When greeting a Jewish person on Chanukah (also spelled Hanukkah), the simplest greeting is “happy Hanukkah.” This greeting works in all settings and with all Jews.

Hanukkah Greetings in Hebrew

You can also say it entirely in Hebrew: Chanukah samayach (written חנוכה שמח), pronounced KHAH-noo-kah sah-MAY-ahkh.

If you want to get fancy, the Hebrew greeting can be chag oreem samayach (written חג אורים שמח), pronounced KHAHG oh-REEM sah-MAY-ahkh, which means “happy Festival of Lights.”

Hanukkah Greetings in Yiddish

In Yiddish, the greeting would be ah freilichen Chanukah (written א פרייליכן חנוכה), pronounced AH FRAY-likh-en KHAH-noo-kah.

You can also express your felicitations for “a light-filled Hanukkah,” ah lichtigen Chanukah (written א ליכטיגן חנוכה), pronounced AH LIKHT-ig-en KHAH-noo-kah.

When to Use Hanukkah Greetings

You can say “happy Hanukkah” or the Hanukkah greeting of your choice for a week or two prior to Chanukah, and for the duration of the 8-day holiday, including the final day, which is not followed by candle-lighting.

It is off-putting, however, to use it after the holiday has come to a close, even if the secular December holiday season is still going strong. If that is the case, a simple “hello” or “goodbye” is preferred.

If you are writing your greetings and are undecided between “Hanukkah” or “Chanukah,” you can find out more about the right spelling for your audience here.