prost
/pʁoːst/
In German, the English phrase "cheers" is translated as prost. If unsure, use prost. Wiktionary also lists zum Wohl.
Meaning: toast when drinking (intj)
Ways to say it
| German | IPA |
|---|---|
| prost | /pʁoːst/ |
| zum Wohl | /t͡sʊm ˈvoːl/ |
The terms are used as a toast when drinking. prost is the most common and widely used term for "Cheers" in Germany.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase zum Wohl literally means "to the well-being" or "to your health".
Which one should you use?
prost is the standard and more casual way to say cheers, whereas zum Wohl is more formal.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
prost is the casual, standard option. zum Wohl is used in formal settings, and can also be used informally among friends to convey camaraderie and good times. A very formal alternative meaning "To your health" is Auf Ihr Wohl.
How do you pronounce it?
/pʁoːst/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using the English word "Cheers!" as a toast in German. It is not a standard toast. Use prost instead.
Did you know?
- If you fail to make eye contact while saying prost, German folklore suggests you will face seven years of bad luck in the bedroom.
- The toast prost was not originally used for drinking, but as a polite response to someone sneezing, similar to 'bless you' in English.
- When saying prost, it is a vital social custom in Germany to make direct eye contact with every person you are toasting.
Examples in context
- Alles klar, lasst uns heute nicht förmlich sein. Prost!All right, everyone, let's not stand on ceremony tonight. Cheers!This sentence shows how to use prost in a casual setting.Tatoeba #4126951 by Dani6187, translation #22125 by AlanF_US
- Zum Wohl!Cheers!This sentence demonstrates the use of zum Wohl.Tatoeba #957535 by Sudajaengi, translation #487006 by human600
- Prost, auf das Wochenende!Cheers to the weekend!
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Julia and Felix are having a beer at a cafe.
- JuliaHast du Lust auf ein Bier?Do you feel like having a beer?
- FelixJa, gerne. Prost, Julia!Yes, gladly. Cheers, Julia!
- JuliaProst, Felix!Cheers, Felix!
- FelixDas schmeckt sehr gut.This tastes very good.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cheers” translations and entries prost, zum Wohl, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Wohl, prost, wohl, zum, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
