干杯！
gānbēi!
The English phrase 'bottoms up' can be translated into Chinese as 干杯！ (gānbēi!)
干杯 (Gān bēi) is used to propose a toast, similar to saying 'Cheers!' While the English 'bottoms up' is a suggestion to drink the whole glass, 干杯 can function both as a toast and as a command to finish the entire drink.
Meaning: Cheers! (intj)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally means 'dry glass', where 干 (gān) means 'dry' and 杯 (bēi) means 'glass' or 'cup'.
Which one should you use?
The form 乾杯 is an informal way to say 'bottoms up' and carries the same meaning as 干杯.
How do you pronounce it?
gānbēi!
When do people say it?
In many Chinese social settings, saying 干杯 implies an expectation that the person should finish their entire drink in one go.
Did you know?
- In many formal business banquets, a guest might show respect by touching the rim of their glass to a lower position than the host's glass when saying 干杯.
- During a heavy drinking session, you might hear people say 走一个 (zǒu yī gè), which literally means 'walk one', used as an idiomatic way to suggest a toast.
- If you want to express the same sentiment without the pressure of drinking the entire glass, you might use the term 随意 (suí yì), which means 'as you wish'.
Examples in context
- 干杯！Bottoms up!This example is useful for seeing how to use 干杯！Tatoeba #380278 by kellenparker, translation #21180 by CM
- 大家干杯!Let's all raise our glasses and drink!
- 大家，干杯！Dàjiā, gānbēi!Everyone, cheers!
Example conversation
Two friends are celebrating a promotion at a restaurant.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen祝贺你升职！Zhùhè nǐ shēngzhí!Congratulations on your promotion!
- 浩然 Haoran谢谢，我们干杯！Xièxiè, wǒmen gānbēi!Thanks, let's toast!
- 晓雯 Xiaowen干杯！Gānbēi!Cheers!
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
