Whether it’s a big milestone or a small victory, every achievement or special event deserves to be celebrated. In Thai culture, gatherings with friends and loved ones over a meal or drinks are a common way to mark these occasions. If you find yourself celebrating with Thai friends, it’s important to know how to properly raise a toast and say “cheers” in Thai. In this section, we’ll guide you through the correct pronunciation and usage of this meaningful phrase so you can join the celebration confidently and respectfully. So let’s raise a glass and learn to say “cheers” in Thai!
In Thai culture, drinking is important in celebrating special occasions and building relationships with friends and loved ones. Whether it’s a wedding, birthday, or just a casual night out with friends, alcohol is often a vital component of the festivities. Sharing some Singha beers (or other alcoholic drinks) with someone is seen as a symbol of friendship and trust, and it’s considered impolite to refuse a drink offered by a host or friend.
To help you learn about the basic phrases you can use in the Thai language, here’s a complete guide on how to say cheers in Thai!
Ways To Say Cheers In Thai
If you’re celebrating with Thai friends or attending a special occasion in Thailand, knowing how to say “cheers” is an integral part of the festivities. Raising a glass and toasting with friends and loved ones is a common way to mark special occasions and build relationships in Thai culture. However, the correct way to say “cheers” in Thai can vary depending on the situation and the relationship between the individuals involved. In this section, we’ll guide you through the different ways to say “cheers” in Thai and help you understand when and how to use them appropriately.
Fun fact: The word “cheers” originated from the French word “chiere,” which translates to “head” or “face.” Its meaning, later on, changed into “gladness,” that’s now used as words of encouragement.
1. Cheers!
It’s a loan word from the English language, and Thai people typically use it. You’d like to use it when drinking wine with your friends to make things a little fancier for everyone.
2. Chon Gâew – ชนแก้ว
This phrase is from the original Thai language, and the first word, chon, translates to crash or knock against, while gâew means glasses. So, if you put these two phrases in a sentence, it means hitting glasses or “touch glasses.”
3. Chai-Yo – ไชโย
Chai Yo (also pronounced as Chai Yoh) is the more casual yet not-so-frequent word used to say cheers in Thai. You’ll typically hear people say this during birthday toasts or weddings. However, it’s not likely used in regular drinking sessions.
4. Mhod Kaew – หมดแก้ว
This doesn’t translate to cheers in Thai, but it means “Bottoms up!” which eventually makes it quite similar to the latter. Nonetheless, it’s still like what most western countries use.
5. Chok dee – โชคดี
This phrase literally means good luck in Thai. It’s also another good way to say cheers in Thai.
Drinking Etiquette In Thailand
After learning about the many ways you can try to say cheers in Thai, you would probably want to discover manners you need to remember when drinking. We all know that these things vary in different countries, so here’s a tip that you should take note of when offering a toast to a person from Thailand.
1. The Legal Age To Drink Is 18 To 20.
It’s a piece of common knowledge for most people, but at some point, people might forget that age matters when entering a bar. So, make sure to bring your I.D. with you when drinking in Thailand. Some say that they don’t check a foreigner’s age when going for a drink, but would you really risk it?
2. Pouring Someone A Drink
It’s unsurprising to hear that offering someone a drink is polite. So, if you’re doing this already, cheers to you then.
3. Be Wary Of Spiked Drinks
If you’re drinking alone or with a few friends, always keep an eye on your drinks. As a responsible traveler, we highly recommend never leaving your glasses unattended on your table, as someone may slip a drug into your bottle. You wouldn’t want to put yourself in danger to say cheers, wouldn’t you?
4. Don’t Drink In Parks Or Temples
The locals from Thailand have high respect for their gods. So, you’d want to save your cheer somewhere else since other public places allow drinks. Always check the signboards before opening a bottle of beer or any drink.
5. Don’t Drink In Public Places During Buddhist Holidays
It’s known to be illegal to drink and sell alcoholic beverages in public places during these religious events. So, you may want to postpone raising a toast when these celebrations occur.
6. No To Drunken Behavior
Losing control is quite common when drinking in other countries. However, if you happen to do this in Thailand, it can take a toll on your image. Thais don’t find it hilarious! Instead, they feel secondhand embarrassment from your actions. So, you better keep your cool when taking hard beers!
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Now that we’ve come to the end of this guide, ชนแก้ว! Know what that means? Well, you better reread it if you don’t! Drinking may seem like an excellent way to celebrate something, but remember that your health is important too. So, make sure you’re in good shape before offering a toast.
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