How to say congratulations in Dutch to your daughter.
Not a dictionary line: the phrases Dutch speakers use for your daughter, what each means, and 5 complete messages by a native speaker — each one a tap away from a card in Dutch.
“Gefeliciteerd!” (“Congratulations!”) is the line, and for your daughter “Van harte!” (“Heartfelt (congratulations)!”) adds warmth. Below: 5 full congratulations messages for your daughter, written by a Dutch speaker.
Lieve meid, gefeliciteerd! Jij ging ervoor toen het spannend werd — en dit is je beloning. Zo trots.
Congratulations messages in Dutch for your daughter
Een felicitatie voor je dochter mag trots en tederheid combineren. 'Lieve [naam],' of 'Lieve meid,' — en zeg vooral dat ze het zélf heeft gedaan.
Lieve meid, gefeliciteerd! Jij ging ervoor toen het spannend werd — en dit is je beloning. Zo trots.
Gefeliciteerd, lieverd! Wij wisten allang wat jij kon; nu weet de rest van de wereld het ook.
Van harte, dochter van ons. Dit heb je op eigen kracht bereikt, en dat maakt het dubbel mooi.
Wat een nieuws! Onze meid flikt het gewoon. Geniet van elk moment — dik verdiend.
Lieve schat, gefeliciteerd met deze prachtige stap. Waar je ook heen gaat, wij juichen mee.
The Dutch phrases, and when each one fits
Dutch has an informal 'je/jij' and a formal 'u'. Family, friends and almost every colleague get 'je'; keep 'u' for a client you have never met or someone much older who uses it with you first.
- Gefeliciteerd! — “Congratulations!”. Universal — new job, exam, baby, anything.
- Van harte! — “Heartfelt (congratulations)!”. Even shorter; Dutch speakers drop the rest.
- Wat goed van je! — “Well done, that's great of you!”. For an achievement — exam, promotion, a finished project.
- Dik verdiend! — “Well deserved!”. When they earned it. Colleagues love this one.
- Gefeliciteerd met jullie kleintje! — “Congratulations on your little one!”. A new baby — the Dutch say 'kleintje' (little one) for a newborn.
- Trots op je! — “Proud of you!”. Family — a child, a sibling, a partner.
Questions people ask
Can I write to your daughter in English with a Dutch opening?
Yes — open with “Gefeliciteerd!”, write what you want to say in English, and sign off in Dutch: Liefs, or Veel liefs,. For your daughter the effort lands harder than the grammar.
Formal or informal for your daughter?
Dutch has an informal 'je/jij' and a formal 'u'. Family, friends and almost every colleague get 'je'; keep 'u' for a client you have never met or someone much older who uses it with you first.
How do I sign off?
Liefs, · Veel liefs, · Dikke knuffel, · Groetjes, · Hartelijke groet, — warmest first.
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