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A1 verb #2,500 सबसे आम 7 मिनट पढ़ने का समय

gratulieren

At the A1 level, you learn 'gratulieren' primarily in the context of birthdays. You should know that it means 'to congratulate' and that it is used with 'dir' (to you) or 'Ihnen' (to you, formal). The most important phrase to memorize is 'Ich gratuliere dir zum Geburtstag'. You don't need to worry about complex grammar yet, just focus on this specific use case and the fact that it uses 'zum' (to the) before the word 'Geburtstag'. You will mostly see it in simple greeting cards or hear it at small parties. Remember: don't say it before the birthday!
At A2, you expand the use of 'gratulieren' to other life events like weddings (Hochzeit) or passing a test (Prüfung). You should start to notice the Dative case more clearly. You learn that it's not just 'dir', but also 'ihm' (him), 'ihr' (her), and 'uns' (us). You also learn the past tense: 'Ich habe gratuliert'. You should be able to write a short note or SMS to a friend congratulating them on a new job or a new apartment. The preposition 'zu' becomes a fixed part of your vocabulary when using this verb.
By B1, you should use 'gratulieren' fluently in various social situations. You understand that the verb is 'intransitive' and always takes a Dative object. You can use it in more complex sentences, such as 'Ich wollte dir schon früher gratulieren, aber ich hatte keine Zeit'. You also learn the noun 'die Gratulation' and the common phrase 'Herzlichen Glückwunsch'. You can distinguish between formal and informal situations, choosing between 'dir' and 'Ihnen' correctly. You also start to use adverbs like 'herzlich', 'ganz lieb', or 'nachträglich' to modify the verb.
At the B2 level, you use 'gratulieren' in professional contexts. You might congratulate a business partner on a successful merger or a colleague on a promotion. You are aware of the synonym 'beglückwünschen' and know that it takes the Accusative case, unlike 'gratulieren'. You can use the verb in the passive voice or in 'zu + Infinitiv' constructions, such as 'Es ist üblich, dem Gewinner persönlich zu gratulieren'. Your understanding of the cultural nuances, such as the 'bad luck' of early congratulations, is solid.
At C1, you use 'gratulieren' with stylistic precision. You might use it ironically or in highly formal speeches. You understand its etymological roots and how it fits into the broader category of 'Dative verbs'. You can handle complex sentence structures where the Dative object is separated from the verb by several clauses. You also recognize the verb in literary contexts or high-level journalism, where it might be used to describe diplomatic relations between countries (e.g., 'Der Bundeskanzler gratulierte dem neuen Präsidenten').
At the C2 level, you have complete mastery over 'gratulieren'. You can use it in all its nuances, including subtle sarcasm or deep formal reverence. You are familiar with rare idiomatic uses and can discuss the linguistic evolution of the verb. You use it effortlessly in academic writing or during high-stakes negotiations. You also understand the subtle differences between 'gratulieren' and its more obscure synonyms in legal or ceremonial German. Your usage is indistinguishable from that of a highly educated native speaker.
इसका अभ्यास करें उदाहरण नोट्स और सुझाव

gratulieren 30 सेकंड में

  • German verb for 'to congratulate'.
  • Requires the Dative case for the person.
  • Uses 'zu' + Dative for the occasion.
  • Regular verb, no 'ge-' in past participle.

The German verb gratulieren is the primary way to express congratulations or well-wishes in the German language. Unlike English, where 'to congratulate' can sometimes feel formal, gratulieren is used across all registers, from a casual birthday party to a formal award ceremony. At its core, it signifies the act of acknowledging someone else's joy, success, or milestone. It is an intransitive verb, which in German grammar means it does not take a direct accusative object; instead, it requires the Dative case for the person being congratulated.

Grammatical Function
Intransitive verb requiring a Dative object (jemandem gratulieren).
Core Meaning
To offer congratulations or best wishes on a specific occasion.
Prepositional Link
Usually paired with 'zu' + Dative to specify the occasion.

In a social context, gratulieren is more than just a word; it is a social ritual. Germans place high value on the timing of these congratulations. For instance, it is considered bad luck in many German-speaking regions to congratulate someone on their birthday before the actual day. This cultural nuance makes the use of the verb particularly sensitive to timing.

