Situation
A friend tells you about something they are proud of.
Celebrate them in a way that feels present and genuine.
Natural American English
“That’s amazing—I’m so happy for you. You worked really hard for this.”
Tone
Joyful, generous, and supportive.
What lands
Link the celebration to their effort. It shows you see both the win and the work behind it.
Try it
Your friend tells you they got accepted into a program they wanted. What could you say?
Reveal a natural response
“That’s amazing—I’m so happy for you. You worked really hard for this.”
Common mistake: Immediately comparing their news to your own can accidentally pull attention away from their moment.