Greek2Me staff · Phrases
How to Say Congratulations in Greek
Συγχαρητήρια
(syncharitiria)
congratulations
The formal way to say congratulations in Greek is συγχαρητήρια (syncharitíria), used for weddings, graduations, and big achievements. In everyday moments Greeks say μπράβο (brávo), and μπράβο σου (brávo sou) to make it personal.
Common variations
| Συγχαρητήρια | Congratulations (formal, big achievements)weddings, graduations, promotions | |
| Μπράβο | Well done / bravoeveryday praise | |
| Μπράβο σου | Well done (to one person)warm, personal | |
| Μπράβο σας | Well done (to a group or formally)polite or plural | |
| Πολλά συγχαρητήρια | Many congratulationswarmer, more emphatic | |
| Να τα χαίρεσαι | May you enjoy themwedding, birth, new home | |
| Καλή επιτυχία | Best of luck / successbefore something, not after |
In context
Συγχαρητήρια για τον γάμο σας!
syncharitiria ya ton gamo sas!
Congratulations on your wedding!
Μπράβο σου, Ραβί, τα κατάφερες!
bravo sou, Ravi, ta kataferes!
Well done, Ravi, you did it!
Πολλά συγχαρητήρια για το πτυχίο.
polla syncharitiria ya to ptychio
Many congratulations on the degree.
Ένα κοριτσάκι! Να το χαίρεστε, Καρίμ.
ena koritsaki! na to cherese, Karim
A baby girl! May you enjoy her, Karim.
«Πέρασα τις εξετάσεις!» «Μπράβο!»
«perasa tis exetasis!» «bravo!»
'I passed the exams!' 'Well done!'
Συγχαρητήρια is the big-occasion word
Συγχαρητήρια (syncharitíria) is the formal 'congratulations' Greeks pull out for the moments that matter: weddings, graduations, promotions, opening a business, having a baby.
It's a mouthful (six syllables) but it lands warmly, and adding *πολλά* (many) makes it warmer still: *πολλά συγχαρητήρια*. A card with just the one word feels almost incomplete, so Greeks tend to add what the congratulations is *for*:
- Συγχαρητήρια για τον γάμο (for the wedding)
- Συγχαρητήρια για το πτυχίο (for the degree)
- Συγχαρητήρια για το μωρό (for the baby)
- Συγχαρητήρια για την προαγωγή (for the promotion)
Stress falls on the fourth syllable: syn-cha-ri-TI-ria. The χ is soft and raspy.
Μπράβο for everyday praise
Μπράβο (brávo) is the everyday 'well done', 'good job', 'nice one'. It's shorter, warmer, and much more common than συγχαρητήρια in daily life.
A few natural uses:
- A child brings home a good school report: *μπράβο!*
- A friend cooks a great meal: *μπράβο, ήταν υπέροχο*
- A colleague nails a presentation: *μπράβο σου*
Adding σου (to one person you know) or σας (formal / group) makes it personal:
- Μπράβο σου, informal, warm
- Μπράβο σας, formal or to a group
A plain μπράβο on its own works too. It's borrowed from Italian and Greeks use it exactly the way English does 'bravo', but it stretches to a lot more everyday contexts than the English version.
Να τα χαίρεσαι and other blessings
For births, weddings, and new homes, Greeks often add a warm blessing rather than just a plain congratulations.
- Να τα χαίρεσαι (na ta chérese), may you enjoy them, for children, a new home, or something you'll live with. Plural of the thing
- Να το χαίρεσαι (na to chérese), may you enjoy it, singular
- Ζωή σε σας (zoí se sas), life to you, said at funerals rather than for celebrations, so don't mix it up
- Βίον ανθόσπαρτον (víon anthósparton), a life scattered with flowers, formal wedding blessing
At a Greek wedding, don't just say συγχαρητήρια. Add *να ζήσετε* (may you live long) or *βίον ανθόσπαρτον* for a fuller, warmer wish.
Καλή επιτυχία is before, not after
Careful with καλή επιτυχία (kalí epitychía). It looks like it means congratulations, but it really means 'good luck / best of luck' and is said *before* something, not after.
You'd say καλή επιτυχία to someone the night before their exam, before a job interview, before a driving test. Once they've succeeded, you switch to μπράβο or συγχαρητήρια.
A rough summary of when to use what:
- Before an event: καλή επιτυχία (good luck)
- After a small success: μπράβο (well done)
- After a big milestone: συγχαρητήρια (congratulations)
Frequently asked questions
How do you pronounce συγχαρητήρια?+
Six syllables: syn-cha-ri-TI-ria, with the stress on the fourth syllable. The χ is the soft raspy sound from Scottish 'loch', and the η sounds like a long 'ee'.
What's the difference between συγχαρητήρια and μπράβο?+
Συγχαρητήρια is the formal congratulations for big milestones (weddings, graduations, births). Μπράβο is the everyday well done for smaller wins. Both can be used together for extra warmth.
What do I say at a Greek wedding?+
The core is συγχαρητήρια για τον γάμο. Warmer options include να ζήσετε (may you live long) or βίον ανθόσπαρτον (a life scattered with flowers). Adding one of these makes the wish feel Greek rather than translated.
Can I say καλή επιτυχία as congratulations?+
No, καλή επιτυχία means 'good luck' and is said before an event, not after. Once someone has succeeded, switch to μπράβο or συγχαρητήρια.
What's να τα χαίρεσαι?+
Literally 'may you enjoy them', said to someone with new children, a new home, or something they'll live with for a long time. It's a warm blessing that pairs naturally with συγχαρητήρια.
Practise this in the app
Sound Greek at every big moment
The A2 Celebrations lesson walks through weddings, graduations, name days and the phrases Greeks really use, with audio and drills.
Try the Celebrations lesson