Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| santé | /sɑ̃.te/ | |
| à votre santé | /a vɔ.tʁə sɑ̃.te/ | formal |
| tchin-tchin | /tʃin tʃin/ |
These terms are used to make a toast when drinking.
What does it mean word for word?
The word santé literally means "health".
Which one should you use?
While santé is a common short form, you can use more specific phrases depending on who you are addressing: à votre santé means "to your health" and is used for groups or formal situations, while à ta santé also means "to your health" but is used for individuals you address informally. Additionally, à la tienne! is an informal way to say "to yours!"
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
À votre santé is a formal way to say cheers. For informal settings, you can use santé!, à ta santé for friends and family or the colloquial tchin-tchin, which is an onomatopoeic expression mimicking the sound of glasses clinking.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Quebec, the informal phrase tchin-tchin! is used to raise a toast.
How do you pronounce it?
/sɑ̃.te/
When do people say it?
When making a toast in France, it is customary to make eye contact with each person as you clink glasses.
Did you know?
- If you do not make eye contact with each person while clinking glasses during a toast, you might be jokingly told you will have seven years of bad luck.
- The colloquialism tchin-tchin actually has English origins, likely derived from the English expression 'chin-chin' used in the 19th century.
- The word santé shares its roots with the English word 'sanity', as both come from the Latin 'sanitas' meaning health.
Examples in context
- À votre santé !Cheers!This sentence shows the use of the formal form à votre santé.Tatoeba #11581 by Lulantis, translation #487006 by human600
- À notre santé !Cheers to us!This sentence shows how to use the word santé when toasting to a group.Tatoeba #1143733 by sacredceltic, translation #13816655 by tieguy
- Nous trinquons à votre succès!We toast to your success!
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are clinking glasses at a restaurant.
- NathanLevons nos verres, santé !Let's raise our glasses, cheers!
- ManonSanté, Nathan !Cheers, Nathan!
- NathanLe vin est excellent.The wine is excellent.
- ManonOui, c'est délicieux.Yes, it is delicious.
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.
