German word

Gratulant

Pronunciation

IPA/gʁatuˈlant/

Meaning

  • masculine nounwell-wisher

Example

Viele Gratulanten kamen zur Feier, um dem Brautpaar zu gratulieren.

Many well-wishers came to the celebration to congratulate the newlyweds.

Illustration for Gratulant (well-wisher)

More examples

Viele Gäste waren da, aber nur wenige Gratulanten überreichten Geschenke.

Many guests were there, but only a few well-wishers gave gifts.

Core concept

A person who approaches the people being celebrated to add a personal word of congratulations.

Common phrases

  • bei der Hochzeit als Gratulant erscheinen

    attend the wedding as a well-wisher

  • Gratulant beim Empfang

    well-wisher at the reception

Similar words

Glückwunsch: A short spoken expression of congratulations addressed to someone.
Gratulation: A formal expression of congratulations given at a ceremony or in a speech.

Definition in German

Person, die bei feierlichen Gelegenheiten Glückwünsche überbringt.

Word origin

Gratulant reflects Latin gratulans, the present participle of gratulari, which developed into a noun for someone who congratulates others.

Usage tips

  • Gratulant names the person, while the common expression jemandem gratulieren describes the action and keeps the recipient in the dative.

Opposites

  • Kondolentperson offering condolencesnoun

Related words

Word lists with this word