When traveling abroad or dining with international friends, knowing how to say “cheers” in the local language is an instant way to break the ice and show cultural appreciation. This simple gesture demonstrates respect and helps create an immediate connection. From casual gatherings to formal celebrations, raising a glass is a universal custom that transcends borders.

Here, we’ll explore the best ways to say cheers in 40 different languages with cultural context.

Best Ways to Say Cheers in European Languages

1. English (United Kingdom/United States)

• Word Translation: Cheers!
• Pronunciation: CHEERZ
• Cultural Context: In English-speaking countries, “cheers” is versatile—used both as a cheers and as a casual “thank you.” In the UK especially, you might hear it dozens of times in a single pub visit.

2. Spanish (Spain)

• Word Translation: ¡Salud!
• Pronunciation: sah-LOOD
• Cultural Context: Literally meaning “health,” this cheers is almost always accompanied by direct eye contact with each person as glasses clink—avoiding eye contact is considered bad luck in many Spanish-speaking regions.

3. French (France)

• Word Translation: Santé!
• Pronunciation: sahn-TAY
• Cultural Context: The French are particular about cheers etiquette. Always look your drinking partner in the eye while clinking glasses, and never cross arms with other people who are doing cheers.

4. German (Germany)

• Word Translation: Prost!
• Pronunciation: PROHST
• Cultural Context: Germans take cheers seriously—maintain eye contact during the cheers, and tap glasses firmly. In Bavaria, you might hear “Zum Wohl!” (tsoom vohl) as an alternative.

5. Italian (Italy)

• Word Translation: Salute! or Cin Cin!
• Pronunciation: sah-LOO-tay or chin-chin
• Cultural Context: “Salute” means “health,” while “Cin Cin” is thought to originate from China, representing the sound of glasses clinking.

6. Portuguese (Portugal)

• Word Translation: Saúde!
• Pronunciation: sah-OO-deh
• Cultural Context: Similar to Spanish, this cheers focuses on wishing good health to all present.

7. Russian (Russia)

• Word Translation: За здоровье! (Za zdorovye!)
• Pronunciation: zuh zdah-ROV-yeh
• Cultural Context: Russians often make elaborate cheers before drinking, particularly with vodka. A simple “Za zdorovye” (to health) works, but longer, more personal cheers are appreciated at formal gatherings.

8. Greek (Greece)

• Word Translation: Γειά μας! (Yamas!)
• Pronunciation: YAH-mas
• Cultural Context: Literally meaning “to our health,” cheers is usually accompanied by clinking glasses and then taking a sip while maintaining eye contact.

9. Polish (Poland)

• Word Translation: Na zdrowie!
• Pronunciation: nah ZDROV-yeh
• Cultural Context: Poles cheers enthusiastically, often with vodka, and eye contact is crucial. For special occasions, they might say “Sto lat!” meaning “100 years!” (wishing a long life).

10. Swedish (Sweden)

• Word Translation: Skål!
• Pronunciation: SKOAL
• Cultural Context: In Sweden, cheers follows specific etiquette – raise your glass, make eye contact, say “skål,” drink, and then make eye contact again before setting down your glass.

Best Ways to Say Cheers in Asian Languages

11. Mandarin Chinese (China)

• Word Translation: 干杯! (Gān bēi!)
• Pronunciation: gan-bay
• Cultural Context: Literally means “dry glass,” suggesting you should finish your drink. In formal settings, people show respect by holding their glass lower than elders or superiors when doing cheers.

12. Japanese (Japan)

• Word Translation: 乾杯! (Kanpai!)
• Pronunciation: kahn-pie
• Cultural Context: Similar to Chinese, it means “dry cup.” In business settings, it’s polite to pour drinks for others rather than yourself, and juniors should pour for seniors.

13. Korean (South Korea)

• Word Translation: 건배! (Geonbae!)
• Pronunciation: gun-bae
• Cultural Context: When drinking with elders in Korea, turn your head slightly away while drinking as a sign of respect. Using both hands to receive a drink is also considered polite.

14. Thai (Thailand)

• Word Translation: ชัยโย! (Chai yo!) or ชนแก้ว (Chon kaew!)
• Pronunciation: chai-yo or chon kaew
• Cultural Context: “Chai yo” is more of a celebratory cheer, while “chon kaew” specifically means “cheers” or “clink glasses.”

