Ways to say it
| Hungarian | IPA |
|---|---|
| gratulálok | [ˈɡrɒtulaːlok] (narrow) |
| gratulálunk | [ˈɡrɒtulaːluŋk] (narrow) |
To express approbation or to congratulate someone, Hungarian speakers use verb forms rather than a single noun. You can say gratulálok to offer your congratulations personally, or use the plural form if you are representing a group.
Which one should you use?
The form gratulálok is used when you are congratulating someone personally as an individual. The form gratulálunk is used when you are speaking on behalf of a group, such as a family or a company.
How does it change in a sentence?
The term gratulálok is a first-person singular verb meaning 'I congratulate (you)'. The term gratulálunk is a first-person plural verb meaning 'we congratulate (you)'.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use the noun gratuláció (congratulation) as a standalone exclamation. In Hungarian, it is much more natural to use the verb forms gratulálok or gratulálunk instead.
Did you know?
- In some contexts, saying gratulálok with a specific sarcastic tone can be used to mock someone who has made a predictable or clumsy mistake, similar to saying 'well done' in English.
- In very informal settings, Hungarians might skip the formal verb and simply say Gratz!, a loanword from English that has become popular among younger generations and gamers.
- While gratulálok is common, Hungarians often use the phrase szívből gratulálok to say 'I congratulate you from the bottom of my heart', adding a level of emotional sincerity that is standard in social etiquette.
Examples in context
- Gratulálok az új otthonotokhoz!My congratulations on your new home!This sentence shows how to use gratulálok to congratulate someone on a new home.Tatoeba #10267037 by maaster, translation #10266919 by AlanF_US
- Gratulálunk! Ön épp most nyert egymillió dollárt!Congratulations! You just won a million dollars!This sentence demonstrates the use of gratulálunk when congratulating a winner of a prize.Tatoeba #5272263 by battap, translation #5272036 by Hybrid
- Gratulálunk! Ön épp most nyert egy ingyen hajóutat!Congratulations! You won a free cruise!This sentence shows another example of using the plural gratulálunk for a prize winner.Tatoeba #5272262 by battap, translation #5272038 by Hybrid
- Gratulálok, Anna!Congratulations, Anna!
- Szívből gratulálok, Péter!Congratulations from the bottom of my heart, Péter!
- Gratulálok, drágám!Congratulations, darling!
- Remek munka! Gratulálok, barátom!Great job! Congratulations, my friend!
- Gratulálok a sikeres vizsgához!Congratulations on passing the exam!
- Fantasztikus teljesítmény a sportversenyen! Gratulálok!Fantastic performance in the sports competition! Congratulations!
- A kitartásod lenyűgöző volt az új projektnél. Szívből gratulálok!Your perseverance was impressive on the new project. Congratulations from the bottom of my heart!
- 12 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Gábor and Éva are talking at a small coffee shop.
- GáborGratulálok a felvétetedhez!Congratulations on your admission!
- ÉvaKöszönöm szépen, Gábor!Thank you very much, Gábor!
- GáborNagyon megérdemelted a sikert.You really deserved the success.
- ÉvaNagyon kedves vagy!You are very kind!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “congratulations” translations and entries gratulálok, gratulálunk, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
