When you're raising a glass in France, you might think "Santé!" is the only way to say "cheers." While it's a great start, there are actually several other delightful ways to express good wishes. Whether you're celebrating a special occasion, enjoying an apéritif with friends, or simply making a toast, knowing a few different French expressions for "cheers" will definitely impress. Ready to clink glasses like a true francophone? Let's explore 9 fantastic ways to say "cheers" in French!

The standard and most common 'cheers' or 'to your health' – Santé !

When you're clinking glasses in France, the go-to phrase you'll hear and use is Santé ! It's the most common and universally understood way to say 'cheers' in French.

Literally translated, Santé means 'health'. So, when you say Santé !, you're essentially wishing good health upon your companions.

This versatile word is used in almost any situation where a toast is appropriate, from casual gatherings with friends to more formal celebrations. It's concise, polite, and always appropriate.

A key cultural point to remember when toasting with Santé ! is to make eye contact with everyone you clink glasses with. This is considered good manners and a sign of respect in France.

While Santé ! is perfect on its own, you might also hear À ta santé ! (to your health, informal singular) or À votre santé ! (to your health, formal singular or plural). However, Santé ! alone is always sufficient and widely accepted.

Its simplicity makes Santé ! incredibly powerful. It's a single word that conveys good wishes, camaraderie, and celebration, making it an essential phrase for anyone learning French.

💡 * Santé !

• On trinque à votre santé ! (We're toasting to your health!)
• Avant de boire, n'oubliez pas de dire "Santé !" (Before drinking, don't forget to say "Cheers!")
• À la vôtre, et santé ! (To yours, and cheers!)
• Santé à tous ! (Cheers everyone!)

The formal way to say 'to your health' – À votre santé !

When raising a glass in French, the most common and polite way to say 'to your health' is À votre santé !

This phrase utilizes votre, the formal 'your' (or plural 'your'), making it appropriate for addressing multiple people, an elder, a superior, or anyone with whom you would use the formal vous.

You'll hear À votre santé ! at formal dinners, business gatherings, or simply when toasting a group of friends or acquaintances where the vous form is natural.

Literally translating to 'To your health!', it's a direct and universally understood wish for well-being.

The common response to À votre santé ! is simply 'Merci !' (Thank you!) or, if you're also toasting, you can echo the sentiment back.

💡 *Levons nos verres ! À votre santé, mes amis ! (Let's raise our glasses! To your health, my friends!)
*Après une longue journée, un petit verre. À votre santé, Monsieur Dupont ! (After a long day, a small drink. To your health, Mr. Dupont!)
*Je vous souhaite une excellente année. À votre santé ! (I wish you an excellent year. To your health!)
*Toute l'équipe vous dit : À votre santé ! (The whole team says to you: To your health!)

The informal way to say 'to your health' – À ta santé !

When raising a glass in an informal setting with friends or family, the most common French toast you'll hear is À ta santé !

Literally translating to 'To your health!', À ta santé ! is the equivalent of saying 'Cheers!' or 'To your health!' in English, used to wish good health to the person you're toasting.

This expression uses the informal 'tu' form, making it appropriate when addressing a single person you know well, like a friend, family member, or someone younger.

For more formal occasions, or when toasting a group of people, you would use the 'vous' form: À votre santé ! This is essential for showing respect in different social contexts.

After someone toasts you with À ta santé ! or À votre santé !, a simple and polite response is Merci ! (Thank you!) or you can return the toast.

Toasting is a common social ritual in France, often accompanied by eye contact with each person being toasted. À ta santé ! embodies this convivial spirit.

💡 * À ta santé, mon ami ! (To your health, my friend!)

• On trinque à ta santé ! (We're toasting to your health!)
• À votre santé, mesdames et messieurs ! (To your health, ladies and gentlemen!)
• Merci, à la tienne aussi ! (Thanks, to yours too!)

The informal and friendly 'cheers' (often mimicking glasses clinking) – Tchin-tchin !

Tchin-tchin ! is the French informal equivalent of "Cheers!", commonly used when making a toast and clinking glasses.

This expression is an onomatopoeia, directly mimicking the sound of two glasses clinking together. Its playful nature makes it a favorite among friends.

