Félicitations
/fe.li.si.ta.sjɔ̃/
The French word for congratulation is Félicitations.
Félicitations is a common way to say congratulations in French to praise someone for an achievement or a happy event. You can also use the emphatic phrase Toutes mes félicitations to express more intense congratulations.
Which one should you use?
While Félicitations is the standard way to express praise, Bravo is used as a shorter, more energetic alternative in casual spoken settings.
How does it change in a sentence?
In French, the expression for congratulations is almost always used in the plural form Félicitations.
How do you pronounce it?
/fe.li.si.ta.sjɔ̃/. It has 5 syllables.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use the singular Félicitation instead of the required plural Félicitations.
Did you know?
- While Félicitations is used for achievements, French speakers use Meilleurs vœux for weddings and new years. Using Félicitations at a New Year's party would sound like you are praising the guest for successfully surviving the previous year.
- While 'Bravo' is a common shortcut, it is technically an Italian loanword used in French to applaud a performance rather than a personal milestone like a wedding.
- Unlike English where 'congratulations' is often shortened to 'congrats', French does not have a widely accepted clipped version of Félicitations. Even in very casual text messages, the word is rarely shortened.
Examples in context
- Félicitations pour ta promotion bien méritée !Congratulations on your well-deserved promotion!
- Bravo pour cette distinction prestigieuse que vous avez obtenue.Congratulations on achieving this prestigious honor.
- Toutes mes félicitations pour la naissance de votre adorable bébé !Congratulations on the birth of your adorable baby!
- Bravo pour avoir gagné le concours de cuisine !Congrats on winning the cooking contest!
- Super , tu as réussi à obtenir ton diplôme avec mention !Awesome, you managed to graduate with honors!
- C'est génial que tu te maries enfin !It's fantastic that you're finally getting married!
- Toutes mes félicitations pour ton nouveau travail.All my congratulations on your new job.
- Félicitations pour l'obtention de ton diplôme !Congratulations on getting your degree!
- Mes plus sincères félicitations pour votre mariage.My most sincere congratulations on your wedding.
Example conversation
Hugo is congratulating Chloé on her recent promotion.
- HugoFélicitations pour ta promotion, Chloé !Congratulations on your promotion, Chloé!
- ChloéMerci beaucoup, Hugo, c'est très gentil.Thank you very much, Hugo, that is very kind.
- HugoTu as vraiment travaillé dur pour ça.You really worked hard for it.
- ChloéOui, je suis très heureuse aujourd'hui.Yes, I am very happy today.
Sources
- Pronunciation from the Wiktionary entry félicitations.