15. Vietnamese (Vietnam)

• Word Translation: Một, hai, ba, vô! or Chúc sức khỏe!
• Pronunciation: moat, hai, ba, yo! or chook sook kway
• Cultural Context: The first phrase means “One, two, three, cheers!” The second means “To your health!” In Vietnam, it’s common for the whole group to cheers together.

16. Hindi (India)

• Word Translation: चियर्स! (Cheers!)
• Pronunciation: cheers
• Cultural Context: While “cheers” is commonly used in urban India, “mubaarak ho” is more traditional and means “congratulations.”

17. Turkish (Turkey)

• Word Translation: Şerefe!
• Pronunciation: sher-e-FEH
• Cultural Context: Meaning “to honor,” cheers is used when drinking raki, Turkey’s anise-flavored national drink.

18. Hebrew (Israel)

• Word Translation: לחיים! (L’chaim!)
• Pronunciation: leh-KHAY-eem
• Cultural Context: This famous cheers means “to life!” and is deeply rooted in Jewish tradition, representing the celebration of life itself.

19. Arabic

• Word Translation: صحتين! (Sahten!)
• Pronunciation: sah-TAYN
• Cultural Context: Meaning “two healths” (double health), cheers is common across Arabic-speaking regions. In some conservative Muslim countries, alcohol is prohibited, so this might be used with non-alcoholic beverages.

20. Filipino (Philippines)

• Word Translation: Mabuhay!
• Pronunciation: mah-BOO-hai
• Cultural Context: Beyond just a drinking, “Mabuhay” means “long live” and is used as a general greeting and expression of goodwill.

Best Ways to Say Cheers in African Languages

21. Swahili (East Africa)

• Word Translation: Maisha marefu!
• Pronunciation: my-sha mah-reh-foo
• Cultural Context: Meaning “long life,” cheers is common across several East African countries.

22. Afrikaans (South Africa)

• Word Translation: Gesondheid!
• Pronunciation: ghe-SONT-hyte
• Cultural Context: Similar to Dutch, cheers means “health” and is commonly used throughout South Africa.

23. Amharic (Ethiopia)

• Word Translation: ለጤናችን! (Letenachin!)
• Pronunciation: leh-ten-ah-chin
• Cultural Context: When drinking tej (honey wine) or beer in Ethiopia, cheers meaning “to our health” is customary.

24. Yoruba (Nigeria)

• Word Translation: Àlàáfíà!
• Pronunciation: ah-lah-fee-ah
• Cultural Context: Meaning “peace” or “good health,” cheers is common during celebrations in Nigeria.

25. Zulu (South Africa)

• Word Translation: Oogy wawa!
• Pronunciation: oo-gee wah-wah
• Cultural Context: This informal cheers is particularly popular among younger South Africans.

Best Ways to Say Cheers in North and South American Languages

26. Brazilian Portuguese (Brazil)

• Word Translation: Saúde! or Tim-tim!
• Pronunciation: sah-OO-ji or tim-tim
• Cultural Context: While “saúde” means “health,” “tim-tim” is an onomatopoeic word representing the sound of glasses clinking.

27. Mexican Spanish (Mexico)

• Word Translation: ¡Salud! or ¡Arriba, abajo, al centro, y pa’dentro!
• Pronunciation: sah-LOOD or ah-REE-bah, ah-BAH-ho, al SEN-tro, ee pah DEN-tro
• Cultural Context: The longer cheers is a fun ritual meaning “up, down, to the center, and in!” with corresponding glass movements.

28. Québécois French (Canada)

• Word Translation: Santé! or À la vôtre!
• Pronunciation: sahn-TAY or ah lah VOH-truh
• Cultural Context: While similar to France, Québécois often add “À la vôtre” (“to yours”) in more formal settings.

29. Haitian Creole (Haiti)

• Word Translation: Sante!
• Pronunciation: sahn-TEH
• Cultural Context: Derived from French but with a unique cultural context, often accompanied by the phrase “Nou se zanmi” (“We are friends”).

