Meaning
A toast used before drinking alcohol.
Cultural Background
The eye contact rule is taken very seriously. It's about trust and being 'present' with your drinking partner. At Oktoberfest, the song 'Ein Prosit der Gemütlichkeit' is played every 20 minutes to encourage people to drink. Similar to Germany, but 'G'sundheit' is also occasionally heard as a toast in rural areas.
The Eye Contact Rule
Always look the other person in the eye when clinking. It's the #1 rule of German drinking culture.
Don't cross arms
When clinking in a group, try not to cross your arm over someone else's arm who is also clinking. It's considered messy/bad luck.
Meaning
A toast used before drinking alcohol.
The Eye Contact Rule
Always look the other person in the eye when clinking. It's the #1 rule of German drinking culture.
Don't cross arms
When clinking in a group, try not to cross your arm over someone else's arm who is also clinking. It's considered messy/bad luck.
Wait for the host
In a private dinner, wait for the host to raise their glass and say 'Prost' before you drink.
Test Yourself
Which word is most appropriate for a casual beer with friends?
Du bist in einer Kneipe mit Freunden. Was sagst du?
'Prost' is the standard toast for casual drinking.
Complete the toast to the weekend.
Prost ____ das Wochenende!
The preposition 'auf' is used with 'Prost' to indicate the object of the toast.
Match the toast to the setting.
1. Formal Wine Gala, 2. Local Pub
Zum Wohl is formal; Prost is informal.
What would a German say if a plan fails miserably?
A: 'Der Bus ist weg.' B: 'Na ____ ____!'
This is a common sarcastic idiom for a bad situation.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
When to say 'Prost' vs 'Zum Wohl'
Prost
- • Beer
- • Pubs
- • Friends
- • Parties
Zum Wohl
- • Wine
- • Formal Dinners
- • Business
- • Weddings
Practice Bank
4 exercisesDu bist in einer Kneipe mit Freunden. Was sagst du?
'Prost' is the standard toast for casual drinking.
Prost ____ das Wochenende!
The preposition 'auf' is used with 'Prost' to indicate the object of the toast.
1. Formal Wine Gala, 2. Local Pub
Zum Wohl is formal; Prost is informal.
A: 'Der Bus ist weg.' B: 'Na ____ ____!'
This is a common sarcastic idiom for a bad situation.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
6 questionsTechnically yes, but many Germans find it odd or even bad luck. It's better to just raise your glass without saying it.
Yes, though 'Pröschtli' is a very common Swiss-German variation.
'Prosit' is the older, more formal Latin form. You mostly hear it in songs like at Oktoberfest.
In a small group, yes. In a large group, a general 'Prost' to the table with a raised glass is enough.
Not at all! It is the standard friendly way to toast. Only avoid it in extremely formal settings.
It is a sarcastic idiom meaning 'Well, that's a fine mess' or 'Great, just what we needed'.
Related Phrases
Zum Wohl
similarTo your health
Anstoßen
builds onTo clink glasses
Guten Appetit
contrastEnjoy your meal
Prost Mahlzeit
specialized formWell, that's just great (sarcastic)
