💬✨Whether you’re celebrating a friend’s new job, a cousin’s wedding, or simply a small everyday win, knowing how to say “congratulations” in Spanish can help you connect more deeply and sincerely. Here’s your all-in-one guide to expressing heartfelt congratulations in Spanish—complete with phrases for formal, casual, and special occasions.
🎉The Most Common Way to Say “Congrats” in Spanish
The most widely used word is:
¡Felicidades! – “Congratulations!”
You’ll hear this in almost every context, from birthdays to graduations to weddings. It’s short, sweet, and universal.
Other common ways to say “congrats” include:
- ¡Enhorabuena! – More common in Spain; often used for achievements (like promotions or academic success).
- ¡Muchas felicidades! – “Many congratulations!” More enthusiastic and celebratory.
- ¡Qué alegría, felicidades! – “What joy, congratulations!” Great for very joyful news.
Use these as your go-to phrases, but if you want to express a bit more warmth or specificity, read on.
🥳Everyday Wins: Casual Congratulations
Small victories deserve big smiles! These phrases are perfect for everyday accomplishments like passing a test, completing a small project, or just sharing good news with friends.
Phrases You Can Use:
- ¡Qué bien, felicidades! – “That’s great, congrats!”
- ¡Buen trabajo! – “Good job!”
- ¡Lo lograste! – “You did it!”
- ¡Te lo mereces! – “You deserve it!”
When to Use:
- Your friend passed their driving test
- A coworker met a project deadline
- Your cousin finished their first 5K run
- Pair them with emojis like 🎉👏🙌 for extra flair in messages!
💼Professional Achievements
In formal or professional contexts, it’s important to sound respectful but still warm. For example, congratulating a colleague, client, or professor.
Formal Phrases:
- Le felicito sinceramente por su logro. – “I sincerely congratulate you on your achievement.”
- Mis más sinceras felicitaciones. – “My most sincere congratulations.”
- Enhorabuena por este éxito tan merecido. – “Congratulations on this well-deserved success.”
- Le deseo muchos más éxitos. – “I wish you many more successes.”
Sample Use Case:
When a coworker gets promoted, you might say:
“Enhorabuena por tu ascenso. Te lo mereces completamente.”
“Congratulations on your promotion. You totally deserve it.”
💍Weddings, Engagements & Anniversaries
Love is a reason to celebrate! These moments call for heartfelt expressions.
Wedding & Engagement Phrases:
- ¡Felicidades por su matrimonio! – “Congratulations on your marriage!”
- ¡Les deseo una vida llena de amor y alegría! – “I wish you a life full of love and joy!”
- ¡Qué viva el amor! – “Long live love!”
- ¡Enhorabuena por esta nueva etapa juntos! – “Congratulations on this new stage together!”
Anniversary Ideas:
- ¡Feliz aniversario! – “Happy anniversary!”
- Que celebren muchos años más juntos. – “May you celebrate many more years together.”
👶Baby News & Celebrations
A new life calls for beautiful wishes. Here’s how to congratulate someone on a pregnancy or the birth of a baby.
New Baby Phrases:
- ¡Felicidades por el nuevo integrante de la familia! – “Congratulations on the new member of the family!”
- ¡Bienvenido al mundo, pequeño/a! – “Welcome to the world, little one!”
- ¡Qué bendición tan grande! – “What a big blessing!”
Pregnancy Announcements:
- ¡Muchas felicidades por el bebé que viene en camino! – “Congrats on the baby on the way!”
- ¡Qué emoción! Van a ser padres. – “How exciting! You’re going to be parents.”
Want more expressions for this topic? Check out our full guide:
Baby Shower Greetings in Spanish
🎓Academic Milestones
Graduations, scholarships, and academic achievements deserve special mention.
Academic Congrats:
- ¡Felicidades por tu graduación! – “Congrats on your graduation!”
- ¡Orgullosos de ti! – “Proud of you!”
- ¡Has trabajado muy duro para esto! – “You’ve worked really hard for this!”
For university-level or scholarship success:
- ¡Qué logro tan impresionante! – “What an impressive achievement!”
- ¡Enhorabuena por tu beca! – “Congrats on your scholarship!”
🧳When You’re Far Away: Text, Email & Video Chat Phrases
Can’t be there in person? These short and sweet messages are great for digital communication.
Text-Friendly Phrases:
- ¡Mil felicidades! Te lo mereces.
- ¡Estoy tan feliz por ti!
- ¡Un gran abrazo y muchas felicidades!
- ¡Brindamos a la distancia por ti! – “We’re toasting to you from afar!”
🎧 Want to say it out loud but don’t speak Spanish fluently? Try AI Phone, an app that supports real-time voice translation across over 150 languages. Perfect for WhatsApp, WeChat, and direct phone calls.
🧠Bonus: Tips for Choosing the Right “Congrats” Expression
Here’s a quick table to help you choose:
| Situation | Recommended Phrase |
| Birthday | ¡Felicidades! / ¡Muchas felicidades! |
| Job Promotion | ¡Enhorabuena! / ¡Felicidades por tu ascenso! |
| New Baby | ¡Bienvenido al mundo! / ¡Qué bendición! |
| Wedding | ¡Felicidades por su boda! / ¡Qué viva el amor! |
| Graduation | ¡Felicidades por tu graduación! / ¡Orgullosos de ti! |
| Casual Achievements | ¡Buen trabajo! / ¡Lo lograste! |
🎯 Final Thoughts: Make It Personal
While “¡Felicidades!” is a solid go-to, the best messages are the ones that feel personal. Whether you’re writing a card, sending a message, or speaking in person, these phrases help you celebrate every moment in meaningful Spanish.
And if you ever feel unsure about pronunciation or need to express your congratulations in Spanish live and in real-time, let AI Phone help you say it right—anytime, anywhere.
Try it now!