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A colorful storybook illustration showing two cartoon hands meeting in a high-five gesture. The background is bright, and the high-five is surrounded by a burst of colorful confetti and small shining star shapes.

felicitaciones

feh-lee-see-tah-SYOH-nes

InterjectionfA1
congratulations?Expression of praise or joy for an achievement
Also:best wishes?Formal acknowledgement of success,kudos?Informal praise

📝 In Action

¡Felicitaciones! Sabía que ganarías el premio.

A1

Congratulations! I knew you would win the prize.

Ella recibió las felicitaciones de su jefe por el proyecto.

B1

She received congratulations from her boss for the project.

Quiero dar mis felicitaciones a todos los participantes.

A2

I want to offer my congratulations to all the participants.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • enhorabuena (congratulations (often used in Spain))
  • bravo (well done)

Common Collocations

  • dar felicitaciones – to offer congratulations
  • recibir felicitaciones – to receive congratulations

💡 Grammar Points

Always Plural

Even if you are congratulating someone once, you must use the plural form 'felicitaciones.' The singular form, 'felicitación,' refers only to the act of congratulating, not the expression itself.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Felicitaciones vs. Felicidades

Mistake: "Using '¡Felicidad!' (happiness) to congratulate someone."

Correction: Use '¡Felicitaciones!' for achievements (like winning a race or getting a job) or '¡Felicidades!' for celebrations (like birthdays or holidays). 'Felicidades' is more versatile but 'Felicitaciones' is more specific to success.

⭐ Usage Tips

Shorten it Up

In casual conversation, you can often shorten it to '¡Feli!' or simply use '¡Enhorabuena!' (especially in Spain) or '¡Bien hecho!' (well done).

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: felicitaciones

Question 1 of 1

Which Spanish phrase is the most appropriate way to congratulate a friend who just won a scholarship?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

felicitar(to congratulate) - verb
felicitación(congratulation (the singular act or message)) - noun
feliz(happy) - adjective

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use 'felicitaciones' for a birthday?

Yes, you can, but it is much more common to use '¡Feliz cumpleaños!' (Happy birthday!) or simply '¡Felicidades!'

Why is it always plural?

Many expressions in Spanish that convey a general well-wishing or greeting are plural, like 'gracias' (thanks) or 'saludos' (greetings). 'Felicitaciones' follows this pattern, treating the expression as a collection of good wishes.