Inklingo

How to Say "best wishes" in Spanish

English → Spanish

saludos

/sah-LOO-dos//saˈluðos/

nounA1formal
Use 'saludos' as a general, polite closing for letters or emails, similar to 'regards' or 'best wishes'.
A simple illustration showing two friendly cartoon characters, one waving hello to the other.

Examples

Te deseo todo lo mejor en tu nuevo camino. Muchos saludos.

I wish you all the best on your new path. Many greetings.

Muchos saludos a tu familia de mi parte.

Many greetings to your family from me.

Me despidió con un simple '¡Saludos!' antes de irse.

He said goodbye to me with a simple 'Greetings!' before leaving.

Saludos cordiales. Esperamos su respuesta pronto.

Kind regards. We await your response soon.

Always Plural for Regards

When you mean 'greetings' or 'regards,' this word almost always stays in its plural form, 'saludos,' even if you are only sending one set of regards.

Confusing 'Saludos' and 'Salud'

Mistake: “Using 'saludos' when making a toast.”

Correction: Use 'salud' (meaning 'health') when you want to say 'Cheers!' or 'Bless you!' after a sneeze. 'Saludos' is strictly for greetings and farewells.

felicidades

/feh-lee-see-DAH-des//feliθiˈðaðes/

interjectionA1informal
Use 'felicidades' to congratulate someone on personal milestones like birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, or significant life events.
A simplistic golden trophy sitting on a small pedestal, being showered by brightly colored confetti, symbolizing congratulations and achievement.

Examples

¡Felicidades por tu aniversario de bodas!

Congratulations on your wedding anniversary!

¡Felicidades por tu nuevo trabajo!

Congratulations on your new job!

Hoy es el cumpleaños de mi hermana. ¡Felicidades!

Today is my sister's birthday. Happy birthday!

Ganaste el premio, ¡muchas felicidades!

You won the prize, many congratulations!

Always Plural

Even when congratulating one person, this word is always used in its plural form, ending in -s.

Using 'Feliz' instead

Mistake: “Using '¡Feliz!' to mean 'Congratulations.'”

Correction: Use '¡Felicidades!' for congratulations. 'Feliz' is an adjective meaning 'happy' and needs a noun, like 'Feliz cumpleaños' (Happy birthday).

felicitaciones

feh-lee-see-tah-SYOH-nes/felisitaˈθjones/

interjectionA1formal
Use 'felicitaciones' to formally acknowledge someone's achievement or success, such as winning an award or getting a promotion.
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.

Examples

¡Felicitaciones por haber obtenido el puesto!

Congratulations on getting the position!

¡Felicitaciones! Sabía que ganarías el premio.

Congratulations! I knew you would win the prize.

Ella recibió las felicitaciones de su jefe por el proyecto.

She received congratulations from her boss for the project.

Quiero dar mis felicitaciones a todos los participantes.

I want to offer my congratulations to all the participants.

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.

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.

Confusing 'Felicidades' and 'Felicitaciones'

Learners often confuse 'felicidades' and 'felicitaciones'. Remember that 'felicidades' is for personal celebrations like birthdays and holidays, while 'felicitaciones' is for acknowledging achievements and successes.

Related Translations

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