mazel tov

• mazeltov, mazal tov, mazaltov

Borrowed from Yiddish מזל־טובֿ (mazl tov), from Hebrew מַזָּל (mazál, “star, constellation; fate, luck”), from Akkadian 𒌓𒁕 (manzaltum) + Hebrew טוֹב (tov, “good”); literally “good stars, good luck”.

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ˈmaz(ə)l ˌtɒf/, /ˈmaz(ə)l ˌtɒv/
• (General American) IPA^(key): /ˈmɑz(ə)lˌtɔf/, /ˈmɑz(ə)lˌtɔv/, /ˈmɑz(ə)lˌtɑf/, /ˈmɑz(ə)lˌtɑv/
• Hyphenation: ma‧zel tov

mazel tov

1. (in a Jewish context) Used to express congratulations or good wishes, especially at weddings.

Although often parsed as good luck, mazel tov originally and principally offers congratulations or admiration at something already achieved (your stars have been good, your luck has been good, etc.) rather than expressing hopes for future good luck.