proost
/proːst/
proost is the Dutch way to say cheers when making a toast.
proost is a common and versatile way to say cheers in Dutch used in both formal and informal situations.
Meaning: toast when drinking (intj)
Which one should you use?
Op uw gezondheid is a formal way to say cheers in Dutch meaning "to your health". Op je/jullie gezondheid is an informal way to say "to your health".
How do you pronounce it?
/proːst/
When do people say it?
It is common to follow proost with gezondheid (health) during a toast.
Did you know?
- When saying proost, it is common etiquette to make eye contact with the person you are clinking glasses with. Avoiding eye contact during the toast can be seen as a sign of distrust or rudeness in Dutch culture.
- The word proost shares a linguistic root with the Latin word prōsit, which means 'may it be beneficial'. This is why the toast is essentially a way of wishing someone a beneficial outcome for their health.
- While proost is for drinking, the word gezondheid is also used alone as the standard response when someone sneezes, similar to 'bless you' in English.
Examples in context
- Proost!Cheers!This sentence shows how to use proost as a standalone exclamation.Tatoeba #765035 by Citrine, translation #487006 by human600
- Proost! Gezondheid!Cheers! Good health!This example shows how proost can be followed by gezondheid during a toast.Tatoeba #9300151 by Nylez, translation #925010 by zvaigzne
- Anna: Proost! Op een geweldige avond! Tim: Proost! Dat wensen we jou ook toe!Anna: Cheers! To a fantastic evening! Tim: Cheers! We wish you the same!
- Emma: Santé! Wat een leuke vakantie is dit! Lars: Op je gezondheid! Geniet ervan tot de laatste minuut.Emma: Cheers! What a great holiday this is! Lars: To your health! Enjoy it to the very last minute.
- Proost op je nieuwe baan!Cheers to your new job!
Example conversation
Noah and Sophie are having a drink at a restaurant.
- NoahIk heb echt zin in dit biertje.I really fancy this beer.
- SophieIk ook, proost!Me too, cheers!
- NoahProost, Sophie!Cheers, Sophie!
- SophieSmaakt goed!Tastes good!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cheers” translations and entries proost, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries proost, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
