Phrase in 30 Seconds
The essential Serbian word for celebrating someone's success, used exactly like 'Congratulations' in English for birthdays, weddings, or achievements.
- Means: 'I congratulate' (literally) or 'Congratulations!' (functionally).
- Used in: Birthdays, graduations, job promotions, and weddings.
- Don't confuse: With 'Srećno' (Good luck), which is used before an event.
توضیح در سطح شما:
معنی
Offering congratulations.
زمینه فرهنگی
When you congratulate someone on a new house or a big purchase, it's common to say 'Da se služiš u zdravlju' (May you use it in health). The 'Muštuluk' tradition: If you are the first person to bring good news to someone, you can shout 'Muštuluk!' and they are culturally obligated to give you a small gift or money. For a 'Slava' (family patron saint day), you don't usually say 'Čestitam' unless you are congratulating them on the preparation. The standard greeting is 'Srećna Slava, domaćine!'. In Serbian universities, after a student defends their thesis, the committee formally says 'Čestitamo, kolega' (Congratulations, colleague), marking their entry into the professional world.
Double it up
For extra warmth, say 'Čestitam, svaka čast!' It sounds more native and enthusiastic.
The Dative Trap
Remember it's 'Čestitam TI' (to you), not 'Čestitam TE.'
Double it up
For extra warmth, say 'Čestitam, svaka čast!' It sounds more native and enthusiastic.
The Dative Trap
Remember it's 'Čestitam TI' (to you), not 'Čestitam TE.'
The Three Kisses
If you say 'Čestitam' at a wedding or birthday, be prepared for the three-kiss greeting on the cheeks!
Social Media
On Instagram, Serbs often just comment 'Čestitke! 🥂' which is the plural noun form.
خودت رو بسنج
Fill in the correct preposition.
Čestitam ti ___ novom poslu!
The verb 'čestitati' always takes the preposition 'na' when specifying the reason.
Choose the most appropriate response to: 'Položio sam vozački ispit!' (I passed my driving test!)
Response:
'Čestitam' is used for achievements like passing a test. 'Srećno' is for luck before the test.
Match the phrase to the situation.
Situation: Your boss finishes a big project.
Using 'Vam' and a formal structure is appropriate for a boss.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Dobili smo bebu! B: ________! Da je živa i zdrava!
'Čestitam' is the standard way to respond to the news of a new baby.
🎉 امتیاز: /4
ابزارهای بصری یادگیری
Čestitam vs Srećno
بانک تمرین
5 تمرینهاČestitam ti ___ novom poslu!
The verb 'čestitati' always takes the preposition 'na' when specifying the reason.
Response:
'Čestitam' is used for achievements like passing a test. 'Srećno' is for luck before the test.
Situation: Your boss finishes a big project.
Using 'Vam' and a formal structure is appropriate for a boss.
A: Dobili smo bebu! B: ________! Da je živa i zdrava!
'Čestitam' is the standard way to respond to the news of a new baby.
🎉 امتیاز: /5
سوالات متداول
10 سوالNo, for Christmas use 'Srećan Božić' or 'Mir Božiji, Hristos se rodi.'
It is neutral. You can use it with anyone, but change 'ti' to 'Vam' for formal situations.
'Čestitam' is standard congratulations; 'Svaka čast' is more like 'Kudos' or 'I'm impressed.'
No, it is almost never used. 'Čestitam' alone is perfect.
Say 'Čestitam! Da je živa i zdrava!' (if it's a girl) or 'živ i zdrav' (if it's a boy).
Yes, 'Čestitam na venčanju' is the standard phrase.
It means 'a greeting card' or 'the act of congratulating.'
Always 'Čestitam na' followed by the Locative case.
Only ironically or as a joke. It's for others.
Just say 'Čestitam!' with a smile. It's safe.
عبارات مرتبط
Svaka čast
similarKudos / Every honor
Bravo
synonymWell done
Srećno
contrastGood luck
Saučešće
contrastCondolences
Srećan rođendan
specialized formHappy birthday
Alal vera
similarWell done (Turkism)
کجا استفاده کنیم
Friend passes an exam
Ana: Položila sam ispit!
Vi: Čestitam, Ana! Svaka čast!
Colleague gets promoted
Petar: Dobio sam unapređenje.
Vi: Čestitam Vam, Petre. Zaslužili ste.
At a wedding
Mlada: Hvala što ste došli.
Vi: Čestitam na venčanju! Sve najbolje!
New baby announcement
Otac: Dobili smo ćerku!
Vi: Čestitam! Da je živa i zdrava!
Birthday party
Slavljenik: Dobrodošli na moju žurku!
Vi: Čestitam rođendan! Evo mali poklon.
Winning a sports match
Igrač: Pobedili smo!
Vi: Čestitam na pobedi! Bili ste odlični!
حفظ کنید
روش یادسپاری
Think of hitting your CHEST with pride while saying 'AM' (I am proud). CHEST-HIT-AM.
تداعی تصویری
Imagine a Serbian athlete standing on a podium, hitting their chest in pride while the crowd shouts 'Čestitam!' The 'Č' sounds like the 'ch' in 'cheer.'
Rhyme
Kad je uspeh bitan, ja ti čestitam! (When success is important, I congratulate you!)
Story
You are at a Serbian wedding. The music is loud. You see the groom. You don't know much Serbian, but you remember the word for 'honor.' You walk up, shake his hand firmly, and say 'Čestitam!' He smiles, hugs you, and hands you a glass of Rakija.
In Other Languages
Similar to the Russian 'Поздравляю' (Pozdravlyayu) or Polish 'Gratuluję.' It shares the Slavic logic of verbalizing the act of congratulating.
شبکه واژگان
چالش
Go to a Serbian news site or Instagram page of a famous Serbian (like Novak Djokovic). Find a post about a win and write 'Čestitam!' in the comments.
Review this word every time you see someone achieve something in a movie or real life. Say it out loud.
تلفظ
Like 'ch' in 'check.'
Like 'sti' in 'stick.'
Like 'Tom' but with a shorter 'a.'
طیف رسمیت
Primite moje iskrene čestitke na postignutom uspehu. (General achievement)
Čestitam na uspehu! (General achievement)
Svaka čast na uspehu! (General achievement)
Kidalica, matori! Bravo! (General achievement)
Derived from the Proto-Slavic *čestь (part, share, honor). It shares roots with the word 'čast' (honor).
نکته جالب
The word 'čestit' in Serbian means 'honorable' or 'honest,' showing how congratulations are linked to a person's character and honor.
نکات فرهنگی
When you congratulate someone on a new house or a big purchase, it's common to say 'Da se služiš u zdravlju' (May you use it in health).
“Čestitam na novom autu! Da se služiš u zdravlju!”
The 'Muštuluk' tradition: If you are the first person to bring good news to someone, you can shout 'Muštuluk!' and they are culturally obligated to give you a small gift or money.
“Muštuluk! Čestitam, dobio si blizance!”
For a 'Slava' (family patron saint day), you don't usually say 'Čestitam' unless you are congratulating them on the preparation. The standard greeting is 'Srećna Slava, domaćine!'.
“Srećna Slava! Čestitam na prelepoj trpezi.”
In Serbian universities, after a student defends their thesis, the committee formally says 'Čestitamo, kolega' (Congratulations, colleague), marking their entry into the professional world.
“Čestitamo, kolega, sada ste master inženjer.”
شروعکنندههای مکالمه
Čuo sam da si dobio novi posao. Čestitam! Kako ti se sviđa?
Čestitam na diplomi! Da li planiraš veliku žurku?
Čestitam na pobedi tvog tima! Kako si proslavio?
Čestitam na novom stanu! Kada je useljenje?
اشتباهات رایج
Čestitam za ispit!
Čestitam na ispitu!
L1 Interference
Čestitam te!
Čestitam ti!
L1 Interference
Čestitam! (before an exam)
Srećno!
L1 Interference
Čestitam Božić!
Srećan Božić!
L1 Interference
In Other Languages
¡Felicidades!
Spanish uses a plural noun, Serbian uses a first-person verb.
Félicitations !
French is almost always plural, Serbian is a verb form.
Herzlichen Glückwunsch!
German uses a compound noun; Serbian uses a verb.
おめでとう (Omedetou)
Japanese levels of politeness are much more rigid than Serbian.
مبروك (Mabrouk)
Arabic is rooted in 'blessing,' Serbian in 'honor/sharing.'
恭喜 (Gōngxǐ)
Chinese often involves a specific hand gesture (baoquan) not found in Serbia.
축하해요 (Chukha-haeyo)
Korean has more levels of honorifics than the Serbian ti/Vam distinction.
Parabéns!
Portuguese 'Parabéns' is a plural noun; Serbian 'Čestitam' is a verb.
Spotted in the Real World
“Čestitam na velikoj borbi!”
Novak congratulating an opponent after a tough match.
“Čestitam, momci, postali ste heroji.”
A formal address to soldiers.
“Čestitam ti na svemu što si postala.”
A common theme in pop songs about an ex moving on.
بهراحتی اشتباه گرفته میشود
Learners use it after a success because 'sreća' means happiness/luck.
Srećno = Future (Good luck). Čestitam = Past/Present (Congrats).
Learners think this is the verb.
Čestitka is the noun (the card or the act). Čestitam is the verb (I congratulate).
سوالات متداول (10)
No, for Christmas use 'Srećan Božić' or 'Mir Božiji, Hristos se rodi.'
usage contextsIt is neutral. You can use it with anyone, but change 'ti' to 'Vam' for formal situations.
basic understanding'Čestitam' is standard congratulations; 'Svaka čast' is more like 'Kudos' or 'I'm impressed.'
comparisonsNo, it is almost never used. 'Čestitam' alone is perfect.
grammar mechanicsSay 'Čestitam! Da je živa i zdrava!' (if it's a girl) or 'živ i zdrav' (if it's a boy).
practical tipsYes, 'Čestitam na venčanju' is the standard phrase.
usage contextsIt means 'a greeting card' or 'the act of congratulating.'
basic understandingAlways 'Čestitam na' followed by the Locative case.
grammar mechanicsOnly ironically or as a joke. It's for others.
cultural usageJust say 'Čestitam!' with a smile. It's safe.
practical tips
