felicitaciones
/feliθitaθjones/from spelling rules
The English phrase "kudos" is translated into Spanish as felicitaciones.
felicitaciones is used to express recognition or credit for an achievement. While it is frequently used as an exclamation to say "congratulations!", it serves as the standard way to provide praise for someone's success.
Meaning: credit for one's achievements (noun)
Which one should you use?
felicitaciones is more common for general congratulations, whereas enhorabuena often carries a more specific or formal tone when acknowledging a particular success. For informal approval, you might use the exclamation ¡Bravo! or the phrase ¡Bien hecho!, which means "well done" or "good job".
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some Latin American countries, particularly in Mexico and Argentina, genial is used to convey praise or approval.
How does it change in a sentence?
The default form felicitaciones is the plural form of felicitación. In Spanish, the plural form is the standard way to offer congratulations or give credit for an achievement.
How do you pronounce it?
/feliθitaθjones/
Did you know?
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, a verbal felicitaciones is often accompanied by a 'double-cheek kiss' or a strong hug, regardless of the professional nature of the achievement.
- The word felicitaciones is derived from felicidad, meaning 'happiness', so when you give 'kudos' in Spanish, you are literally offering 'happinesses' to the other person.
- While felicitaciones is used for achievements, the word felicidades is the standard way to wish someone a happy birthday or anniversary. Using felicitaciones for a birthday can sound like you are praising them for surviving another year.
Examples in context
- ¡Felicitaciones por tu excelente trabajo en el informe!Congratulations on your excellent work on the report!
- ¡Enhorabuena por tu ascenso en la empresa!Congratulations on your promotion in the company!
- ¡Bien hecho! Has mejorado mucho tu nivel de español.Well done! You have greatly improved your Spanish level.
- Chapeau por tu esfuerzo y dedicación en este proyecto.Kudos for your effort and dedication in this project.
- Mis felicitaciones por tu ascenso.My kudos on your promotion.
- Recibió muchas felicitaciones por su investigación.He received much credit for his research.
- Te envío mis felicitaciones por el éxito del proyecto.I send you my kudos for the project's success.
Example conversation
María and Daniel are talking after a successful presentation.
- MaríaDaniel, hiciste un gran trabajo hoy.Daniel, you did a great job today.
- DanielGracias, María. Me esforcé mucho.Thanks, María. I worked very hard.
- MaríaMis felicitaciones por lograrlo.Kudos to you for achieving it.
- DanielAprecio mucho tus palabras.I really appreciate your words.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry felicitaciones, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
