How to Say "Congratulations" in Punjabi

"Congratulations" in Punjabi is "Vadhaaiyan" (ਵਧਾਈਆਂ) or "Mubarakaan" (ਮੁਬਾਰਕਾਂ). Both work for weddings, new babies, achievements, and festivals — vadhaaiyan is the everyday favourite.

"Congratulations" in Punjabi

Phrase	Gurmukhi	Meaning
Vadhaaiyan	ਵਧਾਈਆਂ	Congratulations (most common)
Mubarakaan	ਮੁਬਾਰਕਾਂ	Congratulations (warm, Perso-Arabic)
Bahut bahut vadhaaiyan	ਬਹੁਤ ਬਹੁਤ ਵਧਾਈਆਂ	Many congratulations
Lakh lakh vadhaaiyan	ਲੱਖ ਲੱਖ ਵਧਾਈਆਂ	A hundred thousand congratulations (very warm)

Congratulations for Specific Occasions

Occasion	Gurmukhi	Romanized
On a wedding	ਵਿਆਹ ਦੀਆਂ ਵਧਾਈਆਂ	Viah diyan vadhaaiyan
On a new baby	ਬੱਚੇ ਦੀਆਂ ਵਧਾਈਆਂ	Bachey diyan vadhaaiyan
On a festival (e.g. Vaisakhi)	ਵਿਸਾਖੀ ਦੀਆਂ ਵਧਾਈਆਂ	Vaisakhi diyan vadhaaiyan

The pattern is simple: [occasion] diyan vadhaaiyan — "congratulations on [occasion]". To learn the festival names, see our guide to the Punjabi months and calendar.

A Cultural Note

At a Punjabi wedding or a new birth, you'll hear "Lakh lakh vadhaaiyan" ringing out — literally "a hundred thousand congratulations". The bigger the joy, the bigger the number, and the warmth is genuine. Congratulations are rarely said once; they're repeated, hugged, and followed by sweets.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you say congratulations in Punjabi?

Say "Vadhaaiyan" (ਵਧਾਈਆਂ) or "Mubarakaan" (ਮੁਬਾਰਕਾਂ).

How do you say "many congratulations" in Punjabi?

Say "Lakh lakh vadhaaiyan" (ਲੱਖ ਲੱਖ ਵਧਾਈਆਂ), literally "a hundred thousand congratulations" — a very warm, common expression.

How do you congratulate someone on a festival in Punjabi?

Use the pattern "[festival] diyan vadhaaiyan" — for example, "Vaisakhi diyan vadhaaiyan" for Vaisakhi.

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