How do you say happy Hanukkah in Hebrew?

Chag Hanukkah sameach, or just chag sameach. Israelis rarely say the English phrase in Hebrew letters.

What do you say when lighting candles?

The blessings are liturgical Hebrew. In the room, people say chag sameach, comment on the oil, and offer a sufganiya. baba will read the blessing off a card if you point the camera at it.

Hebrew for Hanukkah: Chag Sameach, Happy Hanukkah

The short answer

In Hebrew the holiday is Chanukah or Hanukkah depending on who is transliterating. Israelis just say chag sameach, then argue about sufganiyot.

חנוכה · Friday 4 December – Saturday 12 December 2026
baba gives both genders and the Israeli phrasing, not the English calendar-card line Google Translate reaches for first.
A translator will not make you fluent. It will get the greeting right today.

By baba TeamLast updated: September 11, 2026

What do you say on Hanukkah in Hebrew?

Happy Hanukkah

חג חנוכה שמח

Chag Hanukkah sameach

When. The eight days. Chag sameach alone is enough once the week is obviously Hanukkah.

Gender. Sameach matches chag, not the listener.

Not Google. “Happy Hanukkah” as English is fine in a mixed room. In Hebrew, name the chag.

A happy holiday

חג שמח

Chag sameach

When. Default. Works on the street, at work, in a shop.

Donut

סופגנייה

Sufganiya

When. The jelly doughnut. Plural: sufganiyot. You will say this more than the blessing if you are in a bakery.

Gender. Sufganiya is feminine. One: sufganiya. Many: sufganiyot.

Do not say this

Not: Chag Chanukah sameachah to a woman

Say: Chag Hanukkah sameach

Again: the adjective is for the holiday.

Frequently asked questions

How do you say happy Hanukkah in Hebrew?: Chag Hanukkah sameach, or just chag sameach. Israelis rarely say the English phrase in Hebrew letters.
What do you say when lighting candles?: The blessings are liturgical Hebrew. In the room, people say chag sameach, comment on the oil, and offer a sufganiya. baba will read the blessing off a card if you point the camera at it.

Hebrew for Hanukkah