We love sharing life event messages on our social media and through instant messages, right? Life events are very significant moments, and many of them are like rituals to us. Take birthdays, weddings, and funerals for example.

If you’re learning Spanish and want to say happy birthday in Spanish to your loved ones, or perhaps share your best wishes for the holidays in Spanish with your friends, it’s important to know what to say, when to say it, and how to say it.

These types of Spanish greetings and well-wishes for important occasions are normally language-specific words which shouldn’t be literally translated. So when you’re trying to say Merry Christmas in Spanish and Happy New Year in Spanish, instead of translating them, you should learn the proper way to do so. This will ensure that you say the right thing at the right time, and avoid confusion.

Let’s learn the best Spanish congratulations and best wishes for any life event, and how to use them.

Table of Contents

1. How Do You Say Happy Birthday in Spanish?
2. Best Wishes & Greetings in Spanish for the Holidays
3. Spanish Congratulations: Weddings & Engagements
4. Spanish Congratulations: Pregnancy, Baby Shower, and New Baby
5. Congratulations in Spanish for Graduations
6. Spanish Congratulations Phrases for Promotions & New Jobs
7. Spanish Congratulations Messages for Retirement
8. Condolences in Spanish: Death & Funerals
9. What to Say About Bad News
10. What to Say When Someone’s Injured or Sick
11. Conclusion

1. How Do You Say Happy Birthday in Spanish?

We all want to celebrate, congratulate, and be congratulated on our special day. Celebrations are a big part of any Spanish-speaking country. We celebrate everything, yes everything! That’s why we have so many bank holidays, even for saint days.

Send the perfect message on your friend’s birthday and make them feel special!

Feliz cumpleaños, which means Happy Birthday in Spanish, is the most common way to congratulate them right and simple. In Spain, we give two kisses (one on each cheek) or a hug, but in some Latin American countries, one kiss is enough.

If you don’t get to see them, text them! A quick message on their social media will make their day. Let’s answer the question “How do you say Happy Birthday in Spanish?” with some examples you can use:

• ¡Que todos tus deseos se hagan realidad!
  “May all your wishes come true!”
• ¡Felicidades!
  “Congratulations!”
• ¡Que cumplas muchos años más!
  “I hope you enjoy many more years!”
• ¡Que tengas un maravilloso día!
  “Have a wonderful day!”
• ¡Mis mejores deseos en este día tan especial para ti!
  “I wish you all the best on your special day!”
• ¡Enhorabuena!
  “Congratulations!”

And there are some special phrases, such as:

• Si es tu cumpleaños, ¿por qué el regalo lo tengo yo? Gracias por regalarme otro año de vida a tu lado.
  “If it is your birthday, why do I have your present? Thanks for giving me another year next to you.”
• Que el nuevo año que empiezas esté tan lleno de alegría y felicidad como te deseo. ¡Que cumplas muchos más!
  “I hope this new year can be as full of joy and happiness as I wish you. I hope you have much more!”

2. Best Wishes & Greetings in Spanish for the Holidays

The holiday season is the most exciting time for Spanish people. Why? Because it’s when we all get to share quality time with our families. Although there may be many ways to say Merry Christmas in English, there’s one phrase in Spanish that encapsulates the meaning.

¡Felices fiestas! literally means “Happy holidays” in Spanish, and is the most common way to give best wishes for the holidays in Spanish.

As you may know by now, Spanish-speaking countries are all about parties, which explains the phrase Felices Fiestas.

Feliz Navidad is another way to say “Merry Christmas,” and may be the best translation of it.

You should reply: Igualmente, which means “You too.”

If you want to add more love and affection to your Merry Christmas in Spanish, you should say con mucho cariño, meaning “with all my love.”

New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day are also part of the holiday season in Spain. Although “happy holidays” in Spanish is Felices Fiestas, Happy New Year in Spanish is expressed in many different ways.

• ¡Feliz año nuevo!
  “Happy New Year!”
• ¡Feliz año!
  “Happy year!”

You can send your best wishes for the holidays in Spanish for the new year by saying something like: Que tengas un próspero año nuevo, or “I hope you have a prosperous new year.”

