Say the thing
How to say congratulations in Hindi
Two phrases cover nearly every celebration, and they are short enough to say in a room full of people without losing your nerve. The difference between them is habit and occasion, not politeness.
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The two you need
बधाई हो
badhaaee ho
Congratulations (any good news)
मुबारक हो
mubaarak ho
Congratulations, blessings on it (usually attached to an occasion)
बधाई हो stands alone. मुबारक हो usually follows the thing being celebrated, which is why you hear it most often in set phrases.
For the occasion
जन्मदिन मुबारक हो
janmadin mubaarak ho
Happy birthday
शादी मुबारक हो
shaadee mubaarak ho
Congratulations on the wedding
नया साल मुबारक हो
nayaa saal mubaarak ho
Happy new year
दिवाली की शुभकामनाएँ
divaalee kee shubhkaamnaae~
Diwali wishes (warm and slightly formal)
Making it bigger
बहुत बहुत बधाई हो
bahut bahut badhaaee ho
Many many congratulations
आपको बधाई हो
aapko badhaaee ho
Congratulations to you (respectful)
हमें बहुत खुशी हुई
hame~ bahut khushee huee
We are very happy about it
When it is your turn
Somebody will congratulate you, probably about something you did not expect, and the reply is easy.
शुक्रिया
shukriyaa
Thanks (everyday)
बहुत बहुत शुक्रिया
bahut bahut shukriyaa
Thank you so much
धन्यवाद
dhanyavaad
Thank you (more formal, fine with elders)
One pronunciation note
The भ in बधाई is an aspirated b, a b with a puff of breath behind it. English has no such sound, and saying a plain b instead is the single most common giveaway. Hold your hand in front of your mouth: on भ you should feel the air.