vs
QUICK ANSWER
"Felicidades" is an interjection which is often translated as "congratulations", and "felicitaciones" is an interjection which is also often translated as "congratulations". Learn more about the difference between "felicidades" and "felicitaciones" below.
felicidades(
feh
-
lee
-
see
-
dah
-
dehs
)An interjection is a short utterance that expresses emotion, hesitation, or protest (e.g., Wow!).
a. congratulations
¡Felicidades en sus bodas de plata! ¡Cómo pasa el tiempo!Congratulations on your silver wedding anniversary! Time flies!
Nos hemos comprometido, nos casaremos en mayo. - ¡Felicidades! ¡Cuánto me alegro!We're engaged. We're getting married in May. - Congratulations! I'm so glad!
b. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
¿Hoy cumples 20 años? ¡Felicidades!Are you 20 today? Happy birthday!
¡Feliz Navidad! - ¡Sí, felicidades! Vendrán a cenar en Nochevieja, ¿verdad?Merry Christmas! - Yes, Merry Christmas! You're coming for dinner on New Year's Eve, aren't you?
la felicidad
A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
felicitaciones(
feh
-
lee
-
see
-
tah
-
syoh
-
nehs
)An interjection is a short utterance that expresses emotion, hesitation, or protest (e.g., Wow!).
a. congratulations
Mi hija ha tenido el bebé, así que soy abuela. - ¡Felicitaciones!My daughter had the baby, so I'm a grandmother. - Congratulations!
la felicitación
A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
a. congratulations
¿Andrés se graduó de la universidad? ¡Qué bueno! Envíale mis felicitaciones.Andres graduated from college? That's great! Send him my congratulations.
b. wishes
Mis padres te envían su felicitación por tu cumpleaños.My parents send you their wishes for your birthday.
c. greetings
No te olvides de darle tu felicitación al tío Juan por el nacimiento de su hijo.Don't forget to extend your greetings to uncle Juan for the newborn baby.
a. greeting card (United States)
Regionalism used in the United States
En el buzón había muchas cartas y felicitaciones.There were many letters and greeting cards in the mailbox.
b. greetings card (United Kingdom)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
En Navidad, mis abuelos me enviaron una felicitación desde Suiza.My grandparents sent me a greetings card from Switzerland on Christmas.
