Portuguese for a Graduation in Brazil: Congratulate the Graduate
Formatura is graduation; learn how to celebrate the achievement and ask a graduate about the next step in their own plans.
Real Life Portuguese · 5 min read · Updated October 15, 2026
The short answer
Formatura means graduation or a graduation ceremony, depending on context. Parabéns pela formatura is a direct, friendly way to congratulate someone. You can also mention the degree or course when you know it.
Say congratulations and name the achievement
Avoid assuming that every graduate wants the same next step. Ask an open question and let the person decide what they want to share.
Parabéns pela formatura!
Congratulations on graduating!
Que conquista! Você deve estar muito feliz.
What an achievement! You must be very happy.
Você se formou em quê?
What did you graduate in?
Ask about the course and celebration
If you want to continue the conversation, ask how long the course took or what the graduate enjoyed most. Open questions invite more than a yes/no answer and keep attention on the person's experience.
At a crowded event, keep questions brief so the graduate can greet other guests too.
O que você mais gostou de estudar?
What did you most enjoy studying?
Quanto tempo durou o curso?
How long did the course last?
A cerimônia foi bonita?
Was the ceremony nice?
Wish the graduate well in what comes next
Use boa sorte if the person tells you about an upcoming application, job, or project. Use felicidades for a broader wish. Let the graduate introduce future plans rather than treating one path as expected.
A supportive message can recognize the work already completed, whether or not the person has decided what to do next.
Muitas felicidades nesta nova fase!
Lots of happiness in this new chapter!
Boa sorte nos seus próximos projetos.
Good luck with your next projects.
Espero que você comemore bastante hoje.
I hope you get to celebrate a lot today.
Put it into practice
Say parabéns pela formatura, ask about the graduate's experience, and leave the next-step conversation open.
Quick practice
Which Portuguese example matches “Was the ceremony nice”?
Choose an answer to check yourself.
Keep practicing with the Real Life Portuguese app
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