strange to English ears, “Chag Sameach” makes perfect sense to Hebrew speakers. Try not to say “Sameach Chag” since that is not the saying and you might get laughed at.
Hebrew is a combination of an early Semitic alphabet with some Greek characters. There are no vowels in Hebrew. However, there is a system of dots and dashes known as nikkuds that indicate vowels.
Begin by learning the pronunciations of the individual letters in the Hebrew alphabet.
Many people in Israel speak English, so be sure to use Hebrew at every opportunity.
For Passover say, “Chag Pesach Sameach. ” It is pronounced “KHAHG PAY-sahk sah-MEY-akh. ” For Sukkkot say, “Chag Sukkot Sameach. ” It is pronounced “KHAHG suu-KOHT sah-MEY-akh. ” For the Feast of Weeks say, “Chag Shavu’ot Sameach” It is pronounced “KHAHG shah-voo-AWT. ”
Gut rhymes with put. Although not strictly Hebrew, this phrase is not uncommon in the Jewish world.
Many Jewish people in the United States and Israel still use or recognize “gut yontiff” as a holiday greeting.
