How to say "congratulations" in Punjabi — "Vadhaaiyan" and "Mubarakaan" — plus how to congratulate on weddings, new babies, and festivals.
"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.
Practice Real Punjabi Phrases with Alfaazo
Knowing a phrase is one thing; saying it with the right rhythm is another. Alfaazo teaches everyday Punjabi with native audio, the Gurmukhi script, and bite-sized lessons you can finish in five minutes a day. Free on iOS and Android.
Keep reading
I Understand Punjabi But Can't Speak It — How to Start Talking
You follow every word your parents say but freeze when you try to reply. Here's why that happens to heritage speakers — and a step-by-step plan to turn the Punjabi you understand into Punjabi you speak.
How to Teach Your Kids Punjabi at Home: A Guide for Parents Abroad
Raising children in Canada, the UK, the US or Australia and worried they'll lose Punjabi? A realistic, step-by-step plan — the one-parent rule, daily routines, songs, Gurmukhi, and the mistakes that make kids give up.
Punjabi for Partners: What to Say When You Meet the Family
Dating or married to someone Punjabi? The greetings, the right titles for every aunty and uncle, the compliments, and the in-law words that will make a brilliant first impression — with Gurmukhi and pronunciation.