Say it in French

How to say congratulations in French to your sister.

Not a dictionary line: the phrases French 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 French.

Quick answer

“Félicitations !” (“Congratulations!”) is the line, and for your sister “Toutes mes félicitations !” (“All my congratulations!”) adds warmth. Below: 5 full congratulations messages for your sister, written by a French speaker.

Félicitations, sœurette ! Je raconte ta réussite à tout le monde comme si c'était la mienne — privilège de la famille.

Congratulations messages in French for your sister

Féliciter ta sœur, c'est mêler la fierté à la complicité de toujours. On se tutoie : célèbre fort, taquine un peu — elle sait très bien que tu le penses.

Félicitations, sœurette ! Je raconte ta réussite à tout le monde comme si c'était la mienne — privilège de la famille.
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Bravo, ma sœur. Brillante, obstinée, et maintenant récompensée : la vie remet enfin les choses dans l'ordre.
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Je t'ai vue travailler pour ça depuis le début. Le résultat est là, et il est mérité. Félicitations, ma grande.
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Toutes mes félicitations ! Grandir à côté de toi, c'était déjà avoir un modèle à la maison. La preuve aujourd'hui.
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Bravo, sœurette — et sans la moindre surprise de ma part. On fête ça très vite, c'est non négociable.
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The French phrases, and when each one fits

French uses 'tu' with family and friends and 'vous' with colleagues you are not close to, clients and anyone older you do not know well. Many workplaces are 'tu' between peers and 'vous' upwards — when in doubt, 'vous' is never rude.

  • Félicitations ! — “Congratulations!”. Universal.
  • Toutes mes félicitations ! — “All my congratulations!”. A notch warmer or more formal.
  • Bravo ! — “Bravo!”. For an achievement — exam, finish line, performance.
  • Tu l'as bien mérité. — “You've earned it.”. A promotion, a result.
  • Félicitations pour la naissance ! — “Congratulations on the birth!”. A new baby.
  • Je suis tellement fier / fière de toi. — “I'm so proud of you.”. Family — 'fier' if you are a man, 'fière' if you are a woman.

Questions people ask

Can I write to your sister in English with a French opening?

Yes — open with “Félicitations !”, write what you want to say in English, and sign off in French: Je t'embrasse, or Bisous,. For your sister the effort lands harder than the grammar.

Formal or informal for your sister?

French uses 'tu' with family and friends and 'vous' with colleagues you are not close to, clients and anyone older you do not know well. Many workplaces are 'tu' between peers and 'vous' upwards — when in doubt, 'vous' is never rude.

How do I sign off?

Je t'embrasse, · Bisous, · Avec toute mon affection, · Amicalement, · Bien à vous, — warmest first.

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