()Happy birthday! - more common, especially in informal situations.
Congratulations may be used when someone come s of age ( )
eg Congratulations on your coming-of-age.
Otherwise it is practically never used as a birthday greeting nowadays.
The answer to all these is " Thank you".
Now here are some other wishes for various occasions ():
Have a good/nice holiday - to someone going away on holiday. Note that "holiday" here means .
Reply: Thank you/Thanks (Im sure I/we shall).
Have a good/nice weekend. - to ones colleagues before leaving work on Friday evening.
Reply: Thank you. (You too).
Have a good/nice time to someone who is going to a party or
Enjoy yourself e ntertainment ()
Reply: Thank you (Im sure I shall.)
Have a good journey. - to someone about to travel somewhere, but not usually when he is going on holiday (Here "Have a good holiday" is more usual).
Reply: Thank you/Thanks.
Good Luck! to someone about to take an exam,
The best of luck! go for interview, etc.
The person addressed replies " Thank you " and may add " I shall need it".
All the best. - to someone who is leaving for a long time, or before an examination, interview, etc.
I hope youll soon be better. - to someone who is ill.
Note that there is no wish in English corresponding to the Russian !
Exercises
Exercise 1. Choose the right answer.
1. When it is someones birthday you say:
a. Best wishes b. Congratulations on your birthday. c. Happy birthday.
2. When someone is going to a party you say:
a. Good luck. b. Enjoy yourself. c. All the best.
3. When you see your English teacher on New Years Day you say:
a. Congratulations on New Year. b. Have a good holiday. c. Happy New Year.
4. When you see a friend off to Moscow (he is going on business) you say:
a. Have a good journey. b. Have a good time. c. Good luck.
5. When your fellow-student has just passed a test in English you say:
a. Good luck. b. All the best. c. Congratulations.
6. When you leave your sick relative you say:
a. I hope youll soon be better b. I hope you will be very happy. c. My best wishes.
7. When you leave your group mates after classes on Saturday you say:
a. Have a good time. b. All the best. c. Have a nice weekend.
8. When you leave a friend of yours, who is going to travel to the USA you say:
a. Have a good holiday. b. Enjoy yourself. . Have a good journey.
Exercise 2. Reply to the following.
1. Congratulations on getting into the university.
2. Many happy returns of the day.
3. I hope youll soon be better.
4. Merry Christmas.
5. Have a good holiday.
6. Congratulations on your coming-of-age.
7. Good luck (in your exam).
8. Enjoy yourself (at the dance).
9. Happy birthday.
10. Have a nice weekend.
Exercise 3. What would you say in the following situations?
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1. Its your friend's birthday.
2. Your brother has passed an exam.
3. Its Christmas.
4. You visit a sick relative.
5. You meet a friend who is going for an Interview.
6. Your sister is going to a concert.
7. Its Women's Day.
8. Your neighbours ere going on holiday.
9. Your fellow-student is going to a party.
Exercise 4. Read the following dialogues with your partner.
Learn the underlined words and expressions.