How to say “congratulations” in 20+ languages: the standard words and when to use a different one

TL;DR: Congratulations can be expressed differently in every language, and the most natural choice depends on the occasion. In Spanish, you can say “¡Felicidades!”; in French, “félicitations!”; in Hindi, “बधाई हो” (badhāī ho); in Italian, “congratulazioni”; and in German, “Glückwunsch”. This guide shows how to say congratulations in more than 20 languages and explains the standard expressions to use when celebrating good news, milestones, and achievements.

This guide gives “congratulations” in 24 languages with an approximate pronunciation for each, then looks more closely at Spanish, Hindi, French, German and Portuguese. In these five languages, the standard word is not the only one you will hear, and where the alternatives (enhorabuena, bravo, herzlichen Glückwunsch) depend on the occasion. It finishes with the Japanese and Mandarin forms, which need the script as well as the sound.

The direct translation might not always be the correct way to congratulate someone. Some languages use a phrase that literally means “good wishes”, while others have several expressions depending on the situation.

How do you say "congratulations" in different languages?

Here are common ways to express congratulations in 20+ languages:

The approximate pronunciation guide helps beginners get started. However, it is not a direct replacement for listening to native speakers to learn rhythm and natural flow.

How do you say "congratulations" in Spanish?

Congratulations in Spanish is commonly “¡felicidades!”. You can use it to congratulate someone on different kinds of good news or achievements. For instance, “¡Felicidades por tu graduación!” translates to “Congratulations on your graduation!”

Learners may also encounter “¡Enhorabuena!” when using language apps like Memrise. This is because the platform offers different expressions of the word, and “¡Enhorabuena!” Is used in some Spanish-speaking regions. This is important for learners who are learning Spanish for communication with people from different Spanish-speaking countries.

It can also help Spanish learners to practice congratulations alongside the event being celebrated. Learning “¡felicidades!” on its own gives you one expression, while learning “¡felicidades por tu graduación!” Gives students a reusable conversation pattern.

How do you say "congratulations" in Hindi?

A common way to say congratulations in Hindi is “बधाई हो” (badhāī ho). It is mostly used to congratulate someone on a piece of good news or an achievement. The word “बधाई” (badhāī) is associated with congratulations or good wishes, while “हो” (ho) forms part of the expression.

Hindi uses the Devanagari script, making it important for learners to know written forms alongside their transliteration. This makes it easier to recognise the expression both when reading the word and when hearing it.

However, context matters when it comes to Hindi. A phrase used between close friends may differ from the wording chosen for more formal situations. Learners should learn how words are used in different contexts to become better speakers.

How do you say "congratulations" in French?

Congratulations in French is “félicitations!”. Learners can use this word for milestones, achievements, and other occasions where they want to congratulate someone. For example, “félicitations pour votre réussite!” means “Congratulations on your success!”

In some cases, students may come across the French word “bravo” being used to praise someone’s achievement. While “bravo” is widely used in several languages, it is not simply interchangeable with “félicitations" in every context. Learners should understand both to have more options when responding to good news.

How do you say "congratulations" in German?

The standard German expression for congratulations is “Glückwunsch!” However, it becomes “Glückwünsche” when referring to congratulations or good wishes in the plural. Learners might also hear “Herzlichen Glückwunsch!”, which translates to “Heartfelt congratulations”.

German uses “Herzlichen Glückwunsch!” in compound expressions alongside phrases specifying the occasion. For instance, “Herzlichen Glückwunsch! Zum Geburtstag!” translates to “happy birthday” or “congratulations on your birthday”. “Herzlichen Glückwunsch! Zu deinem Abschluss!”, on the other hand, means “Congratulations on your graduation”.

How do you say "congratulations" in Portuguese?

Congratulations in Portuguese is “parabens”. It is commonly used for celebrating positive occasions such as birthdays and achievements. For example, “parabéns pelo seu trabalho!” means “congratulations on your work!”

Learners should understand that Portuguese is spoken across different countries, and pronunciation and usage can differ between varieties. They should not treat Brazilian and European Portuguese as identical and interchangeable in every situation. Memrise uses native speaker videos to help learners understand the different usage of words across various varieties of the same language.

Frequently asked questions

Are there other useful ways to congratulate someone in different languages?

Yes, there are other ways to congratulate someone in different languages. Speakers may congratulate someone while referring to the achievement. For example, in English, someone might say “congratulations on the promotion” or “well done!”, depending on the context and scenario. Learners should, therefore, learn a few expressions connected to situations they are likely to encounter, instead of memorising a single word,

How do you say "congratulations" in Japanese?

Congratulations in Japanese is commonly “おめでとう” (omedetō). A more polite form that learners may encounter is “おめでとうございます” (omedetō gozaimasu). The appropriate variation to use depends on the relationship between the speaker and the exact situation. For instance, the polite form is more suitable when talking to someone you barely know or when you are in a formal setting.

How do you say "congratulations" in Mandarin Chinese?

Congratulations in Mandarin Chinese is commonly “恭喜” (gōngxǐ). The expression can also appear in longer phrases that identify what is being celebrated. However, Mandarin uses Chinese characters, making it important for learners to know how to connect the written and spoken forms.