"Ich möchte dir ganz herzlich zu deiner bestandenen Prüfung gratulieren!"

— Common celebratory phrase

The verb covers a wide spectrum of events: birthdays (Geburtstag), weddings (Hochzeit), anniversaries (Jubiläum), passing exams (Prüfung), or professional promotions (Beförderung). It can also be used ironically in some contexts, though this is less common for beginners. For example, if someone makes a clumsy mistake, a sarcastic 'Na, dazu gratuliere ich dir!' might be heard, though this requires careful intonation.

Wir gratulieren dem Brautpaar von ganzem Herzen.

Furthermore, the verb is often accompanied by adverbs to intensify the sentiment. Words like 'herzlich' (heartily), 'ganz' (quite/very), or 'nachträglich' (belatedly) are frequently paired with gratulieren to add emotional depth or context to the message. Understanding the nuances of these pairings helps a learner sound more natural and culturally integrated.

Herzlich gratulieren
To congratulate warmly or sincerely.
Nachträglich gratulieren
To congratulate after the event has passed (belatedly).

Using gratulieren correctly requires a solid grasp of German case endings. Because it is a Dative verb, the person receiving the congratulations must be in the Dative case. This is one of the most common pitfalls for English speakers who are used to 'congratulating someone' (Direct Object/Accusative).

The Person (Dative)
Ich gratuliere dir (not dich), ihm (not ihn), ihr (not sie).
The Occasion (zu + Dative)
Ich gratuliere dir zum (zu + dem) Geburtstag.

When constructing a sentence, the standard word order follows the S-V-O (Subject-Verb-Object) pattern, but remember that the 'Object' here is Dative. If you want to specify what you are congratulating them for, you use the preposition zu. Since zu always takes the Dative, the noun following it must also be declined accordingly.

"Sie gratulieren ihrem Chef zum Firmenjubiläum."

In terms of conjugation, gratulieren is a regular (weak) verb. It follows the standard pattern for verbs ending in '-ieren'. Note that verbs ending in '-ieren' do not take the 'ge-' prefix in the Partizip II (Past Participle). Therefore, the past tense form is 'hat gratuliert', not 'gegratuliert'.

In formal writing, such as a business letter or a formal card, you might use the noun form Gratulation or the phrase Herzlichen Glückwunsch, but the verb gratulieren remains the engine of the sentence if you want to express the action. For example: 'Wir gratulieren Ihnen zu Ihrer Beförderung.'

"Ich habe ihm gestern am Telefon gratuliert."

Präsens
Ich gratuliere, du gratulierst, er/sie/es gratuliert...
Perfekt
Ich habe gratuliert.
Präteritum
Ich gratulierte.

You will encounter gratulieren in almost every social sphere of German life. It is the 'social glue' of celebrations. The most frequent place is undoubtedly at birthday parties. When the clock strikes midnight or when you first see the birthday person, the verb is used immediately.

"Alle Gäste gratulieren dem Geburtstagskind."

In the workplace, gratulieren is used to maintain professional relationships. When a colleague finishes a project, gets a promotion, or even announces a pregnancy, it is standard etiquette to offer congratulations. In these settings, the tone might be slightly more formal, often using the 'Sie' form: 'Ich gratuliere Ihnen herzlich.'

Media and sports are other major arenas for this verb. Sports commentators will say, 'Wir gratulieren der Mannschaft zum Sieg' (We congratulate the team on the victory). In news broadcasts, you might hear about one head of state congratulating another on an election win.

Family Gatherings
Weddings, baptisms, and silver anniversaries.
Academic Settings
Graduations and passing the 'Abitur' or university exams.
Public Life
Award ceremonies (like the Nobel Prize or local community awards).

"Der Rektor gratuliert den Absolventen zur Graduierung."

Finally, social media has popularized the use of the verb in digital spaces. You will see comments like 'Ich gratuliere!' or 'Herzlich gratuliert!' on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram posts. Even in short-form communication, the dative rule persists, though often the person is implied (e.g., '[Ich] Gratuliere [dir] zum neuen Job!').

