Congratulations in Greek
συγχαρητήρια
syncharitiria — congratulations
Hear συγχαρητήρια
Συγχαρητήρια (syncharitiria) is the all-purpose congratulations, a neuter plural noun used on its own as an exclamation. It is long, and the stress sits on the fourth syllable: syn-cha-ri-TI-ria. Exams, promotions, new jobs, a driving test — this is the word.
Weddings and christenings take something else. To the couple you say να ζήσετε (na zisete), "may you live", and to the parents of a newly christened child να σας ζήσει, "may they live for you". Saying συγχαρητήρια at a wedding is not wrong, but it lands the way "well done" would at an English one.
Birthdays get their own phrase again: χρόνια πολλά, "many years", which doubles as the greeting for name days and most holidays. Greeks reach for it far more often than English speakers reach for "happy birthday".
Example sentences
Συγχαρητήρια για τη νέα δουλειά!
Syncharitiria gia ti nea doulia!
Congratulations on the new job!
Να ζήσετε!
Na zisete!
May you live! (to a newly married couple)
Related forms
- να ζήσετε (na zisete) — to a couple at their wedding
- χρόνια πολλά (chronia polla) — many years — birthdays and name days
- μπράβο (mpravo) — well done — smaller achievements
Common questions
- What do Greeks say at a wedding?
- Να ζήσετε (na zisete), "may you live", to the couple. Guests congratulate each other with συγχαρητήρια, but the couple themselves get να ζήσετε.
- What does na zisete mean?
- Literally "may you live". It is a wish for a long life together, and it is the standard thing to say to a newly married couple rather than a translation of congratulations.
Quick check
Pick the Greek word that matches.
How do you say "congratulations" in Greek?
Related words
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