За здоровье!
za zdorovyestandard
When you drink with Russians the usual toast is За здоровье! (za zdorovye), "to health". A more polite form is Ваше здоровье! (vashe zdorovye), and friends say Будем здоровы! (budem zdorovy).
Meaning: toast (interjection)
Ways to say it
| Russian | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| За здоровье! | za zdorovye | standard |
| Ваше здоровье! | vashe zdorovye | polite |
| Будем здоровы! | budem zdorovy | friendly |
Say the toast with glasses raised, before the first drink. At a longer table each guest may give a toast, often starting with За …, meaning "to …".
Which one should you use?
Ваше здоровье! (vashe zdorovye) is formal and addresses the person with вы. Будем! (budem) is the short casual form.
When do people say it?
In Russia people usually eat something while they drink and do not drink without a toast.
Did you know?
- За встречу (za vstrechu), "to the meeting", is another very common Russian toast.
Examples in context
- Ваше здоровье, Иван Петрович!vashe zdorovye, ivan petrovich!Your health, Ivan Petrovich!
- Будем здоровы!budem zdorovy!Let us be healthy!
Example conversation
Boris and his guest Nikolay raise glasses at a dinner table in Moscow.
- BorisНиколай, за встречу!nikolay, za vstrechu!Nikolay, to our meeting!
- NikolayЗа здоровье!za zdorovye!To health!
- BorisУгощайся, пожалуйста.ugoshchaysya, pozhaluysta.Help yourself, please.
