干杯

干杯 (gānbēi) literally means 'dry the cup' and functions as the Chinese toast — equivalent to English 'cheers!' or 'bottoms up!' Speakers raise their glasses, clink, and drink. Two cultural points are essential for English speakers: first, at formal Chinese banquets, 干杯 traditionally means drink the ENTIRE glass; refusing or only sipping can be read as cold to the host. To politely sip instead, say '随意' (as you like) or 'I'll do half — 我喝一半.'

Second, 干杯 is both a verb and an interjection — you can say '我们干杯吧' (let's toast) before drinking, and shout '干杯！' at the moment of clinking. It is purely spoken — you won't write 干杯 except in dialogue or signs. In Cantonese culture and modern casual Mandarin, the meaning often lightens to just 'cheers,' especially among younger people. Toasting etiquette also calls for holding your glass slightly lower than your elder's or superior's when clinking.