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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Table of Contents
How To Say Cheers In Serbian?
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! |
| Blessings! | На здравље! | Na zdravlje! |
A Bit More About Rakija
When talking about saying cheers in Serbian, there is just no chance to not mention 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 fact, around 70% of Serbia’s plum harvest is used to make this beloved national drink.
Šljivovica is usually clear in color and packs a punch, with alcohol content ranging anywhere from 25% 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.
Synonyms for Serbia’s favorite drink are domaća (‘homemade’), rakijica (diminutive of rakija) and at least a 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 just 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 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.
Let’s Sum Up
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!
Discover More With Serbian Vocabulary
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 blend in while you’re clinking glasses with new friends or confidently ordering another rakija.
If you want to learn Serbian language in a fun and practical way, the Ling app is worth checking out. It’s full of short lessons, real-life phrases, and just enough grammar to help you make sense of it all – without feeling like homework.
Perfect for travelers, language lovers, or anyone who wants to connect more while exploring Serbia. Keep learning and živeli!
