felicitar

feh-lee-see-tahrfeliθiˈtaɾ

“felicitar” means “to congratulate” in Spanish (giving praise for an achievement).

to congratulate, to wish a happy [event]

Also: to compliment

VerbA2regular ar

Spain

A person smiling and giving a thumbs up to a friend holding a gold trophy.

gerundfelicitando

past Participlefelicitado

infinitivefelicitar

📝 In Action

Vine para felicitarte por tu nuevo bebé.

I came to congratulate you on your new baby.

Todo el equipo te felicita por el excelente trabajo.

The whole team congratulates you on the excellent work.

No te olvides de felicitar a tu abuela por su santo.

Don't forget to wish your grandmother a happy Saint's Day.

Word Connections

Synonyms

dar la enhorabuena (to congratulate (more formal))
elogiar (to praise)

Antonyms

criticar (to criticize)
reprender (to scold)

Common Collocations

felicitar por el cumpleaños – to wish a happy birthday
felicitar calurosamente – to congratulate warmly
felicitar las Navidades – to wish a Merry Christmas

Idioms & Expressions

felicitarse por – to be glad about something you did or decided

Subjunctive

Imperfect Subjunctive

yofelicitara

túfelicitaras

él/ella/ustedfelicitara

nosotrosfelicitáramos

vosotrosfelicitarais

ellos/ellas/ustedesfelicitaran

Present Subjunctive

yofelicite

túfelicites

él/ella/ustedfelicite

nosotrosfelicitemos

vosotrosfelicitéis

ellos/ellas/ustedesfeliciten

Indicative

Preterite

yofelicité

túfelicitaste

él/ella/ustedfelicitó

nosotrosfelicitamos

vosotrosfelicitasteis

ellos/ellas/ustedesfelicitaron

Imperfect

yofelicitaba

túfelicitabas

él/ella/ustedfelicitaba

nosotrosfelicitábamos

vosotrosfelicitabais

ellos/ellas/ustedesfelicitaban

Present

yofelicito

túfelicitas

él/ella/ustedfelicita

nosotrosfelicitamos

vosotrosfelicitáis

ellos/ellas/ustedesfelicitan

View All Tenses & Moods →

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "felicitar" in Spanish:

to compliment→to congratulate→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: felicitar

Question 1 of 3

Which word correctly completes: 'Quiero ___ a María por su boda'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼

felicidad(happiness) — Noun

felicitación(congratulation/greeting card) — Noun

feliz(happy) — Adjective

🎵 Rhymes▼

cantar llegar

📚 Etymology▼

From Latin 'felicitare', which comes from 'felix' meaning 'happy' or 'lucky'.

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: felicitateFrench: féliciter

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'felicitar' used for Christmas?

Yes! You can say 'felicitar las fiestas' or 'felicitar la Navidad' to mean wishing someone a Merry Christmas.

What is the difference between 'felicitar' and 'dar la enhorabuena'?

'Felicitar' is common for everything (birthdays, holidays, wins). 'Dar la enhorabuena' is more formal and used specifically for major life achievements like a wedding or a promotion.

Can I use 'felicitar' to mean I'm happy for myself?

Yes, if you use it reflexively: 'Me felicito de haber tomado esta decisión' (I'm glad/I congratulate myself for taking this decision).