learnlingo
Get started
Phrasebook

English Phrases for Congratulations and Condolences

Good news and bad news both need the right words. These phrases help you congratulate someone on a new job, a wedding or a baby, wish someone a quick recovery and offer sympathy in a sincere, respectful way.

32 phrases · By LearnLingo Team · Updated

Tap to hear a phrase. Levels follow the CEFR scale. American English is the default; British variants are noted.

Congratulating someone

EnglishTurkishYou might hear

Congratulations!

A1

Always plural with an "s". Informal: "Congrats!"

Tebrikler!
  • Thank you so much!
  • Thanks, I'm really excited.

That's great news! I'm so happy for you.

A2
Harika bir haber! Senin adına çok mutluyum.
  • Thanks! I still can't believe it.

Congratulations on your new job!

A2

Use "congratulations on" plus the event.

Yeni işin hayırlı olsun!
  • Thanks! I start next month.

Well done! You really deserve it.

A2

"Well done" is for achievements, like passing an exam. It is more common in British English.

Aferin! Bunu gerçekten hak ettin.
  • Thanks, I worked really hard for it.

I knew you could do it!

A2
Yapabileceğini biliyordum!
  • Thanks for believing in me.

Good for you!

B1

Said warmly, it shows you are pleased for someone.

Helal olsun!
  • Thanks!

You must be so proud.

B1

Good for parents talking about their children.

Gurur duyuyor olmalısın.
  • We are, very proud.

Birthdays, weddings and babies

EnglishTurkishYou might hear

Happy birthday! Have a great day.

A1
Doğum günün kutlu olsun! Harika bir gün geçir.
  • Thank you!

Many happy returns!

B1

A traditional British birthday wish. Less common in the US.

Nice mutlu yıllara!
  • Thanks, that's very sweet.

Congratulations on your engagement!

A2
Nişanınız hayırlı olsun!
  • Thank you! We're so excited.

Wishing you both a lifetime of happiness.

B1

A classic line for a wedding card.

İkinize ömür boyu mutluluklar dilerim.
  • Thank you, that means a lot.

Congratulations on the new baby!

A2
Bebeğiniz hayırlı olsun!
  • Thank you! We're exhausted but happy.

What's the baby's name?

A1
Bebeğin adı ne?
  • We named her Lily.

Happy anniversary!

A2
Yıl dönümünüz kutlu olsun!
  • Thanks! Ten years already.

Congratulations on your graduation!

A2
Mezuniyetin kutlu olsun!
  • Thanks! Now I need to find a job.

Good luck and get well wishes

EnglishTurkishYou might hear

Good luck with your exam!

A1
Sınavında bol şans!
  • Thanks, I'll need it!

Fingers crossed!

B1

Means you hope something goes well.

Umarım iyi geçer!
  • Thanks, I'll let you know how it goes.

I hope you feel better soon.

A2
Umarım yakında iyileşirsin.
  • Thanks, I'm already feeling a bit better.

Get well soon!

A2

Common on cards and in messages.

Geçmiş olsun, çabuk iyileş!
  • Thank you!

Take care of yourself.

A2
Kendine iyi bak.
  • I will, thanks.

I heard about the accident. How are you doing?

B1
Kazayı duydum. Nasılsın?
  • I'm okay, just a bit shaken.

Offering condolences

EnglishTurkishYou might hear

I'm so sorry for your loss.

B1

The most common phrase when someone has died. Keep it short and sincere.

Başınız sağ olsun.
  • Thank you.
  • Thank you, that means a lot.

I was so sorry to hear about your father.

B1
Babanızı duyduğuma çok üzüldüm.
  • Thank you. It was very sudden.

My thoughts are with you and your family.

B1
Kalbim sizinle ve ailenizle.
  • Thank you for your kind words.

Please accept my deepest condolences.

B2

Formal. Best for cards, emails and colleagues.

Lütfen en derin taziyelerimi kabul edin.
  • Thank you very much.

He was a wonderful person.

A2
Çok iyi bir insandı.
  • He really was. Thank you.

Let me know if there's anything I can do.

B1
Yapabileceğim bir şey olursa haber ver.
  • Thanks, I will.
  • That's kind of you.

I'm here if you need to talk.

A2
Konuşmak istersen buradayım.
  • Thanks. I appreciate that.

Responding to wishes

EnglishTurkishYou might hear

Thank you, that's very kind of you.

A2
Teşekkür ederim, çok naziksiniz.
  • Not at all.

Thanks, I appreciate it.

A2
Teşekkürler, minnettarım.
  • Of course.

Thank you for your kind words.

B1

A good reply to condolence messages.

Nazik sözleriniz için teşekkür ederim.
  • Take care.

Thanks, it means a lot.

B1
Teşekkürler, benim için çok anlamlı.
  • You're welcome.

