How to say congratulations in Dutch to your sister.
Not a dictionary line: the phrases Dutch speakers use for your sister, 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 sister “Van harte!” (“Heartfelt (congratulations)!”) adds warmth. Below: 5 full congratulations messages for your sister, written by a Dutch speaker.
Gefeliciteerd, zus! Ik loop al de hele week over je op te scheppen — en ik ben nog niet klaar.
Congratulations messages in Dutch for your sister
Je zus feliciteren mag met een dikke knipoog — zij weet precies hoe trots je stiekem bent. Plagen en menen gaan hier prima samen.
Gefeliciteerd, zus! Ik loop al de hele week over je op te scheppen — en ik ben nog niet klaar.
Zusje toch — wat een prestatie. De familie-appgroep ontplofte, en terecht. Van harte!
Gefeliciteerd, zus! Slim, gedreven én mijn zus: sommige mensen hebben gewoon alles. Trots op je.
Jij zet je zinnen ergens op en dan gebeurt het gewoon. Elke keer weer. Van harte, kanjer!
Gefeliciteerd, lieve zus. Even zonder plagen: ik vind het echt ontzettend knap. Dikke knuffel.
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 sister 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 sister the effort lands harder than the grammar.
Formal or informal for your sister?
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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