Whenever something good happens to Arab people, like a graduation, a new baby, a promotion, or a wedding, someone will always extend warm wishes and congratulations.
So, learning how to say the right Arabic words helps you join the moment with everyone else. It’s a small thing, but it shows you’re truly happy for them and sharing their joy.
So we will learn ways to say congratulations in Arabic in MSA and regional dialects.
Your Arabic Takeaway
Common Phrases to Say Congratulations in Arabic
Next, we’ll look at the most popular ways to congratulate someone in Arabic. These phrases are widely used across the language, helping you to learn how to celebrate someone in any situation.
Mabrook (مَبْرُوك)
English
Pronunciation
Arabic Phrase
Congratulations
mabrūk
مَبْرُوك
Mabrook is a versatile phrase that you will hear widely in all variations of Arabic. It’s friendly and light and understood in MSA and all Arabic dialects.
If a friend tells you he finally passed a difficult exam, you would just smile and say congrats without thinking.
In Egyptian, Levantine or Gulf Arabic, and pretty much everywhere in the region, people say mabrook for almost any achievement, whether it’s big or humble.
Alf Mabrook (ألف مبروك)
English
Pronunciation
Arabic Expression
A thousand congratulations
Alf mabrūk
ألف مَبرُوك
This phrase means “a thousand congratulations” and people use it for moments that feel extra special and exciting.
When a couple gets engaged, the first thing you’ll hear is alf mabrūk ʿala al-khutobah (أَلف مَبرُوك عَلَى الخُطوبَة). It comes out instantly.
Alf Mabrook literally resounds through wedding celebrations, usually followed by the enthusiastic wishes for a happy and blessed life.
Mubarak (مُبَارَك)
English
Pronunciation
Arabic Expression
Blessed
Mubārak
مُبَارَك
The word Mubarak is a little bit different. It’s more literary or religious and formal than the other phrases. It is rooted in classical Arabic and comes from the word baraka بركة, which means blessings. It is considered more correct in classical Arabic.
People usually respond to these three phrases with الله يبارك فيك Allah ybārik fīk, which means “May God bless you too”.
Tahaneena (تَهَانِينَا)
English
Pronunciation
Arabic Expression
Congrats
Tahānīnā
تَهانِينَا
This expression is casual and informal, used to express congratulations on different occasions. It comes from the word Tahani, which means good wishes.
Congratulations in Arabic for Special Occasions
Every occasion has an appropriate phrase, so people pick the words that match the moment.
Graduations
When someone graduates, mabrūk al-takharruj is the natural choice. It celebrates a real milestone, one that often takes years of effort.
English
Pronunciation
Arabic Phrase
Congrats on your graduation
mabrūk al-takharruj
مَبرُوك التَّخرُّج
Weddings
When people congratulate newlyweds, they say Alf mabrūk al-zawāj to express their gladness for the newly united happy couple.
English
Pronunciation
Arabic Phrase
Congrats on your marriage
Alf mabrūk al-zawāj
ألف مبروك الزواج
New babies, new jobs
For the birth of a child, everybody uses the phrases mubārak al-mowlūd to express their happiness and offer polite and sincere wishes.
English
Pronunciation
Arabic Phrase
Congrats on the new baby
mubārak al-mowlūd
مَبرُوك المولود
Other uses
If someone gets a new job, or buys a new car, you can also say mabrūk ʿala al-waẓīfa /al-sayyāra al-jadīda:
English
Pronunciation
Arabic Phrase
Congratulations on the new car
mabrūk ʿala al-sayyāra al-jadīda
مَبرُوك على السَّيَّارَة الجَدِيدَة
Congratulations on the new job
mabrūk ʿala al-waẓīfa al-jadīda
مَبرُوك على الوظِيفَة الجَدِيدَة
Review Congratulations in Arabic
Final Word
Learning how to say congratulations in Arabic helps make sharing happy moments with people easier.
Each one of these phrases we learned can be used to express happiness and extend heartfelt blessings; using the appropriate one is a sign of respect to the moment and culture.
The more comfortable you feel with the language, the more these phrases will allow you to connect with Arabic speakers naturally.
Don’t forget to start your Arabic learning journey the right way with the AlifBee app – now with a Free 14-day trial.
