How to Cheers Around the World

To cheers a drink is an almost automatic reaction when enjoying a drink with a group of people. It is almost a universal act; however, rituals and phrases vary across the globe.

 

 

Origin of Cheersing

The origins of “cheersing” are heavily debated, so it is difficult to find a definite answer. Toasting appears to have begun with the Ancient Greeks and Romans, who raised glasses to honour the gods.

When it comes to clinking glasses, the practice seems to date back to the Middle Ages. To ensure drinks weren’t poisoned, people would forcefully hit their vessels together so that liquid would spill into the other person’s cup, mixing the drinks. This meant that anyone who had poisoned the drink risked poisoning themselves.

Another theory suggests that the sound of clinking glasses was thought to frighten away evil spirits, though this explanation is less widely accepted.

 

Cheers in Different Cultures

Spanish Culture

• • Salud – A common toast in Spain and other Spanish-speaking countries. It translates to “to your health.”

• • Chinchín – A more informal version, used only with friends or family. (Definitely avoid shouting this in Japan!)

• • Arriba, abajo, al centro y pa’ dentro – Popular in Mexico and some other Spanish-speaking countries, this lively toast is accompanied by gestures:
    
    • • Arriba – raise the glass up
    • • Abajo – bring the glass down
    • • Al centro – bring the glass to the centre of the group
    • • Y pa’ dentro – drink!

Japanese Culture

• • Kanpai / 乾杯 – The Japanese equivalent of “cheers.” Literally meaning “drink your cup dry” or “bottoms up.”
    Today, it is used mainly in formal settings such as work parties, business meetings, and weddings. While younger people still use it, the intensity of Japan’s business drinking culture has led to a gradual move away from some traditions.
    Drinking etiquette in Japan is complex enough to deserve its own post!

German Culture

• • Prost – The most common and informal way to say “cheers” in German.

• • Zum Wohl – A more formal toast meaning “to your health,” often used when drinking wine rather than beer.

              In Germany, the rules are just as important as the words:

• • Eye contact – Not just in Germany, but also in France, Denmark and the Netherlands, avoiding eye contact can be considered unlucky (some say it means seven years of bad sex). Best avoided either way! The routine generally goes: eye contact, raise glasses, say Prost, take one or two sips, eye contact again, then continue drinking.

• • Water – In some regions of Germany, it is considered bad luck to cheers with water. While this superstition is less common today, it’s still worth being aware of.

Hungarian Culture

In Hungary, it is traditional never to clink glasses of beer. This dates back to 1849, after the Hungarian Revolution, when Austrians were seen celebrating with beer toasts in Vienna. Hungarians vowed not to clink beer glasses for 150 years. Although the vow has long expired, the tradition continues.

When toasting with other drinks, Hungarians use egészségedre (“to your health”). As in Germany, eye contact is considered polite, though not necessarily linked to bad luck.

 

Nigerian Culture

In Nigeria and across parts of West Africa, libation is a common practice, where a small amount of drink is poured onto the ground as a tribute to God, spirits, or deceased friends and family.

With so many ethnic groups, there are numerous variations of “cheers.” A common one is Nkem (Nikum), often said when a man sees a beautiful woman, meaning something like “my own” or “my love.”

In Igbo, a general toast is Ṅụọ nke ọma (“drink well”), while in Yoruba language, you might hear Ayọ ni o or Kara o le, both relating to good health.

 

South Korean Culture

In South Korea, the word is 건배 (geonbae), meaning “bottoms up.”

Korean drinking culture places great importance on respect for elders:

• • Drinks must be given and received with both hands.
  • You should pour drinks for others rather than for yourself, with younger or lower-ranking people pouring for their seniors.
  • The strictness of these rules depends on how formal the occasion is.