Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| felicidades | /feliθiˈdades/ /felisiˈdades/ |
| enhorabuena | /enoɾaˈbwena/ |
The phrase is used to express approbation. Felicidades is a highly versatile term that can be used to say 'congratulations' for any achievement, but it is also frequently used as a standalone greeting to mean 'Happy Birthday' or 'Happy Anniversary'.
What does it mean word for word?
The word felicidades is the plural form of felicidad (happiness), literally conveying a wish for many happinesses.
Which one should you use?
Felicidades is the most common and versatile way to express congratulations for various occasions like birthdays, anniversaries and achievements. In contrast, enhorabuena is more formal and specifically emphasizes the merit of a person's achievement.
How does it change in a sentence?
When you want to say 'congratulations for' or 'congratulations on' something, use the preposition por.
How do you pronounce it?
/feliθiˈdades/
Did you know?
- The word enhorabuena literally translates to 'in a good hour', suggesting that the person's achievement has occurred at a favorable or lucky time.
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, it is customary to accompany felicidades with a warm embrace or two kisses on the cheeks, regardless of the gender of the people involved.
- The phrase enhorabuena is occasionally used sarcastically to mock someone's failure, similar to saying 'way to go' in English.
Examples in context
- ¡Felicidades por la victoria!Congratulations on your victory!This sentence shows how to use felicidades to congratulate someone on a victory.Tatoeba #1038649 by massama, translation #1039485 by GPHemsley
- Felicidades también a ustedes.Congratulations to you too.This sentence demonstrates using felicidades to return the congratulations to others.Tatoeba #6857998 by arh, translation #8160935 by magnificentgoddess
- Felicidades por tu graduación.Congratulations on your graduation.This sentence shows how to use felicidades to congratulate someone on their graduation.Tatoeba #8312747 by arh, translation #8311747 by CK
- ¡Felicitaciones por tu ascenso en el trabajo!Congratulations on your promotion at work!
- Te envío mis más sinceras enhorabuenas por tu matrimonio.I send you my sincerest congratulations on your marriage.
- ¡Felicidades por tu nuevo trabajo! Estoy muy contento/a por ti.Congratulations on your new job! I'm very happy for you.
- ¡Bravo! Has ganado el premio al mejor disfraz de la fiesta.Bravo! You have won the prize for the best costume at the party.
- 11 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Daniel and María are at a birthday party.
- Daniel¡Felicidades, María! ¿Cuántos cumples hoy?Congratulations, María! How old are you turning today?
- MaríaGracias, Daniel. ¡Cumplo treinta años!Thank you, Daniel. I am turning thirty!
- Daniel¡Qué bien! Te ves muy joven.That's great! You look very young.
- MaríaEres muy amable, gracias.You are very kind, thank you.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “congratulations” translations and entries felicidades, enhorabuena, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries enhorabuena, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
