Italian · Greetings & Essentials
"Congratulations!" in Italian: congratulazioni / complimenti
congratulazioni / complimenti
Congratulations in Italian is congratulazioni (kohn-grah-too-la-TSYOH-nee) or complimenti (kohm-plee-MEN-tee). Complimenti is snappier day to day; congratulazioni feels a bit more formal or big-moment.
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How to pronounce congratulazioni / complimenti
Say it
kohn-grah-too-la-TSYOH-nee
/koŋɡratulatˈtsjo.ni/
Congratulazioni stresses TSYOH: kohn-grah-too-la-TSYOH-nee. Complimenti stresses MEN.
"Congratulations!" in Italian: quick reference
| Italian | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| congratulazioni | congratulations Cards, speeches, big news. | Cards, speeches, big news. |
| complimenti | congratulations / well done Everyday praise. | Everyday praise. |
| complimenti per… | congrats on… Complimenti per il lavoro nuovo. | Complimenti per il lavoro nuovo. |
| tanti auguri | best wishes Birthdays and holidays—not always “congrats”. | Birthdays and holidays—not always “congrats”. |
How to use congratulazioni / complimenti in real life
- 1New job
Congratulazioni per il posto nuovo!
Congratulations on the new job!
Congratulazioni + per.
- 2After an exam
Complimenti, hai passato tutto!
Congrats, you passed everything!
Complimenti as a quick cheer.
- 3Wedding message
Congratulazioni agli sposi!
Congratulations to the newlyweds!
Formal card line.
Mistakes English speakers make with congratulazioni / complimenti
Incorrect: Congratulazione!
Correct: Congratulazioni!
The usual form is plural: congratulazioni.
Incorrect: Complimento per la laurea!
Correct: Complimenti per la laurea!
Use plural complimenti for congratulations.
Good to know
Italians pile on warm words after good news: congratulazioni, bravo, che bello. For birthdays, tanti auguri is the default; save congratulazioni for achievements, weddings, and baby news.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Hearing a friend passed a licensing exam
ChatPal
Hai saputo? Marta ha preso la patente!
Did you hear? Marta got her licence!
You
Davvero? Congratulazioni a Marta!
Really? Congratulations to Marta!
ChatPal
Le mando un messaggio con i complimenti.
I'll text her with congratulations.
You
Sì, scrivi anche da parte mia.
Yes, write from me too.
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 Italian
Congratulazioni or complimenti?
Both work. Complimenti is shorter and casual; congratulazioni suits bigger moments.
How do I congratulate someone on a job?
Congratulazioni per il nuovo lavoro! or Complimenti!
Is it singular or plural?
Almost always plural: congratulazioni, complimenti.
What about birthdays?
Say buon compleanno or tanti auguri. Congratulazioni is for achievements more than age.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
- Step 1: See it in context
- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
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