In the Production Écrite section of your DELF A1 or DELF A2 exam, you may be asked to write a short message or letter of congratulations (une lettre de félicitations). This type of task also appears in other French exams that follow the CEFR scale, such as the TCF or TEF.
This guide will walk you step by step through how to write such a letter — with sample structures, useful expressions, and a template you can adapt in the exam.
You might also find useful:
(1) Guide to writing a post card in french about your vacation
(2) Guide to filling out a form in French
(3) Guide to writing a letter accepting an invitation in french
(4) Guide to writing an invitation in french
1. Situations Where You Congratulate Someone
In everyday life, congratulations can be personal (with family and friends) or professional (with colleagues, classmates, or acquaintances). Common exam-style topics include:
Congratulating a friend or family member on an engagement.
Congratulating someone on their marriage.
Congratulating a colleague or friend on a promotion or new job.
Congratulating a friend or family member on passing an exam or getting into a school.
Congratulating someone on buying a new apartment.
Congratulating a friend, colleague, or relative on the arrival of a baby.
In this article, we’ll focus on congratulating someone for passing an exam, since it’s a frequent DELF A1–A2 task.
2. How to Plan Your Letter
Before you start writing, think about:
Who are you congratulating? (friend, colleague, family member)
What is the occasion? (exam, diploma, job, baby, wedding, etc.)
What is the tone? (friendly or professional)
A good congratulatory note should include:
A proper greeting
Clear congratulations
A positive reaction (show happiness or pride)
An optional question about the future
An optional personal touch (gift, celebration, family mention)
A closing formula
3. Greetings
Formal (professional tone):
Cher Monsieur + name, → Dear Sir…
Chère Madame + name, → Dear Madam…
Informal (friendly tone):
Cher / Chère + name, → Dear + name
Salut + name, → Hi + name
Bonjour + name, → Hello + name
4. Useful Expressions
Here is a bank of expressions grouped by function. You can mix and match to build a natural-sounding letter.
A. Starting the Congratulations
Félicitations ! / Bravo ! → Congratulations! / Well done!
Je tiens à te/vous féliciter pour… → I want to congratulate you for…
Toutes mes félicitations pour… → My congratulations on…
Je viens d’apprendre que… et je suis très heureux(se) pour toi/vous. → I just heard that… and I’m very happy for you.
Quelle bonne nouvelle ! Félicitations pour… → What great news! Congratulations on…
B. Showing Happiness or Admiration
Je suis content(e) / très heureux(se) pour toi/vous. → I’m happy for you.
Je suis fier(ère) de toi. → I’m proud of you.
Tu as beaucoup travaillé et tu le mérites. → You worked hard and you deserve it.
C’est une réussite incroyable ! → That’s an amazing success!
Je n’en doutais pas une seconde. → I never doubted it for a second.
C. Asking About the Future
Et maintenant, quels sont tes projets ? → And now, what are your plans?
Tu vas continuer tes études / ton travail ? → Will you continue your studies / your work?
J’ai hâte de savoir ce que tu vas faire après. → I can’t wait to know what you’ll do next.
D. Adding a Personal Touch
Toute la famille est très fière de toi. → The whole family is very proud of you.
Tes amis et moi sommes ravis. → Your friends and I are delighted.
Nous allons fêter ça bientôt ! → We’ll celebrate soon!
Je t’envoie un petit cadeau pour marquer l’occasion. → I’m sending you a small gift to mark the occasion.
E. Closing Phrases
Encore bravo et toutes mes félicitations ! → Once again, bravo and congratulations!
Je t’embrasse bien fort. (informal) → Lots of love / hugs.
Avec toute mon amitié. (informal but polite) → With all my friendship.
Cordialement / Bien à vous. (formal) → Yours sincerely / Best regards.
5. Sample Exam Task
Instruction:
Une personne de votre famille a réussi un examen important pour obtenir un diplôme. Écrivez-lui une note de félicitations.
6. Sample Response (Friendly Tone)
Cher Martin,
Félicitations pour ta réussite au bac ! Je suis vraiment très heureux pour toi. Bravo, tu as beaucoup travaillé et tu le mérites.
Alors, qu’est-ce que tu vas faire maintenant ? Peut-être continuer tes études ?
Toute la famille est très fière de toi. Nous allons fêter ça bientôt !
Je t’embrasse,
Tom
7. Template (Adaptable for the Exam)
Cher / Chère ______ [Name or “ami(e)”],
Félicitations pour ta / votre réussite à ______ [name of diploma or exam] ! C’est ______ [super / une excellente nouvelle / formidable].
______ [Add: “Ton père”, “Toute la famille”, “Tes amis”] et moi sommes vraiment épatés / admiratifs ! Bravo encore !
Et maintenant, quels sont tes projets ? J’ai hâte de savoir.
On t’embrasse / Cordialement,
[Your name]
8. Exam Tips
Keep it short: 40–50 words (A1) or 60–80 words (A2).
Use enthusiastic expressions (Félicitations ! Bravo !).
Keep a clear structure: greeting → congratulations → positive reaction → optional question → conclusion.
Use informal tone for family/friends and formal tone for colleagues or professional situations.
Stick to simple but correct French — clarity is more important than complexity.
