gratulatio

Gratulatio is a Latin noun meaning an expression of congratulations or felicitations, a gesture or message of goodwill offered in response to a celebration, achievement, or notable event. The term can denote the act of congratulating, the content of a congratulatory message, or the occasion for such expressions. It is derived from the verb gratulari, a deponent meaning “to congratulate” or “to express joy,” which itself comes from gratus, meaning pleasing or welcome.

In Latin grammar, gratulatio is a feminine noun of the third declension. It is commonly found in ecclesiastical and medieval Latin, as well as in classical and late Latin texts when describing ceremonies or salutations of goodwill. The plural form is gratulationes, used when referring to multiple expressions of congratulations.

Usage and contexts often involve formal or ceremonial greetings, such as congratulations offered on a new office, a victory, a birth, or other significant occasions. In modern Latin writings, gratulatio can appear in ceremonial language or in translations where a formal tone is required to convey felicitations.

Related terms include gratulor or gratulari (to congratulate) and gratitudo (gratitude), the latter representing a related but distinct concept focusing on thankfulness rather than the act of congratulating. Gratulatio thus occupies a niche in Latin vocabulary for expressing goodwill and celebratory praise toward others.