German toasts: Say "Prost!" and "Zum Wohl!" at celebrations
Learn elementary German toasting phrases like Prost! and Zum Wohl!, when to use each, and how to respond politely at meals and celebrations.
By MarcusFood & cafés · Yapr Learn
Toasting in German is short, warm and often repeated. The two phrases you will use most are Prost! (roughly "cheers") and Zum Wohl! ("to your health"). Unlike compliments, which describe a person or thing, toasts are ritual phrases said while glasses meet. In this lesson you will learn five useful toasts, how to respond, and when each phrase fits.
By the end, you can…
- say a simple German toast such as Prost! or Zum Wohl!
- respond politely when someone toasts me
- choose between informal and more formal toasts in a German-speaking setting
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Prost!
Cheers!
pʁoːst
The standard, informal toast used with beer, wine, cider or soft drinks among friends, family and colleagues.
Zum Wohl!
To your health!
tsʊm voːl
A warm, slightly more formal toast. Common with wine and at family meals; safe with people you have just met.
Auf dein Wohl!
To your health! (informal, one person)
aʊf daɪn voːl
Use with one person you address as du, for example a close friend or relative.
Auf Ihr Wohl!
To your health! (formal)
aʊf iːɐ̯ voːl
Use with one person you address as Sie, for example a host, manager or older acquaintance.
Zum Wohl, alle zusammen!
To everyone's health!
tsʊm voːl, ˈalə tsuˈzaːmən
A friendly group toast when several people are at the table; it includes everyone present.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
Many German toasts start with auf plus a possessive word: Auf dein Wohl! (to your health, informal singular), Auf Ihr Wohl! (formal singular), Auf euer Wohl! (to you all, informal plural). The word Wohl means "well-being" or "health" here. With drinks in hand, you can also simply say Prost! or Zum Wohl! without auf. Keep the phrase short: a toast is a signal to drink together, not a speech.
When to use it
Use Prost! in relaxed settings: a pub, a barbecue, a birthday with friends. Use Zum Wohl! or Auf Ihr Wohl! at a formal dinner, a wedding reception or when you are a guest in someone's home. If you are the host, you can raise your glass and say Zum Wohl, alle zusammen! before the meal. When someone toasts you, answer with the same phrase or with Danke, ebenfalls! (thanks, likewise).
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Wir stoßen an! Prost!
Let's toast! Cheers!viːɐ̯ ˈʃtoːsn̩ an. pʁoːstProst! Auf dein Wohl!
Cheers! To your health!pʁoːst. aʊf daɪn voːlDanke, ebenfalls! Zum Wohl!
Thanks, likewise! To your health!ˈdaŋkə, ˈaɪ̯bənfaləs. tsʊm voːlZum Wohl!
To your health!tsʊm voːlA little context goes a long way
In German-speaking countries, people usually look at each other and say the toast before taking a sip; clinking glasses is common but not required. Prost! is informal and very widespread, while Zum Wohl! sounds a little softer and more formal. In Austria you will often hear Prosit! instead of Prost!, and in Switzerland Prost! is also common. If you do not drink alcohol, you can still join with a soft drink or water and say Prost! or Zum Wohl!.
One thing to watch for
Using Prost! at a formal dinner with your boss or a new host.
Try this instead: Prost! is informal. At a formal meal, use Zum Wohl! or Auf Ihr Wohl! instead. For example: Zum Wohl, Frau Weber! (To your health, Mrs Weber!).
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1You are at a casual birthday party with friends. What is the most natural German toast?
Show a sample answer
Prost!
Prost! is the standard informal toast among friends. Zum Wohl! is also correct and slightly softer, but Prost! fits a casual party best.
2Your host raises a glass and says Zum Wohl! What can you answer?
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Danke, ebenfalls! or Zum Wohl!
Both answers are polite. Danke, ebenfalls! means "thanks, likewise"; repeating Zum Wohl! is also natural and common.
3You want to toast one older colleague whom you address as Sie. Which phrase fits?
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Auf Ihr Wohl!
Auf Ihr Wohl! uses the formal possessive Ihr, matching the Sie form. Auf dein Wohl! would be too informal for this situation.
Keep toasts short: Prost! for informal moments, Zum Wohl! or Auf Ihr Wohl! for more formal ones, and answer with Danke, ebenfalls! or the same toast.
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