How to Say Congratulations in German: 20+ Expressions for Every Occasion
Quick Answer
The most common way to say congratulations in German is 'Herzlichen Glückwunsch' (HEHRTS-likh-en GLEWK-voonsh), which literally translates to 'heartfelt luck-wish.' For casual situations, a simple 'Glückwunsch!' works perfectly. Germans also use 'Gratulation!' (borrowed from Latin), 'Gut gemacht!' (well done), and occasion-specific phrases like 'Hals- und Beinbruch!' (break a neck and leg, the German good luck expression).
The Short Answer
The most common way to say congratulations in German is Herzlichen Glückwunsch (HEHRTS-likh-en GLEWK-voonsh), meaning "heartfelt luck-wish." It works across Germany, Austria, and Switzerland for virtually any occasion, birthdays, weddings, promotions, graduations, and new babies. For something shorter and more casual, Germans simply say Glückwunsch! or the Latin-derived Gratulation!
German is spoken by over 130 million people worldwide and is an official language in six countries, according to Ethnologue's 2024 data. What makes German congratulations particularly interesting is the language's love of compound words: Glückwunsch fuses Glück (luck/happiness) and Wunsch (wish) into a single word that captures a sentiment English needs an entire sentence to express.
"German compound words are not merely vocabulary; they are miniature philosophies. A 'Glückwunsch' does not simply congratulate; it explicitly wishes luck upon someone, encoding cultural values of goodwill and fortune into the very structure of the word."
(David Crystal, The Cambridge Encyclopedia of Language, Cambridge University Press)
This guide covers 20+ German congratulation expressions organized by formality and occasion, with pronunciation, example sentences, and cultural context so you know exactly when and where to use each one.
Quick Reference: German Congratulations at a Glance
Standard Congratulations
These are the everyday expressions that work in almost any congratulatory situation. According to the Duden dictionary, Glückwunsch has been a core element of German social language since the 18th century.
Herzlichen Glückwunsch
/HEHRTS-likh-en GLEWK-voonsh/
Literal meaning: Heartfelt luck-wish
“Herzlichen Glückwunsch zur bestandenen Prüfung!”
Congratulations on passing the exam!
The all-purpose congratulations. Works for birthdays, weddings, promotions, graduations, births, anything positive. Germans use it both spoken and in written cards.
This is the Swiss Army knife of German congratulations. The word herzlich comes from Herz (heart), so you are literally sending a "heartfelt luck-wish." The beauty of German compounds is on full display here, what takes English a full phrase ("heartfelt congratulations"), German packs into two words.
You can extend it for specific occasions: Herzlichen Glückwunsch zum Geburtstag (for birthdays), Herzlichen Glückwunsch zur Hochzeit (for weddings), Herzlichen Glückwunsch zur Beförderung (for promotions). The preposition zum/zur ("to the") bridges the congratulation to the event.
💡 Singular vs. Plural
Herzlichen Glückwunsch (singular wish) and Herzliche Glückwünsche (plural wishes) are both correct. The plural form sounds slightly more formal and is more common in written cards and speeches. In everyday conversation, the singular is the default.
Gratulation!
/grah-too-lah-TSEE-ohn/
Literal meaning: Congratulation (from Latin)
“Gratulation! Das hast du dir wirklich verdient.”
Congratulations! You really deserved that.
Borrowed from Latin 'gratulatio.' Slightly more international-sounding than 'Glückwunsch.' Common in both spoken and written German, especially in professional settings.
Gratulation entered German from Latin and feels slightly more cosmopolitan than the purely Germanic Glückwunsch. You will hear it frequently in office environments and media. The verb form gratulieren (to congratulate) is used even more often: Ich gratuliere dir! (I congratulate you!).
Formal Congratulations
Essential for business correspondence, speeches, and situations where you want to convey deep respect. For more on navigating formal vs. informal registers in German, our German learning hub has interactive exercises.
