In almost every language there are toasts that are used when drinking alcoholic beverages or toasting. The most common wish is for health and general well-being. The so-called drinking in is an ancient custom, since there are people and alcohol. In quite a few toasts, the consumption of excessive alcohol is also described as unproblematic and positive. Therefore the reference is permitted: Alcohol is an excellent solvent. It dissolves families, marriages, friendships, work relationships, bank accounts, liver and brain cells. It just does not solve problems. But this should not in any way call into question a moderate enjoyment of wine.
To the middle, to the tit, to the sack, chop chop. On that note - off to the gutter.
We wish all women that they are surrounded only by beautiful, exotic animals. That they have a jaguar in the garage, a tiger in bed, a sable around their shoulders and above all a donkey that can pay for everything (Russian source).
Man drinks it, the horse drinks it, but sometimes it is the other way round.
Drinking, smoking, kissing, yelling, riding motorcycles and overtaking,
whether early or later, you will be with Peter in the ether.
With stiff arm to the stiff middle, according to old custom and fathers custom
Country |
Toasts |
Egypt | Bisochtak, Fairy sihetak |
Albania | Gëzuar (cheers) |
Arabia | Ya salam (peace), Fisehatak (to health) |
Armenia | Genatset (to life) |
Azerbaijan | Afiyæt oslun |
Australia | Cheers |
Bolivia | Salud (health), Salud y amor y tiempo para disfrutarlo (Health and love and time to enjoy) |
Bosnia and Herzegovina | Živjeli (Live, to life) |
Brazil | Saúde (health), Viva (life) |
Brittany | Yeched mad (Breton: to the good) |
Bulgaria | Nasdrawe (to health) Wino sladko - garlo gladko (sweet wine - flow in) |
China and Taiwan |
干杯 Gānbēi (dry/empty glass), Yung sing (drink and win) |
Costa Rica | Pura Vida (meaning: to eternal life) |
Denmark | Skål (cheers), Bunden in vejret or rest in håret (Empty or the rest in the hair) |
Germany | Health, get away / And away (with schnapps), for the good Hop, hop, hop, Schobbe in de Kopp (Palatinate) Don't snap for long - head in 'n neck (Northern Germany) Oans, zwoa, three - g'suffa (in Bavaria with beer), cheers, prosit |
England | Cheers, Cheerio, Here's to you, Your health Here's mud in your eye, Lets toast |
Esperanto | je via sano (to health) |
Estonia | Terviseks (health), Teie terviseks (to your health) |
Finland | Kippis (cheers), Maljanne (cheers) Skoolata, Terveydeksi (Health) |
France | a votre Santé (to your health), a la votre (to you) Santé (health), Tchin tchin, Toujour l'amour a la vòstra (Southern France - Occitan), Topa (Basque) |
Georgia | Gaumardjos (to a group: may you win) Gagimardjos (You may win) |
Greece | Jássas (to your health), Jássou (to your health) Jámas (to our health) |
Hawaii | Okole maluna, Hipahipa, Mahalu |
India | Salamat sampurna, Apki Lambi Umar Ke Liye |
Indonesia | Pro |
Iran | Be Selamati (on health), Vashi |
Ireland (Gaelic) | Sláinte (Health) |
Iceland | Skål (cheers) |
Israel | Lechájim (to life), Borei pri Hagefen (Blessed be the, who reaps the fruit of the vineyard - on religious occasions) |
Italy | Cin Cin, Salute (health) A chi ci vuole male (to those who are bad/evil to us) figli maschi (to many sons) |
Japan | Kampai (dry/empty glass), Banzai (high, healing, hurrah) |
Canada | Cheers |
Kenya | Rathima andu atene |
Kishuaeli | Maisha marefu |
Colombia | Salud (health), Salud y amor y tiempo para disfrutarlo (Health and love and time to enjoy) |
Congo (Zulu) | Oogy wawa |
Korea | Chukbae, Konbe, Kong gang ul wi ha yo |
Croatia | Živjeli (Live, to life), na Zdravlje |
Cuba | Salud (health), amór y dinéro (love and money) |
Latin (Rome) | Sanitas bona (good health) |
Latvia | prieka (on happiness), veselibu (on health), Prozit |
Lebanon | Kesak (sing.), Keskun (plur.) |
Lithuania | i sveikata (to health) uz gera draugyste (on good friendship) |
Malta | Evviva (long live, here's to life) |
Morocco | Saha wa'afiab |
Mexico | Salud (health) |
Molwania | now it's shtunkh, zwckh (down with the broth) Wakuz Dro Brugka Spazibo (good luck) Szlengro (Welcome) |
New Zealand | Cheers, cheerio, good health |
Netherlands | Gezondheid (health), Geluk (happiness), Proost |
Norway | Skål (cheers) |
Austria | Health, cheers, cheers, for the good Ex (without putting the glass down - only for schnapps) To Guat'n (a good one), well get it Prostate - sunst rosta da (prostate - otherwise it will rust) |
Pakistan | Djam |
Philippines | Mabuhay |
Poland | na zdrowie (to health) zdrowie (health), Sto lat (100 years - at birthday parties) |
Portugal | Saúde (health), Tchin tchin à tua (on yours), à sua (on yours), à vossa saúde (to your health) |
Romania | sa Traiesti (You shall live), sa Traiti (You shall live) Noroc (happiness), Sãnãtate (health) |
Russia | Zdorowje or no Zdorowje (on health) |
Scotland | Slainte (Health) Slainte mhath (good health), Slainte mhor (great health) |
Sweden | Skål (cheers), Helan går (the whole thing goes, what is meant is "down the throat", analogous: it is drunk up - only with schnapps) |
Switzerland | Health, Santé, Cheers, Proscht, Viva, for the good |
Serbia | Živeli (Live, to life) |
Slovakia | Na Zdravie (to health) |
Slovenia | na Zdravje (to health) Ziveli (Live, on life), Dno dna (in ex) |
Spain | Salud (health), Txin txin por ti (to you), por nosotros (to us), to you (por vosotros) Arriba, abajo, al centro, para adentro (top, bottom, middle, inside - the glass is positioned accordingly) |
South Africa | Cheers, Gesondheid (afrikaans) |
Thailand | Choc-tee, Sawadekaa (male), Sawadekap (female) |
Czech Republic | na Zdraví (to health) |
Turkey | Serefe (for honour), Sagligina (health) |
Hungary | egészségére (to your health) egészségedre (to your health) egészségünkre (to our health) |
Ukraine | Budmo (to eternal life), na Zdorovya (to health) |
USA | Cheers, Bottoms up (analogous: turning the glass over) |
Vietnam | Can chén (north), Can ly (south) |
Wales | Iechyd there |
Cyprus | is Iyia (for the good), Eviva (long live, here's to life) |
See also under customs in viticulture, brotherhood drinking, intoxication, libations and quotations.
The Wine lexicon helps me to keep up to date and refresh my knowledge. Thank you for this Lexicon that will never end in terms of topicality! That's what makes it so exciting to come back often.
Thorsten Rahn
Restaurantleiter, Sommelier, Weindozent und Autor; Dresden