לחיים
le'khaim/leχaˈjim/
לחיים (le'khaim) is the Hebrew way to say cheers when making a toast.
The expression לחיים is used when making a toast during a drink. It is the most common way to toast in Hebrew and translates literally to "To life!"
Meaning: toast when drinking (intj)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the preposition ל (to) and the plural word חיים (life).
How do you pronounce it?
le'khaim
Did you know?
- When saying לחיים, it is common in Israel to maintain eye contact with everyone you are clinking glasses with, as failing to do so is sometimes jokingly linked to bad luck.
- The phrase לחיים is a direct linguistic relative of the Yiddish toast L'chaim, which brought the expression into global popularity through Jewish diaspora communities.
- In a traditional Jewish wedding, the phrase לחיים often accompanies the breaking of a glass, linking the celebration of 'life' with a reminder of historical loss.
Examples in context
- שימו לב כולם, הערב נוותר על גינוני טקס. לחיים!All right, everyone, let's not stand on ceremony tonight. Cheers!This sentence shows how to use לחיים in a setting where people are skipping formal ceremonies.Tatoeba #1449053 by MrShoval, translation #22125 by AlanF_US
- לחיים!Cheers!This sentence provides a simple example of saying לחיים.Tatoeba #1499999 by RoyTek, translation #487006 by human600
- נעלה כוס יין ונגיד לחיים!na'ale kos yayin ve'naged l'chayim!Let's raise a glass of wine and say cheers!
Example conversation
Noam and Rotem are celebrating a birthday with drinks.
- נועם Noamמזל טוב, רוטם!Mazal tov, Rotem!Happy birthday, Rotem!
- רוטם Rotemתודה רבה, נועם.Toda raba, Noam.Thank you very much, Noam.
- נועם Noamלחיים!L'chayim!Cheers!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cheers” translations and entries לחיים, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
