How to Say “Congratulations” in Hebrew (Mazal Tov vs Kol Hakavod)

Two different congratulations, and knowing which one to send. · Updated

To say “congratulations” in Hebrew, say מזל טוב (mazal tov) for happy news like a wedding, a baby, or a new job. For “well done” on an achievement or effort, say כל הכבוד (kol hakavod). Both stay the same whoever you are talking to. Type it in English and a translation keyboard sends the Hebrew straight into your chat.

English uses “congratulations” for everything. Hebrew splits it in two, and picking the right one is the difference between sounding warm and sounding slightly off.

How do you say congratulations in Hebrew?

The main word is מזל טוב (mazal tov), literally “good fortune.” It is what you say for life’s happy milestones: an engagement, a wedding, a birth, a new home, a birthday. It does not change with gender, so the same two words work for anyone.

What is the difference between mazal tov and kol hakavod?

מזל טוב (mazal tov) is for good news that happened to someone. כל הכבוד (kol hakavod), literally “all the respect,” is for something someone did: passing an exam, finishing a run, nailing a presentation. If they earned it through effort, kol hakavod usually fits best, though big effortful milestones like graduating or finishing the army often take mazal tov too.

How do you send congratulations in Hebrew in a chat?

Good news travels fast, and you want your reply to keep up. A translation keyboard like Bridgi lets you type in English and send the right Hebrew straight into WhatsApp, so mazal tov goes out the moment you hear the news, no switching apps. And celebrations bring more messages after them, which is exactly where staying in Hebrew, in the chat, saves you the fuss.

Bridgi is coming soon to Google Play as a subscription at $4.99 a month or $39.99 a year, with a 7-day free trial to start, no card required. It’s an Android keyboard that turns your English into Hebrew right inside the chat, so “mazal tov” goes out in Hebrew the second the good news lands. Join the waitlist for an email when it goes live, or read the FAQ. Marking a birthday? Here’s how to say “happy birthday” in Hebrew, and how to say “thank you.”

Frequently asked questions

How do you write congratulations in Hebrew?

You write מזל טוב (mazal tov) for happy news, or כל הכבוד (kol hakavod) for a job well done. Hebrew reads right to left.

Does “mazal tov” change for a man or a woman?

No. Mazal tov is the same whoever you are congratulating, which makes it an easy one to use.

What does “kol hakavod” mean?

כל הכבוד (kol hakavod) literally means “all the respect” and is the Hebrew for “well done” or “way to go.”

What does “mazal tov” literally mean?

It literally means “good fortune” or “good luck,” but it is used to mean “congratulations.”