Say ‘Cheers’ in 21 Different Languages To Celebrate Life’s Moments

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If one word could represent all the joy of a celebration, it would be “Cheers!” Nearly every culture around the world has a word and ritual for celebrating the good times in their family and community. Whether you’re hoisting a glass of Prosecco, sake, or spicy masala chai, learn how to wish good health and congratulations in 21 different languages.

How to say ‘Cheers’ in different languages

The spirit of “Cheers!” is perfect for any event in most countries, whether it’s an elegant wedding in Tuscany or a sudden sneeze in Warsaw. Take part in special (and everyday) moments across the world when you discover how to say “cheers” in different languages.

When to say ‘Cheers’ in other countries and cultures

Holding up a glass and drinking to someone’s good health is a ritual that transcends regional boundaries. Learn more about how and when to say “cheers” in different languages, along with cultural customs (and drinks!) in various countries.

‘Cheers’ in Arabic: Fi sihtak! (في صحتك)

If you’re attending an Islamic celebration like Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, the most common way to say “Cheers!” is Fi sihtak! (to your health). You may also hear the more informal sahha or yallah (Let’s go), depending where you are.

And what do you drink during these toasts? While many Arabic-speaking countries and Islamic customs forbid drinking alcohol, you can toast with shai (tea) or a popular apricot drink known as qamar al-din.

‘Cheers’ in Dutch: Proost!

Whether you’re in the Netherlands celebrating Dankdag (Thanksgiving), Påske (Easter) or Koningsdag (celebration of King Willem-Alexander), Proost is the way to toast. It means “May it be good” and is the perfect way to wish your fellow celebrants well. You can also say Santé, which wishes good health.

How to toast in the Netherlands? Clink glasses while looking people in the eye and enjoy a glass of Dutch beer served in small vaasjes (vases) or fluitjes (flutes)!

‘Cheers’ in Filipino: Tagay!

The Filipino phrase Tagay means “Bottoms up,” which is usually an invitation to drain the glass in front of you. But in the Philippines, Tagay often refers to the practice of passing a drink around a circle, letting everyone drink from the same glass.

You may find yourself wishing others Tagay at popular Filipino festivals, including the Ati-Atihan Festival held in the third week of January, or social gatherings known as Inuman Sessions (drinking sessions). Enjoy delicious lambanog, a sweet coconut liquor, or tuba, a Filipino palm wine, at these special occasions.

‘Cheers’ in French: À ta santé!

À ta santé means “to your health” in French. If you’re lucky enough to toast a celebration on a French holiday like Bastille Day, you’ll find yourself immersed in a culture where food and drink always matches how special the event is.

As the birthplace of bubbly champagne and some of the finest wines in the world, France is an ideal place to toast with a glass in your hand—even if there isn’t a holiday coming up on the calendar!

‘Cheers’ in German: Zum Wohl!

For formal occasions in Germany, zum Wohl (to your health) is the proper way to say “Cheers!” But for informal gatherings of friends at a German beer garden or summer Riesling celebrations, you’re likely to hear Prost instead.

And if you happen to be in Germany during Oktoberfest, call out Ein Prosit with your next round (and try to learn the lyrics to the drinking song “Ein Prosit der Gemütlichkeit”)!

‘Cheers’ in Greek: Stin ygeiá mas! (Στην υγειά σας)

Anyone who’s been to a Greek celebration knows that both joy and ouzo (Greek liqueur) flow freely. You’ll hear calls of Stin ygeiá mas, or the less formal Yamas, whether you’re invited to Orthodox Easter (known as Pascha), a birthday celebration, or dinner with Greek friends and family.

And speaking of ouzo (the anise-flavored spirit that often accompanies Greek toasts), feel free to call out Opa! (Hurray!) with your drink, along with more formal greetings and well wishes.

‘Cheers’ in Farsi: Bah salameti! (به سلامتی)

Alcoholic drinks are banned in Iran and many other Farsi and Persian-speaking countries, so your glass is more likely to contain chai (tea) or doogh (a yogurt drink). But no matter what you’re drinking on occasions like Nowruz, the Persian New Year, you’re likely to hear calls of ah salameti (to good health)!

