salud
/saˈlud/
The English phrase "cheers" can be translated into Spanish as salud. If unsure, use salud. Wiktionary also lists chinchín.
Meaning: toast when drinking (intj)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| salud | /saˈlud/ |
| chinchín | /t͡ʃinˈt͡ʃin/ /ˈt͡ʃint͡ʃin/ |
When making a toast while drinking, you can use salud to say "cheers". Other informal ways to participate in a toast include saying ¡A brindar! to mean "let's toast" or ¡Por nosotros! to mean "to us" when toasting to a group.
What does it mean word for word?
The word salud literally means "health".
Which one should you use?
Salud is the standard way to say "cheers" during a toast, whereas chinchín is an onomatopoeic alternative that mimics the sound of glasses clinking together.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Salud is a common informal way to toast in Spain. Chinchín is an informal and more playful alternative compared to the standard salud.
How do you pronounce it?
/saˈlud/
Did you know?
- Some traditions suggest that you must maintain eye contact with the person you are toasting with while saying salud to avoid seven years of bad luck.
- The playful toast chinchín is related to the Nahuatl word tzitzilinia, which refers to the ringing or pealing of bells.
- While you might think salud is only for drinks, it is also used as a common way to say 'Bless you' when someone sneezes.
Examples in context
- ¿Tienes sed? Ten jugo y vino. ¡Salud!Are you thirsty? Have some juice and wine. Cheers!This sentence shows how to use salud when offering a drink.Tatoeba #1502228 by marcelostockle, translation #9676037 by DJ_Saidez
- Su llegada fue saludada con ovaciones.His arrival was greeted with cheers.This sentence uses salud in the context of a greeting.Tatoeba #5844379 by albrusgher, translation #287258 by CK
- ¡Chin chin! ¡Salud!Cheers! Good health!This sentence shows salud being used alongside chinchín during a toast.Tatoeba #5844430 by albrusgher, translation #925010 by zvaigzne
- Salud, que todos sus sueños se hagan realidadCheers, may all your dreams come true
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucía and Mateo are celebrating a promotion at a restaurant.
- Mateo¡Por tu nuevo trabajo, Mateo! ¡Salud!To your new job, Mateo! Cheers!
- Elena¡Muchas gracias, Lucía! ¡Salud!Thank you so much, Lucía! Cheers!
- Mateo¡Salud por los éxitos futuros!Cheers to future successes!
- Elena¡Así es, salud!That's right, cheers!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cheers” translations and entries salud, chinchín, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries chinchín, salud, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