Sample dialogues

A friend gets a new job

Emma
Guess what? I got the job!
Bil bakalım ne oldu? İşi aldım!
Burak
No way! Congratulations! I'm so happy for you.
Yok artık! Tebrikler! Senin adına çok mutluyum.
Emma
Thanks! I still can't believe it.
Teşekkürler! Hâlâ inanamıyorum.
Burak
Well, I knew you could do it. You really deserve it.
Ben yapabileceğini biliyordum. Bunu gerçekten hak ettin.
Emma
That means a lot. I start next month.
Bu benim için çok anlamlı. Gelecek ay başlıyorum.
Burak
We should celebrate! Dinner on Friday?
Kutlamalıyız! Cuma akşamı yemeğe çıkalım mı?
Emma
Sounds perfect.
Harika olur.

Talking to a colleague after a loss

Ece
Hi Daniel. I was so sorry to hear about your grandmother.
Merhaba Daniel. Büyükanneni duyduğuma çok üzüldüm.
Daniel
Thank you. It was very sudden.
Teşekkür ederim. Çok ani oldu.
Ece
I'm so sorry for your loss. How are you holding up?
Başın sağ olsun. Nasıl dayanıyorsun?
Daniel
It's hard, but my family is helping a lot.
Zor ama ailem çok yardımcı oluyor.
Ece
If you need anything, even just help with work, let me know.
Bir şeye ihtiyacın olursa, iş konusunda yardım bile olsa, haber ver.
Daniel
Thanks, Ece. I really appreciate that.
Teşekkürler Ece. Buna gerçekten minnettarım.
Ece
Take care of yourself.
Kendine iyi bak.

Common mistakes Turkish speakers make

Congratulation!

Congratulations!

As a wish, the word is always plural. "Congratulation" without an "s" sounds wrong.

Congratulations for your new job!

Congratulations on your new job!

The usual preposition after "congratulations" is "on".

Your head is healthy.

I'm so sorry for your loss.

"Başınız sağ olsun" cannot be translated word for word. English uses "I'm sorry for your loss" or "My condolences".

Past be.

I hope you feel better soon.

"Geçmiş olsun" has no direct English version. Use "Get well soon" for illness or "I'm glad you're okay" after an accident.

Happy birthday! May you live a thousand years!

Happy birthday! Have a wonderful day.

Literal Turkish wishes like "nice yıllara" sound strange in English. Short, simple wishes are the norm.

Quick quiz

Eight questions to check what you remember. Pick an answer to see if it is right.

  1. 1. Your friend passed her driving test. You say:

  2. 2. Complete: "Congratulations ___ your wedding!"

  3. 3. Someone's mother has died. The best phrase is:

  4. 4. A colleague is sick. You write:

  5. 5. "Fingers crossed" means:

  6. 6. Which condolence phrase is formal?

  7. 7. Someone says "I'm so sorry for your loss." A good reply is:

  8. 8. "Many happy returns!" is a traditional wish for:

0 of 8 answered

Show all answers
  1. Congratulations!
  2. on
  3. I'm so sorry for your loss.
  4. Get well soon!
  5. I hope it goes well.
  6. Please accept my deepest condolences.
  7. Thank you, that means a lot.
  8. a birthday

See what the B1 English course covers, or test your level first.

People also ask

How do I say "geçmiş olsun" in English?+

There is no single phrase. For illness, say "Get well soon" or "I hope you feel better soon". After an accident or a bad experience, say "I'm glad you're okay" or "That sounds awful, I'm sorry."

How do I say "başınız sağ olsun" in English?+

Say "I'm so sorry for your loss" in person. In a card or formal email, "Please accept my deepest condolences" is common.

Is "Congrats" okay?+

Yes, with friends and in text messages. In cards, emails to colleagues or formal situations, write the full word "Congratulations".

What should I write in a sympathy card?+

Keep it short and sincere: say you are sorry, share a kind memory if you have one, and offer support, for example "Thinking of you. Let me know if there's anything I can do."

Related reading

Vocabulary · A2

Feelings and Emotions Vocabulary

Learn English words for feelings and emotions, from happy and sad to frustrated and relieved, plus -ed vs -ing adjectives and useful phrases.

6 min readVocabulary · A1

50 Common English Phrases for Beginners

Learn 50 useful English phrases for greetings, questions, polite requests and everyday conversation, with clear examples for beginners.

6 min readVocabulary · A2

How to Make Small Talk in English

Learn how to make small talk in English: safe topics, opening lines, follow-up questions, how to keep a conversation going and how to end it politely.

6 min readVocabulary · B1

Business Email Phrases

Learn professional English phrases for business emails: greetings, opening lines, requests, attachments, follow-ups, apologies and sign-offs.

6 min read

More phrasebook topics

All phrasebook topics