How to Say Cheers in Chinese: 2026 Updated Guide

Toasting is far more than just raising a glass in Chinese culture – it is the core of social interaction and relationship building. Unlike English where “cheers” works for almost all situations, Chinese has distinct phrases for different people, hierarchies and occasions. Using the right one will help you avoid awkward mistakes and show genuine respect to Chinese hosts and friends.

In this guide, we’ll break down 9 useful cheers phrases, with clear pronunciation, real-life examples, and must-know etiquette tips.

The Cultural Background & Importance of Chinese Toasting

Chinese toasting customs date back over 3,000 years to ancient sacrificial rituals, where people raised wine cups to honor gods and ancestors. Today, it has evolved into a universal social language that conveys respect, gratitude, friendship and sincerity.

In Chinese social circles, a meal without toasts is considered incomplete. It is how you:

• Show respect to elders, superiors and guests
• Express gratitude for help or hospitality
• Seal business partnerships and build trust
• Strengthen bonds with friends and family
• Celebrate important milestones and festivals

9 Essential Cheers Phrases in Chinese (By Occasion)

All phrases use standard Mandarin with pinyin and natural English translations, covering every scenario you might encounter.

Universal & All-Occasion Phrases

1. 干杯 (gān bēi) – The Standard “Cheers”

• Literal meaning: Dry the glass
• Best for: All general occasions (dinners, parties, celebrations, business meetings)
• Usage: The most common and versatile phrase, equivalent to the English “cheers”
• Example:
  • A: 干杯！祝我们合作愉快！Gān bēi! Zhù wǒmen hézuò yúkuài!
  • B: 干杯！Gān bēi!
  • A: Cheers! To our successful cooperation!
  • B: Cheers!

2. 随意 (suí yì) – “Help Yourself”

• Literal meaning: Follow your will
• Best for: All occasions, especially when you don’t want to pressure others to drink
• Usage: Often said after clinking glasses, or as a response to a toast
• Example:
  • 大家随意喝，不用客气！Dàjiā suí yì hē, bù yòng kèqi!
  • Everyone help yourselves, don’t be polite!

Formal & Respectful Phrases (For Elders, Bosses, Guests)

3. 我敬你一杯 (wǒ jìng nǐ yī bēi) – “I Toast to You”

• Literal meaning: I toast you one cup
• Best for: Toasting someone you respect (elders, managers, clients)
• Usage: The most polite way to initiate a personal toast
• Example:
  • 李老师，我敬你一杯！谢谢您的教导。Lǐ lǎoshī, wǒ jìng nǐ yī bēi! Xièxie nín de jiàodǎo.
  • Teacher Li, I toast to you! Thank you for your guidance.

4. 先干为敬 (xiān gān wéi jìng) – “I Drink First as a Sign of Respect”

• Literal meaning: Drinking first is respect
• Best for: Formal dinners, toasting superiors or honored guests
• Usage: You finish your drink first to show sincerity, then others can follow
• Example:
  • 感谢各位的到来，我先干为敬！Gǎnxiè gèwèi de dàolái, wǒ xiān gān wéi jìng!
  • Thank you all for coming, I drink first as a sign of respect!

Casual & Friendly Phrases (For Friends, Peers)

5. 喝一杯 (hē yī bēi) – “Let’s Have a Drink”

• Literal meaning: Drink one cup
• Best for: Informal gatherings with friends, colleagues
• Usage: A relaxed way to invite someone to drink together
• Example:
  • 下班了，一起喝一杯吧！Xiàbān le, yīqǐ hē yī bēi ba!
  • Work’s over, let’s have a drink together!

6. 我干了，你随意 (wǒ gān le, nǐ suí yì) – “I’ll Drink Up, You Do As You Like”

• Literal meaning: I drank it up, you follow your will
• Best for: All casual toasts, the most popular friendly phrase in China
• Usage: Shows generosity without pressuring others to finish their drink
• Example:
  • 生日快乐！我干了，你随意！Shēngrì kuàilè! Wǒ gān le, nǐ suí yì!
  • Happy birthday! I’ll drink up, you do as you like!

