To your health
Health toast
Use `To your health` to add a touch of sincere, polite goodwill to any shared drink.
En 15 secondes
- A polite toast used when raising a glass to someone.
- Wishes the recipient physical well-being and a long life.
- Perfect for dinners, celebrations, and semi-formal social gatherings.
Signification
This is a classic way to toast someone before taking a drink together. It shows you wish for their physical well-being and long life.
Exemples clés
3 sur 6At a birthday dinner
Let's raise our glasses: to your health and happiness!
Let's raise our glasses: to your health and happiness!
A formal business toast
To your health, Mr. Smith, and to a successful partnership.
To your health, Mr. Smith, and to a successful partnership.
Texting a friend who just recovered from flu
So glad you're better! Drinking a tea to your health right now.
So glad you're better! Drinking a tea to your health right now.
Contexte culturel
This expression stems from the ancient belief that drinking together seals a bond of peace. In the 17th and 18th centuries, it became a formal social requirement in English high society. Today, it remains the 'gold standard' for a polite, meaningful toast across the UK, US, and beyond.
Eye Contact is Key
In many English-speaking cultures, it is considered polite (and sometimes good luck) to make eye contact when saying this toast.
Don't Sip Too Early
Wait until you finish saying the phrase before you take a drink. Drinking while speaking is a bit messy!
En 15 secondes
- A polite toast used when raising a glass to someone.
- Wishes the recipient physical well-being and a long life.
- Perfect for dinners, celebrations, and semi-formal social gatherings.
What It Means
To your health is a traditional toast used when raising a glass. It is a way of saying, "I hope you stay healthy and strong." It is a warm gesture of goodwill. You are literally dedicating the act of drinking to the other person's vitality. It is simple, timeless, and universally understood in the English-speaking world.
How To Use It
Wait for everyone to have a full glass. Raise your glass toward the center of the group. Look the other person in the eye. Say the phrase clearly before taking a sip. You can say it to one person or a whole group. If you are toasting a group, you might say, To everyone's health! It is short, so don't overthink the delivery. Just make sure you don't start drinking before you say it!
When To Use It
Use it at dinner parties or weddings. It is perfect for a first drink with a new friend. Use it when celebrating a recovery from an illness. It works well at a cozy pub or a fancy gala. Use it to break the ice at a business dinner. It adds a touch of class to any gathering. Even if you are drinking water, you can still use it!
When NOT To Use It
Avoid using it if the mood is very somber. Do not say it if someone is struggling with alcohol. It feels a bit too formal for a rowdy college party. In a loud club, people might not even hear you. Don't use it as a standard greeting when you meet someone. It requires a drink in hand to make sense. If you say it while eating a sandwich, people will be confused.
Cultural Background
Toasting for health is an ancient tradition. People used to believe it warded off evil or poison. In many cultures, sharing a drink is a sign of trust. In English, it is the standard "polite" toast. It is less aggressive than shouting Cheers! at a sports bar. It carries a bit of old-world charm and elegance. It connects you to centuries of social history.
Common Variations
Cheers is the most common informal version. Good health is a slightly shorter, British-leaning variation. Here's to you is more personal and focused on the individual. Salute is sometimes used by English speakers who like travel. Bottoms up is much more informal and focuses on finishing the drink. Stick to To your health for a balanced, respectful vibe.
Notes d'usage
This phrase sits in the 'neutral' zone. It is safer than 'Cheers' in formal settings, but not as stiff as a prepared speech. Use it when you want to sound polite and well-mannered.
Eye Contact is Key
In many English-speaking cultures, it is considered polite (and sometimes good luck) to make eye contact when saying this toast.
Don't Sip Too Early
Wait until you finish saying the phrase before you take a drink. Drinking while speaking is a bit messy!
The 'Water' Myth
Some old traditions say toasting with water is bad luck, but modern etiquette says it is perfectly fine to say `To your health` with any beverage.
Exemples
6Let's raise our glasses: to your health and happiness!
Let's raise our glasses: to your health and happiness!
A classic way to start a birthday celebration.
To your health, Mr. Smith, and to a successful partnership.
To your health, Mr. Smith, and to a successful partnership.
Shows respect to a senior colleague or partner.
So glad you're better! Drinking a tea to your health right now.
So glad you're better! Drinking a tea to your health right now.
A sweet, metaphorical use of the phrase.
This kale juice tastes terrible, but... to your health!
This kale juice tastes terrible, but... to your health!
Poking fun at 'healthy' drinks that taste bad.
It's been too long. To your health, my old friend.
It's been too long. To your health, my old friend.
Deeply sincere and emotional connection.
To the bride and groom: to your health!
To the bride and groom: to your health!
Standard wedding etiquette for a short toast.
Teste-toi
Choose the best word to complete the toast.
Raise your glasses, everyone! To your ___!
The noun 'health' is used in this fixed expression, not the adjective 'healthy'.
Identify the most appropriate situation for this phrase.
You would most likely say 'To your health' when ___.
This is a toast specifically used during social drinking.
🎉 Score : /2
Aides visuelles
Formality of Drinking Toasts
Used with close friends at a bar.
Cheers!
Safe for almost any social situation.
To your health!
Used for speeches or dignitaries.
I propose a toast to the health of...
When to say 'To your health'
Family Dinner
Celebrating a new job
Business Lunch
Closing a deal
Recovery
Friend getting over a cold
Holiday
New Year's Eve
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYes, but To your health is slightly more formal and sincere. Cheers is very common and casual.
It might be a bit odd unless you are both sharing a drink at a bar or event. It is usually for people you are interacting with.
No, you can stay seated. Standing is only for very formal speeches or large weddings.
Always use To. For your health sounds like a doctor giving you advice to eat more vegetables.
Technically yes, though it is most common with wine, beer, or cocktails. It's the gesture that counts.
You can say And to yours! or simply Thank you before taking a sip.
It is great for a business dinner, but avoid it in a standard office meeting where no one is drinking.
Yes, it is perfectly understood and used in both American and British English.
It is better when everyone has a glass. Toasting yourself is a bit lonely!
It is a bit traditional, but it never goes out of style. It sounds classy, not 'old'.
Expressions liées
Cheers
The most common, casual way to toast.
Bottoms up
An informal way to tell everyone to finish their drink.
Here's to you
A toast focusing on the person's achievements or character.
Propose a toast
The formal action of asking everyone to raise their glass.
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