Since Persian culture so highly values hospitality and community, you’ll also hear Bah salameti over meals, casual visits, and everyday greetings. It’s a friendly way to wish one good health alongside a more traditional greeting.

‘Cheers’ in Hebrew: L’chaim! (לחיים)

Even if you’ve never attended a Jewish celebration or traveled to Israel, you may have heard the Hebrew word for “Cheers”: L’chaim! It means “To life!” This phrase is similar to other languages’ wishes for good health and fortune. Mazel Tov is another toast used for luck or congratulations.

You’ll likely hear these phrases during Jewish celebrations like Rosh Hashanah and Purim before taking a sip of wine or limonana, the national drink of Israel.

‘Cheers’ in Hindi: Achchhee sehat ke lie! (अच्छी सेहत के लिए )

With a bustling wine and spirits scene, street festivals, and a number of cultural celebrations, India is a place where you’ll need to know how to make a toast. The most common phrase is Achchhee sehat ke lie (for good health), though you may also hear the less formal Burrah or even just the English “Cheers!”

Enjoy a glass of Indian whisky as you toast your fellow celebrants or opt for non-alcoholic options like masala chai or lassi. In some Indian cultures, the first drink is poured for an ancestor to pay respect to those who have passed.

‘Cheers’ in Italian: Salute!

You’ve found yourself at a feast in Italy, and it’s time to make un brindisi (a toast). Raise your glass of Prosecco and wish everyone Salute! If you’re in a less formal crowd, you can say a noi (to us) or cin cin (“clink clink,” a phrase with Chinese origin).

Whether you’ve arrived to celebrate the Ferragosto celebration in August or enjoy Italian Christmas traditions, you’ll want to practice correct Italian toasting traditions. Never toast with water, as it’s bad luck, and don’t cross your arms. Make eye contact with every person as you clink their glass. Always tap the table with your glass before you drink for good luck going forward! 

‘Cheers’ in Japanese: Kanpai! (乾杯!)

Kanpai means “dry cup,” which is an accurate representation of how your glass should look after this Japanese toast. Celebrate with this phrase and a glass of Japanese rice wine (known as sake) at any occasion in Japan, such as Shōgatsu (Japanese New Year).

Traditionally, Japanese celebrants show respect by waiting for elders at the gathering to make the toast. If you’re celebrating someone’s accomplishment, consider toasting with the phrase ​​omedetou (congratulations) as well.

‘Cheers’ in Korean: Geonbae! (건배!)

Though you’ll find many toast-worthy occasions in Korean culture, the most popular is Chuseok, a harvest festival in South Korea (also known as Korean Thanksgiving). Geonbae is the most common way to say “Cheers” in Korean, though jjan is a more informal way to celebrate a toast.

Contrary to Italy, Korean tradition suggests that you don’t make eye contact while you raise your glass, which may be filled with soju, Korea’s national alcoholic drink. You might also fill a glass with makgeolli, a Korean rice wine that’s common at special occasions.

‘Cheers’ in Latin: Prosit!

Latin may be considered a dead language, but it’s known to show up in unexpected places (and words). Literally “May it benefit,” the Latin toast Prosit looks a lot like the German Prost and Dutch Proost. And there’s a good reason for that, as German and Dutch toasts come directly from this popular Latin phrase! 

Other popular Latin toasts include Esto perpetua (Be thou perpetual) and Propino tibi salutem (I drink to your health). Keep these great phrases alive as you hoist a glass of wine in any country!

‘Cheers’ in Mandarin Chinese: Gānbēi! (干杯)

Gānbēi! That’s the most popular way to say “Cheers!” when you’re in China, whether you’re celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival of Zhōngqiū Jié or the Lunar New Year. You can also use the more informal Suiyi if you’re toasting among friends.

When you’re making a toast in China, you’ll likely make it with a small glass of baijiu, a popular Chinese liquor similar to vodka. If you’re toasting to someone older or more senior than you, lower your glass to “clink” the rim of theirs in respect.

‘Cheers’ in Polish: Na zdrowie!

Na zdrowie is the most common way to say “Cheers” in Poland, but it’s not the only way. Depending on the formality of the occasion, you may also hear Sto lat (one hundred years) or Człowiek nie wielbłąd, pić musi (Man is not a camel, he must drink)!

