How to Toast in Chinese: Gānbēi, Business Dinners, Etiquette

The Chinese word for “cheers” is 干杯 (gānbēi), which literally means “dry the glass” — and at many dinners, people really do. If you’d rather sip, say 随意 (suíyì, “as you like”). At a formal dinner, the toasts themselves matter more than the word: who you toast, in what order, and how you hold your glass.

The two words you need

• 干杯！ — gānbēi! — “Cheers!” / “Bottoms up!” Expect to empty your glass.
• 随意！ — suíyì! — “Drink as much as you like.” A relaxed way to toast without finishing your drink.

Tone tip: gānbēi is two high, level tones. Keep your voice flat and bright on both syllables; don’t let bēi drop.

Toasting someone

The verb for offering a toast is 敬 (jìng), “to respectfully offer.”

• 我敬你一杯。 — wǒ jìng nǐ yì bēi — “Let me toast you.”
• 我敬您一杯。 — wǒ jìng nín yì bēi — the same, more respectful, for hosts, elders or senior guests.
• 我敬大家一杯。 — wǒ jìng dàjiā yì bēi — “A toast to everyone.”

Then add a wish:

• 祝大家身体健康！ — zhù dàjiā shēntǐ jiànkāng! — “To everyone’s health!”
• 感谢您的款待！ — gǎnxiè nín de kuǎndài! — “Thank you for your hospitality!”
• 合作愉快！ — hézuò yúkuài! — “To a successful partnership!” Standard at business dinners.
• 祝我们的友谊长长久久！ — zhù wǒmen de yǒuyì chángcháng jiǔjiǔ! — “To a long-lasting friendship!”

Etiquette that matters

• Wait for the host. The host usually makes the first toast. Don’t start drinking alone before that.
• Toast in order of seniority. After the host, guests often toast the most senior people first.
• Keep your glass lower. When clinking with someone senior, hold your glass rim slightly below theirs. It’s a small gesture that shows respect.
• Use both hands when toasting someone important: one holding the glass, the other lightly supporting it.
• Stand up if others stand, or when walking over to toast someone at another table.
• Tap the table if you can’t reach someone’s glass — it counts as a clink.

If you don’t drink (or want to slow down)

Declining is fine if you do it warmly and offer something in its place.

• 我不太会喝酒。 — wǒ bú tài huì hē jiǔ — “I’m not much of a drinker.”
• 我开车，不能喝酒。 — wǒ kāichē, bù néng hē jiǔ — “I’m driving, so I can’t drink.”
• 我以茶代酒。 — wǒ yǐ chá dài jiǔ — “Let me toast with tea instead of alcohol.” Very common and well accepted.
• 我身体不太舒服。 — wǒ shēntǐ bú tài shūfu — “I’m not feeling well.”
• 我随意，您干杯。 — wǒ suíyì, nín gānbēi — “I’ll sip, you go ahead.” A polite way to keep up without matching every glass.

Say it once, early, and stick to it. Hosts are usually more persistent with guests who start drinking and then try to stop.

A sample toast at a business dinner

You (standing, glass slightly lower): 王总，我敬您一杯。感谢您的款待，合作愉快！ Wáng zǒng, wǒ jìng nín yì bēi. Gǎnxiè nín de kuǎndài, hézuò yúkuài! “Director Wang, a toast to you. Thank you for your hospitality — to our partnership!”

总 (zǒng), added after a surname, is a common respectful title for a company head.

FAQ

What does “gānbēi” mean? 干杯 literally means “dry the glass” and is used like “cheers” — often with the expectation you’ll finish your drink.

How do you toast without finishing your drink in Chinese? Say 随意 — suíyì — “as you like,” and just take a sip.

How do you say “let me toast you” in Mandarin? 我敬你一杯 — wǒ jìng nǐ yì bēi — or with 您 (nín) for someone senior.

How do you politely refuse alcohol at a Chinese dinner? Say 我以茶代酒 — wǒ yǐ chá dài jiǔ — “I’ll toast with tea instead,” or explain you’re driving.

Why do people hold their glass lower when toasting? It shows respect for the other person, especially if they are older or more senior.

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Got a business dinner coming up? Meilin helps you prepare your toast in Mandarin, with pinyin and a tip on the tones you’re most likely to miss.