Meaning
Expressing congratulations, often for a success or achievement.
Cultural Background
In Spain, 'Enhorabuena' is extremely common and used for almost any success, large or small. It is considered very polite and warm. Mexicans tend to use '¡Muchas felicidades!' much more often than 'Enhorabuena', which can sound a bit formal or 'Spanish' to them. In Argentina, 'Felicitaciones' is the standard for formal achievements, while 'Enhorabuena' is recognized but used less in casual speech. Similar to Mexico, 'Felicidades' is the go-to, but 'Enhorabuena' is frequently seen in formal letters and news reports.
The 'Spain' Marker
Using 'Enhorabuena' correctly is one of the fastest ways to sound like a native speaker from Spain.
Birthday Blunder
Never use this for birthdays unless the person did something amazing on their birthday, like winning a marathon.
Meaning
Expressing congratulations, often for a success or achievement.
The 'Spain' Marker
Using 'Enhorabuena' correctly is one of the fastest ways to sound like a native speaker from Spain.
Birthday Blunder
Never use this for birthdays unless the person did something amazing on their birthday, like winning a marathon.
Wedding Etiquette
When in doubt at a Spanish wedding, just say '¡Enhorabuena!' to everyone in the family. You can't go wrong.
Test Yourself
Choose the correct phrase for the situation.
Tu mejor amigo acaba de terminar su carrera universitaria. ¿Qué le dices?
Graduating is a major achievement, so '¡Enhorabuena!' is the perfect fit.
Complete the sentence with the correct preposition.
¡Enhorabuena ____ tu nuevo apartamento!
We use 'por' to indicate the reason for the congratulations.
Match the phrase to the event.
1. Cumpleaños, 2. Boda, 3. Navidad
Felicidades is for birthdays, Enhorabuena for weddings.
What would the second speaker say?
A: ¡He ganado la lotería! B: _________
Winning the lottery is a stroke of good fortune/achievement, making 'Enhorabuena' appropriate.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Enhorabuena vs. Felicidades
When to say ¡Enhorabuena!
Work
- • Promotion
- • New Job
- • Project Finish
Life
- • Wedding
- • New Baby
- • New House
Study
- • Passed Exam
- • Degree
- • Scholarship
Practice Bank
4 exercisesTu mejor amigo acaba de terminar su carrera universitaria. ¿Qué le dices?
Graduating is a major achievement, so '¡Enhorabuena!' is the perfect fit.
¡Enhorabuena ____ tu nuevo apartamento!
We use 'por' to indicate the reason for the congratulations.
1. Cumpleaños, 2. Boda, 3. Navidad
Felicidades is for birthdays, Enhorabuena for weddings.
A: ¡He ganado la lotería! B: _________
Winning the lottery is a stroke of good fortune/achievement, making 'Enhorabuena' appropriate.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsIt is one single word: enhorabuena. Writing it as 'en hora buena' is only for literal meanings (e.g., 'at a good time').
Yes, it is the most common and appropriate way to congratulate new parents.
It is a feminine noun (la enhorabuena), but as an interjection, it doesn't change.
'Felicitaciones' is more common in Latin America, while 'Enhorabuena' is the standard in Spain. They mean the same thing.
It's rare. It's better to say '¡Muchísimas enhorabuenas!' if you want to be emphatic, but '¡Enhorabuena!' alone is usually enough.
A simple '¡Muchas gracias!' is the perfect response.
Yes, it is very professional. 'Le doy mi enhorabuena por...' is a great way to start a formal email.
Yes, buying a car is considered a milestone/achievement.
Rarely. Stick to the singular form for the interjection.
Not at all. It is a living, daily word in the Spanish-speaking world.
Related Phrases
¡Felicidades!
similarCongratulations / Best wishes
¡Felicitaciones!
synonymCongratulations
Dar la enhorabuena
builds onTo congratulate
Parabienes
specialized formCongratulations/Compliments
¡Qué bien!
similarThat's great!
