There is a Russian saying stating: "Only problem drinkers don’t toast before drinking".
The famous Russian phrase "Na zda-ró-vye!" (Russian: Hа здоровье!) is actually not a drinking toast at all. It is used as a reply to "Thank you!" when someone thanks for a meal or a drink.
But the Russians do drink "To your health!".
'Health' means 'здоровье' [zda-ró-vye] and 'to' means 'за' [za]. The Russians tend to skip the word 'to' and often say just:
- Ваше здоровье! - [vashee zda-ró-vye] – Your health!
(being polite or addressing a group of people) - Твоё здоровье! - [tva-jó zda-ró-vye] – Your health! (informal)
In Russia, you often drink to your own health and say "Будем здоровы!" [bóo-deem zda-ró-vye"], which can be translated as "To our health!"
On special occasions the Russians often hold a long or a short speech giving a good reason for drinking.
Simple Drinking Toasts
English | Russian | Transcription |
To you! / To you (formal)! | За тебя / За вас! | [za tee-byá / za vas] |
To your health! / | За твоё здоровье! | [za tva-jó zda-ró-vye] |
To our meeting! | За встречу! | [za fstryé-tchoo] |
To our friendship! | За нашу дружбу! | [za ná-shoo dróo-zhboo] |
To the hostess! | За хозяйку этого дома! | [za ha-syáj-koo é-ta-wa dó-ma] |
To women! | За женщин! | [za zhén-shsheen] |
To love! | За любовь! | [za lyoo-bóf] |
To our parents! | За родителей! | [za ra-dée-tye-ley] |
Let’s get started! | Поехали! | [pa-yé-kha-lee] |
"Поехали!" is a very colloquial expression which can be used at a vodka party, but not when enjoying a glass of wine.
More Drinking Toasts
- Let us drink to the success of our project / business!
Russian: Давайте выпьем за успех нашего дела! - May we always have a reason for a party!
Russian: Выпьем за то, чтобы у нас всегда был повод для праздника! - May we suffer as much sorrow as drops of wine we are about to leave in our glasses!
Russian: Давайте выпьем за то, чтобы мы испытали столько горя, сколько капель вина останется в наших бокалах! - Let us always enjoy life the way we enjoy this glass of wine!
Russian: Давайте всегда наслаждаться жизнью, как этим бокалом вина! - To our get-together! May we meet up more often!
Russian: Выпьем за то, что мы здесь собрались, и чтобы чаще собирались!
Birthday Toasts
- To the birthday girl! / To the birthday boy! Happy Birthday!
Russisch: За именинницу (f)/ именинника (m)! С днем рождения! - May you never have bitter moments, hear salty jokes or see sours smiles. Let’s drink to the sweet sides of life!
- I wish you piles of money, a sea of love and lots of time to enjoy it! Happy Birthday!
- May your dreams come true not only on your birthday!
- Life does not always go according to plan. I, for example, wanted to be the first to congratulate you today, but I didn’t manage. Hope you are pleased to hear my wishes anyway. May you always be in the right place at the right time! Happy Birthday!
Wedding Toasts
- To the newly-weds!
Russisch: За новобрачных! - [za na-va-brá-tchnyh] - To the bride and groom!
Russisch: За жениха и невесту! -
[za zhe-nee-há ee nee-vyé-stoo] - To the beautiful bride!
Russisch: За красавицу невесту! -
[za kra-sá-vee-tsoo nee-vyé-stoo] - Let’s drink to love! Gorka!
Russisch: Выпьем за любовь! Горько! -
[vý-pyim za lyoo-bóf. Gór-ka]
The word "Горько!" is very typical for Russian weddings. It literally means "bitter". In Russia the newly-weds have to kiss if someone calls "Горько!" - Dear newly-weds, live your whole life as if you've just got married!
- May the happy star that brought you together shine on you for many, many years. Let us raise our glasses to the newly-weds and their happy future!
- There is a wisdom saying that the wife is the heart and the husband is the head of a good marriage. May you never suffer a heart attack or have a headache!
- Dear bride and groom, today you celebrate your first wedding. May it be your last one!
- After the wedding a husband says to his wife:
- Dear, I’ve forgotten telling you that I have a big problem – I often get jealous without any reason.
The wife replies:
- Don’t worry, dear! You won’t be jealous of me… without a reason.
May you never have serious reasons to be jealous and never get jealous without a reason! - May your children have happy and rich parents!
New Year’s Eve Toasts
Everyone raise their glasses toasting friends and family on the New Year's Eve. Here are some inspirations for a great toast:
- The Russians believe that the coming year is going to be as good or bad as the New Year's Eve. May this year be as happy as this party!
- May this year bring us as many nice surprises as there are lights in all Christmas trees of the city!
- Let us raise our glasses to the Grandfather Frost (Ded Moroz) and his granddaughter Snegurotchka! They never get old or sick and always have enough money for presents! May we be like them!
Don't miss the chance to learn a bit of Russian:
Language Exercise: Christmas and New Year
Drinking Toasts for the Women's Day, 8 March
When the Russians get together at a dinner table on 8 March, the International Women’s Day, they raise their glasses to women and come up with a nice toast. Here are some examples:
- Women are responsible for the best and worst moments in men’s life. But to live means to go through good and bad times. So let us drink to women who bring us joy and trouble making us alive!
- Love and happiness are more important than most expensive gifts. May the eyes of our women be always lit with delight!
- I am raising my glass to this wonderful holiday. May spring breathe new life into the world around us and into our souls! Let us get inebriated by the delicate scent of fresh flowers as we get inebriated by this drink and enjoy life!
- Wisdom says: "If you want to make the right decision, ask your wife for advice and do the opposite." Let us drink to women who always help us make best decisions!
Don't miss the chance to learn a bit of Russian:
Language Exercise: Women's Day
TIP: To read all toasts in Russian switch language to "русский" (top right corner)
