The words you need
A toast is a brindis, and "cheers" is ¡Salud! (literally "health"). That's enough to join in. To lead one, you need a way to start:
The four-line formula
- Ask for the moment: ¿Puedo decir unas palabras?
- Thank the hosts: for the food, the invitation, the welcome.
- Say one true thing about the family or your partner.
- Raise your glass: ¡Salud!
Three toasts you can use
Warm and heartfelt
Light and a little funny
Respectful and formal
Ways to end it
How to deliver it
- Pick your moment. The end of dinner, or right after midnight on Nochebuena. Ask your partner when their family usually does it.
- Look at the hosts, not your phone. It's fine to have the words on your phone as backup.
- Go slower than feels natural. Nerves speed you up.
- Practice it ten times out loud in the week before, ideally once in front of your partner.
Want to say it without freezing?
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- All 10 rescue phrases as a PDF, with pronunciation
- A week-by-week checklist for your date
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How do you say cheers in Spanish?
¡Salud! It literally means health, and it's used in every Spanish-speaking country.
What do Mexicans say when they toast?
¡Salud! is the standard. At parties you'll also hear the playful ¡Arriba, abajo, al centro y pa' dentro!, where glasses go up, down, to the center, and then you drink.
Is it okay for a guest to make a toast?
Usually it's very welcome, especially a short thank-you toast. Check with your partner first, since some families have a person who always leads it.
How long should a toast in Spanish be?
Three or four sentences, about thirty seconds. Short and sincere lands better than long and perfect.