Kiwis from every corner of the planet, raise a glass - How do you say “cheers”

[Rumpled Foreskin]

20 Ways To Say “Cheers!”
August 2nd 2013
Today is International Beer Day, a celebration which wouldn’t be the same without one merry wish: cheers!
First recorded as “”makien cheres” in 1225 AD, the phrase evolved to “what chere be with you?” in the 14th century which was a common greeting in England. Eventually, ‘chere’ began to mean good humor. In 1919, the phrase was first written as the “cheers” we know today.
One of the suggested ways (according to the official website) to celebrate is to enjoy beers from other cultures. So, wherever you may find yourself in the world, here is a guide on how to say ‘Cheers’ in 20 different languages, while the image above shows you how to say ‘Beer’ when travelling around Europe.
Afrikaans: Gesondheid
Pronounced: Ge-sund-hate
Meaning: Health
Chinese (Mandarin):干杯 / gān bēi
Pronounced: Gan bay
Meaning: Cheers
Czech: Na zdravi
Pronounced: Naz-drah vi
Meaning: Cheers
Dutch: Proost
Pronounced: Prohst
Meaning: Cheers
French: Santé! / À votre santé!
Pronounced: Sahn-tay / Ah la vo-tre sahn-tay
Meaning: To your health
German: Prost / Zum wohl
Pronounced: Prohst / Tsum vohl
Meaning: Cheers/ to your health
Greek: ΥΓΕΙΑ
Pronounced: Yamas
Meaning: Health
Irish Gaelic: Sláinte
Pronounced: Slawn-cha
Meaning: Health
Italian: Salute / Cin cin
Pronounced: Saw-lutay / Chin chin
Meaning: Health/ cheers
Japanese: 乾杯/ Kanpai
Pronounced: Kan-pie
Meaning: Cheers/ Empty the glass
Korean: 건배
Pronounced: Gun bae
Meaning: Cheers/ toast
Lithuanian: į sveikatą
Pronounced: Ee sweh-kata
Meaning: To your health
Moldovan: Noroc
Pronounced: No-rock
Meaning: Luck
Polish: Na zdrowie
Pronounced: Naz-droh-vee-ay
Meaning: To your health
Portugese: Saúde
Pronounced: Saw-OO-de
Meaning: Health
Russian: Будем здоровы/ На здоровье
Pronounced: Budem zdorovi/ Na zdorovie
Meaning: To your health (It is interesting to note that most Russians rarely use this expression, and the above is used more by foreigners. Russians will change their wishes based on the person and celebration.)
Spanish: Salud
Pronounced: Sah-lud
Meaning: Health
Swedish: Skål
Pronounced: Skawl
Meaning: Cheers (and don’t forget to look everyone in the eye!)
Welsh: Iechyd da
Pronounced: Yeh-chid dah
Meaning: Good health
Yiddish: Sei gesund
Pronounced: Say geh-sund
Meaning: Be healthy



There are more comprehensive lists, but if some of you would like to add, feel free, and I’ll add it to the op.

 

[Sprig of Parsley]

Familiar with salud and skål. Last time I had to toast someone it was more of a topical "to *group*".

 

[Y2K Baby]

Alcohol is the devil's water.

 

[Marco Fucko]

I don't drink but I'd smash an oktoberfest girl in a dirndl.

 

[PL 001]

People in my area rarely say cheers, when we do, I just go with a hearty "skal!"

 

[nippleonbonerfart]

Tradition around here is to pour our guest a tall glass of Everclear and say "Drink up, pussy"

 

[JM 590]

Korean: 건배
Pronounced: Gun bae
Meaning: Cheers/ toast

See, that's why Koreans are the best

 

[S4D4K0]

Kameraden, ja das scheiden ist nun einmal unser los,
Darum nehmt das glas zur hand, und wir rufen "prost!"

 

[Eryngium]

 

[NOT Sword Fighter Super]

Salud!


Edit:

August 2nd 2013

:late:

 

[The Shadow]

Beer is for fat balding bugmen. And Europeans.

But I repeat myself.

 

[RG 448]

Before taking the first gulp, I silently acknowledge the dead.

 

[Terminus Est]

Gesondheid

 

[Clop]

Kippis

Finnish. From the German expression "die Gläser kippen" ("knock back the glasses", literally "tilt the glasses").

 

[Exorbital Columnations]

I drink alone.

 

[Крыса]

Never heard На здоровье in Russia I'm not sure where that actually comes from, За (za) здоровье would be the correct generic toast, but even that isn't all that common, you usually use za + whatever you're drinking to.

Tchin tchin is also pretty common in French, while clinking your glasses

 

[guccigash]

Are there any other versions of cheers that also mean thank you. I mean - I the UK we say say it to mean thank you as well as "cheers".

Just curious.

 

[TungstenCarbide]

Cin-cin. Also "Viva!" (Live!), that is typical in the region of Italy I live in.

 

[RG 448]

I drink alone.

When I drink alone, I prefer to be by myself.

 

[Exorbital Columnations]

When I drink alone, I prefer to be by myself.

This guy gets it.