Mandarin isn’t the easiest language to learn, but knowing a couple key words is essential to avoid being rude when visiting a foreign country. In this blog article we go over the proper way to say cheers in Mandarin.
Cheers in Mandarin
The most common toast is ganbei. The cheers is pronounced “gon bay” and means dry cup. Because of this after a toast it’s customary to try and finish your glass. We highly recommend you don’t fill it up the whole way or you will be calling it an early night after the 2nd or 3rd toast. However, you may also hear the term banbei which is a nicer toast and means you only need to finish roughly half your glass.
China does take their traditions very seriously so if you plan on participated in a cheers, you will be expected to join for the remainder of the night. It is considered rude if you start to drink and then decide to stop while everyone else in your group continues. For this reason if you don’t plan on drinking for the night make sure your intentions are clear from the start. The more common excuses you can use is health issues or religious reasons.
While speaking Mandarin you may also hear the word Pijiu which means beer. If it’s going to be a long night it may be better to cheers to beer rather than wine or Baijiu to make sure you can last the night. Locals really don’t mind what you are drinking, as long as you are drinking.
Summary of Mandarin Cheers Drinking Toasts
Mandarin drinking toasts are an important part of Chinese culture. They are used as a way to honor someone or something, and can be used for both formal and informal occasions. A traditional Mandarin toast is usually accompanied by the phrase “Ganbei” (meaning “dry glass”). This is followed by clinking glasses with those around you before taking a sip.
Toasting in Mandarin is often done in order to celebrate an event or show respect towards another person. A common example might be “Xin Nian Kuai Le” which means “Happy New Year”.
Other popular phrases include “Zhongguo renmin yao qing ni he ping’an” meaning “May China’s people invite you peace”, or simply wishing good health with the phrase “Dui nimen zuowei suiyue de yuanfen, jiankang bu shou huirang”. It is also customary for guests at a dinner party to take turns making their own unique toast that expresses their appreciation for being included in the celebration. This can range from simple wishes such as good health, fortune and happiness, all the way up to more elaborate declarations of friendship and admiration between parties involved.
Regardless of what type of toast it may be, it should always end with everyone raising their glasses together while saying “Ganbei!”
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