Drinking Toasts: How to Say Cheers in Different Languages

This article has links to products that we may make commission from.

Exploring new cultures and languages is essential to broadening your understanding of the world. One universally enjoyable and bonding act across different cultures is toasting. Raising a glass in celebration is an experience that transcends language barriers and creates lasting memories. In this article, you’ll learn how to say cheers in various languages, making your future toasting experiences even more memorable and engaging.

Cheers in different languages
Cheers in different languages

While some countries have similar toasting methods and phrases, each culture puts its unique spin on the practice. By understanding how different people say “cheers” and participating in their toasting traditions, you’ll deepen your connection with these cultures. You’ll also be better equipped to entertain and bond with others while traveling.

Embrace the opportunity to enrich your conversational skills and expand your knowledge by discovering different ways to say cheers.

Before you travel somewhere new, why not learn a new way to say cheers in the language of your destination? You’ll fit right in at the table and maybe even make a few new friends.

What Does Cheers Actually Mean?

Saying “cheers” and clinking glasses is one of those time-honored traditions that we do without thinking. You may be wondering why we do it in the first place. The word or phrase used in different languages for “Cheers” has various translations, but they all carry the same meaning.

We say “Cheers!” as we clink glasses before taking a drink as a form of salutation – a gesture, or toast, meaning “to health and happiness”. While there is no definite proof of the origin of this phrase and gesture, it is said to have been an ancient tradition.

The general consensus is that it began as a way of honoring someone, just as a toast still does, but that the ceremony of saying an elaborate toast turned into a shortened for of clicking glasses and wishing your fellow drinkers good cheer!

How to Say Cheers in 35 Different Languages

We’ve done a lot of traveling – perhaps you have too – and we’re always having to scramble to look up the translation for cheers as we grab our first beer or cocktail in a different country. Sure, we could just say “cheers” and no one would care, but it’s more fun to join the others and say it like you mean it.

For your convenience (and ours), we’ve put together this fun infographic with the phrase you should use to say cheers in 35 different countries.

Notice that many countries say it the same way. Cheers in Spanish is Salud, cheers in Italian is Salute, and in Portugal it’s Saude. Skål, meaning health, is used in at least four different countries.

Now when you’re drinking in Italy or Spain, you’ll know what to say.

How to Say Cheers in Many Languages (Infographic)

If you’d like to embed this infographic on your own site, you may do so with proper attribution to https://savoredsips.com.

cheers in 35 languages
Learn to say Cheers in 35 different languages (Savored Sips)

Share this Image On Your Site

If you share this image on your website, please give credit to savoredsips.com with a link back to the original. Otherwise, it is a copyright violation.

Armenia

Genatzt (Pronunciation: Guh knats)

China

Gān Bēi (Pronunciation: Gan bay) 干杯

Czech Republic

Na zdraví (Pronunciation: Naz-dravi)

Denmark

Skál (Pronunciation: Sk-awl)

Egypt

في صحتكم! Fe sahetekum (Pronunciation: Fee sah ha ti koom)

England

Cheers!

Estonia

Terviseks (Pronunciation: Ter vee sex)

France

Santé (Pronunciation: San tay)

Georgia

Gaumarjos (Pronunciation: Goo mar jōs)

Germany

Prost

Greece

Ya mas

Guam

Biba (Pronunciation: Bee ba)

Holland

Proost

Hungarian

Egészségére (Pronunciation: eggie-sheg-ear-a)

Iceland

Skál (Pronunciation: Sk-awl)

Ireland

Slánte (Pronunciation: Slant sha)

Italy

Salute / Cin cin (Pronunciation: Sah-lutay / Chin chin)

Israel

L’chaim (Pronunciation: L-high-m)

Japan

乾杯 / Kanpai (Pronunciation: Kan-pie)

Korea

건배 / Geonbae (Pronunciation: Gun-bae)

Lithuania

I sveikata (Pronunciation: Ee sway-kata)

Netherlands

Proost

Norway

Skál (Pronunciation: Sk-awl)

Philippines

Mabuhay (Pronunciation: Ma-boo-hay)

Portugal

Saúde (Pronunciation: Saw-oo-de)

Poland

Na zdrowie (Pronunciation – Naz-droh-vee-ay)

Romania

Noroc (Pronunciation: No-rock)

Russia

Будем здоровы/ На здоровье (Pronunciation – Budem zdorovi/ Na zdorovie)

Serbia

Živeli (Pronunciation – Zhee-va-lee)

Slovakia

Na zdravie (Pronunciation: naz-draw-vee)

Slovenia

Na zdrave (Pronunciation: naz-draw-vee)

South Africa Afrikaans

Gesondheid

Spain

Salud (Pronunciation – Sah-lud)

Sweden

Skål (Pronunciation – Skawl)

Thailand

Chok dee ไซโย

Turkey

Şerefe (Pronunciation – Sher-i-feh)

Ukraine

будьмо (Pronunciation: Bood-mo)

Vietnam

Dô / Vô / Một hai ba, yo (one, two, three, yo) (Pronunciation – Jou / Dzo / Moat hi bah, yo)

Wales

Iechyd da (Pronunciation – Yeh-chid dah)

Unique Toasting Customs Around the World

Eye Contact During Cheers

In many countries, maintaining eye contact during a toast is seen as a sign of respect and trust. For instance, in Germany and France, it is considered rude not to look into the eyes of your fellow drinkers while clinking glasses. This tradition stems from the belief that eye contact builds a deeper connection among people. So, when you travel to these countries, ensure you maintain eye contact when raising your glass.

Clinking Glasses

The custom of clinking glasses during a toast is practiced in many cultures and many languages. There are various theories about its origin, but one popular belief dates back to the 17th century when the sound of clinking glasses was thought to ward off evil spirits and bring good health. Cheers has different translations around the world, like:

  • Salud in Spanish
  • Santé in French
  • Prost in German
  • Salute in Italian
  • Gān bēi (干杯) in Chinese (source)

When you travel to different countries, it’s essential to be aware that some cultures might have unique ways to clink glasses and say Cheers. For example, in Japan, it is polite for the younger or lower-ranked person to hold their glass slightly lower than the elder or higher-ranked person while clinking glasses.

Saying Cheers Without Alcohol

Not every toasting tradition involves alcohol. In some cultures, toasting with water is considered acceptable, while in others, it can be seen as disrespectful. For instance, in Iran, it is perfectly fine to replace an alcoholic drink with a soft drink or water when toasting.

As you explore the world and experience different toasting customs, keep in mind that not every culture relies on alcoholic beverages for their celebrations. Always try to adapt to local customs and enjoy the unique experiences that come with exploring different cultures and traditions during your travels.

Now that you know how to say cheers in different languages, why not share it with your friends or post this to Facebook?

Related Posts:

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE

Like this post? Please pin it to your Pinterest board to share with friends!

17 thoughts on “Drinking Toasts: How to Say Cheers in Different Languages

  1. tadvana says:

    Cheers in India ( second largest country in the world so hard to miss) is ‘salamat’ which loosely means health

    • Laura says:

      Thanks for adding that. I’ve been told many times that there isn’t one way of saying cheers in India. Although Salamat is used in some places, not in others.

  2. Henry Clark says:

    Who does not want to cheers up drinks & life? This article really help me alot & i’ve learnt how to say cheers in different languages just because of this helpful article.

  3. Sara says:

    I love learning about how different cultures/countries perform social activities like we do here in America! Awesome article, thanks for sharing

Leave a Reply to David Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *