How to say congratulations in German to your brother.
Not a dictionary line: the phrases German speakers use for your brother, what each means, and 5 complete messages by a native speaker — each one a tap away from a card in German.
“Herzlichen Glückwunsch!” (“Heartfelt congratulations!”) is the line, and for your brother “Gratuliere!” (“Congrats!”) adds warmth. Below: 5 full congratulations messages for your brother, written by a German speaker.
Bruderherz, herzlichen Glückwunsch! Ich geb's ja ungern zu, aber: richtig stark gemacht.
Congratulations messages in German for your brother
Glückwünsche für den Bruder: kurz, ehrlich, mit einem Grinsen. Er weiß, wie ernst Du es meinst — gerade wenn Du frotzelst.
Bruderherz, herzlichen Glückwunsch! Ich geb's ja ungern zu, aber: richtig stark gemacht.
Glückwunsch, Bro! Das hast Du Dir hart erarbeitet — jetzt lass Dich feiern.
Mein Bruder macht's einfach. Herzlichen Glückwunsch — bin mächtig stolz auf Dich.
Herzlichen Glückwunsch, Bruder! Erst zweifeln alle, dann lieferst Du. Klassiker. Weiter so!
Stark, Bruderherz! Auf Deinen Erfolg wird angestoßen — die erste Runde geht auf mich.
The German phrases, and when each one fits
German keeps a real distance between 'du' (family, friends, most colleagues you know) and 'Sie' (clients, senior people, anyone who addresses you as Sie). On a card, match whatever they use with you.
- Herzlichen Glückwunsch! — “Heartfelt congratulations!”. Universal.
- Gratuliere! — “Congrats!”. Short, informal — a text, a group card.
- Gut gemacht! — “Well done!”. For an achievement.
- Das hast du dir verdient! — “You've earned that!”. A promotion, a result, a finish line.
- Herzlichen Glückwunsch zur Geburt! — “Congratulations on the birth!”. A new baby.
- Ich bin so stolz auf dich! — “I'm so proud of you!”. Family.
Questions people ask
Can I write to your brother in English with a German opening?
Yes — open with “Herzlichen Glückwunsch!”, write what you want to say in English, and sign off in German: Alles Liebe, or Liebe Grüße,. For your brother the effort lands harder than the grammar.
Formal or informal for your brother?
German keeps a real distance between 'du' (family, friends, most colleagues you know) and 'Sie' (clients, senior people, anyone who addresses you as Sie). On a card, match whatever they use with you.
How do I sign off?
Alles Liebe, · Liebe Grüße, · Herzliche Grüße, · Dein / Deine … · Mit den besten Wünschen, — warmest first.
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