124 Different Ways To Say Congratulations and Celebrate Life (+ Free PDF)

When someone has good news, many of their friends and family will take the time to celebrate.

English speakers love to be able to say “congratulations” when someone they know has managed to accomplish something. They also like to hear their own accomplishments acknowledged by accepting “congratulations” from people they know.

Saying “congratulations” is a way to acknowledge and celebrate life’s victories – both big and small. There are two common reasons where “congratulations” are in order.

When Are “Congratulations” In Order 

You say “congratulations” when someone did a good job or has accomplished something they should be proud of. Saying “congratulations” is also a common way to express admiration and pride for someone that you know.

The standard way to congratulate someone is simply to say the word “congratulations”. It is, however, considered a bit warmer and heartfelt if you mention what you are congratulating them for.

For example:

• Congratulations on your engagement.

• Congratulations, you have a son.

• Congratulations on your promotion. 

While there are many times when you might find yourself having to congratulate someone, congratulations are really in order when someone is about to go through a significant life event or milestone. Some examples of these are weddings, the birth of a child, a promotion at work, or graduation.

Bonus: Download a free PDF with ways to say congratulations

38 Words and Short Phrases That You Can Use To Say “Congratulations”

The following words and short phrases are used by English speakers to say “congratulations”. They are considered synonyms for “congratulations” which means that they mean the same thing as “congratulations”.

Native English speakers will understand that any of the words and phrases that we are about to list below mean “congratulations”, but if you are a new language learner, you might be a little confused about how to use these words and phrases.

Basically, you can either just say one of these words or phrases to express admiration and pride for someone’s accomplishments. You can also, however, add a more specific reason as to why you are offering your “congratulations”.

1. Congrats!

2. You did it! 

3. Bravo!

4. Hooray!

5. Cheers!

6. Three cheers!

7. Salute.

8. Impressive!

9. Awesome.

10. Amazing!

11. Attaboy

12. Attagirl

13. Fantastic.

14. Respect.

15. Props!

16. High five.

17. Take a bow.

18. Hats off to you.

19. Thumbs up!

20. You rock!

21. You rule!

22. Kudos!

23. Felicitations.

24. Compliments.

25. Here’s to you.

26. Sensational

27. Good one.

28. Good show.

29. Good job.

30. Good going.

31. Good for you.

32. Keep it up.

33. Nice job. 

34. Nice work. 

35. Nice one.

36. Nicely done.

37. Well done.

38. Good one.

62 Phrases You Can Write Or Say If You Want To Congratulate Someone

While just saying “congratulations” or one of its synonyms is polite enough and appropriate in a variety of situations, there are also several other phrases that are commonly used by English speakers to express pride in someone else’s accomplishments.

The following phrases can also be used to say “congratulations”. They are appropriate in a variety of situations and can be used in written messages  -- like an e-mail or in a gift card.

Most of the phrases here can actually be combined with other words or phrases that are ways to say “congratulations” or even with the word “congratulations” itself.

For example:

• I knew you could do it! Congratulations.

• Bravo! We are so proud of you.

• Congratulations! This calls for a celebration.

You can play around with the different combinations to figure out which will work well for you in a particular situation.  Just in case, however, you should probably run the way you are planning to say “congratulations” with an English speaking friend or with your online native language tutor. 

While there aren’t really combinations of ways to say “congratulations” that are considered rude or offensive, if you are just learning the language, you might put together something that sounds “funny” if you don’t get some help from a native speaker.

1. So proud of you!

2. This calls for a celebration!

3. Congratulations are in order!

4. I knew you could do it!

5. Keep up the great work.

6. I’m happy for you.

7. I couldn’t be happier for you.

8. I’m thrilled for you!

9. It couldn’t happen to a better person.

10. So pleased for you.

11. So thrilled for you. 

12. I commend you.

13. Way to go.

14. Way to shine.

15. You amaze me.

16. You’re the best.

17. You’re a genius.

18. You deserve it.

19. This is awesome.

20. I’m impressed.

21. You really deserved it.

22. You did that very well.

23. You get a gold star!

24. You win the crown!

25. You take first place!

26. You got the trophy!

27. You get the gold medal!

28. You nailed it.

29. A standing ovation for you!

30. A toast in your honor!

31. You’re doing beautifully.

32. Nothing can stop you now.

33. Words can’t express how proud I am.

34. You’ve earned every bit of the success you’re enjoying.

35. You deserve a pat on the back.

36. That’s the way.

37. That’s the best ever.

38. You did that very well.

39. You really did it.

40. You made it look easy.

41. You’re on the right track now.

42. You’re really going to town.

43. Nothing can stop you now.

44. You will always remember this day, and so will we.

45. Wishing you all the best in your new adventure.

46. Best of luck to you in the future.

47. I’m excited for you.

48. I’m proud of you.

49. I’m wishing you the best.

50. You have accomplished a lot.

51. I think you are pretty great.

52. I always knew that good things would come your way.

53. Keep being awesome.

54. My face has a proud smile because of you.

55. Today, we celebrate you.

56. We are so inspired by you.

57. We knew you could do it.

58. Your future is so bright!

59. I have so much pride in my heart for you right now.

60. Great things come from great people.

61. It’s time to celebrate!

62. Success like yours can’t be bought.

24 Formal Phrases That Are Ways To Say Congratulations

If you are writing a more formal congratulatory message, like in a work or business e-mail, you should look at the following phrases. These are formal ways to say congratulations.

1. Congratulations and best wishes.

2. Heartfelt congratulations to you!

3. Please accept my warmest congratulations.

4. Let me offer you my congratulations.

5. Keep up the good work.

6. I’m really pleased for you.

7. You have proven your competence. 

8. You have gone above and beyond expectations.

9. Congratulations. No one deserves this more.

10. Sending you heartfelt congratulations today.

11. Congratulations on your well-deserved success.

12. Warmest congratulations on your achievement.

13. So pleased to see you accomplishing great things!

14. What an impressive achievement.

15. Simply overjoyed to hear your good news.

16. You worked so hard for this. Congratulations.

17. Sincere congratulations on your hard-earned success.

18. Congratulations. Your hard work and perseverance have paid off.

19. Well done! Your hard work and determination have paid off.

20. Congratulations on achieving such a significant milestone.

21. I hope you feel proud today and confident in your ability to rise to your next challenge.

22. I’ve got a feeling this is only the beginning of even more great things to come for you.

23. I commend you on this latest success, and I look forward to seeing even more great things from you.

24. I knew you were capable, but I didn’t expect this level of accomplishment.

Conclusion

If you want to cultivate friendships and good business relationships it is important to know and use the different ways to say congratulations.

Everyone likes to have their accomplishments recognized and lauded and a simple “congratulations” can make someone’s day. Acknowledging someone’s accomplishments and expressing admiration for them can help cultivate good feelings between you and others.

If you want to be a good friend or a good boss or coworker, learn the appropriate ways to congratulate them in a way that seems warm and sincere. All of the words and phrases we listed above are great ways to ensure that you acknowledge someone’s good work and admirable accomplishments.

We suggest that you download this PDF with all the different ways to congratulate someone. Go through them and try to pick out the ones that you are most comfortable using. 

The best way to find ways to say congratulations that will work for you is to take this list and discuss it with an online native English speaking tutor. Your tutor can help explain the proper times and places to use these different words and phrases and even suggest some additional ones.

Congrats on taking the initiative and working your way towards fluency. Great work, keep it up.