乾杯
kanpaitoast, standard
The Japanese word for "cheers" is 乾杯 (kanpai), said when glasses are raised together. It is written with kanji meaning "dry" and "cup". It is also called 乾杯! (kanpai).
Meaning: toast when drinking (phrase)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 乾杯 | kanpai | toast, standard |
| 乾杯! | kanpai | toast, raising glasses |
People say 乾杯 (kanpai) at the start of a drink, at parties and at company dinners. Everyone waits for the first toast before drinking.
How do you pronounce it?
It sounds like "kahn-pie", with a short first part and a clear n before the p.
When do people say it?
At a Japanese dinner it is polite to wait until everyone has a drink, then toast together and take a first sip. Many people begin with beer and say とりあえずビール (toriaezu biiru), "beer for now".
Did you know?
- The Chinese toast 干杯 (gānbēi) is a close relative of 乾杯 (kanpai) and also means "dry the cup".
Examples in context
- それでは、乾杯!Soredewa, kanpai!Well then, cheers!
- みんなで乾杯しましょう。Minna de kanpai shimashou.Let's toast together.
- 新年に乾杯。Shinnen ni kanpai.Cheers to the new year.
Example conversation
Takashi and his colleagues Mari and Jun are at a company dinner.
- Takashiみなさん、グラスを持ってください。Minasan, gurasu o motte kudasai.Everyone, please hold your glasses.
- Mari準備できました。Junbi dekimashita.We are ready.
- Takashi乾杯!Kanpai!Cheers!
