Drinking with friends or colleagues is a universal way to enjoy good times and create cherished memories. If you’re in France or in a French-speaking country, it’s essential to know how to say “cheers” in French. In this guide, we’ll explore the formal and informal ways to toast in French, provide regional variations where necessary, and offer plenty of tips and examples to help you navigate the French drinking culture with ease and confidence.
Table of Contents
The Basics: Formal and Informal Cheers in French
When toasting in French, it’s important to consider the level of formality and the people you are with. Here are the main phrases to express “cheers” in both formal and informal settings:
Formal:
- Santé – Pronounced “sahn-tay,” this is the most common way to say “cheers” in a formal setting. It translates to “health” and is similar to the English expression “to your health!”
- À votre santé – Pronounced “ah voh-truh sahn-tay,” this expression means “to your health” and is used when toasting formally to a person or a group of people.
Informal:
- Tchin-tchin – Pronounced “chin-chin,” this is the informal way to say “cheers” in French. It is commonly used among friends and peers during social gatherings.
- À la tienne – Pronounced “ah lah tee-yen,” this phrase means “to yours” and is used informally to toast to someone’s health or drink.
Remember, using the appropriate level of formality is crucial, as it shows respect and understanding of French social etiquette.
Tips for Toasting in French
Beyond the basic phrases, here are some additional tips and insights to enhance your French toasting game:
1. Maintain Eye Contact
When toasting in France, it is customary to make eye contact with the person you are toasting with. It’s a sign of sincerity and connection, so be sure to look them in the eye while saying “cheers.”
2. Wait for Everyone to be Served
In formal settings, it is polite to wait until everyone at the table has been served before raising your glass to toast. This gesture shows consideration and patience.
3. Clink Glasses Lightly
When clinking glasses during a toast, be mindful not to clink too forcefully. In France, a gentle, light clink is customary, and it is considered bad luck to break your glass while toasting.
4. Adapt to Regional Variations
While the phrases mentioned earlier are widely understood and used throughout France, there may be some regional variations. If you find yourself in a specific area, it’s always good to ask the locals about their preferred way to toast before enjoying a drink together.
Examples of Cheers in French
To provide you with more context, here are a few examples of how to say “cheers” in different situations using the phrases we’ve discussed:
À votre santé, Monsieur Dupont. Merci pour cette soirée agréable.
(To your health, Mr. Dupont. Thank you for this enjoyable evening.)
Tchin-tchin ! On trinque à notre amitié !
Cheers! Let’s toast to our friendship!
Conclusion
Now that you’re equipped with the knowledge of how to say “cheers” when drinking in French, you’ll be able to engage in toasts confidently and respect the cultural norms of the French-speaking world. Remember the formal phrases like “Santé” and “À votre santé” for more formal occasions, and use the informal expressions like “Tchin-tchin” and “À la tienne” when among friends. Don’t forget the additional tips of maintaining eye contact, waiting for everyone to be served, and clinking glasses lightly. Adapt to regional variations if you encounter them, and always enjoy your drink responsibly. Cheers, or should we say, “Santé!” ????