You'll hear Tchin-tchin ! primarily in casual, friendly settings – at parties, family gatherings, or with close acquaintances. It signifies good wishes and celebration.

While À votre santé ! (to your health, formal plural/polite singular) or À ta santé ! (to your health, informal singular) are also used for toasts, Tchin-tchin ! is distinctly more relaxed and friendly.

💡 * Tchin-tchin ! à notre amitié !

• Allez, tchin-tchin !
• On lève nos verres : tchin-tchin !
• Avant de boire, on dit toujours tchin-tchin !

The informal 'bottoms up' (literally 'dry bottom') – Cul sec !

The informal 'bottoms up' (literally 'dry bottom') – Cul sec!

Cul sec is a very common, informal French expression equivalent to 'bottoms up' or 'chug it!'

Literally, it translates to 'dry bottom' (or 'dry ass,' given 'cul' can be a crude term for 'butt'). This refers to the bottom of the glass, implying it should be emptied completely until dry.

It's highly informal and convivial, typically used among friends during toasts, parties, or drinking challenges. You wouldn't use it in a formal setting.

When someone says 'Cul sec!', they are urging you or others to drink the entire contents of your glass in one gulp, leaving nothing behind.

This phrase is deeply ingrained in French social drinking culture and often accompanied by a sense of camaraderie and playful encouragement.

💡 * Allez, cul sec pour fêter ça ! (Come on, bottoms up to celebrate that!)

• Il a bu son verre de vin cul sec. (He drank his glass of wine bottoms up.)
• Quand on est en soirée, on entend souvent des 'Cul sec!' (When we're at a party, we often hear 'Bottoms up!')
• C'est mon anniversaire, tout le monde cul sec! (It's my birthday, everyone bottoms up!)

A general 'to yours' or 'to your health/happiness' – À la vôtre !

In French, when you want to propose a toast or simply respond to one, the most common and versatile expression is À la vôtre ! This phrase literally translates to "to yours" or "to your own," but it carries the implied meaning of "to your health," "to your happiness," or "to your success."

The use of vôtre makes this toast appropriate for both formal situations and when addressing a group of people. If you are toasting a single person you know well and are on informal terms with, you would use À la tienne ! (to yours, informal singular). However, À la vôtre ! is the safer and more generally accepted option in most social contexts.

While the literal translation might seem vague, the context of toasting clarifies its intent. It's a warm wish, a gesture of goodwill, and a way to share a moment of celebration or camaraderie. It's similar to saying "Cheers!" or "To your health!" in English, encompassing a broad sense of well-being.

While À la vôtre ! is excellent, you might also hear other expressions. The simplest and very common alternative is Santé ! (Health!), which is widely used in both formal and informal settings. Another more playful, informal option is Tchin tchin !, often used among friends, especially when clinking glasses.

You can confidently use À la vôtre ! at any social gathering where drinks are being shared, be it a family dinner, a party with friends, a formal reception, or a simple get-together. It's the go-to phrase for acknowledging and participating in the tradition of toasting in French culture.

💡 * On trinque ! À la vôtre !

• Bonne année et à la vôtre !
• Merci pour le dîner, à la vôtre !
• Quand quelqu'un dit "Santé !", vous pouvez répondre "À la vôtre !"

A slightly more elaborate 'to your good health/fortune' – À la bonne vôtre !

While À votre santé ! is the standard French toast for 'to your health,' À la bonne vôtre ! offers a slightly more elaborate and often more formal or festive way to wish someone well, encompassing both good health and good fortune.

Literally translating to 'To your good one!', this phrase implicitly refers to 'fortune' or 'health.' It's a versatile expression used in celebratory contexts, often when raising a glass to a group or an individual, wishing them prosperity, success, or simply a good time.

The addition of la bonne (the good one) and the possessive pronoun vôtre (yours, formal/plural) gives it an elevated feel. It's less common in casual, everyday settings than À votre santé !, making it suitable for special occasions or when you want to add a touch of elegance to your toast.

💡 * En levant nos verres, je dis : « À la bonne vôtre, mes amis ! » (Raising our glasses, I say: "To your good health/fortune, my friends!")

