In this workshop you will practise the Korean lines people use when they raise a glass together. You will learn a general cheer, a casual cheer for close friends, and a toast that names the group you are celebrating. You will also hear how a friend replies after a toast. The practice moves from a guided exchange, to choosing the right reply, and finally to recalling the lines with the roles swapped.
Two ways to say cheers
The most useful line for a toast is a general cheer that works in many group settings. When you raise your glass, you can say «건배!», which means "Cheers!" A second line is a toast formula that points to the person or group you are honouring. You can say «위하여!» alone as a short toast, or put a person or group before it, as in «우리 팀을 위하여!», which means "Here's to our team!" With close friends, a shorter and more casual cheer is also common. You can say «짠!», which also means "Cheers!" but sounds relaxed and friendly. These lines are the base for the practice below.
A toast to a team and a friendly reply
When the group you are celebrating is your team, you can make the toast specific. One speaker says «우리 팀을 위하여!», which means "Here's to our team!" The group can answer with a general cheer such as «건배!». In a short exchange, the first speaker says «여러분, 건배!», which means "Everyone, cheers!" and the second speaker answers «건배!», which means "Cheers!" In another exchange, the first speaker says «우리 팀을 위하여!», which means "Here's to our team!" and the second speaker answers «감사합니다. 위하여!», which means "Thank you. Cheers!" Notice that the reply comes after the toast, and the thank-you comes before the return cheer.
Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Checking available voices…
건배!
Cheers!
geonbae
위하여!
Here's to...! / For...!
wihayeo
짠!
Cheers! (casual)
jjan
우리 팀을 위하여!
Here's to our team!
uri tim-eul wihayeo
Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.
여러분, 건배!
Everyone, cheers!건배!
Cheers!우리 팀을 위하여!
Here's to our team!감사합니다. 위하여!
Thank you. Cheers!Your turn
Try each prompt out loud. Choose a guided start, the full sequence, or a challenge pass after your first attempt.
Guided toast exchange
You are at a small team dinner. You are the host, and a friend is your guest. You will read the host part first, then the guest part.
Your task: Read the exchange aloud in order. Host: «여러분, 건배!» Guest: «건배!» Host: «우리 팀을 위하여!» Guest: «감사합니다. 위하여!» Keep the order: host, guest, host, guest.
Choose the right reply
You hear a toast and need to choose a suitable answer. The toast is «우리 팀을 위하여!», which means "Here's to our team!"
Your task: Which reply fits after this toast? Choose one: A) «건배!», which means "Cheers!" B) «감사합니다. 위하여!», which means "Thank you. Cheers!" C) «우리 팀을 위하여!», which means "Here's to our team!"
Recall with swapped roles
You are back at the same team dinner, but now you will recall the lines without looking at the earlier task. One person is the host and one person is the guest.
Your task: The host says «여러분, 건배!», which means "Everyone, cheers!" The guest answers with «건배!», which means "Cheers!" Then the host says «우리 팀을 위하여!», which means "Here's to our team!" and the guest answers with «감사합니다. 위하여!», which means "Thank you. Cheers!"
Common questions
Can I use the casual cheer with anyone?
The casual cheer «짠!» is relaxed and friendly. It fits close friends and comfortable company. For a more general group setting, the general cheer «건배!» is a safe choice, and the toast formula «위하여!» lets you name the group you are honouring.
What should I say after someone gives a toast?
You can answer with a general cheer such as «건배!», which means "Cheers!" You can also thank the speaker first and then give a return toast, as in «감사합니다. 위하여!», which means "Thank you. Cheers!" The reply comes after the toast, so listen for the toast line before you answer.
Sources and further reading
- korean: toasting and celebrationsChecked September 2026
Practice real time conversations on Yapr for faster learning.
Take today's Korean into a conversation with a Yapr AI tutor. Speak, make mistakes, and try again.
Practice on Yapr