Ich gratuliere Ihnen
/ikh grah-too-LEE-reh EE-nen/
Literal meaning: I congratulate you (formal)
“Ich gratuliere Ihnen herzlich zu Ihrer Ernennung.”
I warmly congratulate you on your appointment.
Uses the formal 'Ihnen' (you). Standard in business settings, official ceremonies, and when addressing superiors or elders. The informal version uses 'dir' instead of 'Ihnen.'
The formal Ihnen (you) signals respect and professional distance. In business emails, you will often see this expanded: Ich möchte Ihnen herzlich zu Ihrem Erfolg gratulieren (I would like to warmly congratulate you on your success). The Goethe-Institut notes that maintaining the Sie/Ihnen form in congratulatory contexts is particularly important in German business culture, where premature informality can be seen as disrespectful.
Meine herzlichsten Glückwünsche
/MY-neh HEHRTS-likh-sten GLEWK-vewn-sheh/
Literal meaning: My most heartfelt luck-wishes
“Meine herzlichsten Glückwünsche zu Ihrem Jubiläum.”
My most heartfelt congratulations on your anniversary.
The superlative form, reserved for speeches, formal letters, and milestone events. Common in wedding cards, retirement celebrations, and official correspondence.
This is the full-dress version of German congratulations. The superlative herzlichsten (most heartfelt) elevates the sentiment beyond everyday usage. You will encounter this in wedding speeches, retirement toasts, and formal letters from institutions. A chancellor congratulating an Olympic medalist would use this register.
🌍 Written vs. Spoken Formality
German has a sharper divide between written and spoken formality than English. In a formal letter, Meine herzlichsten Glückwünsche is perfectly natural. Saying it out loud at a casual dinner party would sound oddly stiff. Match your register to the medium.
Casual Congratulations
These are the phrases you will hear among friends, family, and coworkers in relaxed settings. According to the Gesellschaft für deutsche Sprache (GfdS), informal congratulatory expressions have been growing in variety, especially among younger Germans who blend English loanwords into their celebrations.
Glückwunsch!
/GLEWK-voonsh/
Literal meaning: Luck-wish!
“Hey, Glückwunsch! Du hast den Job bekommen!”
Hey, congrats! You got the job!
The stripped-down version of 'Herzlichen Glückwunsch', drops the 'heartfelt' adjective for speed and casualness. Think of it as 'congrats' vs. 'congratulations' in English.
Just as English speakers shorten "congratulations" to "congrats," Germans drop herzlichen and go straight to Glückwunsch! in casual conversation. Quick, warm, and universally understood.
Super!
/ZOO-per/
Literal meaning: Super / Great
“Du hast die Prüfung bestanden? Super!”
You passed the exam? Awesome!
Note the German pronunciation: ZOO-per, not SOO-per. One of the most common casual expressions of approval and congratulation in everyday German.
Germans pronounce the "S" as a "Z" sound: ZOO-per, not SOO-per. This small detail instantly reveals whether someone learned their German from a textbook or from actual conversation. Super works as a standalone congratulation or as the start of a longer reaction.
Klasse!
/KLAH-seh/
Literal meaning: Class! / Top-class!
“Klasse! Dein Vortrag war wirklich beeindruckend.”
Awesome! Your presentation was really impressive.
Literally means 'class' as in 'top-class.' Enthusiastic and warm. Common across all German-speaking regions, though slightly more prevalent in northern Germany.
Klasse! is the German equivalent of "awesome" or "brilliant" when reacting to good news. It carries genuine enthusiasm and warmth without being over the top.
Gut gemacht!
/goot geh-MAKHT/
Literal meaning: Well done / Good made
“Gut gemacht! Ich bin stolz auf dich.”
Well done! I am proud of you.
A direct equivalent of 'well done' in English. Often used by parents, teachers, coaches, and mentors. Implies personal achievement and effort, not just luck.
While Herzlichen Glückwunsch congratulates someone on an outcome, Gut gemacht! specifically acknowledges the effort behind it. A parent uses it when their child brings home a good report card. A boss uses it when a team member delivers a great presentation. The distinction matters, it says "you earned this."
