Saying “congratulations” is a simple way to celebrate someone’s success, achievement, special occasion, or happy news. Whether someone has graduated, got married, won a competition, started a new job, or reached an important milestone, knowing how to express congratulations in their language can make your message feel more personal.
If you are looking for congratulations in different languages, this guide gives you useful translations with easy English pronunciations and short real-life examples. It is also helpful for travellers, language learners, students, writers, and anyone who wants to send a thoughtful congratulatory message.
Congratulations in Different Languages
| Language | Correct Native Phrase | Easy English Pronunciation | Real-Life Example Sentence | English Meaning |
| English | Congratulations! | con-gra-chuh-LAY-shunz | Congratulations on your graduation! | I am congratulating you on your graduation. |
| Spanish | ¡Felicidades! | feh-lee-see-DAH-des | ¡Felicidades por tu graduación! | Congratulations on your graduation! |
| French | Félicitations ! | fay-lee-see-ta-SYON | Félicitations pour ton diplôme ! | Congratulations on your degree! |
| German | Glückwunsch! | GLOOK-vunsh | Glückwunsch zu deinem Erfolg! | Congratulations on your success! |
| Italian | Congratulazioni! | con-grah-too-lah-TSYOH-nee | Congratulazioni per la laurea! | Congratulations on your graduation! |
| Portuguese | Parabéns! | pah-rah-BENS | Parabéns pela sua vitória! | Congratulations on your victory! |
| Dutch | Gefeliciteerd! | khuh-feh-lee-see-TAIRT | Gefeliciteerd met je succes! | Congratulations on your success! |
| Swedish | Grattis! | GRAHT-tis | Grattis till examen! | Congratulations on graduating! |
| Norwegian | Gratulerer! | grah-too-LEH-rer | Gratulerer med seieren! | Congratulations on the victory! |
| Danish | Tillykke! | tee-LUH-guh | Tillykke med din eksamen! | Congratulations on your graduation! |
| Finnish | Onneksi olkoon! | ON-nek-see OL-kohn | Onneksi olkoon valmistumisesta! | Congratulations on graduating! |
| Icelandic | Til hamingju! | til HA-ming-yu | Til hamingju með árangurinn! | Congratulations on the achievement! |
| Irish | Comhghairdeas! | koh-GAR-jus | Comhghairdeas leat! | Congratulations to you! |
| Scottish Gaelic | Meal do naidheachd! | mel duh NAY-yachk | Meal do naidheachd air do shoirbheachas! | Congratulations on your success! |
| Welsh | Llongyfarchiadau! | hlong-uh-VAR-khee-ah-dye | Llongyfarchiadau ar eich llwyddiant! | Congratulations on your success! |
| Polish | Gratulacje! | grah-too-LAHT-syeh | Gratulacje z okazji sukcesu! | Congratulations on your success! |
| Czech | Gratuluji! | grah-too-LOO-yee | Gratuluji k úspěchu! | Congratulations on your success! |
| Slovak | Gratulujem! | grah-too-LOO-yem | Gratulujem k úspechu! | Congratulations on your success! |
| Slovenian | Čestitam! | CHESS-tee-tam | Čestitam za uspeh! | Congratulations on the success! |
| Croatian | Čestitam! | CHESS-tee-tam | Čestitam na pobjedi! | Congratulations on the victory! |
| Serbian | Честитам! | CHESS-tee-tam | Честитам на успеху! | Congratulations on your success! |
