Sweden has some great European traditions when it comes to drinking and giving cheers to one another. Dating back all the way to the Vikings, Sweden, Norway, and the Netherlands all share very common histories which is why you can use this drinking term in any bar. You may not want to act like a viking and toast your glass in order to get your drink into your friends glass to make sure it isn’t poisoned, but it would make the locals laugh if you attempt it.
Skål – The term to cheers someone is Skål meaning “happiness or to your health”. If you plan on spending a while at a local pub, get ready to toast and give cheers all throughout the night.
Summary of Swedish Drinking Toasts
The Swedes love their toasts. When it comes to celebrations and special occasions, they often use a toast as a way to honor the moment with friends and family. Some of these traditional Swedish drinking toasts include: Skål! – This is the most popular Swedish toast meaning “cheers” or “hail”. It can be used for almost any occasion, including happy hours, birthdays, weddings, anniversaries or just casual get-togethers. Friends will clink glasses together before taking a sip from their beverages in unison while saying Skål!
Prosit! – Another common Swedish toast that means “to your health” or “may you have luck/success”. The word originally stems from Latin but has been adopted by many cultures around the world as an expression of good wishes towards someone else’s well-being.
Lagom – Meaning “just enough” or “sufficient”, this toast is used when wishing others contentment and balance in life. It also serves as a reminder not to overindulge in alcohol consumption during social gatherings; moderation is key here!
Till lycka – This phrase translates directly into English as “to luck”, which makes it perfect for celebrating successes such as promotions at work or graduations. It can also be used more generally when wishing someone else joy and happiness on any occasion.
These are some of the most commonly heard Swedish drinking toasts that you may encounter while visiting Sweden or attending events hosted by Swedes living abroad. Whether you’re raising your glass solo or with friends and family, don’t forget to say one (or all!) of these classic phrases before taking that first sip — salud!
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