How to Say ‘Cheers’ in 15 Languages
Jul. 29, 2016
From “here’s to your health” and “bottoms up” to the ever-classic “cheers,” Americans have no shortage of communal toasting traditions. But with the Rio Games looming, there’s never been a better time to brush up on the traditions of cultures around the world—and particularly how those cultures celebrate over a good drink. Here, learn how to say “cheers” in 15 languages—you’ll be jonesin’ for the games to begin.
French:
Santé! / À votre santé!
Pronounced: sahn-tay / ah la vo-tre sahn-tay
Meaning: “to your health”
Dutch:
proost
Pronounced: prohst
Meaning: “cheers”
Chinese (Mandarin):
干杯 / gān bēi
Pronounced: gan bay
Meaning: “cheers”
Czech:
na zdravi
Pronounced: naz-drah vi
Meaning: “cheers”
German:
prost / zum wohl
Pronounced: prohst / tsum vohl
Meaning: “cheers” / “to your health”
Greek:
ΥΓΕΙΑ
Pronounced: yamas
Meaning: “to your health”
Irish Gaelic:
sláinte
Pronounced: slawn-cha
Meaning: “to your health”
Italian:
salute / cin cin
Pronounced: saw-lutay / chin chin
Meaning: “cheers” / “to your health”
Japanese:
乾杯 / kanpai
Pronounced: kan-pie
Meaning: “cheers” / “empty the glass”
Polish:
na zdrowie
Pronounced: naz-droh-vee-ay
Meaning: “to your health”
Portuguese:
saúde
Pronounced: saw-OO-de
Meaning: “to your health”
Spanish:
salud
Pronounced: sah-lud
Meaning: “to your health”
Swedish:
skål
Pronounced: skawl
Meaning: “cheers”
Hebrew:
l'chaim
Pronounced: la-hi-em
Meaning: “to life”
Yiddish:
sei gesund
Pronounced: say geh-sund
Meaning: “be healthy”