Mazl Tov is an expression quite often used in life and in movies. It, obviously, does not come from the Russian language, so even to guess what “Mazl Tov” means, without a brief excursion into Hebrew - this phrase comes from there! - will not work. In this article we will try to understand the etymology of the word (its origin), determine the meaning, features of use in the original language and beyond.
Where did it come from
In different languages, the phrase mentioned above does not sound the same. So, in addition to “mazl tov”, one can also meet the variant of “mazl tov”, and in writing it is all together: “mazlov”. It is interesting that it came from Yiddish, but it came to Hebrew much later. In the United States of America, this expression is considered part of the national language. It was first entered into the English dictionary as an independent lexical unit back in 1862.
Often it can be found in English-language, often just American, series and films. For example, in the South Park, this phrase is pronounced by a Jewish boy. This phrase slips several times in the vocabulary of the famous cynic Gregory House from the cult series Doctor House, in the vocabulary of the hysterical Dr. Bykov from interns traced from Doctor House - similarly.
What does it mean
What does Mazl tov still mean? Mazl tov is just a wish for good luck. The expression consists of the words "mazel" (luck, fate, luck) and "tov" (good). Thus, the translation of Mazl tov into Russian is “good luck”. Those who know the English language can easily notice how much the familiar expression of good luck is like a simple tracing-paper with “maz tov”.
How to use it
However, the phrase used is not quite the same as the wish of good luck in the already agreed Russian and English languages. "Mazl tov" is a phrase used primarily as a meaning of some joyful, happy, important event in the life of a person or group of people.
It has a certain ritual significance. So, when a groom breaks a glass at a Jewish wedding, the guests are invited to chorus joyfully exclaim: "Mazl tov!" - this is a tradition.
However, in Israel, the phrase can be used in a variety of situations, whether it be the birth of a child, getting a new job, passing exams and so on. Often it is used, on the contrary, in difficult life situations, to cheer up a person who is in trouble.
Nevertheless, in the world, the phrase, although it is recognizable, is still not used as often as ordinary congratulation in the language of its people. Used by a person of non-Jewish nationality and / or to a non-Jewish person, reference to Jews, Jewish culture, and Judaism may be significant.
Thus, the expression “mazlov” used in a speech or text of a work of art is in any case a bright, noticeable device, since the expression is quite textured in itself and has a rich associative series. However, as with most borrowed, semantically strong words, its use should be rather careful and responsible.