How to Wish Someone Happy Purim

Purim greetings in Hebrew, Yiddish and Ladino.

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Purim is a joyous Jewish holiday that celebrates the salvation of the Jewish people in ancient Persia, as told in the Book of Esther. Jews celebrate by feasting, giving gifts, dressing in costume, reading the megillah (which tells the Purim story) and indulging in revelry. Typically, Jews greet one another on Purim by saying “Happy Purim” in Hebrew, Yiddish, Ladino or their vernacular language. Here are a few ways of saying it:

  • Chag Purim Sameach (חג פורים שמח) — This Hebrew expression means: “Happy holiday of Purim!”
  • Purim Sameach (פורים שמח) — Also Hebrew, this is a shorter version of the greeting above: “Happy Purim!”
  • Freilichen Purim — This is a Yiddish for: “Happy Purim!”
  • Purim Allegre — Ladino for: “Happy Purim!”

Here’s more Purim vocabulary worth knowing: gragger (a noise-maker used for drowning out the name of the villainous Haman),  hamantashen (traditional triangle-shaped Purim cookies, which are known in Israel as oznei Haman, ears of Haman)), spiel (a Purim play), matanot l’evyonim (gifts given to the poor). For more essential Purim words and phrases, check out this article.

Other Purim Traditions

Other Jewish Holiday Greetings

Want to know how to greet your friends and family on other Jewish holidays? Check out these articles:

More on Purim

Got other Purim  questions? Here are a few more articles that may be of interest:

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