Thread: С наступающим праздником

In a list of congratulation phrases I find this: С наступающим праздником! But I can't understand which kind of celebration can be this, according to the meaning of наступать.
I see this phrase used everywhere. Thank you.

«[Поздравляю [вас]] с наступающим праздником!» = «I congratulate you upon coming holiday!»
It can be used for any celebration. But it should only be used if it is obvious which holiday you mean.

— Поздравляю вас с наступающим праздником! {I congratulate you upon coming holiday!}
— С каким? {Which holiday?}
— Ну как же? Скоро 8 марта. {Don't you know? The 8'th of March is coming.}

Большое спасибо! Very clear your explanation.

Originally Posted by SAn

«[Поздравляю [вас]] с наступающим праздником!» = «I congratulate you upon coming holiday!»
It can be used for any celebration. But it should only be used if it is obvious which holiday you mean.

— Поздравляю вас с наступающим праздником! {I congratulate you upon coming holiday!}
— С каким? {Which holiday?}
— Ну как же? Скоро 8 марта. {Don't you know? The 8'th of March is coming.}

Знакомый американец абсолютно не мог понять, как можно поздравить кого-то с каким-либо праздником. Какая такая твоя тут заслуга? Мол, поздравлять нужно с каким-то достижением, успехом, наградой, победой и т.п.
Congratulate - to express joy or acknowledgment, as for the achievement or good fortune of (another).

Originally Posted by Lampada

Знакомый американец абсолютно не мог понять, как можно поздравить кого-то с каким-либо праздником.

Tell him that originally (in "old" Russian ) "поздравляю вас" ("(I) congratulate you") meant "I wish you health".
Also it might be useful not to transfer blindly word meanings from one language to another.

How do you say in English "Поздравляю с [some holiday]"? "My best wishes on.." ??

Originally Posted by gRomoZeka

Originally Posted by Lampada

Знакомый американец абсолютно не мог понять, как можно поздравить кого-то с каким-либо праздником.

Tell him that originally (in "old" Russian ) "поздравляю вас" ("(I) congratulate you") meant "I wish you health".
Also it might be useful not to transfer blindly word meanings from one language to another.

How do you say in English "Поздравляю с [some holiday]"? "My best wishes on.." ??

Have a happy holiday!
Happy Easter, Valentine Day, Anniversary, Birthday, 4th of July! But Merry Christmas!
My best wishes on your wedding!
Congratulations on your graduation!

Cпасибо.