skål
/skoːl/
skol is the English phrase for the Swedish toast skål.
The phrase is a toast spoken when drinking with others to wish them good health.
How do you pronounce it?
/skoːl/
When do people say it?
When saying skål during a toast, it is customary to make eye contact with the people you are clinking glasses with.
Did you know?
- In certain Swedish celebrations, such as Midsummer, the toast skål might be part of a rhythmic 'snapsvisor' song, where the toast is integrated into the melody.
- The word skål literally means 'bowl'. In Viking times, drinks were shared from a communal wooden or horn bowl rather than individual glasses.
- If you are drinking with a group in Sweden, it is common practice to wait until everyone has clinked and said skål before taking your first sip.
Examples in context
- Skål!Cheers!
- Skål för vännerna!Cheers to the friends!
- Vi säger skål för sommaren.We say cheers to the summer.
Example conversation
Erik and Emma are having dinner together.
- ErikVinet smakar jättegott.The wine tastes great.
- EmmaJa, det gör det. Skål!Yes, it does. Cheers!
- ErikSkål, Emma!Cheers, Emma!
- EmmaTack, Erik.Thank you, Erik.
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.
