How to Say Cheers in Korean

Minjung
1 min readSep 9, 2024

Are you heading to South Korea or Koreatown?

Knowing how to say “cheers” will make your trip a lot more fun.

Here are a few ways to toast in Korean, depending on the vibe and who you’re drinking with!

Read the full article here.

Casual: Jjan! (짠!)

If you’re with a close group of friends, you’ll hear “Jjan! (짠!)” all the time.

This word is kind of like saying “clink!” in English. Simple, casual, and fun!

Casual: Jeoksyeo! (적셔!)

Young people in Korea have their own slang, and “Jeoksyeo! (적셔!)” is a playful way to toast.

It literally means “moisten” as in moisten your throat with a drink!

Formal: Geonbae! (건배!)

“Geonbae! (건배!)” is the classic “Cheers!” that most people are familiar with.

It’s used widely in Korea, especially in larger gatherings or more formal settings.

Professional: Wihayeo! (위하여!)

When you’re at a work event or sharing drinks with colleagues and bosses, “Wihayeo! (위하여!)” is the way to go.

If you happen to be at a Korean BBQ restaurant where a company gathering (hoesik) is being held, you will hear a group of Ahjussi raising glasses and saying it.

This expression translates to “for (something)!” like “for our company!” “for health!” or “for success!”

--

--

Minjung
0 Followers

Minjung Seo was born and raised in South Korea. As a Korean language and culture expert, Minjung writes about Korean lifestyle, food, travel, and trends.