You’re coming to Serbia and don’t know how to say cheers in Serbian? We’ve got you! Keep reading to learn the must-know phrases for toasts and good times.
If you can communicate with the locals by speaking to them in their native language, they are more likely to open up their homes and share their strong drinks, great food and great stories about their beautiful country and people.
In this article, you’ll get to know živeli – a word you’ll hear and say a thousand times. It means cheers in Serbian and it’s almost always followed by music, laughter, positive vibes, and a loud clinking of glasses. So, without further ado, let’s start!
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How To Say Cheers In Serbian?
The most common way to say cheers in Serbian is živeli (живели), which you say as you raise your glass.
Serbians love a good get-together. Family lunch, a friend’s birthday, public holidays, or just a sunny afternoon, any moment can turn into a celebration. Drinks are poured, rakija shows up, and someone always raises a glass with a loud živeli!
You’ll hear it at weddings, in small village taverns, or around a barbecue with friends. It’s part of the culture: sharing stories, food and, of course, a toast.
Here are a few common ways to say cheers in Serbian:
| English | Serbian (Cyrillic) | Serbian (Latin) |
|---|---|---|
| Cheers / To life! | Живели! | Živeli! |
| To your health! | У здравље! | U zdravlje! |
| To your health! (also Bless you!) | На здравље! | Na zdravlje! |
A Bit More About Rakija
When talking about saying cheers in Serbian, there is no way to skip the Serbian national drink: rakija (fruit brandy).
Making and drinking fruit brandies is a long-standing tradition in Serbia, cherished by both rural and urban households. Anyone with access to fruit and an outdoor still can craft their own rakija. The most iconic of them all? Šljivovica (plum brandy). In 2022, UNESCO added the tradition of making and drinking Serbian šljivovica to its Intangible Cultural Heritage list.
Šljivovica is usually clear in color and packs a punch, with alcohol content usually ranging from 40% to 70%. Serbian climate can be harsh, especially in winter, but a shot of strong ‘šljiva’ is sure to warm you right up!
Serbian Customs
Special drinking customs for šljivovica and other kinds of rakija are respected and closely followed. You should drink it from a small glass, a bit larger than the average American shot glass. Remember, a firm sip always comes with a loud cheers in Serbian.
Serbian hospitality means guests are warmly welcomed with a glass of rakija. It’s often served both at the start and end of a meal. In the northern region of Vojvodina, however, rakija is usually enjoyed as an aperitif, while red or white wine follows after the meal.
Other names for Serbia’s favorite drink are domaća (‘homemade’), rakijica (diminutive of rakija) and at least 10 others which have to do with the kind of fruit the rakija is made from. Here’s a table with common types of rakija:
| English | Serbian (Cyrillic) | Serbian (Latin) |
|---|---|---|
| Plum brandy | шљивовица | šljivovica |
| Apricot brandy | кајсијевача | kajsijevača |
| Pear brandy | крушковача | kruškovača |
| Quince brandy | дуњевача | dunjevača |
| Grape brandy | лозовача | lozovača |
| Apple brandy | јабуковача | jabukovača |
| Cherry brandy | вишњевача | višnjevača |
| Mixed fruit brandy | мешана ракија | mešana rakija |
| Honey rakija | медовача | medovača |
| Herb rakija | траварица | travarica |
| Walnut rakija | ораховача | orahovača |
Cheers In Serbian Kafana
Serbian people really love a good toast when drinking with family and friends in a kafana. It’s a bit difficult to translate kafana directly: the closest term would be a tavern, but kafana is so much more than that. It is the center of life in Serbia, the place where everything happens, where people laugh, celebrate, cry, and patch their broken hearts.
Kafana is most definitely the place where you’ll try the best food in Serbia and listen to the best Serbian traditional music.
These are the reasons why saying cheers in Serbian and drinking in a traditional kafana offer a complete and unique experience that can’t just be explained in someone else’s retelling. You need to live it and feel it for yourself.
Tips On How To Memorize Cheers In Serbian
- Practice with a drink (even water!) Every time you take a sip, say živeli! out loud. It builds muscle memory and makes the phrase stick naturally.
- Make it a screensaver. Set the word Živeli! or U zdravlje! as your phone background for a few days. You’ll see it dozens of times a day without even trying.
- Use it in conversations. If you’re chatting with Serbian friends or learning the language online with the Ling app, throw in a cheerful živeli! when talking about drinks or celebrations.
- Write it down and stick it somewhere visible. Put sticky notes with Serbian cheers on your fridge, mirror, or laptop. A quick glance every day helps keep the phrases fresh in your mind.
FAQs About Saying Cheers In Serbian
What Does Zhiveli Mean in Serbia?
'Živeli' literally means 'to live' or 'cheers" and is the most common toast in Serbia. It’s used when raising a glass to wish everyone good health and long life.
Do Serbian People Drink?
Yes, drinking is a big part of Serbian hospitality and tradition. If there's a celebration, family gathering, or casual hangout, sharing a drink (often rakija) is very common.
What Is Rakia?
Rakija is a strong fruit brandy, usually homemade, and considered the national drink of Serbia. It’s often made from plums ('šljivovica') but can also come from apricots, grapes, or pears.
Which Serbian Toasting Words Should You Remember?
Now you know how to say cheers in Serbian, and not just that. You’ve learned about rakija, the strong fruit brandy that warms the soul, and kafana, the heart of social life where music, food, and laughter never stop.
There are many more words and expressions you’ll pick up while visiting Serbia, but živeli, rakija, šljivovica, and kafana are some of the most important ones to know. They’re your gateway to unforgettable moments.
Everyone in Serbia just wants to enjoy life, connect with others, and celebrate every occasion. Embrace that spirit, and you’ll come home with stories to tell for years to come!
Learn Serbian With Ling
Now that you know how to say živeli and join in on a proper Serbian toast, why not pick up a few more phrases? The more Serbian you learn, the easier it gets to make new friends while you’re clinking glasses or ordering another rakija.
Ling keeps learning simple and fun, with short lessons, flashcards, native speaker audio and Dialog for real conversation practice. Start learning Serbian today, and živeli!
