How Do You Spell HANNUKAH?

Pronunciation: [hˈanjuːkə] (IPA)

Hanukkah is a Jewish holiday that is also known as the Festival of Lights. The spelling of the word Hanukkah often confuses English speakers due to the various transliterations from Hebrew. The correct spelling is H-a-n-u-k-k-a-h, with a soft "h" sound (IPA /h/) followed by two "k" sounds (IPA /k/), rather than a double "n" as often mistaken. Hanukkah celebrates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem and is marked by the lighting of candles on a special menorah.

HANNUKAH Meaning and Definition

  1. Hanukkah (also spelled as Chanukah), is an eight-day Jewish festival commemorating the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem. This holiday is celebrated in late November or December and falls on different dates each year in the Gregorian calendar.

    Derived from the Hebrew word meaning "dedication," Hanukkah is observed as a joyous occasion to commemorate the miracle that occurred during the Second Temple period. The festival originated in the 2nd century BCE, when Israel was under the rule of the Seleucid King Antiochus IV, who forbade Jews from practicing their religion. The festival is a symbol of Jewish resilience and perseverance in the face of religious oppression.

    The central ritual of Hanukkah involves the lighting of the Menorah, a nine-branched candelabra. Each night, an additional candle is lit, progressing from one to eight over the course of the holiday. Hanukkah is also marked by the consumption of foods that are fried in oil, such as latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganiyot (jelly-filled donuts), to commemorate the significance of oil in the original miracle.

    During Hanukkah, families come together to exchange gifts, play a game with a spinning top called a dreidel, and many also recite special prayers or blessings. The holiday serves as a time for Jews worldwide to celebrate their cultural and religious identity, fostering a sense of unity, hope, and appreciation for their heritage.

Common Misspellings for HANNUKAH

  • hanuka
  • hannuka
  • hanukkah
  • hanukah
  • chanukah
  • gannukah
  • bannukah
  • nannukah
  • jannukah
  • uannukah
  • yannukah
  • hznnukah
  • hsnnukah
  • hwnnukah
  • hqnnukah
  • hannykah
  • hannhkah
  • hannjkah
  • hannikah
  • hann8kah

Etymology of HANNUKAH

The word "Hanukkah" (also spelled "Chanukah") has its roots in the Hebrew language. It is derived from the Hebrew word "חֲנֻכָּה" (pronounced "Chanukah"), which means "dedication" or "inauguration". The name Hanukkah refers to the Festival of Lights celebrated by Jewish people, which commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem during the Maccabean Revolt in the 2nd century BCE.

Similar spelling words for HANNUKAH

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