If you want to say “Cheers!” or “Bottoms up!” over drinks in Japanese, raise your glass with a hearty Kanpai (乾杯)! It literally means “dry cup/glass,” which provokes the image of an empty glass (what you hope to see after a toast). Going out drinking with others is a popular activity in Japan, so knowing what to say for toasts will help you enjoy the experience. Whether you’re a tourist visiting historic bars for the Japanese New Year or a new hire at a Japanese company, take a few minutes to learn how to kick off an enjoyable night with drinks and friends.
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Kanpai is how you say ‘Cheers’ for a toast in Japanese
To give a toast in Japanese, you say Kanpai! (pronounced “kahn-pah-ee”). You may also see it spelled as kampai:There is no difference in meaning or usage between kanpai and kampai. The “m” is sometimes used in romanized Japanese words in place of an “n” to illustrate that it sounds closer to an “m” to an English speaker’s ear than “n” (this is the same reason you might see tempura or tenpura). The modern style of romanization (Revised or Modified Hepburn system) writes it as kanpai.
Kanpai can either be used as a noun or a compound verb. The noun can stand alone as an interjection or a quick toast. As a verb, the translation of kanpai shifts from “Cheers!” to something closer to “make a toast.”
Use kanpai as a noun to say ‘Cheers’
As a noun, kanpai is as simple as other single-word toasts like “Cheers!” (English), ¡Salud! (Spanish), or Prost! (German).
- Kanpai!（乾杯！）= Cheers!
You can also add the Japanese particle ni (に) before kanpai to specify what you’re toasting to. Kanpai can still mean “cheers,” but it can also translate to other similar terms in English while retaining the same meaning.
- Yūjō ni kanpai!（友情に乾杯！）= Cheers to friendship!
- 2026 nen ni kanpai（2026年に乾杯！）= Here’s to 2026!
- Mirai ni kanpai!（未来に乾杯！）= A toast to the future!
Use kanpai as a verb to say ‘Make a toast’
The noun kanpai can be changed to a compound verb by attaching the irregular “to do” verb suru (する), resulting in kanpai suru (乾杯する). This makes the new word literally “to do cheers/a toast.” From there, you can conjugate it like any other verb to suit your needs.
- Yome no otōsan wa kanpai shimashita.（嫁のお父さんは乾杯しました。）= The bride’s father made a toast.
Like when using kanpai as a noun, the verb kanpai suru can be accurately translated multiple ways and mean the same thing.
- Bīru de kanpai suru.（ビールで乾杯する。）= We’ll toast with beer.
- Nani ni kanpai shimashō ka?（何に乾杯しましょうか?） = What shall we drink to?
More celebratory Japanese words and phrases
Depending on the context, you may hear other Japanese words and phrases surrounding kanpai. For example, nomikai (飲み会, drinking parties) at bars like izakaya (居酒屋) are popular as both social activities, holiday celebrations, and after-work team building with coworkers. These words and phrases can help you navigate Japan’s business drinking culture, parties, and more.
Kanpai no ondo (to propose a toast)
Before anyone says kanpai, you can propose a toast (in other words, a speech) with the verb phrase kanpai no ondo o toru (乾杯の音頭をとる). Literally, it means “to lead a toast,” but it would be more appropriately translated as “to propose a toast” or “to give a toast.”
- Kite kurete kansha shimasu. Kanpai no ondo o torimasu.（来てくれて感謝します。乾杯の音頭を取ります。) = Thank you for coming here today. I propose a toast.
Shukuhai o ageru (to raise a glass in celebration)
The verb phrase shukuhai o ageru (祝杯を挙げる) literally means “raise a celebratory cup/glass,” and it’s used specifically when you’re drinking in celebration. You graduated from college? You landed a promotion? Raise a glass!
- Sotsugyō omedetō! Konya shukuhai o ageyō.（卒業おめでとう！今夜祝杯を挙げよう。）= Congrats on graduating! We’re raising a glass in celebration tonight.
Japanese words and phrases for drinking with others
Although you might say kanpai with one or two other people at home, you’re most likely to use it out in public, where people are drinking and celebrating, alongside these Japanese words and phrases.
| Japanese | Romanization | Pronunciation | Meaning |
| いただきます | itadakimasu | ee-tah-dah-kee-mahs | Thank you for the meal/food/drink. (said before eating/drinking) |
| ごちそうさまでした | gochisōsama-deshita | goh-chee-soh-sah-mah-deh-shtah | Thank you for the meal/food/drink. (said after eating/drinking) |
| お願いします | onegaishimasu | oh-neh-gah-ee-shee-mahs | Please. |
| おめでとうございます | omedetō gozaimasu | oh-meh-deh-toh goh-zah-ee-mahs | Congratulations! |
| おめでとう | omedetō | oh-meh-deh-toh | Congrats! |
| お疲れ様でした | otsukaresama-deshita | oh-tsoo-kah-reh-sah-mah-deh-shtah | Thanks for your hard work today. (formal) |
| お疲れ | otsukare | oh-tsoo-kah-reh | Thanks for your hard work today. (casual) |
| 飲み会 | nomikai | noh-mee-kah-ee | drinking party |
| 二次会 | nijikai | nee-jee-kah-ee | afterparty |
| 忘年会 | bōnenkai | boh-nen-kah-ee | forget-the-year-party (held in December) |
Japanese words for other meanings of ‘cheers’ (not toast related)
The English word “cheers” can also mean shouts of joy or encouragement, but Japanese has several different words for “cheers” in these contexts, and they’re not interchangeable with the toast version. So, how do you say “cheers” in Japanese when you’re not raising a glass? Try these three expressions.
Banzai (hooray)
To shout a cheer similar to “Hooray!” or “Hurrah!” you can use Banzai! (万歳). It literally means “10,000 years,” as in wishing someone 10,000 years of life. You can also say banzai sanshō (万歳三唱) for “three cheers.”
- Sensei ni banzai sanshō! Banzai! Banzai! Banzai!（先生に万歳三唱！万歳！万歳！万歳！）= Three cheers for our teacher! Hip, hip, hooray!
Ōen suru (to cheer on)
If you want to support someone (whether it’s sports, a performance, or a life event), you can use the compound verb ōen suru (応援する) to “cheer” them on or “cheer for” them. Suru is one of the irregular Japanese verbs, so keep that in mind when you conjugate it.
- Ōen suru yo.（応援するよ。）= I’ll cheer you on.
- Wārudo kappu de dare o ōen shimasu ka.（ワールドカップで誰を応援しますか。）= Who are you cheering for in the World Cup?
Genki o dasu (to cheer up)
Sometimes you need a little cheering up, in which case you need the verb phrase genki o dasu (元気を出す). You can also rephrase it a little to translate it to similar English expressions, like “to take courage” or “to take heart.”
- Genki o dashite ne!（元気を出してね！）= Cheer up!
Say ‘cheers’ to learning Japanese
If you’re going to drink or celebrate in Japan, it’s helpful to know that kanpai is “cheers” in Japanese toasts. And you can learn Japanese to continue the conversation over drinks well after the toast has been given. But you don’t have to stop there! Knowing how to say “cheers” in different languages helps you celebrate with colleagues, family, or friends in any country.
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