Hanukkah

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Hanukkah" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the Jewish festival of lights, which celebrates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem. Example: "This year, Hanukkah begins on the evening of December 10th and lasts for eight days."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Freed from American pressure since September 11th a date that another writer describes as "a Hanukkah miracle" for Israel the Israeli government ploughs its own path.

The Economist

(My iTunes tells me I have 801 seasonal tunes, not including the Hanukkah ones).

Independent

Just inside the post office door are two tables that hold about 70 different stamps, each with a different Christmas-themed design (one bears a menorah and says Happy Hanukkah; when I dip it in green ink and take it for a test drive, the design has the crisp, bold edges of disuse).

The Economist

Embracing Hanukkah offered a part-solution (as did present-buying and tree-decorating, to stop children feeling left out).

The Economist

"You are walking along all over the place like typical career politicians promising everything like 'Hanukkah Harry,'" said Mr Emanuel, earning a laugh from the audience.

The Economist

Enjoy the gifts of chocolate from loved ones on Valentine's Day, Easter, Hanukkah or Christmas.

The Economist

The festival of lights, Hanukkah, is a relatively minor Jewish holiday, celebrated not long before Christmas.

The Economist

In Mustang, Oklahoma, the superintendent of schools, fearing a lawsuit, ordered a nativity scene to be cut from a school pageant, while references to Kwanzaa and Hanukkah remained.And so on.

The Economist

HANUKKAH began last night, and Budapest is celebrating the Jewish festival of lights as never before.

The Economist

Ran Abramitzky, Liran Einav and Oren Rigbi of Stanford University studied the behaviour of Jewish parents in America and found that families with children under 18 celebrate Hanukkah more intensely.

The Economist

Traditionally Jews eat oily fried food at Hanukkah to commemorate the miracle; a particular favourite is the latke, a delicious crisp potato cake.The Hanukkah celebrations in Budapest are the latest contribution to the Hungarian capital's ever-more vibrant public Jewish life.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to "Hanukkah" in relation to other holidays, such as Christmas, be mindful of cultural sensitivities and avoid generalizations that might misrepresent or diminish the significance of either holiday.

Common error

Be careful of the spelling of "Hanukkah". It has several acceptable transliterations (like Chanukah) but maintain consistency throughout a single piece of writing. Double-check your spelling to avoid confusion.

Linguistic Context

"Hanukkah" primarily functions as a proper noun, identifying a specific Jewish holiday. Ludwig confirms its usage across various contexts. It's used to denote the festival itself, events associated with it, and cultural elements related to the holiday.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Encyclopedias

30%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "Hanukkah" is a proper noun designating the Jewish Festival of Lights, commemorating the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem. Ludwig AI analysis confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used, primarily in news and media, and encyclopedic contexts. Alternative names include "Festival of Lights" and "Feast of Dedication". It's crucial to maintain consistent spelling and consider audience knowledge when using the phrase. As Ludwig's results show, "Hanukkah" is commonly encountered and well-established in contemporary English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Chanukah

A common alternate spelling of "Hanukkah".

Festival of lights

Refers to "Hanukkah" by one of its common names, emphasizing the symbolic lighting of candles.

Feast of dedication

Another name for "Hanukkah", highlighting the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem.

Jewish festival of lights

Clarifies "Hanukkah" as a Jewish holiday centered around lights.

The eight-day jewish festival

Describes "Hanukkah" by its duration and religious affiliation.

Festival commemorating the maccabees

Emphasizes the Maccabees' role in the events leading to "Hanukkah".

Celebration of the maccabean revolt

Focuses on the historical event commemorated by "Hanukkah".

Rededication of the temple

Highlights the historical event the holiday commemorates.

Winter solstice jewish celebration

Positions "Hanukkah" in relation to the winter solstice.

Jewish holiday in december

Specifies the time of the year "Hanukkah" is celebrated.

FAQs

What is "Hanukkah" and what does it celebrate?

"Hanukkah" is an eight-day Jewish festival, known as the Festival of Lights, commemorating the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem and the Maccabean Revolt against the Seleucid Empire.

What are some alternative names for "Hanukkah"?

"Hanukkah" is also known as the "Festival of Lights" or the "Feast of Dedication". These names reflect different aspects of the holiday's significance.

When does "Hanukkah" typically occur?

"Hanukkah" begins on the 25th day of Kislev in the Hebrew calendar, which usually falls in late November or December. The holiday lasts for eight nights.

Is it correct to spell "Hanukkah" as "Chanukah"?

Yes, "Chanukah" is an alternative, and equally correct, transliteration of the Hebrew word for the holiday. Variations in spelling arise due to differences in transliterating Hebrew into English.