Few words are as fun to learn as 干杯 (gānbēi) — China’s hearty “cheers!” — but a Chinese toast comes with its own warm rituals. Get them right and you’re no longer just a guest at the table; you’re part of the celebration.
Beyond the basic 干杯, there’s a polite way to pace yourself, respectful ways to toast, and the etiquette that makes you a welcome guest at any banquet. This guide covers the natural ways to say cheers in Chinese — plus toasts, drinking words and the customs — master a confident 干杯 and you’ll fit right in at any gathering, from a casual round of beers to a formal banquet — knowing exactly when to empty your glass and when to politely sip. Tap any phrase to hear it spoken by a native voice, and use the flashcards to make them stick.
10 ways to say cheers in Chinese
From a simple 干杯 to a respectful toast — here are the ways to say cheers in Chinese and raise a glass. Tap 🔊 on each.
Toasts & good wishes
A few festive lines to raise your glass to.
A toast usually opens with 为 (wèi, “to / for”) — for example, 为我们的友谊干杯！ — “Here’s to our friendship!”.
The etiquette of 干杯
干杯 literally means “dry the glass” — traditionally an invitation to empty it in one go. If you’d rather pace yourself, just say 随意 (suíyì), “as you please”, and sip instead — no one will mind.
Toasting (敬酒, jìngjiǔ) is a big part of Chinese gatherings: you toast people individually as a mark of respect, and when you clink with an elder or senior, it’s polite to hold your glass slightly lower than theirs. At a banquet you’ll often be toasting with baijiu, China’s potent grain spirit — so pace yourself!
干杯 literally means “empty your glass”, so only shout it if you’re ready to down the lot! For a relaxed sip, 随意 is your friend — and toasting your host with a respectful 我敬你 (wǒ jìng nǐ) always goes down well.
Which toast, when?
| Situation | Say | Why |
|---|---|---|
| A general “cheers!” | 干杯 | Bottoms up |
| Pacing yourself | 随意 | “As you please” |
| A respectful toast | 我敬你 | Honours the other person |
| Toasting to something | 为…干杯 | “Here’s to…” |
| Wishing health | 祝你健康 | “To your health” |
Common mistakes to avoid
The little slips that trip up beginners saying cheers in Chinese — and the natural fix for each.
✕Shouting 干杯 then only sipping
干杯 means empty the glass — if you want to sip, say 随意 instead.
✕Clinking an elder’s glass too high
Hold your glass slightly lower than theirs — a small but important sign of respect.
✕Mispronouncing 干杯
It’s gānbēi — two clean first tones (high and level), not “gan-bei” trailing off.
✕Toasting from your seat
For a real toast, stand and raise your glass towards the person — don’t stay slumped in your chair.
Quick check
1. The standard “cheers!” is…
2. To sip at your own pace, you say…
3. 干杯 literally means…
FAQs
Raise a glass in Chinese — then keep the conversation going
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