The most frequent error learners make with gratulieren is using the Accusative case for the person. Because 'congratulate' in English takes a direct object, learners often say 'Ich gratuliere *dich*' instead of the correct 'Ich gratuliere dir'.

Wrong
Ich gratuliere dich zum Geburtstag.
Correct
Ich gratuliere dir zum Geburtstag.

Another common mistake involves the preposition. English speakers might want to say 'congratulate *for*' (für), but in German, the fixed preposition is zu. Using 'für' is a classic 'Denglisch' error that sounds unnatural to native speakers.

"Falsch: Ich gratuliere dir für den Erfolg.
Richtig: Ich gratuliere dir zum Erfolg."

Timing is a cultural mistake rather than a linguistic one. As mentioned, congratulating someone before their birthday is often seen as a 'jinx' or bad luck in Germany. If you do this, you might be met with a worried look or a quick 'Noch nicht!' (Not yet!).

Lastly, the conjugation of the past participle often trips up students. Many try to add the 'ge-' prefix because they've learned it's the standard for the Perfekt tense. Remember: -ieren verbs never take 'ge-'. It is 'hat gratuliert', not 'hat gegratuliert'.

Mistake
Adding 'ge-' to the past participle.
Mistake
Using 'für' instead of 'zu'.
Mistake
Using Accusative pronouns (mich, dich, uns, euch).

While gratulieren is the most versatile verb for congratulations, several other words and phrases share its semantic space. Understanding the differences helps in choosing the right word for the right context.

beglückwünschen
A more formal synonym. It literally means 'to wish luck/happiness upon'. It is often used in official or high-register contexts.
loben
To praise. While you might praise someone for a job well done, 'loben' focuses on the quality of the work, whereas 'gratulieren' focuses on the occasion of success.
feiern
To celebrate. You celebrate the event, but you congratulate the person.

The most common alternative is not a verb at all, but the interjection Herzlichen Glückwunsch!. This is the equivalent of 'Congratulations!' or 'Happy Birthday!'. While gratulieren is the action, Herzlichen Glückwunsch is the thing you actually say.

"Statt 'Ich gratuliere dir', sagt man oft einfach: 'Herzlichen Glückwunsch!'"

In a more specific sense, you might use anerkennen (to recognize/acknowledge) if you are talking about professional achievements in a formal review. However, for social milestones, gratulieren remains the king of verbs.

Komplimente machen
To give compliments. This is about appearance or specific skills, not necessarily a milestone.
zuprosten
To toast someone. Often happens simultaneously with gratulieren at a party.

How Formal Is It?

औपचारिक

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तटस्थ

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अनौपचारिक

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बोलचाल

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कठिनाई स्तर

ज़रूरी व्याकरण

स्तर के अनुसार उदाहरण

1

Ich gratuliere dir zum Geburtstag.

I congratulate you on your birthday.

Uses Dative 'dir'.

2

Wir gratulieren Ihnen.

We congratulate you (formal).

Uses formal Dative 'Ihnen'.

3

Gratuliere!

Congrats!

Short form, person is implied.

4

Ich gratuliere zum Baby.

I congratulate [you] on the baby.

Preposition 'zu' + 'dem' = 'zum'.

5

Mama gratuliert mir.

Mom congratulates me.

Dative 'mir'.

6

Er gratuliert seinem Freund.

He congratulates his friend.

Dative 'seinem Freund'.

7

Gratulierst du mir?

Are you congratulating me?

Question form.

8

Ich gratuliere euch.

I congratulate you (plural).

Dative plural 'euch'.

1

Ich habe ihm gestern gratuliert.

I congratulated him yesterday.

Perfekt tense: 'habe gratuliert'.

2

Wir gratulieren zur neuen Wohnung.

We congratulate [you] on the new apartment.

zu + der = zur.

3

Sie gratuliert ihrer Schwester zur Hochzeit.

She congratulates her sister on the wedding.

Dative 'ihrer Schwester'.

4

Hast du ihr schon gratuliert?

Have you already congratulated her?

Perfekt question.

5

Ich möchte dir herzlich gratulieren.

I would like to congratulate you heartily.

Modal verb 'möchte' + infinitive.

6

Alle gratulieren dem Lehrer.

Everyone congratulates the teacher.

