שָׁנָה טוֹבָה
shana tova
Shana tova wishes someone a good year at Rosh Hashanah
What it means
Shana is year and tova is good. It is the greeting of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year in the autumn, said in the weeks before it, on the day, and on New Year cards.
When Israelis say it
The fuller form is shana tova umetuka, a good and sweet year, the reason apples are dipped in honey. Between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur people also say gmar chatima tova, wishing a good final sealing in the Book of Life.
How to answer
Shana tova back, or gam lecha to a man and gam lach to a woman: to you too.
Frequently asked questions
When do you say shana tova?
From the weeks before Rosh Hashanah until the holiday ends. Many people keep saying it until Yom Kippur.
Is shana tova used on 1 January?
Some Israelis say it then too, but its home is Rosh Hashanah, the Hebrew New Year.