The tycoons did it. So did the Vikings. “The mouth of a perfectly happy man is full of beer.” After coining that phrase, don’t you think this anonymous Egyptian from 2200 B.C. C. kept it to himself. I can see him lifting his drinking vessel towards his neighbors on the Nile side as he repeats the words.
Every country in the world has some form of traditional drinking toast, often dozens of them. Usually a word or two, ordinary toasts aren’t in the same league as toasts to the bride (which can ring for hours) or to the retiree who’s been with us for 30 years but prefers to get to their meal while it’s hot. All of these really need to be reported, especially if a meal is being served. Everyday toasts, without black tie, in corner pubs exist in all cultures and the vast majority simply mean ‘I wish you good health’. It is not for nothing that it is the English who have deviated from the norm. ‘Cheers’, ‘Down the Hatch’, ‘Bottoms up’ and many more. I always assumed the latter referred to the bottom of the glass, however Hawaiians have taken it literally. ‘Okole Maluna’ means ‘buttocks up’. I am including a list of multinational toasts to impress your friends and use as a mark of respect when in the company of people from different cultures.
Here’s some etiquette to go with your cosmopolitan language skills. It is customary to toast the first round, letting the host go first. There is some controversy about the clinking of glasses. The tradition is said to have started as a clever way to test the authenticity of the crystal of the host. Whether the Vikings clinked wooden goblets or not, it is considered more civilized to ‘knock glasses’ rather than clink them together in a clattering crash. And while you’re at it, serve on the left and take away on the right!
Toasts of Many Lands
This is just a sampling of simple drinking toasts from around the world. Some are impossible to find in language dictionaries as they are colloquial, slang or dialect phrases. I apologize in advance for any misspellings: I am not a linguist. The meanings have been included where I could find them. Fill in the blanks if you can. Some are just a general ‘cheers’. If you were placing a bet on a possible translation, you wouldn’t lose money by suggesting that each of these toasts wishes the recipient continued health and general well-being. My spell checker is about to go crazy!
za vashe zdorovye (Russian)
slainte duine a ol (irish) to your health
genatzt (Armenian)
a sua saude (Portuguese) good health
a vos sante (French) to your health
banzai (long life) (Japanese) or
kanpai (dry cup!) (Japanese)
bud mo (Ukrainian)
cin cin (chin chin) (health) (Italian) or
alla salute (in good health) (Italian)
proost (dutch) regards
vivat (Polish) revival, survival
greeting general tervist (Estonian)
skal (Danish) regards
here I am looking at you (child, optional) (American/Bogart)
kia ora (maori) multipurpose salute
egeszsegedre (Hungarian) to your health
Iechyd da (Welsh) good health
I sveikas (Lithuanian) your health
kippis (finnish) regards
le’chaim (Jew) to life
na zdravi (Czech) to your health
noroc (Romanian)
prosit (german) here is for you (and your health of course)
Wen Lie (Chinese)
Hello spanish)
bahkt tu kel (roma/gypsy) good luck and health be with you
Here it is folks – oogy wawa (zulu)
(wawa means ‘fell’, oogy wasn’t on the list, any ideas?)
We should all feel good cheer and healthy after all that!