Dative 'dem Lehrer'.

7

Wir gratulieren zum Führerschein.

We congratulate [you] on the driver's license.

Common A2 milestone.

8

Gratulieren Sie ihm bitte von mir.

Please congratulate him from me.

Imperative form.

1

Ich gratuliere dir nachträglich zum Geburtstag.

I congratulate you belatedly on your birthday.

Adverb 'nachträglich'.

2

Darf ich Ihnen zu Ihrem Erfolg gratulieren?

May I congratulate you on your success?

Polite 'Darf ich...'.

3

Er hat mir per E-Mail gratuliert.

He congratulated me via email.

Prepositional phrase 'per E-Mail'.

4

Wir sollten ihr unbedingt gratulieren.

We should definitely congratulate her.

Modal verb 'sollten'.

5

Ich gratuliere dir dazu, dass du aufgehört hast zu rauchen.

I congratulate you on having quit smoking.

dazu + dass-clause.

6

Sie gratulierten sich gegenseitig zum Sieg.

They congratulated each other on the victory.

Reciprocal 'sich gegenseitig'.

7

Niemand hat mir zu meiner Beförderung gratuliert.

No one congratulated me on my promotion.

Negative 'Niemand'.

8

Ich gratuliere Ihnen ganz herzlich zu diesem Schritt.

I congratulate you very heartily on this step.

Formal register.

1

Ich gratuliere Ihnen zur bestandenen Masterprüfung.

I congratulate you on passing the Master's exam.

Specific academic context.

2

Man muss ihm zu seinem Mut gratulieren.

One must congratulate him on his courage.

Impersonal 'man'.

3

Ich gratuliere dir zu deiner Entscheidung, ins Ausland zu gehen.

I congratulate you on your decision to go abroad.

Noun + infinitive construction.

4

Der Chef gratulierte der gesamten Abteilung zum Projektabschluss.

The boss congratulated the entire department on the project completion.

Dative 'der gesamten Abteilung'.

5

Es gibt keinen Grund, ihm zu gratulieren.

There is no reason to congratulate him.

zu + infinitive.

6

Ich gratuliere Ihnen, Sie haben das Unmögliche geschafft.

I congratulate you, you have achieved the impossible.

Emphatic usage.

7

Wir gratulieren unserem Partnerunternehmen zum 50-jährigen Bestehen.

We congratulate our partner company on its 50th anniversary.

Business German.

8

Sie gratulierte ihm mit einem Blumenstrauß.

She congratulated him with a bouquet of flowers.

Instrumental 'mit'.

1

Ich darf Ihnen im Namen der gesamten Belegschaft gratulieren.

I may congratulate you on behalf of the entire workforce.

Formal 'im Namen der'.

2

Zu diesem beispiellosen Erfolg kann man Ihnen nur gratulieren.

One can only congratulate you on this unprecedented success.

Adjective 'beispiellos'.

3

Ich gratuliere dir zu deinem Scharfsinn.

I congratulate you on your acumen/sharp-wittedness.

Abstract noun 'Scharfsinn'.

4

Man gratulierte ihm zwar, aber die Freude wirkte gezwungen.

He was congratulated, to be sure, but the joy seemed forced.

Concessive 'zwar... aber'.

5

Ich gratuliere Ihnen dazu, dass Sie sich nicht haben beirren lassen.

I congratulate you on not having let yourself be misled.

Complex 'dass' clause with modal.

6

Es ist mir ein tiefes Bedürfnis, Ihnen heute zu gratulieren.

It is a deep need of mine to congratulate you today.

Elevated style.

7

Wer ihm zu dieser Tat gratuliert, hat den Ernst der Lage nicht erkannt.

Whoever congratulates him on this act has not recognized the seriousness of the situation.

Relative clause 'Wer...'.

8

Ich gratuliere Ihnen zur Wahl in dieses hohe Amt.

I congratulate you on your election to this high office.

Formal political context.

1

Man kann der Autorin zu diesem fulminanten Debüt nur gratulieren.

One can only congratulate the author on this brilliant debut.

Literary adjective 'fulminant'.

2

Ich gratuliere Ihnen zu der Weitsicht, die Sie bei diesen Verhandlungen bewiesen haben.

