Meaning
To lift a drinking glass, often for a toast.
Cultural Background
The 'One-Shot' culture (원샷) often follows the lifting of the glass. If someone says 'Jan-eul bi-u-da' (empty the glass) after lifting it, you are expected to drink the whole thing. In a 'Hoesik', the seating arrangement matters. The most senior person sits in the center, and they are always the one to initiate the first 'Jan-eul deulda' moment. In the past, people used 'Gye-jan' (a cup that leaks if filled too much) to teach moderation even while lifting glasses. Younger Koreans often use 'Somaek' (Soju + Beer) and have creative ways of lifting and clinking glasses, like the 'tornado' mix before lifting.
The Two-Hand Rule
When an elder pours for you, hold your glass with two hands. When you toast with them, you can also use two hands to show extra respect.
Don't be too fast
Wait for the eldest person or the host to lift their glass first. Lifting yours too early can seem impatient.
Meaning
To lift a drinking glass, often for a toast.
The Two-Hand Rule
When an elder pours for you, hold your glass with two hands. When you toast with them, you can also use two hands to show extra respect.
Don't be too fast
Wait for the eldest person or the host to lift their glass first. Lifting yours too early can seem impatient.
Eye Contact
While clinking glasses, it's becoming more common to make brief eye contact, but traditional etiquette still emphasizes looking at the glass or slightly down as a sign of humility.
The Clink Height
Try to clink your glass slightly lower than the elder's glass. It's a subtle way to show you recognize their higher status.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct form of '들다'.
우리 모두의 건강을 위해 {잔|盞}을 ( ).
When making a suggestion to a group ('Let's...'), '-읍시다/ㅂ시다' is the correct formal ending.
Which situation is NOT appropriate for '{잔|盞}을 들다'?
다음 중 '{잔|盞}을 들다'를 쓰기에 어색한 상황은?
The phrase implies a social or celebratory context, not just the physical act of drinking water alone.
Complete the dialogue.
부장님: '자, 다들 ( )? 건배합시다!'
The manager is asking for everyone's participation before the toast.
Match the phrase to the correct level of respect.
Match: 1. {잔|盞}을 올리다, 2. {잔|盞}을 들다, 3. 짠 하자
'올리다' is the highest honorific, '들다' is standard, and '짠' is casual.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Formality Levels
Practice Bank
4 exercises우리 모두의 건강을 위해 {잔|盞}을 ( ).
When making a suggestion to a group ('Let's...'), '-읍시다/ㅂ시다' is the correct formal ending.
다음 중 '{잔|盞}을 들다'를 쓰기에 어색한 상황은?
The phrase implies a social or celebratory context, not just the physical act of drinking water alone.
부장님: '자, 다들 ( )? 건배합시다!'
The manager is asking for everyone's participation before the toast.
Match: 1. {잔|盞}을 올리다, 2. {잔|盞}을 들다, 3. 짠 하자
'올리다' is the highest honorific, '들다' is standard, and '짠' is casual.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
12 questionsTechnically yes, but it sounds very formal. Usually, it's reserved for alcoholic drinks in social settings.
'건배' is the exclamation (Cheers!), while '잔을 들다' is the action of raising the glass to do the toast.
Use the form '{잔|盞}을 듭시다' or more politely, '부장님, {잔|盞} 한번 드시겠습니까?'
You can still 'lift the glass' with soda or water to participate in the social moment. It's the gesture that counts.
It's a sign of respect to elders, showing you aren't drinking 'at' them.
Both are fine. '들어올리다' is more emphatic, like 'raise it up high.'
Yes! '오늘 우리 {잔|盞} 한 번 들어야지?' is a great way to invite someone for a celebratory drink.
It's a more specific version meaning 'to raise a celebratory cup' for a specific victory.
No, one hand is perfectly fine with friends or colleagues of the same rank.
Yes, in all contexts where it means 'to lift' or 'to hold'.
There isn't a direct opposite idiom, but '잔을 내려놓다' (to put the glass down) means you are finished or stopping.
No, you would just say '커피 마셔요'. '잔을 들다' is too formal for a coffee break.
Related Phrases
{건배|乾杯}하다
synonymTo toast / Bottoms up
{축배|祝杯}를 들다
specialized formTo raise a celebratory cup
{잔|盞}을 비우다
builds onTo empty the glass
{한잔|一盞}하다
similarTo have a drink
{술잔|酒盞}을 돌리다
relatedTo pass the glass around