| Bosnian | Čestitam! | CHESS-tee-tam | Čestitam na uspjehu! | Congratulations on your success! |
| Macedonian | Честитки! | CHESS-teet-kee | Честитки за успехот! | Congratulations on the success! |
| Bulgarian | Честито! | ches-TEE-toh | Честито за успеха! | Congratulations on the success! |
| Romanian | Felicitări! | feh-lee-chee-TAR | Felicitări pentru succes! | Congratulations on the success! |
| Hungarian | Gratulálok! | GRAH-too-lah-lok | Gratulálok a sikeredhez! | Congratulations on your success! |
| Greek | Συγχαρητήρια! | see-gha-ree-TEE-ree-ah | Συγχαρητήρια για την επιτυχία σου! | Congratulations on your success! |
| Albanian | Urime! | oo-REE-meh | Urime për suksesin! | Congratulations on the success! |
| Russian | Поздравляю! | poz-drah-VLYA-yoo | Поздравляю с победой! | Congratulations on the victory! |
| Ukrainian | Вітаю! | vee-TAH-yoo | Вітаю з перемогою! | Congratulations on the victory! |
| Belarusian | Віншую! | veen-SHOO-yoo | Віншую з поспехам! | Congratulations on the success! |
| Lithuanian | Sveikinu! | svay-kee-NOO | Sveikinu su pergale! | Congratulations on the victory! |
| Latvian | Apsveicu! | ap-SVAY-tsoo | Apsveicu ar panākumiem! | Congratulations on the success! |
| Estonian | Palju õnne! | PAL-yoo UR-neh | Palju õnne edu puhul! | Congratulations on your success! |
| Maltese | Prosit! | PROH-sit | Prosit għas-suċċess tiegħek! | Congratulations on your success! |
| Turkish | Tebrikler! | teb-REEK-ler | Tebrikler, kazandın! | Congratulations, you won! |
| Azerbaijani | Təbriklər! | teb-REEK-lar | Təbriklər, uğur qazandın! | Congratulations, you succeeded! |
| Georgian | გილოცავ! | gee-LOH-tsav | გილოცავ წარმატებას! | Congratulations on your success! |
| Armenian | Շնորհավորում եմ! | shnor-ha-vo-ROOM em | Շնորհավորում եմ հաջողության առթիվ։ | Congratulations on your success! |
| Persian | تبریک میگویم! | tab-REEK mee-GOO-yam | تبریک میگویم بابت موفقیتت! | Congratulations on your success! |
| Arabic | مبروك! | mab-ROOK | مبروك على نجاحك! | Congratulations on your success! |
| Hebrew | מזל טוב! | mah-ZAHL tov | מזל טוב על ההצלחה! | Congratulations on the success! |
| Hindi | बधाई हो! | ba-DHAI ho | आपकी सफलता पर बधाई हो! | Congratulations on your success! |
| Urdu | مبارک ہو! | mu-BAA-rak ho | آپ کو کامیابی پر مبارک ہو! | Congratulations on your success! |
| Bengali | অভিনন্দন! | o-bhi-NON-don | তোমার সাফল্যের জন্য অভিনন্দন! | Congratulations on your success! |
| Punjabi | ਵਧਾਈਆਂ! | va-DHAI-yan | ਤੁਹਾਡੀ ਕਾਮਯਾਬੀ ਲਈ ਵਧਾਈਆਂ! | Congratulations on your success! |
| Gujarati | અભિનંદન! | a-bhi-NAN-dan | તમારી સફળતા માટે અભિનંદન! | Congratulations on your success! |
| Marathi | अभिनंदन! | a-bhi-NAN-dan | तुमच्या यशाबद्दल अभिनंदन! | Congratulations on your success! |
| Nepali | बधाई छ! | ba-DHAI cha | तपाईंको सफलताको लागि बधाई छ! | Congratulations on your success! |
| Sinhala | සුභ පැතුම්! | soo-bha path-thoom | ඔබේ සාර්ථකත්වයට සුභ පැතුම්! | Congratulations on your success! |
| Tamil | வாழ்த்துக்கள்! | vaazh-thuk-kal | உங்கள் வெற்றிக்கு வாழ்த்துக்கள்! | Congratulations on your success! |
| Telugu | అభినందనలు! | a-bhi-nan-da-na-lu | మీ విజయానికి అభినందనలు! | Congratulations on your success! |
