L'chaim ...meaning TO LIFE is most frequently used as a toast, but I'm at a loss as to how a fellow Jew could say it's only said with alcohol in hand..when it is printed on so many Jewish Birthday Greeting cards and is shouted ..whether drink in hand or not at Jewish birthday celebrations after singing Yom Huledet Sameach ( Happy Birthday to you) by the whole crowd..even if it's a room full of children with nothing more than fruit punch in hand.
Then later when a glass of wine or spiked punch is raised and someone wants to toast the birthday boy you can say L'Chaim again :)
So, to life is indeed appropriate at birthdays, too.
L'Chaim is the most common "toast" said before raising a glass of alcohol, yes..and L'Chaim tovim u' l'shalom is a longer "toast" meaning to a good life and peace! and is appropriate at a wedding or anytime you toast
Mazel tov literally means good luck but it IS often used for congratulations and it can be confusing becausd there are times when both L'Chaim and Mazel tov are either appropriate. Such as birthdays! Mazel tov is used especially upon a new venture or achievement or like passing a really tough test. It is a combination of congratulatory expression and wish for continued success..oh and everyone at a wedding shouts mazel tov when the groom stomps the glass
You shout mazel tov at bar and bat mitzvahs, engagement announcements, graduations, the news of a new job, a promotion, AFTER the birth of a child.
And I'll repeat what kaganate said, many (especially older Jews) would shudder if you wished a pregnant woman Mazel Tov..perhaps it's superstitious..but that's just what I discovered as a child in grade school.. the hard way from all the horrified looks expressed by my mother and my Bubbe and several aunts and cousins present in the room when I wished a cousin Mazel Tov when she told us all she was expecting. I was looking around..WHAT??? I wished her congratulations and good luck?? That's how I learned not to say it to a pregnant woman.
Perhaps now there isn't so much superstition surrounding a pregnancy..but to be safe..refrain from Mazel tov to a pregnant woman.
It's very sweet you want to know what is appropriate..but even if you make a gaffe..I don't think you'd get the kind of looks I got because my family thought I knew better. Jews never expect our non Jewish friends to get it always right..but we love the attempts showing genuine concern and you're such a sweet person you could get it all backwards and I don't think anyone would raise an eyebrow.
Remember when I taught you what mensch meant? Well..that's you my friend. a mensch. You always try to do the nice thing. So now I'll teach you another that describes what I often think when I see your answers to do the right thing. "Yishar ko'ach! " said as if to say.. good for you! or way to go! BUT even though it can mean that as I used it to you...it is MORE often used after someone has received an honor..and means you should have strength. Some sayings can have more than one proper meaning and application.
We have a lot of other greetings, sayings and even toasts..but the most well known are the two you mentioned.
Shalom y'all :)
My southern way to say that!