The standard way to say cheers in Korean is 건배 (geonbae), literally "dry the cup", suitable for any toast. Between friends, the clinking sound 짠 (jjan) is just as common. At work dinners and group celebrations, someone proposes a toast and everyone answers 위하여! (wihayeo), "to that!".
- Standard
- 건배 (geonbae)
- Casual
- 짠 (jjan)
- Group reply
- 위하여 (wihayeo)
- Let's have a drink
- 한잔해요 (hanjanhaeyo)
- Level
- A1
Geonbae, jjan or wihayeo: what is the difference?
Unlike most phrases on this site, toasts have no speech levels: the same word works with your boss and your best friend. What changes is the setting.
| Korean | Romanization | Meaning | When you hear it |
|---|---|---|---|
| 건배 | geonbae | Cheers (dry the cup) | Any toast, from weddings to a night out |
| 짠 | jjan | Clink! | Friends, family, relaxed meals |
| 위하여 | wihayeo | For (it)! / To that! | The group's answer when someone leads a toast |
| 건강을 위하여 | geonganeul wihayeo | To our health | A classic toast with older relatives |
| 원샷 | wonsyat | Down it (one shot) | Friends daring each other to finish the glass |
건배 comes from Chinese characters meaning dry and cup, the same origin as the Japanese kanpai and Chinese gānbēi. 짠 is an imitation of glasses touching, which is why it feels playful. 위하여 is a form of 위하다, to be for the sake of something, so a leader might call out 우리의 우정을 (to our friendship) and the table finishes with 위하여!
How does a Korean group toast work?
At a 회식 (hoesik), the after-work meal with colleagues, the most senior person or the organiser usually leads. They say a few words, name what you are drinking to, and the group raises glasses and replies together.
우리의 우정을 위하여!
Uriui ujeongeul wihayeo!
To our friendship!
건배!
Geonbae!
Cheers!
자, 짠!
Ja, jjan!
Right, cheers!
자 (ja) is a "come on, let's" word that gets everyone ready.
한잔할래?
Hanjanhallae?
Fancy a drink?
Casual invitation; literally "one glass?"
What drinking etiquette should you know in Korea?
Traditionally you pour for others rather than yourself, and someone will fill your glass in return. With an older person, hold the bottle or receive your glass with two hands, or one hand supporting the other wrist. When you drink in front of someone much older, it is polite to turn your head slightly away.
Not drinking is fine. You can join the toast with a soft drink, or say 저는 술을 못 마셔요 (jeoneun sureul mot masyeoyo), "I can't drink alcohol".
Read Korean stories set in markets, tea houses and family kitchens, and tap any word to translate it.
Read free in your browserFrequently asked questions
How do you pronounce geonbae?
Roughly "gun-beh". The eo in Revised Romanization is the vowel in English "gun", not "go", and ae sounds like the e in "bed".
Is jjan rude?
Not rude, just relaxed. It is perfect with friends and family. In a formal setting, or when an older person is leading the toast, follow their lead and use 건배 or 위하여.
What do Koreans drink when they toast?
Soju (소주) and beer (맥주, maekju) are the usual drinks at casual meals, sometimes mixed together as somaek (소맥). Wine and makgeolli (막걸리) are common too.
Do you say geonbae or wihayeo at a wedding?
Either can be heard. 건배 is the general toast; 위하여 is the reply when someone leads a toast with a speech.