German for a Short Formal Toast: 'Ich möchte einen Toast ausbringen'
Learn to propose a brief, formal toast in German for public occasions, using set phrases, the accusative case, and appropriate register for toasts versus celebrations.
By PookieFriends & plans · Yapr Learn
A toast is a short, public, formal speech that asks others to raise their glasses. In German, the core phrase is 'Ich möchte einen Toast ausbringen' (I would like to propose a toast). This differs from celebrating an achievement, which is usually more personal and can be spontaneous. Here you will learn a compact toast structure: address the group, state the occasion, offer good wishes, and invite everyone to drink. You will also learn the accusative case after 'möchte', the verb 'ausbringen', and the correct toast word 'Prost'. Regional variants such as 'Prosit' in Austria and Bavaria are noted.
By the end, you can…
- propose a short formal toast in German using 'Ich möchte einen Toast ausbringen'.
- address a group formally and state the occasion in one or two sentences.
- use the accusative case correctly after 'möchte' and 'ausbringen'.
- distinguish a public toast from a personal celebration phrase.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
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Ich möchte einen Toast ausbringen.
I would like to propose a toast.
ikh MÖKH-tuh AY-nen tohst OWS-bring-en
Formal, public opening. 'ausbringen' is separable: 'Ich bringe einen Toast aus.' Use 'möchte' for polite intention.
Liebe Kolleginnen und Kollegen,
Dear colleagues,
LEE-buh koh-LAY-gin-en unt koh-LAY-gen
Standard formal address to a mixed group. For a mixed audience, this is the safest inclusive form.
Ich erhebe mein Glas auf ...
I raise my glass to ...
ikh air-HAY-buh mine glahs owf ...
Follow with an accusative noun: 'auf unseren Erfolg', 'auf die Zusammenarbeit'. Common in formal toasts.
Auf Ihr Wohl!
To your health!
owf eer vohl
Formal toast to a person or group. Use 'Auf dein Wohl!' with one person you address informally.
Prost! / Prosit!
Cheers!
prohst / PROH-zeet
'Prost' is standard in Germany; 'Prosit' is common in Austria and Bavaria. Say it after the toast, while raising your glass.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
A short formal toast follows a fixed pattern: address + intention + occasion + wish + invitation. For example: 'Liebe Kolleginnen und Kollegen, ich möchte einen Toast ausbringen. Wir feiern heute zehn Jahre Zusammenarbeit. Auf unseren gemeinsamen Erfolg! Prost!' The verb 'ausbringen' is separable, so in a main clause the prefix moves to the end: 'Ich bringe einen Toast aus.' After 'möchte' and 'auf', use the accusative: 'einen Toast', 'unseren Erfolg', 'die Zusammenarbeit'.
When to use it
Use this pattern at public, formal moments: a company anniversary, a retirement, a conference dinner, or an official reception. It is not for a private birthday where you might say 'Ich gratuliere dir!' or 'Alles Gute!' A toast is brief and public; celebrating an achievement is often personal and can be longer. Keep the toast to two or three sentences. If you speak to one person formally, use 'Ich möchte Ihnen gratulieren' rather than a toast. If you address a group informally, you can say 'Liebe Leute' or 'Hallo zusammen', but 'Liebe Kolleginnen und Kollegen' remains appropriate for work contexts.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Liebe Kolleginnen und Kollegen, ich möchte einen Toast ausbringen.
Dear colleagues, I would like to propose a toast.LEE-buh koh-LAY-gin-en unt koh-LAY-gen, ikh MÖKH-tuh AY-nen tohst OWS-bring-enSehr gern. Worauf trinken wir?
With pleasure. What are we drinking to?zair gairn. vor-OWF TRING-en veerAuf unsere erfolgreiche Zusammenarbeit und auf die Zukunft. Prost!
To our successful cooperation and to the future. Cheers!owf OON-zuh-ruh air-FOLG-rye-shuh tsoo-ZAM-en-arbite unt owf dee TSOO-kunft. prohstProst! Auf die Zukunft!
Cheers! To the future!prohst! owf dee TSOO-kunftA little context goes a long way
In German-speaking countries, a toast is usually short and delivered while standing, with glass raised. 'Prost' is standard in Germany; 'Prosit' is common in Austria and Bavaria, and 'Zum Wohl' is also heard in Switzerland and parts of Germany. Avoid clinking glasses before the speaker finishes. Formal toasts often use 'Sie' and titles; using first names can sound too casual at official events.
One thing to watch for
Saying 'Ich möchte einen Toast machen' for 'I would like to propose a toast'.
Try this instead: Use 'ausbringen', not 'machen'. 'Machen' means to make something, as in preparing food. Correct: 'Ich möchte einen Toast ausbringen.' In a main clause: 'Ich bringe einen Toast aus.'
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you say 'I would like to propose a toast' formally in German?
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Ich möchte einen Toast ausbringen.
This uses 'möchte' plus the separable verb 'ausbringen' in the infinitive at the end. 'Ich möchte einen Toast machen' is a common but incorrect literal translation.
2Which case follows 'auf' in a toast, and what is the correct form of 'unser Erfolg'?
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Accusative: 'auf unseren Erfolg'.
'Auf' can take the accusative for direction or the dative for location. In a toast meaning 'to something', the accusative is standard: 'auf unseren Erfolg', 'auf die Zusammenarbeit'.
3What is a regional variant of 'Prost' in Austria and Bavaria?
Show a sample answer
Prosit.
'Prosit' is widely used in Austria and Bavaria. 'Prost' is understood everywhere, and 'Zum Wohl' is also possible in Switzerland and some regions.
Keep a formal toast short: address the group, say 'Ich möchte einen Toast ausbringen', name the occasion, raise your glass with 'Auf ...', and finish with 'Prost' or the regional 'Prosit'.
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