German · Greetings & Essentials
"Congratulations!" in German: herzlichen Glückwunsch
herzlichen Glückwunsch
Congratulations in German is herzlichen Glückwunsch. You can shorten it to Glückwunsch! For a promotion or exam, add zur Prüfung or zur Beförderung.
After an exam
Herzlichen Glückwunsch zur bestandenen Prüfung!Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce herzlichen Glückwunsch
Say it
HAIRTS-likh-en GLUEK-voonsh
/ˈhɛʁtslɪçən ˈɡlʏkvʊnʃ/
HAIRTS-likh-en GLUEK-voonsh. Ü like ee with rounded lips. Stress GLUEK.
"Congratulations!" in German: quick reference
| German | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| herzlichen Glückwunsch | congratulations Standard warm phrase. | Standard warm phrase. |
| Glückwunsch! | congrats! Short casual form. | Short casual form. |
| herzlichen Glückwunsch zum Geburtstag | happy birthday (formal congrats style) Birthday cards sometimes use this. | Birthday cards sometimes use this. |
| Gratulation! | congratulations! Also heard; a bit more formal. | Also heard; a bit more formal. |
How to use herzlichen Glückwunsch in real life
- 1After an exam
Herzlichen Glückwunsch zur bestandenen Prüfung!
Congratulations on passing the exam!
Full phrase plus zur…
- 2Group chat
Herzlichen Glückwunsch, das hast du verdient!
Congratulations, you earned that!
Warm personal tone.
- 3New job
Herzlichen Glückwunsch zu deinem neuen Job!
Congratulations on your new job!
Zu + dative for the occasion.
Mistakes English speakers make with herzlichen Glückwunsch
Incorrect: Congratulations!
Correct: Herzlichen Glückwunsch!
Use the German phrase, not English congratulations.
Incorrect: herzliche Glückwunsch
Correct: herzlichen Glückwunsch
The fixed form keeps -en: herzlichen.
Good to know
Herzlichen Glückwunsch works for exams, babies, weddings, and jobs. On birthdays Alles Gute zum Geburtstag is more common in speech, while cards may still print Herzlichen Glückwunsch.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Celebrating a friend's promotion
ChatPal
Hast du die Nachricht gesehen?
Did you see the news?
You
Ja! Herzlichen Glückwunsch zur Beförderung!
Yes! Congratulations on the promotion!
ChatPal
Danke. Ohne eure Hilfe hätte ich gezweifelt.
Thanks. Without your help I would have doubted.
You
Nochmals herzlichen Glückwunsch — wir feiern bald!
Congratulations again — we'll celebrate soon!
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Congratulations!" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Congratulations!" in German
How do you say congratulations?
Herzlichen Glückwunsch.
Shorter form?
Glückwunsch!
On an exam?
Herzlichen Glückwunsch zur Prüfung!
Birthday?
Often Alles Gute zum Geburtstag; cards may use Herzlichen Glückwunsch.
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- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