30. Quechua (Andes region)

• Word Translation: ¡Salud! or Kausachun!
• Pronunciation: sah-LOOD or kau-sah-CHOON
• Cultural Context: Indigenous Andean communities often cheers with “Kausachun” meaning “let there be life” before drinking chicha (corn beer).

Best Ways to Say Cheers in North and Oceania Languages

31. Māori (New Zealand)

• Word Translation: Mauri ora!
• Pronunciation: mow-ree OR-ah
• Cultural Context: Meaning “life and wellness,” cheers acknowledges the life force present in all things.

32. Hawaiian (Hawaii)

• Word Translation: Okole maluna!
• Pronunciation: oh-KOH-leh mah-LOO-nah
• Cultural Context: Literally translating to “bottoms up,” this is a fun, casual Hawaiian toast.

33. Samoan (Samoa)

• Word Translation: Manuia!
• Pronunciation: mah-noo-EE-ah
• Cultural Context: Meaning “blessings” or “cheers,” this is often used when drinking kava, a traditional Pacific beverage.

34. Fijian (Fiji)

• Word Translation: Bula!
• Pronunciation: BOO-lah
• Cultural Context: More than just a cheers, “bula” is used as a greeting and means “life” or “health.”

Best Ways to Say Cheers in Eastern European Languages

35. Czech (Czech Republic)

• Word Translation: Na zdraví!
• Pronunciation: naz-DRAH-vee
• Cultural Context: Beer is integral to Czech culture, and cheers is taken seriously—always maintain eye contact during it.

36. Hungarian (Hungary)

• Word Translation: Egészségedre!
• Pronunciation: eg-ess-sheg-ed-reh
• Cultural Context: This tongue-twisting cheers means “to your health.” Hungarians cheers with everything from pálinka (fruit brandy) to wine.

37. Romanian (Romania)

• Word Translation: Noroc!
• Pronunciation: no-ROCK
• Cultural Context: Meaning “luck,” cheers is often followed by a small speech during special occasions.

38. Bulgarian (Bulgaria)

• Word Translation: Наздраве! (Nazdrave!)
• Pronunciation: NAHZ-drah-veh
• Cultural Context: Similar to other Slavic cheers, it means “to health” and is commonly used with rakia, Bulgaria’s fruit brandy.

39. Croatian (Croatia)

• Word Translation: Živjeli!
• Pronunciation: ZHEE-v-ye-lee
• Cultural Context: Meaning “let’s live,” this is common along the Adriatic coast, especially when drinking local wines.

40. Latvian (Latvia)

• Word Translation: Priekā!
• Pronunciation: pree-eh-KAH
• Cultural Context: Meaning “to joy,” this is typically used with beer or the traditional Latvian herbal liqueur, Balzams.

Best Ways to Say Cheers – Cultural Etiquette Tips

Knowing the words is only half the equation—understanding the cultural context is what really impresses locals. Here are some universal tips to say cheers around the world:

Eye Contact Matters

In most cultures, maintaining eye contact during a cheers is considered essential. In many European countries, failing to do so can bring bad luck—sometimes said to be seven years of bad luck!

Glass Position

In many Asian cultures, showing respect through glass position is important. Younger people or those in junior positions should ensure their glass is slightly lower when clinking with elders or superiors.

Group Dynamics

In some cultures, everyone must cheers with each person individually (common in Georgia and Russia), while in others, a single group cheers is sufficient. When in doubt, follow what the locals do.

Sipping vs. Bottoms Up

Know whether you’re expected to take a small sip or finish your entire drink. In China, “gān bēi” often implies finishing your glass, while most European cheers assume just a sip.

Local Specialties

Whenever possible, cheers with the local specialty—be it sake in Japan, vodka in Russia, ouzo in Greece, or tequila in Mexico. This shows deeper cultural appreciation.

Conclusion

Learning to say “cheers” in different languages is more than just memorizing words—it’s about embracing traditions and connecting with people across cultural boundaries. Whether you’re traveling the world or hosting international friends at home, cheers will help you celebrate life’s moments in authentic, meaningful ways.

Remember that the best way to say cheers is with genuine warmth and respect for local customs. When in doubt, a smile and an enthusiastic cheers in the local language will almost always be met with appreciation.

So raise your glass and practice these phrases—you’ll be cheers like a local in no time!