zum Wohl
/t͡sʊm ˈvoːl/
The English phrase "enjoy your drink" can be expressed in German as zum Wohl.
zum Wohl is used as a toast when drinking with others, serving a similar purpose to "cheers" or "to your health".
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase zum Wohl literally translates to "to the well-being".
Which one should you use?
While zum Wohl is a slightly more formal or elegant toast, Prost is a more casual and common way to say "cheers", often used specifically when drinking beer.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Southern Germany and Austria, a traditional Bavarian dialect toast is Oans, zwoa, g'suffa!, which means "One, two, drink up!"
How do you pronounce it?
/tsʊm ˈvoːl/
When do people say it?
When saying zum Wohl during a toast, it is customary to make eye contact with the person you are clinking glasses with.
Did you know?
- In Germany, failing to maintain eye contact during a toast using zum Wohl is often jokingly said to bring seven years of bad luck in the bedroom.
- The word Wohl in this toast shares an ancient root with the English word 'wealth', though today it refers to physical or mental 'well-being' rather than money.
- While zum Wohl is a formal way to wish someone 'well-being', the word wohl can also be used in German to mean 'probably' in a sentence, such as 'Das ist wohl wahr'.
Examples in context
- Auf das neue Jahr, zum Wohl!To the new year, cheers!
- Wir trinken auf eure Gesundheit, zum Wohl!We drink to your health, cheers!
Example conversation
Laura and Lukas are clinking glasses at a dinner party.
- LauraLukas, lass uns auf den Abend anstoßen.Lukas, let's toast to the evening.
- LukasGute Idee, zum Wohl!Good idea, cheers!
- LauraZum Wohl, mein Freund!Cheers, my friend!
- LukasDanke, Laura, auf das Leben!Thanks, Laura, to life!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry zum Wohl, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Wohl, wohl, zum, CC BY-SA 4.0.
