Japanese for a Formal Toast: Proposing a Toast at a Public Event
Learn to propose a toast in formal, public Japanese settings, using brief set phrases for occasions like weddings, banquets, and receptions.
By PookieFriends & plans · Yapr Learn
A toast speech in Japanese is usually short, public, and formal. Unlike a speech celebrating a personal achievement, which may focus on one person's effort and can be more intimate, a toast is addressed to everyone present and often follows a set pattern: greeting, a brief remark, a clear call to raise glasses, and a closing word. This lesson gives you natural phrases and a short model speech for proposing a toast at a reception or party.
By the end, you can…
- propose a toast in formal public Japanese using a short set speech.
- distinguish a toast speech from a speech celebrating an individual achievement.
- use appropriate closing phrases after a toast.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
乾杯の音頭を取らせていただきます。
I would like to propose a toast.
Kanpai no ondo o torasete itadakimasu.
A polite, formal way to announce that you are the one leading the toast. Common at weddings and receptions.
本日はお集まりいただき、ありがとうございます。
Thank you all for gathering here today.
Honjitsu wa o-atsumari itadaki, arigatō gozaimasu.
A formal opening that thanks everyone for attending. Suitable for a public toast.
それでは、乾杯！
Now then, cheers!
Sore de wa, kanpai!
The actual toast call. Say it clearly and raise your glass. Keep it short.
皆様のご多幸をお祈り申し上げます。
I wish you all every happiness.
Minasama no go-takō o o-inori mōshiagemasu.
A formal blessing often used after the toast or at the end of a congratulatory speech.
ご唱和をお願いいたします。
Please join me in saying it.
Go-shōwa o onegai itashimasu.
Asked before the toast call so everyone says 'Kanpai' together. Very common in group toasts.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The core pattern is '乾杯の音頭を取らせていただきます' (Kanpai no ondo o torasete itadakimasu). This literally means 'let me take the lead for the toast.' The humble form '～させていただきます' makes it appropriate for a public, formal role. After a short greeting such as '本日はお集まりいただき、ありがとうございます' (Honjitsu wa o-atsumari itadaki, arigatō gozaimasu), you can move directly to 'それでは、乾杯！' (Sore de wa, kanpai!). If you want everyone to join, add 'ご唱和をお願いいたします' (Go-shōwa o onegai itashimasu) before the call.
When to use it
Use this pattern when you are the designated person to lead a toast at a public event: a wedding reception, a company banquet, a welcome or farewell party, or a conference dinner. It differs from celebrating an achievement because the focus is on the group and the occasion, not on one person's accomplishment. For example, at a wedding you might say 'ご両人のご多幸をお祈り申し上げます' (Go-ryōnin no go-takō o o-inori mōshiagemasu), while at a company party you might say '皆様のご健勝をお祈り申し上げます' (Minasama no go-kenjō o o-inori mōshiagemasu). Keep the speech brief; a long toast can feel out of place.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
皆様、本日はお集まりいただき、ありがとうございます。
Everyone, thank you for gathering here today.Minasama, honjitsu wa o-atsumari itadaki, arigatō gozaimasu.ありがとうございます。素敵な会ですね。
Thank you. It is a lovely gathering.Arigatō gozaimasu. Suteki na kai desu ne.それでは、乾杯の音頭を取らせていただきます。ご唱和をお願いいたします。乾杯！
Now then, I would like to propose a toast. Please join me. Cheers!Sore de wa, kanpai no ondo o torasete itadakimasu. Go-shōwa o onegai itashimasu. Kanpai!乾杯！
Cheers!Kanpai!A little context goes a long way
In Japanese formal settings, the person who proposes the toast is often chosen in advance, and the speech is expected to be short. The word '乾杯' (kanpai) is said together by everyone, and it is common to wait until all glasses are raised. Avoid making a long personal speech; the toast is a public ritual, not a moment for individual storytelling.
One thing to watch for
Using casual '乾杯しよう' (Kanpai shiyō, 'Let's cheers') in a formal public toast.
Try this instead: Use the formal set phrase '乾杯の音頭を取らせていただきます' (Kanpai no ondo o torasete itadakimasu) to announce the toast, then say '乾杯' (Kanpai) clearly. For example: 'それでは、乾杯の音頭を取らせていただきます。乾杯！' (Sore de wa, kanpai no ondo o torasete itadakimasu. Kanpai!).
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1You are asked to lead a toast at a wedding reception. What formal phrase can you use to announce that you are proposing the toast?
Show a sample answer
乾杯の音頭を取らせていただきます。
This phrase politely announces that you will lead the toast. It uses humble language suitable for a formal public role. A shorter alternative like '乾杯の音頭を取ります' is possible but less formal.
2Before the toast call, you want everyone to say 'Kanpai' together. What phrase do you use?
Show a sample answer
ご唱和をお願いいたします。
This asks the audience to join in the call. It is standard in group toasts. '皆さんもご一緒に' (Minasan mo go-issho ni) is a more casual alternative.
3How is a toast speech different from a speech celebrating an individual achievement in Japanese?
Show a sample answer
A toast speech is public and formal, focuses on the group and the occasion, and is usually short. An achievement speech focuses on one person's effort and may be more personal.
The toast uses set phrases like '乾杯の音頭を取らせていただきます' and '乾杯', while an achievement speech might use 'おめでとうございます' and describe the person's hard work. Both can be formal, but the toast is more ritualistic and brief.
Keep your toast short: greet, announce the toast with '乾杯の音頭を取らせていただきます', ask for 'ご唱和', then say '乾杯' clearly.
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