Cheers Around The World: Saying Prost In Austria

If you're looking to toast with an Austrian, you'll need to know how to say 'cheers' in their language. The Austrian equivalent for 'cheers' is Prost, which rhymes with 'toast' in British English. You'll also need to know the behavioural rituals that go with saying 'Prost'. For example, you should look each person in the eye as you say 'Prost' to them individually, and clink glasses with each person at your table within reach.

The Austrian equivalent of 'cheers' is prost

The Austrian equivalent of 'cheers' is 'prost'. When saying 'prost', it is important to look each person in the eye individually. This is a time for declaring yourself ready, willing, and of brave heart and sound spirit. It is also important to clink glasses with each person at the table within reach. If people are out of reach, raise your glass at them instead. If there is a large group of people out of reach, you may raise your glass in their general direction and be excused the requirement to toast people individually.

There are three main schools of thought on the appropriate clinking behaviour when not everyone has the same drink:

• Clink glasses with anyone drinking alcohol.
• See A, plus those drinking non-alcoholic beverages (but only if they are in the minority and look like they want to join in).
• Clink glasses with those drinking the same as you and do a general 'prost' in the direction of others.

Instead of 'prost', you can say 'zum wohl' (which sounds like 'zoom vole'), particularly if drinking wine. This expression means 'to your health'.

'Prost' rhymes with 'toast'

In Austria, the equivalent of 'cheers' is 'prost' (rhymes with 'toast' when spoken in dialect-free British English). When saying 'prost', it's important to look each person at the table in the eye and clink glasses with them individually. If people are out of reach, you can raise your glass at them instead of clinking. You can also say 'zum wohl' (pronounced 'zoom vole'), particularly when drinking wine. This expression means 'to your health'.

You can also say 'zum wohl'

When saying 'cheers' in Austria, it is important to look each person in the eye as you say 'prost' to them individually. You should also clink glasses with each person at the table within reach. If people are out of reach, you can raise your glass at them instead of clinking.

'Zum wohl' means 'to your health'

In Austria, the equivalent of 'cheers' is Prost. It is pronounced to rhyme with 'toast' in British English. However, when drinking wine, Austrians say 'zum Wohl' (pronounced 'zoom vole'), which means 'to your health'.

When saying 'Prost', it is important to look each person in the eye and clink glasses with them individually. If people are out of reach, you can raise your glass in their direction instead.

Make eye contact with everyone you say 'prost' to

Saying 'cheers' in Austria is a nuanced affair. The word you're looking for is 'prost', which rhymes with 'toast' in British English. When you say it, make eye contact with everyone you say it to. This is important. It's a time for declaring yourself ready, willing, and of brave heart and sound spirit.

If you're out with Austrians, you also need to know the set of behavioural rituals required when saying 'prost'. You say 'prost' as you clink glasses with each person at your table within reach. If people are out of reach, raise your glass at them instead of clinking. If there is a large group of people out of reach, you may raise your glass in their general direction and be excused the requirement to toast people individually.

It's also worth noting that instead of 'prost', you can say 'zum wohl' (which sounds like 'zoom vole'), particularly if you're drinking wine. This expression means 'to your health'.

Frequently asked questions