Polish vodka often accompanies a Polish toast, whether it’s at Boże Narodzenie (Christmas) or Wielkanoc (Easter). Just remember to drink your vodka slowly and refuse a second glass before accepting, as both are considered polite etiquette at Polish gatherings and celebrations.

‘Cheers’ in Portuguese: Saúde!

Raising um brinde (a toast) is always a special moment, whether you’re celebrating Dia de Portugal in Lisbon or Carnival in Rio de Janeiro. Saúde is the proper way to say “Cheers” in both Portugal and Brazil, though you may also hear tchin-tchin (clink, clink) or à nossa (to us) at Portuguese celebrations.

In Portugal, you’re likely to toast with a glass of port wine or Ginjinha, a cherry liqueur. Brazilians prefer to make their toasts with a cocktail made with cachaça (sugarcane spirit), like the caipirinha, Brazil’s national drink.

‘Cheers’ in Russian: Za vashe zdorov’ye! (За ваше здоровье)

Russia has as many ways to say “Cheers” as they have varieties of vodka. Say “Cheers” in Russian by raising a glass to the phrase Za vashe zdorov’ye (to your health) or Na pososhok (One for the road). Depending on where you’re celebrating, you may also hear toasts like Budem (We will) or Davayte vsegda naslazhdat’sya zhizn’yu, kak etim bokalom vina (May we always enjoy life like this glass of wine).

Though vodka is most likely to fill your glass during a Russian toast, you may also enjoy

wine or honey-based medovukha as you wish the room Za vashe zdorov’ye!

‘Cheers’ in Spanish: ¡Salud!

The only word you need to say “Cheers” in Spanish is Salud (Health)! Whether you’re celebrating one of the many festivals in Spain or enjoying Mexican celebrations throughout the year, you’re sure to Salud any time someone raises their glass. You may also hear a few different toasts, such as chinchín (clink, clink) or arriba, abajo, al centro, y pa’ dentro (up, down, center, and in) complete with hand gestures. 

In Spain, you’re likely to toast with wine or cava (Spanish sparkling wine), while Mexican tequila or cerveza (beer) is the drink of choice in North America. In Spanish-speaking countries near the Caribbean Sea, you’ll toast with piña colada or a glass of rum.

‘Cheers’ in Swedish: Skål!

Celebrating Swedish summertime festivals like Midsommar is a great occasion to wish someone Skål! Look your companions in the eye before taking a quick drink of flavored vodka, like Snaps or Aquavit, and enjoy the festivities around you.

For informal get togethers, enjoy traditional Swedish drinking songs, such as Helan Går (The whole one goes down) or a snapsvisa, which comes before taking your first drink of Swedish Snaps of the night.

‘Cheers’ in Turkish: Şerefe!

When you call out Şerefe in Türkiye or at a Turkish celebration, you’re toasting “To honor!” If you’re having a wonderful time at your gathering, you might also say En Kötü Günümüz Böyle Olsun (May our worst day be like this)!

Generally, Turkish toasts are accompanied with a glass of anise-based Rakı, the national drink of Turkey. But you can also toast with Turkish wine or Turkish tea, depending on the occasion.

‘Cheers’ in Vietnamese: Chúc Sức Khoẻ!

For formal, respectful toasts in Vietnam, call out Chúc Sức Khoẻ (good health) as you raise a glass of rice wine. But if you’re toasting with a group of friends, you’ll need to know Dzô, which isn’t an actual Vietnamese word but a popular way to say “Cheers!” 

For the true Vietnamese toasting experience, join in a chant of Một, Hai, Ba, Dzô! (One, two, three, cheers!) You can also announce Trăm Phần Trăm  (One hundred percent) to indicate you’re going to drink everything in your glass.

Say ‘Cheers’ to learning a new language today

Wherever your travels or life adventures take you, learning a new language offers new opportunities. Once you’ve finished saying “Cheers,” prepare for a winter holiday abroad and find out how to say “Merry Christmas” in different languages. Or if you’re ringing in the New Year with bilingual friends, learn how to say “Happy New Year!”