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Say it in Chinese

How to say cheers in Chinese

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Cheers in Chinese is 干gān杯bēi. Word for word it means “dry cup”: empty your glass. At most meals people just take a sip. You hear it at family dinners, at night market tables and at business meals.

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The phrase

干杯！ (gān bēi!) Cheers!

What it means

干gān杯bēi means “cheers”. 干gān is “dry” and 杯bēi is “cup” or “glass”. Word for word it asks everyone to empty their glass.

At a relaxed meal, people say 干gān杯bēi and drink as much as they like. At some business dinners and banquets, a toast to you can mean you should finish the glass. A small glass, or tea, makes this easier.

How to say it

Say gān bēi. Both syllables are high and level. Keep your voice up for both.

The whole table often says it together, a little louder than normal.

The pinyin shows how people really say it, the same as in the game.

When to use it

  1. When glasses go up

    Someone raises a glass, often says a few words about the occasion, then says 干gān杯bēi. Everyone repeats it, touches glasses and drinks.

  2. At a shared table

    At busy night markets, strangers often share tables. If they invite you to drink with them, join in with 干gān杯bēi.

  3. With tea or a soft drink

    You can toast with any drink. If you do not drink alcohol, raise your tea and say 干gān杯bēi with everyone.

Other ways to say it

What you say before and after a toast in the game.

  • 好的 (hǎo de) OK

    The simplest way to say yes when someone asks you to drink with them.

  • 小杯。 (xiǎo bēi.) Small cup.

    If someone asks 大dà杯bēi还hái是shi小xiǎo杯bēi (big cup or small cup)? before pouring, this keeps your drink small.

  • 不喜欢 (bù xǐ huan) Don't like

    An honest answer if someone asks if you like beer. Nobody minds.

What people say back

  • 干杯！ (gān bēi!) Cheers!

    A group at a shared night market table raise their glasses.

    They may say 干杯！ (gān bēi!) Cheers! (Everyone says it together and drinks.)
  • 好的 (hǎo de) OK

    Strangers at the table say 来lái，跟gēn我wǒ们men喝hē点diǎn啤pí酒jiǔ吧ba (come, have some beer with us)!

    They may say 你喜欢喝啤酒吗？ (nǐ xǐ huan hē pí jiǔ ma?) Do you like drinking beer? (They pour you a glass, and the small talk starts.)
  • 小杯。 (xiǎo bēi.) Small cup.

    Grandpa asks 大dà杯bēi还hái是shi小xiǎo杯bēi? before pouring his rice wine.

    They may say 小杯就小杯！ (xiǎo bēi jiù xiǎo bēi!) Small cup it is!
  • 不喜欢 (bù xǐ huan) Don't like

    A new friend asks if you like beer.

    They may say 哈哈，那少喝点。 (hā ha, nà shǎo hē diǎn.) Haha, then drink a bit less.

Common mistakes

  • Thinking you must finish the glass

    At most casual meals a sip is fine. If you do not want to empty your glass, ask for a small cup or toast with tea.

  • Drinking before the first toast

    At a dinner with hosts, people usually wait for the first toast before they drink. Watch the table and drink when they do.

  • Holding your glass higher than the host’s

    Some people hold their glass a little lower when they touch glasses with an older person or a host. It shows respect. Nobody expects a visitor to know this.

Where it comes up in the game

  • A shared table at the night market

    You ask for a seat at a crowded table. The two people there invite you to have beer with them and ask about your trip. Then they raise their glasses and everyone says 干gān杯bēi.

  • Lunch with a family

    Grandpa opens a bottle of rice wine and asks if you want a big cup or a small one. Grandma tells him to drink less. He says it is just one cup, then gives a toast.

  • The spa buffet

    An auntie at your table chats with you over food and raises her glass for a toast.

Questions

How do you say cheers in Chinese?

Cheers in Chinese is 干gān杯bēi. Word for word it means “dry cup”. It is used for every kind of toast, from family meals to business dinners.

What does 干杯 mean word for word?

干gān杯bēi means “dry cup”: empty your glass. In everyday use it just means “cheers”, and at casual meals people often take only a sip.

Do I have to finish my drink when someone says 干杯?

You usually do not have to finish your drink. At casual meals in China a sip is fine. At some formal banquets and business dinners people do empty their glasses. A small glass or tea helps if you want to drink less.

Can I toast with tea in China?

You can toast with tea, juice or a soft drink in China. Raise your cup and say 干gān杯bēi with everyone else.

How do you pronounce 干杯?

Say gān bēi. Both syllables are high and level, and neither one changes.

How do you say small cup in Chinese?

Small cup in Chinese is 小xiǎo杯bēi. Big cup is 大dà杯bēi. Hosts sometimes ask 大dà杯bēi还hái是shi小xiǎo杯bēi (big cup or small cup)? before pouring.