Parabéns vs. Feliz Aniversário: Congratulate Someone in Portuguese
Feliz aniversário is a birthday greeting; parabéns can celebrate a birthday or congratulate someone on an achievement.
Real Life Portuguese · 4 min read · Updated October 14, 2026
The short answer
Feliz aniversário is the direct birthday greeting. You can add a short wish with desejo a você or espero que seu dia seja… (I hope your day is…).
Use feliz aniversário to wish someone a happy birthday
Parabéns is also common on birthdays, especially as a quick greeting or in the familiar birthday song. The two expressions can appear together.
Feliz aniversário! Espero que seu dia seja especial.
Happy birthday! I hope your day is special.
Parabéns pelo seu aniversário!
Congratulations on your birthday!
Manda um feliz aniversário para ela por mim.
Wish her a happy birthday for me.
Use parabéns for achievements and good news
Parabéns can also congratulate someone for passing an exam, starting a new job, or completing a project. Add por + noun or pelo/pela when you name the reason.
A warm follow-up makes the message personal: diga what you are celebrating and why it matters to you.
Parabéns por ter passado na prova!
Congratulations on passing the exam!
Parabéns pelo novo emprego.
Congratulations on the new job.
Parabéns! Você trabalhou muito para chegar até aqui.
Congratulations! You worked hard to get here.
Put it into practice
Use feliz aniversário for the birthday wish; use parabéns for birthdays and other achievements or good news.
Quick practice
Which Portuguese example matches “Congratulations on the new job”?
Choose an answer to check yourself.
Keep practicing with the Real Life Portuguese app
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