Felicitar vs. parabenizar vs. dar os parabéns
While felicitar, parabenizar, and dar os parabéns all translate to to congratulate, the choice depends heavily on regional usage (Brazil vs. Portugal) and the level of formality. Felicitar is the standard formal term in both countries, parabenizar is predominantly Brazilian, and dar os parabéns is the casual expression used universally.
Felicitar
B2This is the most formal way to congratulate someone and is widely used in both Brazil and Portugal. It implies a sense of elegance or professional distance and is common in written correspondence, speeches, or solemn occasions like weddings.
Eu gostaria de felicitá-lo pela sua promoção.
(I would like to congratulate you on your promotion.)
O presidente enviou uma carta para felicitar a equipe.
(The president sent a letter to congratulate the team.)
Viemos felicitar os noivos pelo casamento.
(We came to congratulate the newlyweds on their wedding.)
É importante felicitar os funcionários pelo bom desempenho.
(It is important to congratulate the employees for their good performance.)
Parabenizar
B1This verb is extremely common in Brazil for almost any context, ranging from casual to professional. However, in Portugal, parabenizar is rarely used and often considered a Brazilianism; Portuguese speakers prefer using felicitar or the phrase dar os parabéns.
A professora parabenizou o aluno pela nota alta.
(The teacher congratulated the student on the high grade.)
Quero te parabenizar pela conquista da casa nova.
(I want to congratulate you on acquiring the new house.)
Ela ligou para parabenizar o irmão pelo aniversário.
(She called to congratulate her brother on his birthday.)
A empresa parabenizou todos pelo esforço.
(The company congratulated everyone for the effort.)
Dar os parabéns
A2Literally meaning to give the congratulations, this is the most common verbal expression in spoken Portuguese in both Brazil and Portugal. It is less formal than felicitar and is the go-to phrase for birthdays and everyday achievements.
Vou lá dar os parabéns ao João.
(I am going over there to congratulate John.)
Não esqueça de dar os parabéns à sua mãe.
(Don't forget to wish your mother a happy birthday.)
Eles vieram me dar os parabéns pela vitória.
(They came to congratulate me on the victory.)
Fomos pessoalmente dar os parabéns pela formatura.
(We went in person to give congratulations on the graduation.)
Summary
To summarize, use felicitar when you need to be formal in either country. Use parabenizar if you are in Brazil for general usage, but avoid it in Portugal as it sounds foreign there. Finally, use dar os parabéns in informal, spoken conversations in both Brazil and Portugal, especially for birthdays.