Γεια μας
yia maseveryday, Cyprus
Greek Cypriots toast with Γεια μας (yia mas), literally "health to us". It is the standard Greek toast, and Στην υγειά μας (stin ygiá mas) is the fuller "to our health". It is also called Εις υγείαν (eis ygeían).
Meaning: toast when drinking (phrase)
Ways to say it
| Greek | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Γεια μας | yia mas | everyday, Cyprus |
| Εις υγείαν | eis ygeían | formal |
| Στην υγειά μας | stin ygiá mas | warm |
Clink glasses, look at the people around you and say Γεια μας before the first sip.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Εις υγείαν (eis ygeían) is an old-style formal toast, heard at weddings and speeches.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Cypriot Greek is a spoken dialect, and in writing Cypriots use standard Greek, so the spelling is the same in Cyprus and in Athens. Typical Cypriot drinks for a toast are local wine, the grape spirit ζιβανία (zivanía) and the sweet wine Κομανδαρία (Komandaría).
Did you know?
- Commandaria, the sweet wine of Cyprus, is among the oldest named wines still made today.
Examples in context
- Γεια μας και καλή χρονιά.Yia mas kai kalí chroniá.Cheers and a good year.
- Στην υγειά μας, παιδιά.Stin ygiá mas, paidiá.To our health, everyone.
- Εις υγείαν των νεονύμφων.Eis ygeían ton neonýmfon.To the health of the newlyweds.
Example conversation
Andreas, Sofia and Giorgos gather for dinner at a taverna in Limassol and raise their glasses.
- AndreasΓεια μας, παιδιά.Yia mas, paidiá.Cheers, everyone.
- SofiaΓεια μας και στην υγειά μας.Yia mas kai stin ygiá mas.Cheers, to our health.
- Γιώργος GiorgosΚαλή όρεξη σε όλους.Kalí órexi se ólous.Enjoy your meal, everyone.
