The present age is of socializing and one of the most common activities is meeting over dinner and sharing a glass of wine with colleagues or friends.
One of the most common practices is the one where everyone clinks glasses and says cheers.
The act of toasting and the saying of “cheers” has been practiced since ancient times and in this guide, we shall share how to say cheers in different languages.
The act of toasting or saying cheers is done by raising your glass high and wishing the people around you good wishes.
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It would be best to take a sip before keeping the glass on the table. Not many know this tradition was widely practiced in the olden days to prove that nobody’s drink had been poisoned.
So when the guests clinked their glasses with each other they allowed the contents to spill into each other’s glasses this would discourage a host from poisoning their guests.
But there’s no evidence to prove this.
There is also a superstition attached to the practice. In many European countries, it is said that one must not make eye contact when clinking glasses.
If you do so, you’ll get seven years of bad luck. In Spain, they say if you toast with water there will be seven years of bad luck.
Many believed that the clinking of glasses chased away demons or entities.
In ancient Rome, the senate had made it compulsory toasting to the well-being and continued health of Emperor Augustus.
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In the past, Toasts were an elaborate affair but it has now become a big thing during a wedding or a celebratory event.
However, for other occasions, it has been shortened to a single word cheers.
But cheers can be said in varied ways from Salud to Prost. To know and learn more ways of saying cheers, keep on reading.
Without any further ado, let’s get started:
How To Say Cheers In Different Languages
Here are all possible ways to say cheers in different languages:
Say Cheers in Italian: Cin! Cin!
Pronounced: Cheen cheen
Italians wish each other, “Cin! Cin!” while celebrating an occasion and it is similar to Salute or Your Health.
Say Cheers in Irish Gaelic: Sláinte!
Pronounced: SLAHN-juh
The Irish love to toast to one’s health and they use the term, Slainte (to your health) while clinking glasses with each other.
They also use another variation “sláinte is táinte,” which roughly translates to “health and wealth.”
Say Cheers in Turkish: Şerefe!
Pronounced: Cheh-reh-FEH
In Turkey, there are many ways to say cheers while clinking glasses with their peers. But the most common being Serefe! which can be simply translated to cheers!
Say Cheers In Japanese: 乾杯 / Kanpai
Pronounced: Kan-pie
In Japan, they say Kanpai! and it translates to an empty cup. It is a respected pre-drinking ritual.
So in Japan do as the Japanese do and wait till everyone hasKan-pie to sip from your glass.
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Say Cheers in Spanish: Salud
Pronounced: Sah-lud
Spaniards are known to clink their drinks to Salud! It’s used to wish family and friends good health and prosperity.
Say Cheers in German: Prost
Pronounced: Prohst
In Germany, the sound of Prost is loud and clear during the Oktoberfest event. Prost is the most popular way to toast in German-speaking countries before enjoying your glass of Beer.
Say Cheers in French: Santé! / À votre santé!
Pronounced: Sahn-tay / Ah vo-tre sahn-tay
The French are known connoisseurs of wine and drinks and they say Santé! which means health while making a toast.
You can also say À votre santé! means to your health.
Say Cheers in Portuguese: Saúde
Pronounced: Saw-OO-de
The Portuguese love to toast each other by saying Saude which means “cheers while clinking their glasses.”
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Say Cheers in Korean: 건배 / Geonbae
Pronounced: Gun-bae
In Korea, the word 건배 (or geonbae) means “empty glass”. It is quite similar to the English term of bottoms up.
Say Cheers in Swedish: Skål
Pronounced: Skawl
In Sweden, you have to follow proper social etiquette while toasting, it is customary to say skål” (i.e. “cheers”) and look everyone in the eye while toasting.
This is done before and after you take a drink.
To Say Cheers in Afrikaans: Gesondheid
Pronounced: Ge-sund-hate
In South Africa, the Afrikaan-speaking population toast to “Gesondheid” which means “health”.
Say Cheers in Chinese (Mandarin): 干杯 / Gānbēi
Pronounced: Gan-bay
The Chinese toast is quite similar to Japanese and Korean as they say Gānbēi which means empty cup or dry cup.
Say Cheers in Greek: Υγεία / Yamas
Pronounced: Ya-Mas
To toast someone in Greece, you need to clink your glasses and say Yamas. In this way, you wish good health and prosperity to your drinking buddy.
Say Cheers in Polish: Na Zdrowie
Pronounced: Nah zdrov-e-yay
In Poland, the most common way to toast or raise your glass is by saying “Na zdrowie!” which means ‘to health”.
Say Cheers in Filipino: Tagay
Pronounced: Ta-gay
In the Philippines, you may see a group of people enjoying their drink from one glass that is passed around and refilled it is called Tagay.
You can even hear the word Tagay which also means drink up.
Say Cheers In Thai: Chon Gâew / ชนแก้ว
Pronounced: Chone gay-ew
In Bangkok, Chon means to knock against and “gâew” means glass soChon Gâew means “clink glasses.”
You can also say “chai-yoh” (ไชโย) which is used for special occasion toasts.
Say Cheers in Azerbaijani: alqış
Pronounced: al-geesh
Literal translation: “Applause”
Azerbaijani toasts with “alqış,(Applause)“ convey a sentiment of respect.
Say Cheers in Bulgarian: Наздраве (Nazdrave)
Pronounced: naz-dra-ve
Bulgarians toast each other and celebrate with “Наздраве,” which is toasting for the good health of your friends and family.
Say Cheers in Vietnamese: Một, hai, ba, vô
Pronounced: mohd, hai, bah, voh
In Vietnam, toasting is done with Một, hai, ba, vô, a counting phrase meaning One Two and Three.
Cheers in Russian: За здоровье (saa zdorovie)
Pronounced: za ZDOR-ov-ye
In Russia, they celebrate toasting with Vodka and yell За здоровье which means health.
There is another variation Будем здоровы- meaning Let’s be healthy!
Now that you know how to say cheers in varied ways, impress your friends by saying cheers in different languages.
