Good wishes

Are you wishing someone well in their next job or school? Are they getting married? Or, have they been ill? These messages cover the sincere wishes you may have for anyone from a coworker to a friend or loved one.

1. Way to grab the bull by the horns!

This message works for that person in your life who has the "failure is not an option" mantra whether. It works in situations like a new job, starting an ultramarathon training program, or even quitting their job to explore the world.

2. You made every day in this place so much brighter. Thank you for all of your wit and wisdom. You will be greatly missed.

It's tough to replace your teacher or mentor in any situation but wishing them the best is what they would do for you. So, take this opportunity to show them that you learned something from their gift.

3. Your next boss doesn’t know how lucky they are. I hope they appreciate you as much as we have.

A great send-off includes telling someone that they made a positive impact, that their contributions were appreciated, and that they will be missed.

4. Wishing you all the best!

This message works for those who didn't know the person very well but should sign the card. Saying something short and kind is better than saying nothing at all.

5. We are all going to miss you, and we wish you well on your next endeavor.

Sincere and straightforward messages always go over well, and they're perfect whether they are moving out of state or to the job next door.

6. I am so glad you are getting out of this place! 

If you know someone who is about to go home after convalescing in a nursing home for quite a while, then this message will add some humor to their very obvious cabin fever frustration.

7. I hope you have a speedy recovery! We’re all pulling for you.

Knowing what to say when someone is sick is essential. Start with some genuine positivity, and then continue with something heartfelt. If you stick with that formula, then anything you say will be perfect.

8. I hope you’re back to gardening faster than your last speeding ticket!

As an inside joke, this well-wishing is perfect for the closeted lead foot in your life. Plus, everyone needs a good laugh when they're not feeling well.

9. The gang and I wanted to offer our best wishes for your health and happiness. We can’t wait to see you back at the dog park again.

Try to include as many people as you can into your get well wishes and sentiments so that the person feels special and loved. Have each one of them sign the card, too.

10. Here’s hoping that your day is everything you’ve ever wanted.

If you know someone who is about to have a big day, this message lets them know you're rooting for them. It works for days as simple as a birthday, to something as expansive and detailed as a wedding and the first day of college.

11. Praying for your peace of mind.

If you know that someone is struggling, but they haven't expressed it to everyone, then being ambiguous in your words lets them know you're joining them in solidarity without a peep.

12. Just checking in with you…

Any time you send a quick note to let someone know you care is an easy way to show that you're a good friend and that you send your goodwill.

13. Congratulations on your continued military successes. We hope that your career is rewarding!

You could tailor this message to anyone joining or someone who is already in the military. It works for soldiers who have either received a recent commission to a military branch or will be receiving a promotion in rank.

» MORE: Need help with funeral costs? Create a free online memorial to gather donations.

Good Luck Message Ideas

People everywhere and in any situation need to hear “good luck” from time to time whether they are embarking on a new journey or a big life change.

Even those pursuing a military career, a new business venture, or having a serious surgery would appreciate a note that lets them know you value them.

14. Sometimes a new challenge is what we need to wake up the soul. I hope you find everything you are searching for!

Making change to fulfill one's soul takes a lot of courage. So, these words can provide some soothing support for the person who has been struggling to find their way—and make that necessary, but life-altering move.

15. We are so proud of you!!

Maybe this is understated for adults, but there's something really strengthening for kids and teenagers when they hear how proud you are of them.

16. “Fortune favors the bold.”

A quote from Virgil, this message adds the most significant value for new service members who are embarking on a lifelong journey of a military career.

17. Good luck! Don't stress! You can totally do it!

Everyone needs a cheer team in their corner.

18. I wish you luck!

This is another version of the simple and sincere wishes, which are always well received.

19. You’ve worked hard for this—I believe in you.

If your partner is heading in for an interview, send them a quick text to let them know you're right there with them. Be just as positive no matter what the outcome is, too.

20. I’ll be there when you wake up. You got this!

Knowing the right thing to say to someone before surgery can be reassuring. It's also best to avoid any accidental innuendos with your well-wishes.

Today you’re going to learn 15 other words for congratulations! Also check out 33 Ways to Say Yes in English.

OK, so your best friend has just got a new job.

What do you say to her?

You say “congratulations,” right?

Then she tells you that she’s just got engaged.

Do you say “congratulations” again?

Then she tells you that her brother has just been made prime minister.

Do you say “congratulations” AGAIN?

There are lots of different ways to say congratulations.

If you don’t want to say the same thing again and again, then you’ll need these!

Informal Ways to Say Congratulations

Some good news is really, really good.

15 Ways to Say Congratulations in English - Clark and Miller

For example, your sister-in-law has just told you that she’s been selected to go on a space mission to Mars with Justin Timberlake. Very good news.

And some good news is … just good news.

For example, someone in the hostel you’re staying at has finally managed to open that difficult jar of beans. Yeah — good news. But not that good.

When we congratulate people, our level of enthusiasm changes depending on the news.

