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.
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!
More Drinking Resources:
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)
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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?
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Laura is the founder and editor of the travel blogs Savored Sips and Savored Journeys. She is dedicated to sharing the best information about drinks found around the world.
I knew a few Laura but did not know Thailand’s. Way cool. I guess we were always drinking water there to dehydrate from the oppressive humidity LOL.
Hah. It is excessively hot there!
Hehe! Never knew most of them there. Cheers for the awesome read.
“Cheers” in Irish is Sláinte. In Scottish Gaelic it is “Slàinte” (Pronounced slaan-ji)
Cheers in Persian ( Farsi)
به سلامتی
Thanks Syrus! Great addition.
Kanpai!
Great Post. Thanks for sharing. Cheers!
Great Post
Cheers in India ( second largest country in the world so hard to miss) is ‘salamat’ which loosely means health
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.
As for as I know, there is no word in india to say cheers.
Salamat is said in Malaysia, not in india.
This may sound like a Joke but I always though the American version of this was Bottoms Up!
I’d say it’s a close second!
It’s not mabuhay in Philippines. It’s “Tagay”
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.
I love learning about how different cultures/countries perform social activities like we do here in America! Awesome article, thanks for sharing
Really awesome with the followers like it very much!!