I congratulate you on the foresight you demonstrated during these negotiations.

Relative clause with 'bewiesen'.

3

Es geziemt sich, dem Jubilar persönlich zu gratulieren.

It is proper to congratulate the person celebrating the anniversary personally.

Archaic/Formal 'Es geziemt sich'.

4

Ich gratuliere Ihnen zu der Chuzpe, mit der Sie dieses Projekt vorangetrieben haben.

I congratulate you on the chutzpah with which you pushed this project forward.

Loanword 'Chuzpe'.

5

Man gratulierte ihm allenthalben zu seiner Standhaftigkeit.

He was congratulated everywhere for his steadfastness.

Adverb 'allenthalben'.

6

Ich gratuliere Ihnen zu diesem diplomatischen Drahtseilakt.

I congratulate you on this diplomatic tightrope walk.

Metaphorical usage.

7

Es bleibt mir nur, Ihnen zu Ihrem wohlverdienten Ruhestand zu gratulieren.

It only remains for me to congratulate you on your well-deserved retirement.

Formal closing.

8

Ich gratuliere dir dazu, dass du die Zeichen der Zeit erkannt hast.

I congratulate you on having recognized the signs of the times.

Idiomatic 'Zeichen der Zeit'.

सामान्य शब्द संयोजन

herzlich gratulieren
nachträglich gratulieren
persönlich gratulieren
telefonisch gratulieren
schriftlich gratulieren
jemandem zum Geburtstag gratulieren
jemandem zum Sieg gratulieren
jemandem zur Hochzeit gratulieren
jemandem zur Beförderung gratulieren
jemandem zum Erfolg gratulieren

सामान्य वाक्यांश

Ich gratuliere dir!

Herzlich zu gratulieren.

Wir gratulieren ganz herzlich.

Darf ich gratulieren?

Ich gratuliere zum Nachwuchs.

Nachträglich alles Gute!

Ich gratuliere Ihnen sehr.

Da kann man nur gratulieren.

Gratuliere zum neuen Job!

Ich wollte dir noch gratulieren.

अक्सर इससे भ्रम होता है

gratulieren vs beglückwünschen (takes Accusative)

gratulieren vs danken (also Dative, but means 'to thank')

gratulieren vs feiern (takes Accusative, means 'to celebrate the event')

मुहावरे और अभिव्यक्तियाँ

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आसानी से भ्रमित होने वाले

gratulieren vs beglückwünschen

Formal, takes Accusative.

gratulieren vs wünschen

To wish (e.g., I wish you luck), not necessarily to congratulate.

gratulieren vs loben

To praise for an action, not an occasion.

gratulieren vs gratulieren

To congratulate on an occasion (Dative).

gratulieren vs freuen

To be happy (sich freuen), not the act of congratulating.

वाक्य संरचनाएँ

इसे कैसे इस्तेमाल करें

irony

Can be used sarcastically for mistakes.

belated

Always use 'nachträglich' if the date has passed.

omission

In casual speech, 'Ich' is often dropped: 'Gratuliere dir!'

सामान्य गलतियाँ

  • Gratulieren requires the Dative case.

  • Verbs ending in -ieren do not take the 'ge-' prefix in the past participle.

  • The correct preposition is 'zu', not 'für'.

  • Cultural taboo against early birthday wishes.

  • Even in formal speech, the Dative case must be used.

सुझाव

Dative Reminder

Always check your pronouns. Mir, dir, ihm, ihr, uns, euch, ihnen, Ihnen are your friends with this verb.

Timing is Everything

Never say 'Happy Birthday' early in Germany. It's a major social faux pas.

The 'zu' Connection

Remember that 'zu' merges with articles: zum (zu dem), zur (zu der).

Warmth

Add 'herzlich' to sound more sincere and less like a robot.

Cards

When writing a card, 'Ich gratuliere dir von ganzem Herzen' is a beautiful, standard phrase.

Detecting the Occasion

Listen for the noun after 'zum' or 'zur' to know what the party is for.

Shortcuts

In a hurry? Just say 'Gratuliere!' It works in almost any casual situation.

No 'ge-'

Avoid 'gegratuliert'. It sounds wrong. Stick to 'gratuliert'.

