Saying Cheers In Slovak: 5 Awesome Tips

Slovakian drinks are a popular topic in the world of alcohol. The Slovaks have been brewing and drinking beer for centuries, enjoying other alcoholic beverages. Of course, saying “Cheers” is a universal practice. In English, we say “cheers,” in Spanish, it’s “salud.” Do you know how to say cheers in Slovak?

Despite the different Slovak words used to say cheers, its sentiment is the same. It’s a salute to another person for being alive and toasting to their health. This article will explore five different tips for saying cheers in Slovak that you might find helpful.

Basic Slovak Toasting Phrases

saying cheers in slovak

Slovak people are known to be tough and hard-working. However, they also know how to have a good time enjoying life and how to drink. Alcohol plays a significant role in Slovakian society, and when you’re in Slovakia, it is not uncommon to hear the word cheers shouted out after each drink. The most common Slovak phrase for cheers is “Na zdravie.” Below, we will explore the most common ways to say cheers in Slovak.

1. Na Zdravie!

This toast has been used in the Slovak language since the 15th century by soldiers before battle to wish each other luck with their lives. Nowadays, it’s a toast that you would use after someone has done something nice for you or when celebrating with friends, or when someone is celebrating completing a task, like finishing an exam, they are also toasting to their own success. Also, when two people meet for the first time, it’s common for them to toast each other. You can also combine this phrase with a toast for health or good fortune.

Here are some alternative phrases which do exactly that:

  • Na zdravie, chlapci! (Cheers, guys!)
  • Na zdravie všetkým ľuďom na svete! (Cheers to all of the people in the world!)

2. Do Dna!

This phrase literally translates to “To the bottom of the glass” and is one of the most popular.

3. Na Ex!

Slovaks use this phrase to express drinking a shot in one go – no sipping allowed.

4. Nech Že-Nam Je Dobre!

This is a regional expression not commonly used throughout Slovakia. It means “Wish us well!” and it’s used as both an expression of good luck and a cheerful greeting.

5. Veľa Šťastia!

This phrase translates to “In good luck” and is also quite common in Slovakia. This is perfect when you want to toast to good luck and wish someone to have a lot more. Slovaks believe it will bring them happiness and prosperity if someone toasts this way.

Additional Phrases Used When Drinking

In case you’re with friends at a bar, and you order some drinks, you’ll need to find out what kind of drinks they offer before saying cheers. If they have beer on tap, it would be more appropriate to say “Na pivo!” For those who dislike beer or those who simply want something else than beer, use the name of the drink instead of the word”pivo.” The same goes for wine drinkers, who should say “Na víno” instead of pivo.

If two people are drinking together and one asks the other if she wants more drinks or anything else from the bar, it would be polite to ask her if she wants anything by saying, “Chceš ešte niečo?” which translates to “Do you want anything else?

What You Should Know When Drinking In Slovakia

Drink

Slovakian drinking customs are as diverse as the country’s landscape. Apart from making a toast and using slang when drinking, we’ll mention a couple of other things you should know about Slovakian drinking culture.

  • Don’t avoid the acute angle: When toasting with beer, hold the bottle at a 45-degree angle so the drinker can see the label. The drinker should pour some of their drink into yours, and then you should reciprocate the gesture.
  • Patience is gold: it’s considered rude to pour the drink yourself. This means that if you need more alcohol, then you’ll have to wait for another person to do it for you! Otherwise, you might be considered an alcoholic.
  • No doesn’t always mean no: You know you’re in Slovakia when the food and drink never stop coming. You might think you’re done with food and drink, but Slovakians will probably still serve you more.
  • No drinking when driving: Slovaks have no blood alcohol tolerance when driving, though, so it’s best not to drink if you’re behind the wheel.

Traditional Slovak Drinks To Try

In Slovakia, drinking has a significant role and is seen as a way to have fun and relax rather than an escape from reality or a chance to get drunk. Many traditional drinks come from the agricultural tradition of making alcoholic beverages from fruits such as plums, cherries, apples, and pears. The Slovaks have been brewing and drinking beer for centuries, enjoying other alcoholic beverages.

The most famous Slovak drink is pivo, their word for beer. There are many different beers in Slovakia, and some are made with wheat or barley instead of hops like traditional European beers.

Another popular drink in Slovakia is slivovica (plum brandy, slivovitz). Slivovitz is the national drink of Slovakia, and it’s usually served at weddings to mark the end of the ceremony. It’s also used to toast special occasions such as christenings and births.

The next alcoholic drink worth mentioning is becherovka, a herbal liqueur made from aniseed, caraway seeds, and other herbs. It is evident in color with a bittersweet taste. Becherovka is usually served chilled before dinner or with coffee after dinner.

Another type of drink that the Slovaks enjoy is borovička. It’s a herbal liquor made from at least 51% juniper berries and other herbs, including 4-6 different types of berries. The drink is typically served chilled in shot glasses or small cups with ice cubes. It can also be mixed with apple juice to make a cocktail known as šnipať.

Learn Slovak With Ling App!

Ling App is a free app for learning Slovak and over 60 other languages. Ling App is an app that helps you learn Slovak through gamification. The app provides you with a game-like experience to learn the language in a fun way. It was developed by Simya Solutions, specializing in digital education. The Ling App is available on Android and iOS devices, and there is nothing I recommend more, especially if you’re just getting started with any language.

If you want to learn more about Slovakia and its culture and traditions, check out our Slovak blog for a bunch of useful information you might want to know.

Download the app, start learning and see you in the next article!

 

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