German culture and everyday life
How do you say “cheers” in German?
Prost! is a practical choice when raising a drink with others. Zum Wohl! is another familiar toast. To name the person or occasion you are celebrating, use Auf …!: Auf deinen neuen Job! means “To your new job!” These expressions overlap; the choice is about tone and context, not a different category of drink.
Duden identifies prost as the colloquial form of prosit, a toasting interjection. Its dictionary entry confirms that meaning; it does not make drinking alcohol a condition for saying the word.
| German | Meaning | A useful situation |
|---|---|---|
| Prost! | Cheers! | A short, friendly toast. |
| Zum Wohl! | Cheers! / To your well-being! | A toast at dinner or a reception. |
| Auf dich! | To you! | Celebrate someone you address with du. |
| Auf euch! | To you all! | Celebrate a group you address informally. |
| Auf Ihren Erfolg! | To your success! | Address someone formally with Sie. |
| Auf einen schönen Abend! | To a lovely evening! | Celebrate the time you are sharing. |
The situation labels are suggestions for choosing your words, not strict etiquette rules. You can hear both Prost and Zum Wohl in relaxed settings. If the host has already started a toast, a simple reply is enough.
Prost, Prosit or Zum Wohl?
Prost is the shorter option to remember first. Prosit also exists, but you do not need to replace your everyday Prost with it to sound more correct. Keep the two forms distinct when reading aloud: Prost has one syllable; Prosit has two.
Zum Wohl can feel more deliberate in a prepared toast, but it is not reserved for formal occasions. Wohl is a noun referring to well-being; Duden records its use in toasts. Avoid a rigid rule such as “Prost for beer, Zum Wohl for wine.” Your relationship with the group matters more than such a formula.
You also do not need a long rhyme. A personal sentence about the occasion is usually easier to deliver and easier for your listeners to follow. Prepare the name or noun phrase you need, then say it clearly rather than rushing through a memorised speech.
Build a personal toast
| Open the moment | Name the occasion | Finish |
|---|---|---|
| Schön, dass wir zusammen sind. | Auf unseren gemeinsamen Urlaub! | Prost! |
| Ich freue mich für dich. | Auf deinen neuen Job! | Zum Wohl! |
| Danke für die Einladung. | Auf einen schönen Abend! | Prost! |
These are original examples. Read across a row for a complete short toast: Danke für die Einladung. Auf einen schönen Abend! Prost! — “Thank you for inviting me. To a lovely evening! Cheers!” You can also use the middle sentence alone. A toast should suit the moment; it does not need all three parts.
The grammar behind “Auf dich”
In these toast expressions, auf is followed by the accusative: auf dich, auf euch, auf deinen Erfolg. For a formal personal toast, Auf Ihr Wohl! is an option. Capitalise Ihr when it refers to formal Sie. The short expression is not a normal description of physical position, so do not apply a location-based dative rule to it.
Anstoßen means “to toast/clink glasses” in this context. It is separable: Wir stoßen auf deinen Geburtstag an. — “We are toasting your birthday.” Its perfect form here uses haben: Wir haben angestoßen. Duden distinguishes this sense of anstoßen from other meanings of the same verb. Learn the phrase with its occasion, not as an isolated English translation.
What can you say back?
You can reply with Prost! or Zum Wohl! If someone is toasting your achievement, add Danke! A natural response does not have to repeat the whole speech.
| Speaker | German | English |
|---|---|---|
| Host | Auf deinen neuen Job, Linh! | To your new job, Linh! |
| Linh | Danke! Ich stoße heute mit Saft an. | Thank you! I’m toasting with juice today. |
| Host | Schön, dass du da bist. Prost! | It’s lovely that you’re here. Cheers! |
| Linh | Prost! | Cheers! |
This dialogue models an inclusive choice, not a claim that every group follows one custom. You can also decline a drink: Nein danke, für mich bitte Wasser. — “No thank you; water for me, please.” You do not owe anyone a detailed explanation of what you are drinking.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Do not translate every English “cheers” as Prost. When “cheers” means “thanks,” use Danke; when it means “bye,” use a farewell such as Tschüss.
- Do not mix personal forms: choose Auf dich! for one person with du, Auf euch! for an informal group, or a suitable formal expression.
- Do not treat a toast as an instruction to finish a drink. This guide teaches a greeting, not a drinking challenge.
- Do not present eye contact or clinking glasses as an obligation everyone must follow. Notice the situation and respect other people’s comfort.
Practise one occasion and one reply
A friend has passed an exam. Write a short toast using auf, then imagine the friend’s answer. Say both parts aloud before looking at the model below. Next, change the occasion to a new apartment without changing the structure.
Show a model answer
Model: Auf deine bestandene Prüfung! Prost! — “To passing your exam! Cheers!” Reply: Danke! Schön, dass wir zusammen feiern. — “Thanks! It’s lovely to celebrate together.” For the apartment: Auf deine neue Wohnung! The memory aid is simple: Prost = the toast; auf + occasion = what you are celebrating.
Turn a useful phrase into a speaking habit
Try your own short toast and reply without reading. For broader speaking practice, explore Lingeva’s pronunciation practice and build a regular German routine.
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Sources and usage checks
Sources checked on 9 October 2026. The dialogues and practice activities were written for this guide.