Significado
Celebrating an occasion.
Contexto cultural
The 'Circle Birthday' (Kringverjaardag) is a core ritual. You must congratulate everyone in the room, not just the birthday person. It's a way of acknowledging the whole social circle. In Belgium, 'Proficiat' is much more common than in the northern Netherlands. It feels slightly more formal but is used in everyday life. When it's your birthday at work, you bring the cake (trakteren). Your colleagues will then congratulate you. It's considered rude to expect others to buy you cake. On LinkedIn, 'Gefeliciteerd' is the standard response to job changes. It is often accompanied by 'met je nieuwe uitdaging' (with your new challenge).
Congratulate the whole family
When you go to a birthday party, don't just congratulate the birthday person. Congratulate their partner and parents too!
Use 'Van harte'
If you want to sound more like a native speaker on a card, always write 'Van harte gefeliciteerd' instead of just the single word.
Significado
Celebrating an occasion.
Congratulate the whole family
When you go to a birthday party, don't just congratulate the birthday person. Congratulate their partner and parents too!
Use 'Van harte'
If you want to sound more like a native speaker on a card, always write 'Van harte gefeliciteerd' instead of just the single word.
Check the preposition
Always use 'met'. Never say 'gefeliciteerd voor' or 'gefeliciteerd op'.
Shorten it in texts
In WhatsApp messages to friends, 'Gefeliciteerd!' is often shortened to 'Gefeli!' or 'Feli!'
Teste-se
Fill in the correct preposition.
Gefeliciteerd ___ je nieuwe huis!
In Dutch, we always use 'met' after gefeliciteerd.
Match the situation to the correct phrase.
Your friend just passed their driving exam.
Gefeliciteerd is for achievements that have already happened.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Ik ben vandaag jarig! B: ________!
When someone says it's their birthday, the standard response is Gefeliciteerd.
Which is the most formal way to congratulate someone?
Choose the formal option:
'Van harte' adds a level of sincerity and formality suitable for official occasions.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Recursos visuais
When to say Gefeliciteerd
Birthdays
- • Self
- • Partner
- • Parents
Achievements
- • Diploma
- • Job
- • Driving License
Life Events
- • New House
- • Wedding
- • Baby
Banco de exercicios
4 exerciciosGefeliciteerd ___ je nieuwe huis!
In Dutch, we always use 'met' after gefeliciteerd.
Your friend just passed their driving exam.
Gefeliciteerd is for achievements that have already happened.
A: Ik ben vandaag jarig! B: ________!
When someone says it's their birthday, the standard response is Gefeliciteerd.
Choose the formal option:
'Van harte' adds a level of sincerity and formality suitable for official occasions.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Perguntas frequentes
14 perguntasYes, it is the standard greeting. You can say 'Gefeliciteerd met jullie huwelijk.'
They mean the same thing, but 'Proficiat' is more common in the southern Netherlands and Belgium.
No! Use 'Beterschap' (Get well soon).
Simply say 'Dank je wel' or 'Bedankt'.
It is always 'Gefeliciteerd met'.
Yes, it is perfectly appropriate for all ages.
It's not rude, but it is very informal. Only use it with friends in texts.
It's a Dutch tradition that acknowledges the parents' role and shares the joy with the whole family.
Yes! 'Gefeliciteerd met je nieuwe auto!'
In the North, yes. In the South, it is a 'soft G', which sounds more like a breathy 'h'.
No, for New Year, use 'Gelukkig Nieuwjaar!'
Yes, 'Gefeliciteerd met je diploma!' is very common.
Yes, 'Gefeliciteerd met je promotie!' is standard.
Say 'Alsnog gefeliciteerd!' (Congrats anyway/belated).
Frases relacionadas
Van harte
builds onFrom the heart
Proficiat
synonymCongratulations
Succes
contrastGood luck
Gecondoleerd
contrastMy condolences
Beterschap
similarGet well soon
Proost
similarCheers
