When in Rome or Bulgaria or...

How to raise your glass around the globe

(We accept and appreciate corrections from qualified international quaffers. Send to: corkjester@corkjester.com)

Albania
Gëzuar / Gezuar

Armenia
Genatzt, Genatsoot "Life"

Austria
Prosit - Prost

Azerbaijan
Afiyæt oslun

Australia
Cheers

Basque Regions
On egin

Belgium
Op uw gezondheid (Flemish)

Brazil
Saude “To your health”, Viva, Topa, Tim-tim, Tchim-tchim

Bulgaria
Na zdrave “To your health”

Catalonia
Bon profit

China
Nien Nien nu e. Kong Chien, Yung sing “Drink and win”
(Cantonese) Gom bui or Gan bei “Dry the cup”

Costa Rica
Pura Vida “Pure life”

Croatia
Živjeli

Czech
Na zdraví “To your health”, Nazdar
 
Egypt
Fee sihetak, Bisochtak

England
Cheers, Cheerio, Lets toast, Here's mud in your eye
Down the hatch (vulgar)

Estonia
Tervist, Teie, Terviseks “To your health”

Ethiopia
T'chen chen

Faroe Islands
Skál

Finland 
Kippis, Kippis Terveydeksi “To your health,” Maljanne (more polite), n malja! “A toast to…”
Pohjanmaan kautta - "By way of Ostrobothnia" (historical reference)
Hölkyn kölkyn (doesn't mean anything but sounds funny)

France
A votre santé “To your health,” À la votre (response) "And to yours"

Frisia
Tsjoch

Georgia
Vakhtanguri, Gaumardschoss (to group of men), Gagimardschoss (to single person)

Germany
For beer: Prost
For wine: Zum Wohl “To your health”
For cocktails: Auf uns! “To us!” or Auf Dich! “To you!”
For schnapps: Und weg! or Hau' weg das Zeug! “Down the hatch!”, but Prost! is fine as well.
For whisky: Cheers! or a toast like Auf Schottland!“To Scotland!”
Hau weg den Scheiss (vulgar)

Greece
Eis Igian, Stin ijiasas, Jamas

Greenland
Kassutta "Let our glasses meet," Imeqatigiitta "Let's drink together"

Hawaii
Okole maluna

Hungary
Kedves egeszsegere, Egészségedre (sing.) “To your health”
Egészségetekre (plur.) “To your health”

Iceland
Skál

India
A la sature

Indonesia (Bahasa)
Pro or tos

Ireland (Gaelic)
Sláinte “To your health”

Iran (Baluchi)
Vashi

Ireland
Sláinte “To your health”, Guid forder! “Good luck” in Ulster-Scots

Israel (Hebrew)
L'Chaim! “To life!”

Italy
Cin cin (formal), Salute (informal)

Japan
Kampai, Banzai

Kenya (Kikuyu)
Rathima andu atene, Hey is jambo

Korea
Chukbae, Kong gang ul wi ha yo
Tuhp-She-Dah

Latvia
Uz veselibu

Lebanon
Kesak (sing.), Keskun (plur.)

Lithuania
I sueikata, I sveikas
 
Macedonia
Na zdravje! “To your health”

Malta
Cheers, Aviva (old fashioned)

Netherlands (Dutch)
Proost. Geluk, or Gezondheid “To your health”
(“Any other expression in any language can be and will be used. As long as we can drink it will be OK”)

New Zealand (Maori)
Kia Ora “Hello, good health”

Norway (Nynorsk)
Skål

Iran (Persian)
(Be) salam ati “To your health,” Nush "Enjoy it, and let it be part of your body"

Pakistan (Urdu)
Djam

Philippines (Tagalog)
Mabuhay "Long life"

Poland
Na zdrowie - “To your health,” Vivat

Portugal
A sia saide, Rhaeto-Romanic, Viva, Noroc "Good luck"

Romania
Noroc (no-rOk) "Good luck"

Russia
Na zdorovje “To your health”

Scotland (Gaelic)
Slaandjivaa “To your health,” Slainte mhoiz
Slainte Mhath! “Good health” Response: Slainte Mhor! “Great health”
Here's tae ye

Senegal
(Diola)  Buubuh, uhobal boh! “Here it is: let’s drink”
(Woolof) Niooko book! “It’s ours”

Serbia
Zivio Ziveli (pronounced 'zjee-ve-lee' ) “Let's live long!”

Slovenia
Na zdravie “To your health,” Stolicka!, Stolitschka

Somalia
Auguryo

South Africa (Afrikaans)
Gesondheid “To your health”

Spain (Catalan)
Salut, Txin txin,
Sant Hilari, Sant Hilari, fill de puta qui no se l'aCabi  "Son of a bitch the one that does not finish the cup," (vulgar)

Spain (Galician)
Saúde

Spain (Spanish)
Salud, Chin chin
Arriba, abajo, al centro, para adentro "Up, down, center, incide," (vulgar)

Swedish
Skål – Skaal, Helan går “Everything goes”

Tanzania (Swahili)
Maisha marefu “Good life” or “Cheers,” Afya! Vifijo!

Thailand
Choc-tee
Hallo or Hey : Sawadekaa - (to male) Sawadekap (Female)

Turkey
Şerefe "To honor,"  Saĝlıgına (sing.) “To your health”
Sagliginiza (plur. or polite) “To your health”

Turkistan (Uyghur)
Hoshe “Cheers,” Salametlikingiz ucun “For your health”

Ukraine
Budmo! “Shall we live forever!” (Everybody answers 'Hey!'  Repeat 3 times, then everybody empties their glasses.)

United Arab Emirates (Arabic)
Shucran, Fisehatak “To your health”

The Vatican (Latin)
Sanitas bona - “To your health,” Bene tibi

Vietnam
Chia, Cạn chén (North V.N.) Cạn ly 

Wales
Iechyd da

Plus, International Non-Places:

Esperanto
Je via sano “To your health,” Toston “A toast”

Interlingua
A vostre sanitate “To your health,” A vostre salute

Copyright 2006. All rights reserved

Photo of Jennifer:
© Ford Stockton McClave
Denver, CO USA 303-394-3673