| Kannada | ಅಭಿನಂದನೆಗಳು! | a-bhi-nan-da-ne-ga-lu | ನಿಮ್ಮ ಯಶಸ್ಸಿಗೆ ಅಭಿನಂದನೆಗಳು! | Congratulations on your success! |
| Malayalam | അഭിനന്ദനങ്ങൾ! | a-bhi-nan-da-na-ngal | നിങ്ങളുടെ വിജയത്തിന് അഭിനന്ദനങ്ങൾ! | Congratulations on your success! |
| Odia | ଅଭିନନ୍ଦନ! | a-bhi-nan-don | ତୁମ ସଫଳତା ପାଇଁ ଅଭିନନ୍ଦନ! | Congratulations on your success! |
| Assamese | অভিনন্দন! | o-bhi-NON-don | তোমাৰ সফলতাৰ বাবে অভিনন্দন! | Congratulations on your success! |
| Chinese (Mandarin) | 恭喜！ | gong-shee | 恭喜你毕业了！ | Congratulations on your graduation! |
| Japanese | おめでとうございます！ | oh-meh-deh-toh goh-zai-mas | ご卒業おめでとうございます！ | Congratulations on your graduation! |
| Korean | 축하합니다! | chook-ha-ham-nee-da | 졸업을 축하합니다! | Congratulations on your graduation! |
| Vietnamese | Chúc mừng! | chook moong | Chúc mừng bạn đã tốt nghiệp! | Congratulations on your graduation! |
| Thai | ยินดีด้วย! | yin-dee duay | ยินดีด้วยกับความสำเร็จของคุณ! | Congratulations on your success! |
| Indonesian | Selamat! | suh-LAH-mat | Selamat atas keberhasilanmu! | Congratulations on your success! |
| Malay | Tahniah! | tah-nee-AH | Tahniah atas kejayaan anda! | Congratulations on your success! |
| Filipino | Binabati kita! | bee-na-ba-TEE kee-TAH | Binabati kita sa iyong tagumpay! | Congratulations on your success! |
| Mongolian | Баяр хүргэе! | bah-YAR khur-GEH | Амжилтанд хүрсэнд баяр хүргэе! | Congratulations on your success! |
| Swahili | Hongera! | hon-GEH-rah | Hongera kwa mafanikio yako! | Congratulations on your success! |
| Zulu | Halala! | ha-LA-la | Halala ngempumelelo yakho! | Congratulations on your success! |
| Afrikaans | Baie geluk! | BYE-uh khuh-LUK | Baie geluk met jou sukses! | Congratulations on your success! |
| Amharic | እንኳን ደስ አለዎት! | en-kwan des a-le-wot | እንኳን ደስ አለዎት ለስኬትዎ! | Congratulations on your success! |
| Haitian Creole | Felisitasyon! | feh-lee-see-ta-SYON | Felisitasyon pou siksè ou! | Congratulations on your success! |
| Esperanto | Gratulon! | grah-TOO-lon | Gratulon pro via sukceso! | Congratulations on your success! |
How to Say Congratulations in Different Languages
The easiest way to say congratulations in another language is to learn the phrase commonly used by native speakers rather than translating the English word word-for-word.
For example, Spanish uses “¡Felicidades!”, French uses “Félicitations !”, Portuguese uses “Parabéns!”, and Japanese commonly uses “おめでとうございます！” in polite situations.
The exact expression can also change according to the event. A phrase used for a graduation may be slightly different from one used for a wedding, promotion, victory, or personal achievement.
Congratulations Around the World
Congratulations are expressed in many different ways around the world, but the purpose is universal: recognising someone’s happiness or achievement.
In European languages, you will find expressions such as “Felicidades”, “Félicitations”, “Glückwunsch”, and “Congratulazioni”. In South Asian languages, expressions such as “बधाई हो”, “مبارک ہو”, and “অভিনন্দন” are commonly associated with congratulations and good wishes.
Across East and Southeast Asia, phrases such as “恭喜”, “おめでとうございます”, “축하합니다”, and “Chúc mừng” are used to celebrate achievements and special occasions.
