Which one should you use?
While parabéns is the standard and most common form, Felicitações can be used to mean "congratulations" or "best wishes". For a more polite and respectful tone, especially in formal settings, you can use Meus parabéns to mean "my congratulations". For slang popular among Brazilian youth, you can use Arrasou to mean "you rocked it" or "you nailed it".
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the southern region of Brazil, specifically Rio Grande do Sul, people may use the expression Parabéns, tchê to add a local regional touch.
How does it change in a sentence?
To specify the reason for your congratulations, use pelo if the following noun is masculine or pela if it is feminine. To direct your congratulations toward a person or a group, use the preposition a or its contractions aos or às before the recipient.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has three syllables, with the stress on the third syllable: /pa.ɾaˈbẽj̃s/.
When do people say it?
In addition to celebrating achievements, parabéns is the standard greeting for birthdays. When someone achieves something, you might also use Muito bem to say "very well" as a way to express approval and congratulate them on a job well done.
Did you know?
- In some contexts, saying parabéns with a specific sarcastic tone is a common way to criticize someone for making a mistake, similar to saying 'Way to go' in English.
- The word parabéns is formed from the combination of para and bem, literally suggesting a wish 'for good'.
- The term tchê used in the southern Brazilian phrase parabéns, tchê is a linguistic marker of the Gaucho culture, derived from the word che used in Argentina and Uruguay.
Examples in context
- Parabéns a vocês também.Congratulations to you too.This sentence shows how to direct congratulations toward a group using parabéns.Tatoeba #8162284 by carlosalberto, translation #8160935 by magnificentgoddess
- Parabéns pelo seu diploma.Congratulations on your diploma.This sentence demonstrates using parabéns with the prepositional construction to congratulate someone on a specific achievement.Tatoeba #8591864 by arademaker, translation #2897100 by megamanenm
- Parabéns! Você é um palhaço.Congratulations! You're a clown.Tatoeba #11053627 by omniglotman, translation #2942451 by astyng
- 28 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Felipe and Juliana are at a small party for her new job.
- FelipeParabéns pelo novo emprego, Juliana!Congratulations on the new job, Juliana!
- JulianaObrigada, Felipe! Estou muito feliz.Thank you, Felipe! I am very happy.
- FelipeVocê merece muito esse sucesso.You really deserve this success.
- JulianaQue gentil da sua parte.That is very kind of you.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “congratulations” translations and entries parabéns, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries parabéns, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
