How to Say Cheers in Japanese
Learn how to say cheers in Japanese: 乾杯 (kanpai, kahn-pie) is the toast you shout before drinking. Literal meaning, pronunciation, drinking etiquette and culture notes.
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Quick answer
To say 'cheers' in Japanese, raise your glass and say 乾杯 (kanpai, kahn-pie). It literally means 'dry the cup' (empty your glass) and is the universal toast before drinking. Wait for everyone to be served and for the host or senior person to start before you drink.
乾杯
/kahn-pie/ — Japanese
How to Say Cheers in Japanese
If you raise a glass anywhere in Japan, there’s only one word you need: 乾杯. It’s the universal toast, shouted in unison before the first sip — but the etiquette around it is where the real cultural interest lies.
The Standard Phrase
乾杯 — pronounced kahn-pie (universal toast)
Loud, cheerful and used for every drink and occasion, from an office party to a wedding to two friends sharing beers.
Copy the Phrase
The Japanese word for “cheers” is 乾杯 (kanpai, kahn-pie).
What “Kanpai” Literally Means
The two kanji tell the story:
- 乾 (kan) — “dry”
- 杯 (pai / hai) — “cup” or “drinking vessel”
So 乾杯 literally urges you to “dry your cup” — empty your glass. In modern use it’s purely celebratory, like “cheers”, and nobody expects you to actually chug your drink (though in some lively groups the first round may go down fast!).
Drinking Etiquette
Japanese toasting follows a few gentle social rules:
| Custom | What to do |
|---|---|
| Wait for everyone | Don’t drink until all glasses are filled and the toast is given |
| Let the senior lead | The host or most senior person starts the 乾杯 |
| Lower your glass | When clinking with a senior, hold your glass rim slightly below theirs |
| Pour for others | Fill others’ glasses, not your own; they’ll return the favour |
These customs reflect the importance of group harmony and respect for seniority in Japanese social life.
Related Drinking Phrases
| Japanese | Romaji | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| お疲れ様です | otsukaresama desu | ”Good work” — common toast at after-work drinks |
| もう一杯 | mou ippai | ”One more (drink)“ |
| 飲み放題 | nomihoudai | ”All-you-can-drink” |
| 二次会 | nijikai | ”The second party” (after-party) |
| 下戸 | geko | Someone who can’t/doesn’t drink |
Pronunciation Tips
- 乾杯 — say it as two crisp beats, kan-PAI, with the “n” held briefly.
- “pai” is exactly like the English word “pie”.
- Project it confidently — a mumbled kanpai feels flat; it’s meant to be a shared, energetic shout.
A Cultural Note
Drinking gatherings (飲み会, nomikai) are a cornerstone of Japanese social and work life, and the 乾杯 marks their start. After-work drinks help colleagues relax and speak more freely than the office allows. If you’re invited, joining in the 乾杯 — even with a soft drink, since alcohol is never required — is a warm way to show you’re part of the group. And if you don’t drink, simply toast with tea or juice; the gesture of raising your glass together is what counts.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you say cheers in Japanese?
Say 乾杯 (kanpai, kahn-pie) — the standard Japanese toast. Everyone raises their glass and says it together before the first sip. It works for beer, sake, wine or any drink, in casual and formal settings alike.
How do you pronounce kanpai?
乾杯 is pronounced kahn-pie, two beats: kan-pai. The 'kan' has a held 'n', and 'pai' rhymes with the English word 'pie'. It's said loudly and cheerfully in unison — there's no need to whisper it.
What does kanpai literally mean?
乾杯 is written with the kanji 乾 (kan, 'dry') and 杯 (pai/hai, 'cup/glass'), so it literally means 'dry the cup' — i.e. 'empty your glass'. In practice you don't have to down the whole drink; it's just a celebratory toast like the English 'cheers'.
What is the drinking etiquette with kanpai in Japan?
Wait until everyone has a drink before the toast, and let the host or most senior person lead the 乾杯. When clinking glasses, juniors lower their glass slightly below a senior's rim as a sign of respect. It's also polite to pour for others rather than yourself, and to let them top up your glass.
Are there other ways to toast in Japanese?
乾杯 is by far the most common. More formal or ceremonial toasts may be introduced with お祝いして乾杯 ('let's toast in celebration'). In very casual groups you might hear the borrowed チアーズ (chiaazu, 'cheers'), but it sounds foreign and playful — 乾杯 is the natural choice everywhere.