Respekt!
/reh-SPEKT/
Literal meaning: Respect!
“Du hast den Marathon in unter drei Stunden geschafft? Respekt!”
You finished the marathon in under three hours? Respect!
Used when someone achieves something genuinely impressive. Carries a tone of admiration beyond simple congratulation. Popular among younger Germans.
Respekt! goes beyond congratulation into genuine admiration. You use it when someone does something you find truly impressive, finishing a marathon, getting into a top university, or pulling off something difficult. It is one word, but it carries significant weight.
Occasion-Specific Expressions
German has tailored congratulatory phrases for specific life events. These show cultural awareness and make your congratulations feel personal rather than generic.
Hals- und Beinbruch!
/HAHLS oont BINE-brookh/
Literal meaning: Neck and leg break!
“Morgen ist deine Prüfung? Hals- und Beinbruch!”
Your exam is tomorrow? Break a leg!
The German 'break a leg.' Used before exams, performances, job interviews, and any challenge. Likely derived from Yiddish 'hatslokhe un brokhe' (success and blessing), reinterpreted as German body parts.
Like the English "break a leg," this expression wishes good luck through reverse psychology. Linguists trace it to the Yiddish hatslokhe un brokhe (success and blessing), which German speakers heard and reinterpreted as Hals (neck) and Bruch (break). The correct response is Danke! or simply a confident nod, never "you too," which would redirect the superstitious protection.
Alles Gute!
/AHL-les GOO-teh/
Literal meaning: All the best!
“Alles Gute für deinen neuen Lebensabschnitt!”
All the best for your new chapter in life!
A warm, versatile wish that works for any life transition, new job, move, retirement, recovery from illness. Less about a specific achievement than about wishing ongoing well-being.
Alles Gute is the go-to expression for life transitions rather than specific achievements. Starting a new job? Alles Gute! Moving to a new city? Alles Gute! It is warmer and broader than Herzlichen Glückwunsch, less about what happened and more about what comes next.
Herzlichen Glückwunsch zur Hochzeit
/HEHRTS-likh-en GLEWK-voonsh tsoor HOKH-tsait/
Literal meaning: Heartfelt luck-wish to the wedding
“Herzlichen Glückwunsch zur Hochzeit! Möget ihr immer glücklich sein.”
Congratulations on the wedding! May you always be happy.
The standard wedding congratulation. Often followed by traditional wishes like 'für eine glückliche gemeinsame Zukunft' (for a happy shared future). Wedding cards in German-speaking countries tend to be more formal than in English.
German wedding congratulations tend toward the formal. In cards and speeches, you will often see extended wishes: Herzlichen Glückwunsch zur Hochzeit und alles Gute für eure gemeinsame Zukunft (Congratulations on the wedding and all the best for your shared future). The Goethe-Institut notes that German wedding speeches are traditionally more structured and heartfelt than their English-speaking counterparts.
Herzlichen Glückwunsch zum Nachwuchs
/HEHRTS-likh-en GLEWK-voonsh tsoom NAHKH-vooks/
Literal meaning: Heartfelt luck-wish to the offspring
“Herzlichen Glückwunsch zum Nachwuchs! Wie heißt die Kleine?”
Congratulations on the new baby! What's the little one's name?
'Nachwuchs' literally means 'new growth' or 'offspring.' Important cultural note: many Germans avoid congratulating expectant parents before the birth, it is considered premature and potentially bad luck.
The word Nachwuchs literally means "new growth", a characteristically German way of describing a new baby as the next generation growing in. Be careful with timing: in German culture, congratulating someone on a pregnancy before the baby arrives is considered presumptuous by many. Wait until after the birth to offer your Glückwunsch.
