skål
/skoːl/
The English phrase 'skol' is translated into Norwegian as skål.
skål is a toast used specifically when clinking glasses or raising a glass to toast a group of people. You can use it to toast for various things, such as Skål for god helse! (Cheers to good health!) or Skål for vennskap! (Cheers to friendship!).
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Trondheim, the form Skaill! is commonly used.
How do you pronounce it?
/skoːl/
When do people say it?
In Norwegian drinking culture, it is customary to make eye contact with the person you are toasting with when saying skål.
Did you know?
- The word skål shares a common ancestor with the English word 'shell', as both derive from roots describing a hollow object or a bowl.
- While the eye contact mentioned on this page is standard, failing to do so in some traditional circles is jokingly seen as bringing bad luck to the drinkers.
- While English speakers use 'Cheers' to both toast and say thanks, using skål to express gratitude in Norwegian is incorrect.
Examples in context
- Skål, venner!Cheers, friends!
- Skål for feiringen!Cheers to the celebration!
Example conversation
Sofie and Kristoffer are having dinner together.
- SofieMaten smaker kjempegodt.The food tastes great.
- KristofferJeg er enig, Sofie.I agree, Sofie.
- SofieSkål for en fin kveld!Cheers to a lovely evening!
- KristofferSkål!Cheers!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry skål, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries skål, CC BY-SA 4.0.
