skål
skål is the Norwegian way to say cheers when making a toast.
The most common and straightforward way to toast in Norway is by saying skål.
Meaning: toast when drinking (intj)
When do people say it?
When saying skål, it is customary to make eye contact with the people you are toasting.
Did you know?
- While eye contact is essential, failing to look your companion in the eye while saying skål is sometimes jokingly said to bring seven years of bad luck in the bedroom.
- The word skål is a cognate of the English word 'shell'. Both derive from an ancient root describing a hollowed-out object.
- The word skål does not actually mean 'cheers', but refers to the physical 'bowl' or 'cup' that was used for communal drinking in ancient times.
Examples in context
- Skål!Cheers!
- Skål for helgen!Cheers to the weekend!
Example conversation
Emma and Andreas are having a drink at a dinner party.
- EmmaSkål, Andreas!Cheers, Andreas!
- AndreasTakk, Emma. Skål!Thanks, Emma. Cheers!
- EmmaDet er en god vin.It is a good wine.
- AndreasJa, den smaker fantastisk.Yes, it tastes fantastic.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cheers” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries skål, CC BY-SA 4.0.
