Dialogue
Félicitations or bravo: congratulate someone in French
Say congratulations and well done in French through a conversation about a new job, a presentation and a team success. Practise your replies.
- A2
- 12 lines
- Practice mode
- Learn this in the A2 notebook →
In short
Use Félicitations ! for “Congratulations!” after good news or an achievement. Use Bravo ! for “Well done!” after an action or performance. Both fit after a successful presentation; add pour to say what you are praising.
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What is the difference between félicitations and bravo?
- Lina
J’ai une bonne nouvelle : j’ai trouvé un nouveau travail !
English
I have some good news: I’ve found a new job!
- You
Félicitations ! Tu commences quand ?
Congratulate Lina and ask when she starts.
English
Congratulations! When do you start?
- Lina
Lundi prochain. Je suis vraiment contente.
English
Next Monday. I’m really happy.
- You
Et ta présentation de ce matin, ça s’est bien passé ?
Ask whether this morning’s presentation went well.
English
And your presentation this morning, did it go well?
- Lina
Oui ! J’ai expliqué le projet et répondu aux questions.
English
Yes! I explained the project and answered the questions.
- You
Bravo pour ta présentation ! Tu dois être soulagée.
Praise the presentation and say she must be relieved.
English
Well done on your presentation! You must be relieved.
- Lina
Merci ! On a préparé les exemples ensemble, avec mon équipe.
English
Thanks! We prepared the examples together, with my team.
- You
Alors, bravo à toute l’équipe !
Praise the whole team.
English
Well then, well done to the whole team!
- Lina
Ça te dit de prendre un café pour fêter ça ?
English
Fancy having a coffee to celebrate?
- You
Avec plaisir ! On se retrouve à quinze heures ?
Accept and suggest meeting at three.
English
I’d love to! Shall we meet at three?
- Lina
Parfait. Et merci pour tes encouragements !
English
Perfect. And thanks for your encouragement!
- You
De rien. Tu peux être fière de toi !
Say she can be proud of herself.
English
You’re welcome. You can be proud of yourself!
| Purpose | French | English |
|---|---|---|
| Congratulations on a success | Félicitations pour ton nouveau travail ! | Congratulations on your new job! |
| Praise for an action | Bravo pour ton explication ! | Well done on your explanation! |
| Praise addressed to a group | Bravo à toute l’équipe ! | Well done to the whole team! |
| A warmer written message | Toutes mes félicitations ! | My warmest congratulations! |
Pour introduces the achievement; à introduces the recipient. You can combine them: Félicitations à vous deux pour votre projet ! Keep the accent and plural -s in félicitations. The short exclamation bravo stays the same when you address several people.
Félicitations pour votre présentation ! Elle était très claire.
Congratulations on your presentation! It was very clear.
This also works with Bravo pour votre présentation ! Use votre with someone you address as vous.
In the dialogue, contente, soulagée and fière refer to Lina. Speaking to a man, use content, soulagé and fier. A simple reply to either praise formula is Merci, ça me fait plaisir ! (Thank you, that means a lot to me!).