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How to Say ‘Don't congratulate me beforehand!’ in German

Nicht vorher gratulieren!

nicht FOR-hair grah-too-LEE-ren

[nicht FOR-hair grah-too-LEE-ren]

💬 Usage Tip: An infinitive at the end can work as a blunt instruction: Nicht rauchen! "No smoking!", Bitte einsteigen! "Please board!". You'll see this on signs a lot.

Phrase Breakdown

Nicht

[nicht]

not

Used to negate a sentence.

Example

Dieses Angebot gibt's nicht mehr.

This offer no longer exists.

vorher

[FOR-hair]

beforehand

Means in advance, before the scheduled time.

Example

24 Stunden vorher müssen Sie absagen.

You must cancel 24 hours beforehand.

gratulieren

[grah-too-LEE-ren]

to congratulate

Verb meaning to wish someone well on a special occasion, like a birthday.

Example

Ich möchte dir zum Geburtstag gratulieren.

I'd like to wish you a happy birthday.

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