7. 走一个 (zǒu yī gè) – “Let’s Do This”

• Literal meaning: Let’s do one
• Best for: Very casual parties with close friends
• Usage: A fun, slangy phrase popular among Gen Z and young adults
• Example:
  • 为了毕业，走一个！Wèile bìyè, zǒu yī gè!
  • To graduation, cheers!

8. 感情深，一口闷 (gǎn qíng shēn, yī kǒu mēn) – “If We’re Close, Chug It”

• Literal meaning: If our bond is deep, drink it in one gulp
• Best for: Very close friends, late-night parties
• Usage: A playful way to encourage friends to finish their drink
• Example:
  • 别墨迹！感情深，一口闷！Bié mòji! Gǎn qíng shēn, yī kǒu mēn!
  • Don’t hesitate! If we’re close, chug it!

9. 今晚不醉不归 (jīn wǎn bù zuì bù guī) – “Tonight We Party Till Drunk”

• Literal meaning: Tonight we won’t go home till we’re drunk
• Best for: Festive parties, bachelor/bachelorette nights
• Usage: Expresses the mood of celebration and having fun
• Example:
  • 难得聚一次，今晚不醉不归！Nándé jù yī cì, jīn wǎn bù zuì bù guī!
  • It’s rare we get together, tonight we party till drunk!

Custom Toasts for Special Occasions

Add a specific wish before “干杯” for birthdays, weddings, festivals and more:

• 祝新年快乐！干杯！(Zhù xīnnián kuàilè! Gān bēi!) – Happy New Year! Cheers!

• 祝新婚快乐！干杯！(Zhù xīnhūn kuàilè! Gān bēi!) – Happy wedding! Cheers!

• 祝身体健康！干杯！(Zhù shēntǐ jiànkāng! Gān bēi!) – Good health! Cheers!

Must-Know Chinese Toasting Etiquette

1. Glass height: When toasting elders or superiors, hold your glass slightly lower than theirs to show respect
2. Toasting order: Always toast the oldest or most senior person first, then go around the table in order of hierarchy
3. Two hands: Use both hands to hold your glass when toasting someone you respect
4. Eye contact: Make eye contact while clinking glasses and drinking
5. Refilling glasses: It is polite to refill others’ glasses before your own
6. Alcohol selection: Formal business dinners and family banquets traditionally use baijiu (Chinese liquor) as the standard toasting drink; high-end occasions also accept red wine. For casual gatherings with friends, beer, yellow rice wine or fruit wine are all appropriate. Always ask about others’ preferences first, and never force anyone to drink a specific type of alcohol.
7. Non-drinkers: If you don’t drink alcohol, you can toast with tea, juice or water – it is widely accepted now

FAQs About Toasting in Chinese

Conclusion

Mastering these cheers phrases and cultural customs will make you feel confident at any Chinese dinner or party. Small details like this go a long way in building genuine connections and showing respect for Chinese culture.

If you want to learn more practical Chinese phrases for daily life, you can come to Wukong Education. Wukong Chinese offers fun and interactive online classes for kids ages 4-18. Our native-speaking teachers help you learn real-life Chinese through cultural scenarios!

Jasmine | WuKong Chinese Teacher

With over a decade of dedication to the education sector, I specialize in educational innovation and practice, deeply researching the construction of the basic education ecosystem and the cultivation of students’ core competencies. Holding a Doctorate in Education from Beijing Normal University, I integrate theoretical research with frontline teaching, excelling in stimulating students’ internal learning motivation through interdisciplinary teaching methods. Guided by the mission of “enabling every child to embrace suitable education”, I promote educational equity and personalized development, helping students unlock infinite possibilities in their growth. I am committed to injecting vitality into the high – quality development of education with professional expertise.