German · Real conversations
How to respond to “Herzlichen Glückwunsch!” in German
Congratulations recognize an achievement or good event. A short thanks is enough, and a little detail can add warmth.
What you might hear
Herzlichen Glückwunsch!
Congratulations!
Choose a reply that fits
Danke!
Thank you!
A simple acknowledgment.
Danke, ich freue mich wirklich.
Thanks, I'm really happy.
Share your happiness.
Ohne deine Hilfe hätte ich das nicht geschafft.
I couldn't have done it without your help.
Credit the person's help when it was part of the achievement.
Das ist nett von dir.
That's kind of you.
Acknowledge the person's kindness.
Two short exchanges
A personal achievement
Herzlichen Glückwunsch!
Congratulations!
Danke!
Thank you!
A new job
Herzlichen Glückwunsch zum neuen Job!
Congratulations on your new job!
Danke, ich freue mich wirklich.
Thanks, I'm really happy.
Your turn
Thank someone who helped you achieve the result.
Reveal a sample reply
Ohne deine Hilfe hätte ich das nicht geschafft.
I couldn't have done it without your help.
This response guide in other languages
A note on speaking German
Use Sie for formal address and du with people you address informally. Könnten Sie …? is a useful polite request. Keep noun capitals and the verb position shown in each complete sentence.
The examples preserve German accents and ß. Read a full sentence before replacing a detail: a subordinate clause can move the verb to the end, and case can change an article or pronoun.
