---
title: "Hebrew for Yom Kippur"
slug: "hebrew-for-yom-kippur"
canonical: "https://www.itsbaba.com/hebrew-for-yom-kippur"
question: "What do you say to someone on Yom Kippur in Hebrew?"
answer: "Gmar chatima tova — may you be sealed for good. If they are fasting, add tzom kal (easy fast) before the fast ends. After the break-fast, a simple shana tova still works, but the day’s own greeting is gmar chatima tova."
description: "What to say on Yom Kippur in Hebrew: gmar chatima tova, tzom kal, and the greetings Israelis actually use. Gender, timing, and what not to copy from Google Translate."
cluster: "learning"
html_status: "live"
updated: "2026-09-11"
numbers_used: "[]"
competitors_named: "[]"
---

# Hebrew for Yom Kippur

Yom Kippur is not “happy holiday.” Israelis wish each other a good sealing in the book of life, and an easy fast — two different greetings, used at different hours.

יום כיפור. Sunday 20 September – Monday 21 September 2026.

## What do you say?

| Hebrew | Transliteration | English |
| --- | --- | --- |
| גמר חתימה טובה | Gmar chatima tova | May you be sealed for good |
| צום קל | Tzom kal | Easy fast |
| חתימה טובה | Chatima tova | A good sealing |
| כתיבה וחתימה טובה | Ketiva ve-chatima tova | May you be inscribed for a good year |