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How to Say Cheers in Japanese

Cheers in Japanese is 乾杯 (kanpai), which literally means "dry cup" — the idea being you drain your glass completely. Toasting is an essential part of Japanese drinking culture, from casual izakaya nights to formal business dinners.

Drinking and Toasting Words

Essential vocabulary for drinking occasions:

Japanese	Reading	Romaji	English
乾杯	かんぱい	kanpai	Cheers! (toast)
お疲れ様	おつかれさま	otsukaresama	Good work (common pre-drink phrase)
とりあえずビール	とりあえずびーる	toriaezu biiru	Beer for starters (classic first order)
もう一杯	もういっぱい	mou ippai	One more drink
飲み放題	のみほうだい	nomihoudai	All-you-can-drink
居酒屋	いざかや	izakaya	Japanese pub/tavern
お酒	おさけ	osake	Alcohol / sake

乾杯かんぱい

kanpaiCheers! (toast)

お疲れ様おつかれさま

otsukaresamaGood work (common pre-drink phrase)

とりあえずビールとりあえずびーる

toriaezu biiruBeer for starters (classic first order)

もう一杯もういっぱい

mou ippaiOne more drink

飲み放題のみほうだい

nomihoudaiAll-you-can-drink

居酒屋いざかや

izakayaJapanese pub/tavern

お酒おさけ

osakeAlcohol / sake

Kanpai Etiquette

In Japan, you never start drinking before the 乾杯 (kanpai). Everyone waits until all glasses are filled, someone gives a short speech or simply says 乾杯, and then everyone clinks glasses and drinks together. When clinking glasses with someone senior to you, hold your glass lower than theirs as a sign of respect. At business dinners, the most senior person usually initiates the kanpai.

The とりあえずビール Tradition

One of the most iconic phrases in Japanese drinking culture is とりあえずビール (toriaezu biiru) — "beer for starters." When a group arrives at an izakaya, the first order is almost always beer for the table so the kanpai can happen quickly. After that initial toast, people order whatever they actually want to drink. This tradition is so deeply ingrained that とりあえずビール is practically a cultural institution.

Common Drinks at an Izakaya

Japanese	Reading	Romaji	English
ビール	びーる	biiru	Beer
日本酒	にほんしゅ	nihonshu	Japanese sake
焼酎	しょうちゅう	shouchu	Distilled spirit
ハイボール	はいぼーる	haibooru	Highball (whisky + soda)
梅酒	うめしゅ	umeshu	Plum wine
酎ハイ	ちゅうはい	chuuhai	Shochu highball / fruity cocktail
ウーロン茶	うーろんちゃ	uuroncha	Oolong tea (non-alcoholic option)

ビールびーる

biiruBeer

日本酒にほんしゅ

nihonshuJapanese sake

焼酎しょうちゅう

shouchuDistilled spirit

ハイボールはいぼーる

haibooruHighball (whisky + soda)

梅酒うめしゅ

umeshuPlum wine

酎ハイちゅうはい

chuuhaiShochu highball / fruity cocktail

ウーロン茶うーろんちゃ

uuronchaOolong tea (non-alcoholic option)

Making a Toast

A simple toast at a casual dinner with friends:

今日も一日お疲れ様でした。乾杯！

Kyou mo ichinichi otsukaresama deshita. Kanpai!

"Good work today everyone. Cheers!"

Common Questions

Is it kanpai or kampai?

Both spellings are used in romaji. The Japanese is 乾杯 (かんぱい). The "n" before "p" naturally sounds like "m" when spoken, so both kanpai and kampai represent the same word. Kanpai is the standard romanization.

Can you say kanpai with non-alcoholic drinks?

Absolutely! Kanpai is about the social act of toasting together, not about alcohol specifically. It is perfectly normal to kanpai with tea, juice, or water. No one will judge you for not drinking alcohol.

What is nomihoudai?

飲み放題 (nomihoudai) means all-you-can-drink. Many izakaya offer a set price (usually around ¥1,500-2,500) for unlimited drinks over a 90-120 minute period. It is extremely popular for group outings and parties in Japan.

Do you have to pour drinks for others in Japan?

Yes, it is customary to pour drinks for others rather than filling your own glass. Watch for empty glasses and offer to pour. When someone pours for you, hold your glass with both hands as a sign of respect. It is considered bad form to pour your own drink.