What does the phrase "mazel tov" mean when you use it?


I polled people who have visited this blog and asked them what they actually meant when they said "mazel tov." Among the choices were "good luck, congratulations, much happiness,wow, and may the unknown be positive for you.

It would seem that most people do not mean "good luck" when they say mazal tov. Only 6 respondents chose that option. 15 people chose "congratulations," 3 chose "much happiness" and one person chose may the unknown be positive for you. Rounding roughly about a little more than 75% aren't actually wishing you "luck" when they say mazel tov.

There are some who would like to see the phrase "mazel tov" removed from use because "ain mazel b'yisroel." I don't think we need to do that. Just this small poll shows that "mazel tov" has become an idiom to most people who use it. The meaning of an idiom is different from the meanings of the individual words that make it up. Thus, "mazel tov" translates out to congratulations/happiness rather than to luck, in the same way that "get lost" does not mean go out and lose your way but means go away from me or in the same way that "I'm in seventh heaven" has nothing to do with a trip "upstairs" and everything to do with euphoria.

Thanks to all who participated.