Congratulations
Use for life events like birthdays, anniversaries, or holidays. It means 'happiness' and wishes someone joy in a happy moment.
A casual and versatile phrase meaning 'That's great!' or 'How nice!'. Use it to react positively to any good news.
A more formal option common in Spain, used for achievements. It literally means 'in a good hour.' While understood in Latin America, it's less common.
Congratulations on your new job!
Congratulations! Today is your birthday.
—I bought a new car. —That's great! Congratulations!
Congratulations to the new parents.
Both 'Felicitaciones' (for achievements) and 'Felicidades' (for life events/holidays) are widely used and understood. The distinction is generally maintained, but they are sometimes used interchangeably in casual speech.
'Enhorabuena' is very common and often preferred over 'Felicitaciones' for achievements like a promotion, graduation, or winning something. 'Felicidades' is reserved for personal events like birthdays and holidays.
Usage is standard. 'Felicidades' is extremely common for birthdays, Mother's Day, etc. 'Felicitaciones' is standard for professional or academic achievements.
Similar to Mexico. 'Felicidades' is very common for personal celebrations, while 'Felicitaciones' is used for accomplishments.
Using 'Congratulaciones'. — This word is a direct cognate of 'congratulations' but sounds very unnatural and formal in Spanish. It's almost never used in conversation. Stick to 'Felicitaciones' or 'Felicidades'.
Confusing 'Felicitaciones' and 'Felicidades'. — While sometimes used interchangeably, there is a difference. Use 'Felicitaciones' for something someone achieved (e.g., a promotion). Use 'Felicidades' for a happy life event (e.g., a birthday). For example, say '¡Felicidades en tu día!' (for a birthday), not '¡Felicitaciones en tu día!'
Pronouncing 'Felicitaciones' with a hard 'c'. — The 'ci' in 'Felicitaciones' is pronounced like 'see' in English (an 's' sound), not 'kee' (a 'k' sound). The correct pronunciation is 'Feh-lee-see-tah-SYOH-nehs'.
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