How to say it · Kind words

Congratulating someone

Someone's got good news: a new job, a pass, a baby. The size of your reaction should match the size of their news, and one little letter trips almost everyone up.

6 ways to say it

Outside a driving test centre, Mia bursts a party popper as Jo holds up her car key.

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Congratulationsbest default Congratsquick and casual Nice onesmall win Well donefor effort That's amazing newsreally excited Huge congratulationsfor big news

Way 1 · best default

Congratulations

Works for almost any good news, big or small, with friends, family or your boss.

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Use itAnywhere

Examples

Congratulations on the new job! When do you start?

I heard you're getting married. Congratulations!

In a conversation

A: We just found out we're having a baby.
B: Oh, congratulations! That's wonderful.

Common mistake

Not: ~~Congratulation!~~

Say: Congratulations!

Always with an s at the end when you say it to someone. Without the s it sounds unfinished.

Practice saying this

Next: Congrats

Way 2 · quick and casual

Congrats

The short, friendly version. Perfect in a message or a group chat.

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ToneCasual

Use itIn messages

Examples

Congrats on passing your test!

Just saw the news, congrats! So happy for you both.

Common mistake

Not: Congrats ~~for~~ your promotion!

Say: Congrats on your promotion!

It's congrats on something, not for. The same goes for the long form.

Practice saying this

Next: Nice one

Way 3 · small win

Nice one

Light and quick, for small wins and bits of luck: a good parking spot, a cheap ticket, an upgrade.

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ToneCasual

Use itWith friends

Examples

You got the last two tickets? Nice one!

You got upgraded to business class? Nice one!

In a conversation

A: I managed to get us a table by the window.
B: Nice one!

Practice saying this

Next: Well done

Way 4 · for effort

Well done

Praises something they worked for, like an exam, a race or a project.

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Use itAnywhere

Examples

Well done on your exam results, you worked so hard.

You finished the marathon? Well done!

Practice saying this

Next: That's amazing news

Way 5 · really excited

That's amazing news

Your excitement about the news itself. Use it when the news is the star, like a place at uni or a new flat.

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ToneNeutral

Use itAnywhere

Examples

You got into Edinburgh? That's amazing news!

That's amazing news. Your parents must be over the moon.

In a conversation

A: I got the flat! They called this morning.
B: No way, that's amazing news! When do you move in?

Practice saying this

Next: Huge congratulations

Way 6 · for big news

Huge congratulations

The biggest version. Good in cards, emails and speeches for life-changing news.

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Use itAnywhere

Examples

Huge congratulations to you both on the wedding.

Huge congratulations to Priya, our new head of design.

Practice saying this

Test yourself: which would you say?

Pick the right one

Which would you say?

Read the moment, then choose the way that fits it best.

The mistake learners make

What a translation app gives you, and what people actually say.

Not: You're getting married? ~~Well done!~~

Say: You're getting married? Congratulations!

"Well done" is for something they worked for. For weddings, babies and other life events it sounds like they passed a test.

Now say it out loud

Pick one and practise it in a real conversation. Save the ones you want to remember.

Congratulations Congrats Nice one Well done

Which would you say?

The mistake learners make

Now say it out loud

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