There's an undeniable magic to the French language. It can make a simple "hello" sound like a line from a poem and a heartfelt wish feel even more profound. Whether you have French-speaking friends, family living abroad, or simply want to add a touch of Gallic charm to your greetings, knowing how to wish in French can turn a simple message into a memorable gesture.
But moving beyond "Bonjour" can be intimidating. How do you congratulate someone on a new baby without sounding like a textbook? What's the right way to offer sympathy with sincerity and grace? This guide is here to help. We've curated lists of beautiful French wishes for every major life event, from the happiest celebrations to the most delicate moments, so you can always find the perfect words.
Les Classiques Incontournables: The Timeless & Essential French Wishes
These are the foundational phrases you'll use time and time again. They are perfect for cards, texts, and social media posts for the most common annual events.
- Joyeux anniversaire !
- Translation: Happy birthday!
- Bonne année !
- Translation: Happy New Year!
- Joyeux Noël !
- Translation: Merry Christmas!
- Joyeuses Pâques !
- Translation: Happy Easter!
- Meilleurs vœux !
- Translation: Best wishes! (Often used for the New Year but versatile for other occasions).
- Passe de bonnes fêtes de fin d'année.
- Translation: Have a great holiday season.
- Tous mes vœux de bonheur.
- Translation: All my best wishes for your happiness.
- Joyeuse Saint-Valentin !
- Translation: Happy Valentine's Day!
- Félicitations !
- Translation: Congratulations! (A simple, all-purpose classic).
Pour Célébrer les Grands Moments: Celebrating Life's Big Milestones
For those unforgettable milestones—a wedding, a new job, a graduation—a special message is in order. These wishes are filled with joy, hope, and excitement for the future.
- Félicitations pour votre mariage. Que votre vie commune soit remplie de bonheur.
- Translation: Congratulations on your wedding. May your life together be filled with happiness.
- Bienvenue au nouveau petit trésor de la famille !
- Translation: Welcome to the family's new little treasure! (For a new baby).
- Félicitations pour la naissance de votre fils/fille.
- Translation: Congratulations on the birth of your son/daughter.
- Bravo pour ton diplôme ! C'est amplement mérité.
- Translation: Well done on your graduation! It's thoroughly deserved.
- Félicitations pour ce nouvel emploi. Une belle aventure commence !
- Translation: Congratulations on this new job. A great adventure is beginning!
- Que cette nouvelle maison vous apporte joie et bonheur.
- Translation: May this new house bring you joy and happiness.
- Tous nos vœux de succès dans tes nouveaux projets.
- Translation: All our best wishes for success in your new projects.
- Quelle merveilleuse nouvelle ! Nous sommes si heureux pour vous.
- Translation: What wonderful news! We are so happy for you.
Avec Amour et Tendresse: Heartfelt Wishes for Your Sweetheart
When you're writing to your *moitié* (your other half), you can use language that is much more personal and romantic. These phrases are perfect for anniversaries, Valentine's Day, or just because.
- Mon amour, tu es mon plus beau cadeau.
- Translation: My love, you are my most beautiful gift.
- À toi, mon cœur, mon amour, ma vie. Joyeux anniversaire.
- Translation: To you, my heart, my love, my life. Happy birthday.
- Chaque jour passé à tes côtés est un rêve.
- Translation: Every day spent by your side is a dream.
- J'ai tellement de chance de t'avoir dans ma vie.
- Translation: I am so lucky to have you in my life.
- Merci pour une autre année de rires et d'amour.
- Translation: Thank you for another year of laughter and love.
- Tu es et resteras ma plus belle histoire d'amour.
- Translation: You are and always will be my most beautiful love story.
- Je t'aime plus que les mots ne peuvent le dire.
- Translation: I love you more than words can say.
- Hâte de passer le reste de ma vie avec toi.
- Translation: I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with you.
Bon Courage et Bonne Chance: For Encouragement & Good Luck
Life is full of challenges, big and small. These messages are perfect for wishing someone good luck before an exam, an interview, a performance, or any new venture.
- Bonne chance ! Tu vas tout déchirer.
- Translation: Good luck! You're going to nail it. (Informal).
- Je croise les doigts pour toi !
- Translation: I'm crossing my fingers for you!
- Bon courage pour cette épreuve. Je pense fort à toi.
- Translation: Good luck/stay strong for this challenge. I'm thinking of you.
- Tu as tout ce qu'il faut pour réussir.
- Translation: You have everything it takes to succeed.
- Mince alors ! (More informally: Merde !)
- Translation: A common way to say "Break a leg!" The informal "Merde !" is very common among friends, especially in the arts.
- Nous te souhaitons beaucoup de succès.
- Translation: We wish you a lot of success. (More formal).
- N'aie pas peur, tu es plus que capable.
- Translation: Don't be afraid, you are more than capable.
- On est tous derrière toi.
- Translation: We are all behind you/supporting you.
Dans les Moments Difficiles: Expressing Sympathy & Support
Finding the right words during tough times is hard in any language. These messages offer a way to express condolences, wish someone a speedy recovery, or simply show you care with sincerity and warmth.
- Toutes mes condoléances. Je suis de tout cœur avec vous.
- Translation: My deepest condolences. I am with you with all my heart.
- Nous pensons bien à vous en ces moments difficiles.
- Translation: We are thinking of you during these difficult times.
- Recevez nos plus sincères condoléances.
- Translation: Please accept our most sincere condolences. (Formal).
- Prompt rétablissement. Prends bien soin de toi.
- Translation: A speedy recovery. Take good care of yourself.
- Je t'envoie plein de force et de courage.
- Translation: I'm sending you lots of strength and courage.
- Si tu as besoin de quoi que ce soit, n'hésite pas.
- Translation: If you need anything at all, don't hesitate.
- Il n'y a pas de mots pour exprimer une telle perte. Nous sommes là pour vous.
- Translation: There are no words to express such a loss. We are here for you.
Juste un Petit Mot: Simple & Sweet Everyday Phrases
Sometimes, the best messages are the ones sent for no reason at all. Use these to check in on a friend, start their day with a smile, or just let them know they're on your mind.
- Je pense à toi.
- Translation: I'm thinking of you.
- Passe une excellente journée !
- Translation: Have an excellent day!
- J'espère que tu vas bien.
- Translation: I hope you are well.
- Juste un petit coucou pour prendre de tes nouvelles.
- Translation: Just a little "hello" to see how you're doing.
- Au plaisir de te revoir bientôt.
- Translation: Looking forward to seeing you soon.
- Merci pour tout !
- Translation: Thank you for everything!
- Fais de beaux rêves.
- Translation: Sweet dreams.
- Tu me manques.
- Translation: I miss you.
### A Final Touch from the Heart
While this list provides a wonderful starting point, the most beautiful wish is always the one that comes from you. Don't be afraid to combine these phrases or add a personal memory—a shared laugh, a word of encouragement, or an inside joke. Remember to use `tu` for close friends, family, and partners, and `vous` for colleagues, acquaintances, or when you want to be more formal. A simple, heartfelt message in French is a gift in itself.