saħħa
/ˈsaħ.ħa/
The Maltese phrase for cheers is saħħa. Wiktionary also lists evviva.
Meaning: toast when drinking (intj)
Ways to say it
| Maltese | IPA |
|---|---|
| saħħa | /ˈsaħ.ħa/ |
| evviva |
saħħa is used as a toast when drinking or as a way to wish someone good health. You may also see the phrase Bis-Saħħa, which means "to your health" and is used informally when toasting with friends.
What does it mean word for word?
The word saħħa literally means "health".
Which one should you use?
saħħa is the standard way to say "cheers" during a toast. In contrast, evviva is an exclamation of joy or excitement, similar to saying "hurrah" or "yay", rather than a specific toast for drinking.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /ˈsaħ.ħa/. It has 2 syllables, and the stress is on the 1st syllable.
Did you know?
- In Malta, you can say saħħa to someone after they sneeze, similar to saying 'bless you' in English.
- The phrase saħħa is inherited from the Arabic word صِحَّة, meaning 'health'.
- The letter 'ħ' in saħħa represents a pharyngeal sound produced deep in the throat, which is distinct from the standard 'h' sound in English.
Examples in context
- Saħħa għalik!Cheers to you!
Example conversation
Justin and Myriam are having a drink together at a cafe.
- JustinHawn hu l-inbid tiegħek, Myriam.Here is your wine, Myriam.
- MyriamGrazzi, Justin. Saħħa!Thanks, Justin. Cheers!
- JustinSaħħa!Cheers!
- MyriamDan huwa tajjeb ħafna.This is very good.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cheers” translations and entries saħħa, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries saħħa, CC BY-SA 4.0.
