Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| santé | /sɑ̃.te/ | |
| à votre santé | /a vɔ.tʁə sɑ̃.te/ | formal |
| tchin-tchin | /tʃin tʃin/ |
These expressions are used as a toast when drinking. The term santé refers to the concept of health, while the onomatopoeic expression tchin-tchin mimics the sound of glasses clinking.
What does it mean word for word?
The word santé literally means health.
Which one should you use?
While santé refers to the concept of health, tchin-tchin is a colloquial expression that mimics the sound of glasses clinking together.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
À votre santé is a formal way to say cheers, meaning to your health. For a popular and casual way to say cheers, use tchin-tchin.
How does it change in a sentence?
When using the formal concept of health to mean 'to your health' when speaking to one person or a group, you can say à la vôtre. When using the informal concept to mean 'to your health' when speaking to one person, you can say à la tienne.
How do you pronounce it?
/sɑ̃.te/
When do people say it?
In French culture, it is common practice to make eye contact with each person in the group while clinking glasses and saying santé.
Did you know?
- The colloquial term tchin-tchin actually has roots in English. It is thought to have evolved from the English phrase 'chin-chin', which was a polite way to say 'cheers' in the 19th century.
- In many French social circles, failing to look each person in the eye while saying santé is considered bad luck. Some even suggest it could lead to seven years of bad luck, similar to certain superstitions in English-speaking cultures.
- The root of santé is the Latin sānitātem, which shared the same origin as the English word 'sanity'.
Examples in context
- À votre santé !Cheers!This sentence shows how to use the formal à votre santé.Tatoeba #11581 by Lulantis, translation #487006 by human600
- À notre santé !Cheers to us!This sentence shows how to use the concept of santé to toast a group.Tatoeba #1143733 by sacredceltic, translation #13816655 by tieguy
- À votre santé, chers collègues!To your health, dear colleagues!
- À la vôtre!To yours!
- Tchin-tchin tout le monde!Cheers everyone!
- Trinquez avec nous!Clink glasses with us!
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are having a drink at a cafe.
- GabrielOn trinque à ton nouveau travail ?Shall we toast to your new job?
- EmmaOui, bonne idée ! Santé !Yes, good idea! Cheers!
- GabrielSanté, Emma !Cheers, Emma!
- EmmaMerci, Gabriel.Thank you, Gabriel.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cheers” translations and entries santé, à votre santé, tchin-tchin, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries santé, tchin-tchin, votre, à, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
