Some words and phrases are international, as they can be found anywhere in the world. However, they belong to a specific culture or even to a separate people, they just scattered around the world with it. For example, mazeltof - what does it mean and when is it used? If you ask such a question, you should contact the representatives of the Jewish community. They will be better than others to explain the etymology and relevance of the utterance in any situation.
What does it mean?
You immediately hear a recognizable word if you are at a holiday. It will be a religious celebration or secular, public or family, a wedding or the birth of a child. Trying to find a universal congratulation for any situation? You found it because it is a mazeltof!
In some cases, “e” is replaced by “a”, and the stress jumps from the first to the second syllable. Occasionally, the part “tof” is written in an independent word with a space and with “in”, then the composite nature of the two-part phrase is much more obvious:
However, this is not about desire. Depending on the context and the situation, the phrase takes on the meaning of a greeting or statement of fact.
When to pronounce?
If you understand what “mazeltof” means, you need to understand when the exclamation will be relevant. You can reduce all possible options to the three most common:
- when the groom breaks the glass for happiness - as part of the ritual;
- in a happy event - as encouragement, praise, recognition of merit;
- as moral support to a person.
That is, often the meaning is as close as possible to the Russian-language “congratulations”, even with an ironic connotation. At other times, the statement will indicate the randomness of the meeting, remind the interlocutor of God's business and the need to believe in yourself. A very ambiguous term, focused on events that have already occurred, as the basis for building the future.
What are related words?
Bad events always happen next to good ones. When the black bar ends, we can say: “This is a mazeltop!”, Which will mean recognition of a turning point and a desire to move on. Even if until today you were constantly experiencing blows of fate, being a “grease”, otherwise - a failure. The studied expression left a mark in the English language, influenced German and Dutch. It formed the basis of many phrases describing both life success and the collapse of all hopes.
Can I speak to non-Jews?
Contemporaries are afraid to be intolerant, to offend others with a gesture or word. But is it really bad to come Jewish to a wedding and observe a ritual? Do not forget that "Mazeltof!" - This is part of the tradition, and a tribute to courtesy. It will indicate involvement in the moment, a desire to please the newlyweds. It is not words that offend, but people. Remember this, and luck will accompany any undertakings.