Congratulating someone in French won't be difficult anymore as long as you master the right vocabulary. However, speaking fluently is not limited to vocabulary mastery. Luckily, there's not too much to memorize when saying "Congratulations" in French. Most of these language translations are almost literal or word for word.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Congratulations
Step 1. Know that the word "congratulations" in French is "félicitations
" You can use "félicitations" just like in Indonesian. For example, when you hear good news.
- "I won the game!" He says. "Safe!" Answer me.
- "J'ai gagné le match!" Il a dit. "Félicitations!" J'ai repondu.
Step 2. Learn how to pronounce "félicitations" correctly
Félicitations is pronounced as follows: fe-liis-ii-ta-sii-on. In French, the last letter of a word is rarely spoken, so you won't hear the "s" sound when you say it. Also, the "i" in French has a long sound, like when you say the word "see" in English. The suffix "on" is sounded buzzing or nasally.
- Alternative pronunciation guide: Feliisi-Tasiiyon
- Listening to native speakers can help you learn pronunciation.
Step 3. Congratulate someone on a particular success or event by adding "pour
" To congratulate someone's wedding plans, use "félicitations pour."' This is the equivalent of "Congratulations on _." For example:
- "Congratulation for your wedding!" → " Félicitations pour votre mariage!"
- "Congratulations on your promotion!" → "Félicitations pour tons of advances!"
Step 4. Congratulate someone on doing something successfully by adding "pour + avoir/être
"' If you want to congratulate someone for doing something, like winning a game, you'll need to add the verb avoir or tre. The addition depends on whether the verb is transitive (avoir) or intransitive (être). A complete list of intransitive verbs can be found here, as this list does not use avoir. The past tense of verbs is also discussed in the next section.
- "Congratulations (you) have won the game!" → "Félicitations pour avoir gagné le match"
- "Congratulations (you) have arrived safely!" → "Félicitations pour tre arrivé science et sauf."
- When in doubt, remember when you used passé compose to conjugate a verb. If the verb uses "être" in passé compose, you will use it here too.
- Intransitive verbs are verbs that are generally related to motion.
Method 2 of 2: Variations of "Congratulations"
Step 1. Learn other phrases to match your congratulation to a specific compliment
The expression "félicitations" can be used broadly or generally, you may sometimes want to say something more specific.
- "Good job" → "Travail voucher!"
- "Good luck" → "Bonne réuissite."
- Give my compliments to _" → "Addressez tous mes compliments _"
Step 2. Use the verb form "to congratulate/congratulate" as in Indonesian
This expression is equivalent to "He congratulates you/congratulates you." Fortunately, translating it is not so difficult. "Félicitations" means congratulations, and "féliciter" means "to congratulate/congratulate." Remember that in French, the person congratulating must come before the verb. So that:
- "I want to congratulate you." → "Je veux vous féliciter."
- "The president congratulates him." → "Le Président le félicite."
- Add "pour" to make the congratulations specific: "They congratulate you on your win" &rarr: "Ils vous félicitent pour le victoire."
Step 3. Use popular slang or idiomatic expressions instead of formal congratulations
You can use a popular term to express pride in someone. You don't always have to use "félicitations."
- "Bravo!" express admiration for a job well done.
- "Chapeau," which translates to "hat" in English, is used as the equivalent of "hats off to you." However, this expression sounds a bit old-fashioned.
Tips
- Listen to native French speakers to check your pronunciation.
- The best way to learn idiomatic expressions, such as youth language/popular speech, is to visit a French-speaking country.
