sukkah: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowReligious, cultural, formal
Quick answer
What does “sukkah” mean?
A temporary hut with a roof of plant material, built for the Jewish festival of Sukkot.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A temporary hut with a roof of plant material, built for the Jewish festival of Sukkot.
More broadly, the dwelling and its symbolic nature during Sukkot, representing the temporary shelters used by the Israelites during the Exodus and emphasizing themes of trust, impermanence, and divine protection.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Spelling is consistent.
Connotations
In both contexts, the word carries strong religious and cultural connotations, associated solely with Jewish practice.
Frequency
Equally rare in general English use in both regions, confined to religious and cultural discussions.
Grammar
How to Use “sukkah” in a Sentence
build [OBJ: a sukkah]decorate [OBJ: the sukkah] (with [OBL: branches])sit/eat/sleep [LOC: in the sukkah]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “sukkah” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- We will sukkah this year in our garden, as is traditional.
- They sukkah every autumn without fail.
American English
- We're planning to sukkah in the backyard for the holiday.
- Do you sukkah every year?
adverb
British English
- [Extremely rare; not standard]
American English
- [Extremely rare; not standard]
adjective
British English
- The sukkah decorations were beautifully handmade.
- They followed the sukkah-building guidelines precisely.
American English
- The sukkah decor was colorful and festive.
- We bought sukkah supplies from the Judaica store.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not applicable.
Academic
Used in religious studies, theology, and cultural anthropology texts discussing Jewish festivals.
Everyday
Used almost exclusively by Jewish communities, especially around the time of Sukkot.
Technical
In Jewish law (Halakha), refers to a structure meeting specific dimensions and construction requirements.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “sukkah”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “sukkah”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “sukkah”
- Misspelling as 'suka' (which has unrelated meanings in other languages).
- Using it as a generic term for any hut.
- Incorrect plural: 'sukkies' instead of 'sukkot' or 'sukkahs'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
The most common plurals are 'sukkot' (using the Hebrew plural) and 'sukkahs' (the English regular plural).
Yes, the walls can be solid, but the roof (sekhakh) must be made from unprocessed plant material like branches, bamboo, or palm fronds.
While eating in the sukkah is a primary commandment, some also try to sleep, study, and spend time in it to fully fulfil the concept of 'dwelling'.
Jewish families and communities build sukkot. It is often a family project, and many synagogues build a communal one.
A temporary hut with a roof of plant material, built for the Jewish festival of Sukkot.
Sukkah is usually religious, cultural, formal in register.
Sukkah: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsʊkə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsʊkə/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common English idioms]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Sukkah sounds like 'sugar' but think of 'shook' a hut — a temporary hut that might shake in the wind, built for Sukkot.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE SPIRITUAL LIFE IS A TEMPORARY DWELLING (emphasizing trust and impermanence over material security).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary purpose of a sukkah?