🎉👏

How to Say ‘Congratulations!’ in German

Herzlichen Glückwunsch!

HERTS-likh-en GLUEK-voonsh

[HERTS-likh-en GLUEK-voonsh]

🇩🇪 In Germany: This is also the standard birthday greeting, often with zum Geburtstag "on your birthday" added. Don't say it before the actual birthday, because many Germans consider early wishes bad luck.

Phrase Breakdown

Herzlichen

[HERTS-likh-en]

heartfelt / warm

Adjective from 'Herz' (heart); used in set greetings and congratulations.

Example

Herzlichen Dank für die Einladung!

Many thanks for the invitation!

Glückwunsch

[GLUEK-voonsh]

congratulations

Noun for a good wish; used to congratulate.

Example

Glückwunsch zur Hochzeit!

Congratulations on the wedding!

Guides for German learners

Duolingo vs Pimsleur: Tapping on a Screen or Talking Out Loud?Duolingo vs Pimsleur: five minutes of tapping versus thirty minutes of speaking. What each is good at, what each costs, and which to pick for your goal.

Get the Full Learning Experience

This lesson is just a preview. Download PrettyFluent to practice pronunciation, roleplay conversations, and master vocabulary with spaced repetition.

Pronunciation Feedback

AI-powered feedback on what you say out loud

Spaced Repetition

Retain vocabulary long-term with smart practice

Immersive Roleplaying

Practice real conversations with AI partners

Lessons for Your Situation

Request lessons tailored to your specific needs

Get Full Lesson

What Learners Are Saying

“Berlin bureaucracy requires real German. This app got me from zero to handling my Anmeldung appointment in three weeks. My coworkers couldn’t believe it.”

Emma L., 27, UX Researcher

“Relocated to Munich with my family. The everyday scenarios — grocery shopping, doctor visits, school meetings — are exactly what we needed to settle in.”

Marcus J., 40, Engineer

“Learning a language has never been as immediately impactful. Now I can charm the locals and navigate the food scene like a boss.”

Alex M., 42, Software Engineer