Business Etiquette

In a professional email, 'Ich gratuliere Ihnen zu Ihrer neuen Position' is perfect.

Self-Congrats

Use 'Da kann man sich nur gratulieren' when you've made a very good decision.

याद करें

शब्द की उत्पत्ति

From Latin 'gratulari' (to manifest joy, to congratulate), from 'gratus' (pleasing, thankful).

सांस्कृतिक संदर्भ

Handwritten cards are still highly valued for weddings and big anniversaries.

Congratulating before the birthday is considered very bad luck.

Always use 'Ihnen' for superiors or strangers, 'dir' for friends.

असल ज़िंदगी में अभ्यास करें

वास्तविक संदर्भ

बातचीत की शुरुआत

"Hast du ihm schon zum Geburtstag gratuliert?"

"Wann sollen wir ihr gratulieren?"

"Soll ich zum neuen Job gratulieren oder ist das zu früh?"

"Wie gratuliert man am besten zur Hochzeit?"

"Hast du die Karte zum Gratulieren schon unterschrieben?"

डायरी विषय

Wem hast du zuletzt gratuliert und warum?

Wie fühlst du dich, wenn dir viele Leute gratulieren?

Schreibe eine kurze Gratulation an dein zukünftiges Ich.

Warum ist es in Deutschland unhöflich, zu früh zu gratulieren?

Welche Feste sind in deiner Kultur wichtig, um zu gratulieren?

अक्सर पूछे जाने वाले सवाल

10 सवाल

It is always 'gratulieren dir'. The verb requires the Dative case for the person being congratulated. This is a common mistake for English speakers because English uses a direct object.

No, you should use 'zu'. For example, 'Ich gratuliere dir zum Erfolg' (I congratulate you on the success). Using 'für' is grammatically incorrect in this context.

The Perfekt tense is 'hat gratuliert'. Because it ends in -ieren, it does not take the 'ge-' prefix. The Präteritum is 'gratulierte'.

In German culture, it is considered bad luck (Aberglaube). It is best to wait until the actual day or congratulate them 'nachträglich' (afterwards).

It is both! You can use it with 'dir' for friends or 'Ihnen' for formal situations. It is the most common verb for congratulations in any setting.

It means to congratulate someone after the event has already happened. It is the German equivalent of 'Happy belated birthday'.

Only if you want to specify the reason. 'Ich gratuliere dir' is a complete sentence. 'Ich gratuliere dir zum Geburtstag' adds the reason.

Yes, 'Gratulation!' can be used as an exclamation, similar to 'Congratulations!'. However, 'Herzlichen Glückwunsch' is more common in speech.

Yes, 'Ich gratuliere zur Hochzeit' is very common. You can also say 'Wir gratulieren dem Brautpaar'.

Yes, it is a weak/regular verb. It follows the standard conjugation rules for -ieren verbs.

खुद को परखो 180 सवाल

/ 180 correct

Perfect score!

संबंधित सामग्री

communication के और शब्द

Ablehnung

A2

Ablehnung का मतलब है जब आप 'नहीं' कहते हैं या किसी चीज़ को मना करते हैं।

abonnieren

B1

किसी चीज़ के लिए नियमित रूप से साइन अप करना, जैसे कि कोई पत्रिका या स्ट्रीमिंग सेवा, ताकि आपको वह अपने आप मिल जाए।

Absage

B1

किसी अनुरोध को मना करना या किसी व्यवस्था को रद्द करना।

absagen

A2

to cancel, call off

Abschied

A2

अलविदा कहने या किसी को छोड़ने का कार्य। यह वह क्षण है जब आप अलग होते हैं।

Absender

A1

यह वह व्यक्ति या चीज़ है जो कुछ भेजता है, जैसे एक पत्र।

Achtung

A2

ध्यान दें! ट्रेन आ रही है।

Ähnlichkeit

A2

जब दो चीज़ें या लोग एक जैसे दिखते हैं या उनमें कुछ समानता होती है।

Akzent

A2

An accent.

anbieten

A1

किसी चीज़ का प्रस्ताव देना या किसी को उसे स्वीकार या अस्वीकार करने का मौका देना।

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