---
title: "Hebrew for Rosh Hashanah"
slug: "hebrew-for-rosh-hashanah"
canonical: "https://www.itsbaba.com/hebrew-for-rosh-hashanah"
question: "How do you say happy new year in Hebrew for Rosh Hashanah?"
answer: "Shana tova. Add u-metuka if you want the honey. Save gmar chatima tova for the approach to Yom Kippur."
description: "How to say happy new year in Hebrew for Rosh Hashanah: shana tova, shana tova u-metuka, and when to switch to gmar chatima tova. Gender included."
cluster: "learning"
html_status: "live"
updated: "2026-09-11"
numbers_used: "[]"
competitors_named: "[]"
---

# Hebrew for Rosh Hashanah

Shana tova is the greeting. The extra u-metuka (and sweet) is the honey. After the two days, the language of the week tilts toward sealing, not sweetness.

ראש השנה. Friday 11 September – Sunday 13 September 2026 (next: 20–22 September 2027).

## What do you say?

| Hebrew | Transliteration | English |
| --- | --- | --- |
| שנה טובה | Shana tova | A good year |
| שנה טובה ומתוקה | Shana tova u-metuka | A good and sweet year |
| כתיבה וחתימה טובה | Ketiva ve-chatima tova | May you be inscribed for a good year |