proost
/proːst/
The English phrase "prost" corresponds to the Dutch exclamation proost, used when making a toast.
proost is an exclamation used when drinking a toast with others.
How do you pronounce it?
/proːst/
When do people say it?
When saying proost while clinking glasses, it is customary to make eye contact with the person you are clinking with.
Did you know?
- While proost is the universal toast, some Dutch people use gezondheid alone. Though this normally means 'bless you' after a sneeze, it is a shortened version of op je gezondheid used when drinking.
- While clinking glasses, if you do not maintain eye contact with your companions, it is traditionally believed you will face seven years of bad luck.
- The word proost comes from the Latin word prōsit, which means 'let it be beneficial'.
Examples in context
- Proost, op je gezondheid!Cheers, to your health!
- Proost op het weekend!Cheers to the weekend!
Example conversation
Sophie and Noah are celebrating a promotion at a cafe.
- SophieProost, Noah!Cheers, Noah!
- NoahDank je, Sophie. Proost!Thanks, Sophie. Cheers!
- SophieOp je nieuwe baan!To your new job!
- NoahDank je wel.Thank you very much.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry proost, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries proost, CC BY-SA 4.0.
