Bar Knowledge

Cheers in 45 Languages

Expressions used for toasts across cultures.

3 min read

Expression and context

This is a selection of common toasting expressions, not literal word-for-word translation. Latin transliterations are approximate and register varies. A toast does not imply everyone in that culture drinks alcohol.

Toasting expressions

Expressions vary with context; respect alcohol-free choices equally.

Toasting expressions

Turkish	Şerefe
English	Cheers
French	Santé
German	Prost
Italian	Salute
Spanish	Salud
Portuguese	Saúde
Dutch	Proost
Swedish	Skål
Norwegian	Skål
Danish	Skål
Icelandic	Skál
Finnish	Kippis
Estonian	Terviseks
Polish	Na zdrowie
Czech	Na zdraví
Slovak	Na zdravie
Hungarian	Egészségedre
Romanian	Noroc
Greek	Yamas / Γεια μας
Russian	Za zdorovye / За здоровье
Ukrainian	Budmo / Будьмо
Bulgarian	Nazdrave / Наздраве
Serbian	Živeli
Croatian	Živjeli
Slovenian	Na zdravje
Albanian	Gëzuar
Lithuanian	Į sveikatą
Latvian	Priekā
Irish	Sláinte
Scottish Gaelic	Slàinte mhath
Welsh	Iechyd da
Basque	Osasuna
Catalan	Salut
Japanese	Kanpai / 乾杯
Korean	Geonbae / 건배
Mandarin	Gānbēi / 干杯
Cantonese	Gon bui / 乾杯
Vietnamese	Dô
Thai	Chon kaew / ชนแก้ว
Indonesian	Bersulang
Filipino	Tagay
Hebrew	L’chaim / לחיים
Georgian	Gaumarjos / გაუმარჯოს
Armenian	Kenats / Կենաց

The shared point of hospitality

A toast invites participation, not pressure to consume or finish a glass. Accept religious, medical or personal choices without interrogation. Use cultural expressions respectfully rather than as stereotypes.