How to Respond to German Congratulations
Knowing how to accept congratulations gracefully is just as important as knowing how to give them.
| They Say | You Say | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| Herzlichen Glückwunsch! | Danke! / Vielen Dank! | Thanks! / Many thanks! |
| Gratulation! | Danke, das ist nett von dir! | Thanks, that's kind of you! |
| Gut gemacht! | Danke, das freut mich! | Thanks, that makes me happy! |
| Ich gratuliere Ihnen | Vielen Dank, das ist sehr freundlich | Many thanks, that is very kind |
| Super! / Klasse! | Danke! Ja, ich bin echt froh! | Thanks! Yes, I'm really glad! |
💡 The German Modesty Response
Germans often deflect compliments and congratulations with modesty. Responding with Danke, das war aber auch viel Arbeit (Thanks, but it was a lot of work too) or Danke, da hatte ich auch etwas Glück (Thanks, I had some luck too) is very culturally appropriate. Excessive self-celebration can feel uncomfortable in German social norms.
Regional Differences: Germany, Austria, and Switzerland
While the core congratulatory phrases are shared across all German-speaking countries, regional flavors add character.
| Region | Distinctive Feature | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Germany | More reserved delivery, formal preference | Herzlichen Glückwunsch with a firm handshake |
| Bavaria | Warmer, often paired with a toast | Herzlichen Glückwunsch! Prost! |
| Austria | More affectionate, may include Bussi (kiss) | Ich gratuliere dir ganz herzlich! with cheek kisses |
| Switzerland | Swiss German dialect forms | Härzliche Glückwünsch! |
🌍 The German Birthday Superstition
One of the most important cultural rules in German-speaking countries: never congratulate someone before the actual occasion. This is especially strict for birthdays, wishing someone Herzlichen Glückwunsch even one day early is considered Unglück bringen (bringing bad luck). At German workplaces, colleagues will celebrate on the exact birthday or after, never before. This superstition also extends to baby congratulations and, for some, even to exam results before they are officially confirmed.
The Compound Word Magic of German Congratulations
German's famous compound word structure is nowhere more charming than in congratulatory vocabulary. Understanding how these words are built helps you remember them and even create new combinations.
| Compound | Components | Literal Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Glückwunsch | Glück (luck) + Wunsch (wish) | luck-wish |
| Geburtstag | Geburt (birth) + Tag (day) | birth-day |
| Hochzeit | hoch (high) + Zeit (time) | high-time |
| Lebensabschnitt | Leben (life) + Abschnitt (section) | life-section |
| Nachwuchs | nach (after/new) + Wuchs (growth) | new-growth |
This compound logic means that once you learn the building blocks, you can decode unfamiliar congratulatory phrases on the fly. Seeing Glückwunschkarte? That is Glückwunsch (congratulation) + Karte (card), a congratulations card. Glückwunschschreiben? Glückwunsch + Schreiben (writing), a congratulatory letter.
Practice With Real German Content
Reading about congratulatory phrases is a solid start, but hearing them spoken naturally by native speakers is what makes them stick. German-language films and shows are excellent for this: Dark for dramatic conversations, Babylon Berlin for formal period language, and How to Sell Drugs Online (Fast) for casual youth expressions.
Wordy takes this further by letting you watch German movies and shows with interactive subtitles. You can tap on any congratulatory phrase to see its meaning, pronunciation, and cultural context in real time. Instead of memorizing isolated expressions, you absorb them from authentic conversations with natural intonation.
For more German content, explore our blog for guides including the best movies to learn German. You can also visit our German learning page to start practicing today.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most common way to say congratulations in German?
What does 'Herzlichen Glückwunsch' literally mean?
Is it true you should never congratulate a German before the event?
What does 'Hals- und Beinbruch' mean?
How do congratulations differ between Germany, Austria, and Switzerland?
Sources & References
- Duden — Deutsches Universalwörterbuch, 9th edition (2023)
- Goethe-Institut — German language and culture resources
- Ethnologue: Languages of the World — German language entry (2024)
- Crystal, David — The Cambridge Encyclopedia of Language, 4th edition (Cambridge University Press)
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