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
More essential phrases
Short, everyday Mandarin you can use from your first conversation.
Raise a glass in Chinese — then keep the conversation going
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