If you’re too enthusiastic about the beans, then you’ll just seem weird:

Some phrases work for either situation, and some don’t.

Let’s look at them one by one.

Nice one!

This phrase is suitable for pretty much any informal situation. The key here is how you say it.

Here’s an example for something big:

“I got the tickets for the gig! And … We’ve got backstage passes!”
“Nice one!”

Here’s an example for something small:

“Did you remember to lock the door?”

“Yep.”
“Nice one!”

We can also use this one sarcastically:

“Oh no! I just deleted the whole contacts list.”

“Oh … Nice one, Barry.”

Good one!

This one isn’t so suitable for big news. It would feel a little unenthusiastic if you said this to someone who had just won an Oscar, for example.

Save it for the little things:

“OK. I managed to rent some nice bikes for the day.”

“Good one! Let’s hit the road!”

However, this one is particularly good if you want to be sarcastic:

“Oh … I think I’ve put the whole thing on backwards.”

“Haha! Good one!”

Kudos!

Kudos is originally Greek and means praise or glory.

It kind of means “The universe believes you deserve respect! And I agree!”

We usually use it when we want to congratulate someone on something they’ve achieved — usually through hard work or a job well done.

“I’m finally getting a day off after completing that massive coding project.”

“Hey! Kudos!”

Respect!

If kudos means “The universe believes you deserve respect,” then respect in this context simply means “I believe you deserve respect.”

It’s more personal and a little more friendly.

“I just learned 40 songs in one weekend.”

“Respect! Can you sing one now?”

Congrats!

Would you be surprised if I told you that this was short for “fish man in the hat”?

Then you should be, because it isn’t.

It’s actually short for congratulations!

Even though it’s a shorter, more informal word, we still don’t really use it for small news. Save it for the bigger stuff.

“We won the match. Again!”
“Congrats! Pub?”

You rock!

Sometimes when your friend has done something really well, you feel proud of them, right?

What better way of telling them that you’re proud of them than by telling them that they rock, as in “rock n’ roll” — you know, in the way that Freddie Mercury completely and utterly rocked!

I mean — just look at him!

“Two weeks of yoga, and I’m already learning how to fly!”

     “Yeah! You rock!”

Can you feel the enthusiasm?

You rule!

As you can imagine, this is basically the same as “You rock!”

Your friend did something amazing! Now they rule!

Rule what? The world? The school? My neighbour’s tractor?

They just … generally … rule! Stop asking questions!

“They wouldn’t listen, but I just kept making my point, and in the end, they decided to follow my advice!”

“You rule!”

Way to go!

I really like this phrase.

When you use it positively, it’s absolutely bursting with (full of) enthusiasm and energy.

“Your book got a review in the New York Times, and they loved it? Way to go, man!”

But this one is also very commonly used as a sarcastic phrase:

“I don’t believe it. We have to do the whole thing again just because Barry didn’t remember to submit his file? Way to go, Barry! Thanks a lot!”

Damn that Barry.

Less Informal Ways to Say Congratulations

Of course, most of the phrases we’ve looked at so far would not be suitable in every situation.

If you met the queen of Sweden, and she told you that she was recently voted the most popular Swedish queen ever, you probably wouldn’t say, “You rock!” or “Way to go, Queenie!”

Unless you’re the king of Sweden. In which case, it’s great to have you reading this blog, Carl.

I’m really pleased for you.

This one is definitely very nice and certainly suitable for formal situations:

“You’ve been voted the most popular Swedish queen ever? I’m really pleased for you!”

Good for you!

It sounds a bit weird, doesn’t it?

I mean, carrots are good for you.

Long walks in the park are good for you.

But we can also use this phrase to mean “This is good news for you, and I’m happy for you!”

“Gustav has just told me the news. I got the promotion!”

“Good for you!”

Well done!

This is short and simple and very efficient.

We usually use this phrase to refer directly to some work that someone has done — that someone has done well. You might say that the work was … well done.

“I blocked the hack attack and removed all the viruses. We’re safe now!”

“Well done, Tammy!”

Good work!

This is more or less the same as “well done.”

“I blocked the hack attack and removed all the viruses. We’re safe now!

“Good work, Tommy!”

Excellent job!

But what if the work was even better?

Then we can upgrade:

“I blocked the hack attack and removed all the viruses AND restructured the mainframe so it won’t happen again.”

“Excellent job, Tammy.”

Of course, if you like, you can change excellent for any adjective that means “very good.”

I’m impressed!

It’s always nice to hear people describe how your actions make them feel (when it makes them feel good, of course).

This is a great way to reassure people that they’ve done well.

It’s particularly useful if you’re someone’s boss or supervisor — it provides encouragement and gives people motivation to do their jobs better.

“So you’ve been offered positions at Tesla, NASA and Clark and Miller? I’m impressed!”

Impressive!

You can say “I’m impressed,” or, if you’d prefer to sound like Roger Moore, you can go for “impressive.”

“We have built this earth destruction machine out of nothing but pure gold. What do you say to that, Mr Bond?“Impressive!”