What greeting is commonly said on Rosh Hashanah?

“L’shanah tovah” is a common Rosh Hashanah greeting meaning “for a good year.”

The phrase is a shortened form of the longer blessing L’shanah tovah tikatevu, traditionally translated as “May you be inscribed for a good year.” It refers to the religious imagery of a person’s fate being written and sealed during the High Holy Day season.

People also say Shanah tovah without the initial lamed-prefix, and many use Shanah tovah umetukah, meaning “a good and sweet year.” These expressions are heard in Jewish communities around the world, with pronunciation and preferred wording varying by language and tradition.

The alternatives can sound festive but are not the standard Rosh Hashanah greeting. “Gut Shabbos” is associated with Shabbat, “Mazal tov” congratulates someone on a happy occasion, and “Chag sameach” is a general holiday greeting. After Rosh Hashanah, “G’mar chatimah tovah” becomes especially associated with the period leading toward Yom Kippur.