Learn how to toast in French: What to say to sound like a local
Published on March 17, 2022 / Updated by Angéline Gras-Kresse on February 29, 2024
France is the culinary mecca of Europe. The country is renowned for its gastronomic dishes, incredible chefs and general obsession with food. It is a fundamental part of the culture. And where there is food, there is wine, which brings us on to the topic of toasting. A good toast can make or break the ambiance at a dinner party, so we’ve put together some of the golden rules of toasting. Below, you’ll learn how to make a toast in French (including how to say “cheers” in French), and some other useful tips to help you toast the right way!
France is a country with many traditions and rules of etiquette, such as the famous bises (a kiss on the cheek when you greet somebody). It’s no different when it comes to giving a toast, or porter un toast in French. Let’s start with some of the golden rules of making a toast in French:
French is the language of love so there’s no shortage of wonderful sayings and expressions used in everyday life. However, one of the vital things to figure out is whether you will be giving a formal or informal toast – the use of tu and vous in France is very important. Both words mean ‘you’, however tu is used at informal gatherings and events (such as with friends), while vous is used in more formal settings (such as work events).
Once you’ve figured out which pronoun to use, you can move on to the next section, which is all about how to say “cheers” in French.
Now you know the dos and don’ts of making a toast in French, let’s move on to what the French actually say when making a toast. Do they say “cheers”? Is there French slang for “cheers”?
There are actually several options:
This is probably the most common word to use when making a toast in French. It translates as ‘health’ and is a way of wishing for your guests’ good health. It can also be expressed as à votre santé or à ta santé, depending on who you’re speaking to.
Roughly translates as ‘to your health’ or ‘cheers to you’. It is a simplified version of the expression in number one, as we simply remove the word ‘santé’ from the phrase – it’s implied.
This is a more relaxed way to say “cheers” in French. This phrase is used in other countries as well and was based on a Chinese saying which means ‘please please’. It is more suitable to use at an informal gathering, such as with friends.
The verb trinquer literally means to clink glasses and in France, it’s used to say ‘let’s toast’.
We hope this article has helped you to feel more confident about making a toast in France. It is a subtle art, but if you follow our tips then hopefully you will be able to impress your French friends. Giving a fantastic toast will also open the door to making new friends and starting great conversations. So what are you waiting for…trinquons!