наздраве
nazdrave
The Bulgarian word for "cheers" is наздраве (nazdrave).
наздраве is used as a toast when clinking glasses or before taking a drink.
Meaning: toast when drinking (intj)
What does it mean word for word?
The word наздраве is a contraction of the phrase на здраве. The first part на means "to" or "on" and the second part здраве means "health".
Which one should you use?
The informal phrase За здраве translates to "For health".
How do you pronounce it?
nazdrave
When do people say it?
In formal settings, Bulgarians may raise their glasses slightly while saying 'На здраве' instead of clinking them.
Did you know?
- Bulgarians also say наздраве when someone sneezes, making it the equivalent of both 'cheers' and 'bless you'.
- The word здраве shares a common Slavic root with the Russian word здравствуйте, which is a formal way to say 'hello'.
- While clinking glasses is common, it is considered polite to make eye contact with each person you are toasting. To look away while saying наздраве can be perceived as being unfriendly or untrustworthy.
Examples in context
- Наздраве!Cheers!This example shows how to use наздраве as a standalone toast.Tatoeba #4620774 by korobo4ka, translation #487006 by human600
- Наздраве за твоя нов успех!Nazdrave za tvoya nov uspeh!Cheers to your new success!
- Да кажем наздраве за приятелството!Da kazhem nazdrave za priyatelstvoto!Let's say cheers to friendship!
Example conversation
A celebratory dinner at a restaurant.
- Димитър DimitarВиктория, наздраве за твоята нова работа!Viktoriya, nazdrave za tvoyata nova rabota!Victoria, cheers to your new job!
- Виктория ViktoriyaБлагодаря, Димитър! Наздраве и на теб!Blagodarya, Dimitar! Nazdrave i na teb!Thank you, Dimitar! Cheers to you too!
- Димитър DimitarЗа здравето!Za zdraveto!To health!
- Виктория ViktoriyaНаздраве!Nazdrave!Cheers!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cheers” translations and entries наздраве, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