Congratulations for Different Occasions
The right congratulatory phrase often depends on what happened.
Congratulations on Graduation
Graduation is one of the most common occasions for saying congratulations. You can combine the local congratulations phrase with a word or sentence referring to graduation.
For example, in Japanese, “ご卒業おめでとうございます！” is a polite way to congratulate someone on graduating.
Congratulations on a New Job
A new job or promotion is another occasion where congratulations are appropriate. You can simply use the standard congratulatory expression followed by a short personalised message.
Congratulations on Winning
When someone wins a competition, game, award, or contest, a short phrase such as “Congratulations on your victory!” is natural.
Languages often have their own ways of making this sound more conversational, so the example sentences in the table can help you understand how the phrase works in context.
Congratulations on a Wedding
Wedding congratulations are usually combined with good wishes for the couple. Depending on the culture, a more formal expression may be preferred for weddings than for casual achievements.
Why Learn Congratulations in Different Languages?
Learning how to congratulate someone in their native language can be useful for several reasons.
First, it can make communication more personal. Even a short phrase in someone’s language can show thoughtfulness and respect.
Second, it is useful for travellers and language learners. Knowing common expressions makes everyday conversations easier and more natural.
Finally, multilingual congratulations can be useful for social media captions, greeting cards, international celebrations, messages to friends, and cross-cultural communication.
Congratulations in Different Languages Translations
When searching for congratulations in different languages translations, it is important to remember that there is not always a perfect one-word equivalent.
Some languages use a direct equivalent of congratulations, while others prefer an expression that literally means “well done”, “good fortune”, “be happy”, or a similar positive sentiment.
That is why pronunciation and example sentences are included alongside the native phrases in this guide.
Common Ways to Use Congratulations
You can use a congratulations phrase in many everyday situations, including:
- Graduation
- Weddings
- Birthdays and milestones
- New jobs
- Promotions
- Awards
- Competitions
- Examinations
- Business achievements
- Personal accomplishments
- Sports victories
- Completing an important project
A short phrase is often enough, but adding the person’s name or the specific achievement can make the message warmer.
Tips for Using Congratulations in Another Language
Before using a foreign-language congratulatory phrase, consider the level of formality.
Some expressions have formal and informal versions. For example, Japanese has different levels of politeness depending on the relationship between the speakers.
Pronunciation also matters. If you are speaking rather than writing, practise the phrase slowly and listen to how native speakers pronounce it.
When writing a message, make sure you use the correct script and spelling. This is particularly important for languages that use writing systems other than the Latin alphabet.
Conclusion
Knowing how to say congratulations in different languages is a simple but meaningful way to connect with people around the world. From “¡Felicidades!” in Spanish and “Parabéns!” in Portuguese to “恭喜！” in Mandarin and “축하합니다!” in Korean, every language has its own natural way to celebrate someone’s success.
Whether you are learning languages, travelling, writing a greeting card, or sending a message to an international friend, these translations give you a useful starting point.
FAQs
1. What is congratulations in different languages?
“Congratulations” has different expressions in different languages. Examples include “¡Felicidades!” in Spanish, “Félicitations !” in French, “Glückwunsch!” in German, “Parabéns!” in Portuguese, and “おめでとうございます！” in Japanese.
2. How do you say congratulations in Spanish?
In Spanish, congratulations is commonly expressed as “¡Felicidades!”. It can be used for achievements, birthdays, graduations, weddings, and other happy occasions.
3. How do you say congratulations in French?
In French, you can say “Félicitations !” to congratulate someone. It is widely used for achievements and special occasions.
4. How do you say congratulations in Japanese?
A common polite expression is “おめでとうございます！”. It is appropriate for occasions such as graduation, weddings, promotions, and other achievements.
5. What is the most common way to say congratulations around the world?
There is no single phrase that is most common in every country. Each language has its own natural expression, and the appropriate wording can depend on the occasion and level of formality.