This message is the best choice if you want to wish a Happy New Year in Spanish on a Christmas card, send a text message, or email it to someone special.

• Feliz próspero año nuevo.
  “Happy prosperous new year.”
• Que el próximo año esté lleno de bendiciones.
  “May next year be full of blessings.”
• Año nuevo, vida nueva.
  “New year, new life.”

Other important days in Spanish-speaking countries are Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. We all want to tell our parents how important they are and how much they mean to us, making it important to know how to wish them a happy Mother’s Day in Spanish (or Father’s Day).

If you have a Spanish partner, it’s possible that you have a mother-in-law or father-in-law who cares about you a lot. This is the perfect chance to show them your love and wish them a Happy Mother’s Day in Spanish.

• ¡Feliz día de la madre!
  “Happy Mother’s Day!”
• ¡Feliz día del padre!
  “Happy Father’s Day”
• Gracias por todo lo que has hecho.
  “Thanks for all you’ve done for me.”
• Estoy agradecido/agradecida por todo tu trabajo.
  “I’m thankful for all your work.”
• Eres la mejor mamá del mundo.
  “You’re the best mom in the world.”
• Eres el mejor padre del mundo.
  “You’re the best dad in the world.”
• Mamá, te amo or Te quiero mamá.
  “I love you, mom.”

These are some messages you can send to wish a Happy Mother’s Day in Spanish on their social media, in a postcard, or in person.

3. Spanish Congratulations: Weddings & Engagements

A wedding is a special day that most people want to share with their family and friends with a big party. Perhaps this year you’re lucky enough to be invited to one in a Spanish-speaking country!

Perfect! Learn how to express all your best wishes in Spanish here.

What do you write in a Spanish wedding card? How can you express your happiness for the couple? Whether you want to congratulate the married couple, have received an invitation to a wedding, want to add a message to your gift card, or just want to leave your best wishes in Spanish on their wedding book, these are useful phrases you can use.

If you’re lucky, you may get to give a public speech on this special day. Surprise your audience with your Spanish skills. Here’s how:

• Espero que seáis muy felices.
  “I wish you both happiness.”
• ¡Felicidades por esta nueva etapa!
  “Congratulations on your new life together!”
• ¡Felicidades a los futuros esposos!
  “Congratulations to the future spouses!”
• ¡Felicidades a los novios!
  “Congratulations to the bride and the groom!”

If the couple has been married for a very long time and you want to congratulate them for all the time they‘ve been together, this is how:

• ¡Felicidades por sus bodas de plata!
  “Congratulations on your silver wedding anniversary.”
• Felicidades por sus bodas de oro.
  “Congratulations on your golden wedding anniversary.”
• Felicidades por sus bodas de diamante.
  “Congratulations on your diamond wedding anniversary.”

4. Spanish Congratulations: Pregnancy, Baby Shower, and New Baby

New life! A new member of the family has arrived, and you want to take the time to congratulate the new parents. Here are some Spanish greetings and well-wishes for important occasions like these.

• ¡Felicidades por el nuevo integrante de la familia!
  “Congratulations on the new arrival in your family.”
• ¡Felicidades por el nacimiento de su niño/niña!
  “Congratulations on the arrival of your boy/girl.”
• Nos alegra mucho saber que ya ha nacido.
  “We are so happy to hear he/she has already been born.”
• Enhorabuena.
  “Congratulations.”

5. Congratulations in Spanish for Graduations

We all want to share with others what we accomplish in life. Tell the new graduates how happy you are for their academic accomplishment in Spanish. And why not surprise them with your Spanish skills while you’re at it!

• ¡Felicidades por tu graduación!
  “Congratulations on your graduation.”
• ¡Buen trabajo!
  “Well done.” or “Good job.”
• ¡Felicidades por tus buenas calificaciones!
  “Congratulations on your good grades.”
• ¡Felicidades por tu master!
  “Congratulations on getting your Master’s degree.”
• ¡Felicidades por entrar en la universidad!
  “Well done on getting into the university.”
• ¡Felicidades por pasar el examen!
  “Congratulations on passing your exam.”

