Dictionary / Japanese / Cheers
How to Say "Cheers" in Japanese
乾杯
kanpai
Literally: Dry the cup
乾
dry
杯
cup
Polite or casual
乾杯 is the same word with everyone, at a work dinner or with friends. It is not only for alcohol: people who do not drink often raise tea or a soft drink. At a group meal, one person often says a few words and then leads the toast, and everyone answers 乾杯 together. It is polite to wait for the toast before you take a first sip.
The mistake to avoid. In British English, "cheers" also means thanks or bye. 乾杯 only means a toast, said as glasses go up. Said to someone holding a door, it sounds like you are raising a glass. To say thanks, use ありがとう (arigatō) or ありがとうございます. To say bye, use じゃあね (jā ne) with friends, or 失礼します (shitsurei shimasu) at work.
In context
それでは、乾杯。
Soredewa, kanpai.
Well then, cheers.
みなさん、乾杯しましょう。
Minasan, kanpai shimashō.
Everyone, let's have a toast.
新しい仕事に乾杯。
Atarashii shigoto ni kanpai.
Here's to the new job.