• Pour célébrer cette victoire, à la bonne vôtre ! (To celebrate this victory, to your good health/fortune!)
• À l'occasion de votre mariage, à la bonne vôtre, les mariés ! (On the occasion of your wedding, to your good health/fortune, newlyweds!)
• Il a proposé un toast : « À la bonne vôtre pour cette nouvelle aventure ! » (He proposed a toast: "To your good health/fortune for this new adventure!")

The phrase for 'let's raise a toast' or 'let's toast' – Portons un toast !

To propose a toast in French, the most common and direct phrase you'll hear is Portons un toast ! This translates literally to 'Let's carry a toast!' or more naturally, 'Let's raise a toast!'

This versatile phrase is suitable for both formal gatherings and casual celebrations. It's a polite and universally understood way to initiate a toast, whether you're at a wedding or a friendly dinner.

The verb porter means 'to carry' or 'to wear'. In this context, it takes on the meaning of 'to propose' or 'to offer' a toast, indicating the act of bringing forth the toast.

While 'Portons un toast !' is the standard, you might also hear Levons nos verres ! which means 'Let's raise our glasses!' This is a slightly more general call to prepare for a toast rather than specifically 'toasting'.

💡 * Avant de manger, portons un toast à notre amitié ! (Before eating, let's raise a toast to our friendship!)

• Portons un toast aux jeunes mariés ! (Let's raise a toast to the newlyweds!)
• À la fin du discours, il a dit : 'Portons un toast à l'avenir !' (At the end of the speech, he said: 'Let's raise a toast to the future!')
• Tout le monde, portons un toast à la réussite de ce projet ! (Everyone, let's raise a toast to the success of this project!)

A more general and celebratory 'to life!' – À la vie !

While "Santé !" is the go-to for "Cheers!" or "To your health!" in French, when you want to make a broader, more profound toast to existence itself, the phrase you're looking for is À la vie ! This literally translates to "To life!" and carries a wonderfully celebratory and optimistic sentiment.

Using À la vie ! signifies a toast that celebrates life in its entirety – its joys, its challenges, its very essence. It's often employed in moments of significant celebration, resilience, or when acknowledging the preciousness of existence. It's less about a specific person's health and more about a general appreciation for living.

Unlike the more common and casual "Santé !" (to health) or "Tchin-tchin !" (a simple cheers sound), À la vie ! carries a deeper, more philosophical weight. It's a powerful expression, often used when overcoming adversity, celebrating milestones, or simply appreciating the beauty of the moment with friends and family. It elevates the toast beyond a simple wish for good health to a full embrace of life itself.

This phrase resonates with a strong sense of joy, hope, and gratitude. When you hear or say À la vie !, it evokes a feeling of shared humanity and a collective appreciation for the journey of life. It's a beautiful way to express profound positive sentiment in French social settings, particularly during festive occasions.

💡 * Levons nos verres : À la vie !

• Après toutes ces épreuves, on trinque à la vie !
• À la vie, à l'amour, à l'amitié !
• C'est une belle soirée, à la vie !
• Nous célébrons chaque instant, à la vie !

Are there other ways to say 'cheers' in French?

Are there other ways to say ‘cheers’ in French?

Our list has covered the most common and versatile ways to say ‘cheers’ in French. However, the French language, like any other, is rich with regional expressions, informal slang, and even older, more formal toasts that might not be as common today.

If you're curious about local customs, you could try an online search for “comment trinquer en ___” followed by a specific Francophone country or region to discover unique local traditions and phrases.

While exploring, you might stumble upon various intriguing expressions for toasting. Always make sure to check the context and common usage of any new phrase before incorporating it into your vocabulary.

As you immerse yourself in French media — watching films, listening to music, or reading — pay close attention to social interactions. You're likely to pick up on different, perhaps more nuanced, ways people toast or celebrate.

For a deeper dive into French expressions related to celebration, drinking, or well-wishing, the WordReference entry for trinquer or santé can offer a wealth of related vocabulary and nuances.

I hope this article has given you plenty of ways to confidently say ‘cheers’ in French! To conclude, here’s a saying that reminds us of the joy of shared moments: Boire sans soif et faire l'amour en tout temps, il n'y a que ça qui nous distingue des autres bêtes. (To drink without thirst and make love at all times, that's all that distinguishes us from other beasts.) - Pierre Augustin Caron de Beaumarchais. While a bit cheeky, it captures a certain French spirit of enjoying life's pleasures!