Greek2Me staff · Phrases
How to Say Cheers in Greek
Γεια μας
(ya mas)
cheers (lit. 'to our health')
The everyday way to say cheers in Greek is γεια μας (ya mas), literally 'to our health'. Say στην υγειά σου (stin iyiá sou) with one friend, στην υγειά σας (stin iyiá sas) with a group, and clink glasses looking each person in the eye.
Common variations
| Γεια μας | Cheers (to us)the everyday default at any table | |
| Στην υγειά σου | To your health (one person)warm, personal, informal | |
| Στην υγειά σας | To your health (group or polite)formal or plural | |
| Στην υγειά μας | To our healthwhen everyone toasts together | |
| Εβίβα | Cheers! (borrowed from Italian 'evviva')playful, celebratory | |
| Άσπρο πάτο | Bottoms up (lit. 'white bottom')shot glass, drink it all | |
| Στην αγάπη | To lovea warm romantic toast |
In context
Γεια μας, παιδιά!
ya mas, pedia!
Cheers, everyone!
Στην υγειά σου, Αϊσά!
stin iyia sou, Aisha!
To your health, Aisha!
Στην υγειά σας, κύριε Παπαδόπουλε.
stin iyia sas, kyrie Papadopoule
To your health, Mr Papadopoulos.
Άσπρο πάτο! Είναι τσίπουρο.
aspro pato! ine tsipouro
Bottoms up! It's tsipouro.
Εβίβα, στα καινούρια σπίτια!
eviva, sta kenouria spitia!
Cheers, to new homes!
The pattern behind γεια and στην υγειά
Both γεια μας and στην υγειά σου come from the same root: *υγεία* (iyía), meaning health. Γεια is the shortened everyday form, στην υγειά is the fuller wish.
The pronoun changes based on who you're toasting:
- σου (sou), to one person you know
- σας (sas), to a group or one person politely
- μας (mas), to us, everyone at the table
You'll hear all three at any Greek meal, sometimes in the same round. Start with γεια μας as the safe default and switch to στην υγειά when you want to sound warmer or make it personal.
The clinking rules
Greeks take toasting seriously enough that a few small habits are worth knowing.
- Make eye contact with each person as you clink. Skipping the eye contact is quietly rude
- Clink with everyone at the table, not just the person nearest you
- Never toast with water or coffee, only with alcohol or a proper drink
- Don't cross arms when reaching across the table
None of this is enforced with rules, but doing it right is one of those small things that Greek friends notice and warm to.
Toasts beyond the basics
For specific occasions Greeks have specific toasts:
- Στην αγάπη (stin agápi), to love
- Στα καινούρια σπίτια (sta kenoúria spítia), to new homes, at a housewarming
- Στους νιόπαντρους (stous nyópantrous), to the newlyweds
- Στα παιδιά μας (sta pediá mas), to our children
- Στην ελευθερία (stin eleftheria), to freedom
At a longer meal, one person often stands up, raises a glass, and offers a short toast before everyone drinks. You don't need to do anything elaborate, just naming what you're toasting to and finishing with γεια μας works.
Άσπρο πάτο and shot culture
Άσπρο πάτο (áspro páto), literally 'white bottom', is the Greek 'bottoms up'. It's a signal to drink the whole shot in one go, and you'll hear it most often around tsipouro, ouzo, or raki.
Don't feel pressured. Greeks are generous hosts, but they're not offended if you sip instead. A cheerful *γεια μας* with a sip is warmer than a forced άσπρο πάτο.
Frequently asked questions
How do you pronounce γεια μας?+
Like 'yah mas'. The Γ at the start is a soft sound closer to English 'y' than a hard 'g', and the stress is even across both words.
What's the difference between γεια μας and στην υγειά σου?+
Γεια μας is the shortened everyday 'cheers to us'. Στην υγειά σου is the fuller 'to your health' and feels warmer or more personal. Both come from the word υγεία, meaning health.
Do I have to make eye contact when clinking glasses?+
Yes, Greeks expect eye contact with each person you clink with. It takes two seconds and it's the difference between a warm toast and a distant one. Skipping it feels quietly rude.
Can I toast with water in Greek culture?+
No, toasting with water is bad form and considered unlucky. If you're not drinking alcohol, raise a soft drink, wine, or juice, not a water glass.
What does άσπρο πάτο mean?+
Literally 'white bottom', meaning drink the whole glass so only the empty white bottom is left. It's the Greek 'bottoms up', usually shouted before a shot of tsipouro, ouzo, or raki.
Practise this in the app
Sound natural at a Greek table
The A2 Restaurant lesson covers toasts, ordering, and the small phrases that make a Greek meal feel warm rather than touristy.
Try the Restaurant lesson