6. Spanish Congratulations Phrases for Promotions & New Jobs

Did someone just share their success? A new job, moving to a new country, or something else? Celebrate with them by saying something in Spanish. Here’s how:

• ¡Felicidades! or Enhorabuena.
  “Congratulations.”
• ¡Bien hecho!
  “Well done!”
• Sabíamos que lo lograrías.
  “We knew you would get it.”
• Estamos orgullosos de ti.
  “We are so proud of you.”
• ¡Felicidades por tu nuevo empleo!
  “Congratulations on your new job!”
• ¡Felicidades por tu ascenso!
  “Congratulations on the promotion!”
• ¡Mucha suerte en tu nueva etapa!
  “Best of luck on your next step.”
• ¡Suerte en tu primer día de trabajo!
  “Good luck on your first day of work!”

7. Spanish Congratulations Messages for Retirement

Now the fun begins: Your father-in-law or mother-in-law has retired, and you want to share your best wishes in Spanish. They may come to your place more often now, so keep your Spanish skills sharp with these Spanish greetings and well-wishes for important occasions such as this one.

• Enhorabuena, ahora empieza la diversión.
  “Congratulations, now the fun begins.”
• Mis mejores deseos en la nueva etapa de tu vida.
  “Best wishes on your new chapter in life.”
• Deseándote a ti y a tu familia lo mejor en la nueva etapa de vida. Que disfrutes del tiempo extra que pasarás con ellos.
  “Wishing you and your family the best on your new chapter in your life. I hope you enjoy spending more time with them.”

8. Condolences in Spanish: Death & Funerals

We all want to express our sympathy when someone has lost a loved one. Sometimes it’s hard to express, especially if it’s not in your native language.

Here are some Spanish phrases of condolences to help you:

• Lo siento mucho.
  “I am sorry to hear that.”
• Estamos con ustedes.
  “We are with you.”
• Mis condolencias para la familia.
  “I offer my condolences to your family.”
• Mi más sentido pésame.
  “My deepest condolences.”
• Que descanse en paz or Descanse en paz.
  “Rest in peace.”

9. What to Say About Bad News

What should you say when you receive bad news? We all have difficult moments in life, and words may not always bring a solution. But when we share them with meaning and from the heart, they can go a long ways toward comforting someone.

Here are some phrases that you can use to express your feelings in Spanish when someone is having a bad day!

• Lo siento mucho.
  “I’m sorry to hear that.”
• Estoy contigo.
  “I’m here for you.”
• Te envío un beso y un abrazo.
  “Sending you all my love.”
• Cuenta conmigo.
  “You can lean on me.”
• Cuidate mucho.
  “Take care of yourself.”

10. What to Say When Someone’s Injured or Sick

What if you have a Spanish-speaking friend or colleague who’s sick, and you want to cheer them up?

Wish them a quick recovery, and ask them to get well soon in Spanish:

• Recupérate pronto.
  “Wishing you a speedy recovery.”
• ¡Que te mejores!
  “Get well!”
• Alíviate pronto.
  “I hope you get well soon.”
• Espero que te sientas mejor.
  “I hope you feel better soon.”

11. Conclusion

Apart from receiving compliments for those significant life events, we should all learn how to thank them for their kind words in Spanish. We can help you learn more Spanish at SpanishPod101.

• Gracias.
  “Thank you.”
• Se agradece.
  “It’s appreciated.”
• Mil gracias.
  “Many thanks.”
• No sé cómo podría agradecértelo.
  “I don’t know how to thank you.”
• Estamos muy agradecidos.
  “We are very grateful.”
• Qué amable de su parte.
  “Very kind of you.”
• Gracias desde el fondo de mi corazón.
  “Thanks from the bottom of my heart.”

“How do you say happy birthday in Spanish?” Well, with this simple list, now you know! Learn more about life event messages in Spanish and much more at SpanishPod101.

Before you go, let us know in the comments if there are any Spanish life events and life event messages you want to know about! We look forward to hearing from you, and will help out the best we can!