Hello, I’m Kodak.
You are sitting at a Japanese restaurant with friends. Everyone receives a drink, raises a glass, and says:
Kanpai!
Cheers!
But there are two useful details to remember:
① Kanpai is specifically connected to making a toast.
② Its kanji literally suggest “emptying the cup,” but you do not normally have to finish your whole drink at once.
乾杯 (kanpai) means “cheers,” “a toast,” or “to make a toast” in Japanese.
People usually say 乾杯！ while raising their glasses before the group begins drinking.
In this article, you will learn the meaning, pronunciation, kanji, origin, grammar, etiquette, and natural usage of kanpai.
What Does Kanpai Mean in Japanese?
乾杯 (kanpai) is the standard Japanese word used when people raise their drinks together and make a toast.
Cheers!
乾杯
a toast
乾杯する
to make a toast / to drink a toast
みんなで乾杯した。
Minna de kanpai shita.
We all made a toast together.
二人の幸せに乾杯！
Futari no shiawase ni kanpai!
Here’s to the couple’s happiness!
You usually say it when drinks are ready and the group is about to begin drinking—not when you simply meet or leave someone.
How to Write Kanpai in Japanese
Hiragana: かんぱい
Katakana: カンパイ
Romaji: kanpai
Meaning: cheers; a toast
The normal spelling is 乾杯. Beginners may also see かんぱい in children’s materials or texts with simplified writing.
カンパイ is possible when a writer wants visual emphasis, such as in an advertisement, song title, manga sound effect, or casual design. It is not the standard everyday spelling.
However, 乾杯 is the usual modern spelling and the one you should learn first.
How to Pronounce Kanpai
Mora: か・ん・ぱ・い
Romaji: kanpai
Beginner approximation: kahm-pie
Kanpai has four Japanese timing units:
↓
ん (n)
↓
ぱ (pa)
↓
い (i)
Because ん comes before the p sound, it often sounds close to an English m. This is why learners may hear something like “kampai”, even though the common romaji spelling is kanpai.
The important point is pronunciation: let the ん naturally connect to ぱ instead of forcing a strong English “n” sound.
The Kanji and Literal Meaning of 乾杯
The word 乾杯 consists of two kanji.
to dry; to empty
杯 (pai / hai)
a cup or sake cup
乾 + 杯
⇒ empty the cup
⇒ drink the cup dry
⇒ make a toast
This type of sound change is common in Japanese compound words, so kan + hai becomes kanpai.
Raise the cup together and “empty” it in celebration.
Does Kanpai Mean You Must Finish Your Drink?
Historically and literally, 乾杯 refers to drinking the cup dry. However, in ordinary modern Japanese social situations, saying 乾杯 does not mean you must empty the entire glass in one go.
① raise your drink
② say 乾杯 together
③ clink glasses when appropriate
④ take a sip
You normally do not need to finish the whole drink.
A small sip is normally enough. Never feel that the word itself requires you to drink quickly or excessively.
Kanpai vs Cheers: Are They Exactly the Same?
When making a toast, kanpai is the natural Japanese equivalent of cheers.
Cheers!
成功に乾杯！
Cheers to your success! / Here’s to your success!
乾杯しましょう。
Let’s make a toast.
However, the words are not identical in every situation.
・a toast
・thank you, especially in British English
・goodbye, especially in casual British English
Japanese 乾杯 usually means:
・a toast
・the call made while raising drinks
Kanpai matches cheers only when the English word refers to a toast.
When Do Japanese People Say Kanpai?
Japanese speakers use kanpai in many formal and informal situations.
・a casual meal with friends
・an izakaya drinking party
・a workplace party
・a welcome or farewell party
・a wedding reception
・a birthday celebration
・a reunion
・a celebration of success or good news
At a very casual meal, the rules may be relaxed, but watching what the group does is a safe choice.
Can You Say Kanpai with a Non-Alcoholic Drink?
Yes. You can participate in a toast with water, tea, juice, soda, or a non-alcoholic drink.
私はウーロン茶で乾杯します。
Watashi wa ūroncha de kanpai shimasu.
I’ll join the toast with oolong tea.
ノンアルコールビールで乾杯しよう。
Non-arukōru bīru de kanpai shiyō.
Let’s make a toast with non-alcoholic beer.
How to Use Kanpai in a Sentence
1. 乾杯！— “Cheers!”
The simplest and most common use is the standalone call:
乾杯！
Kanpai!
Cheers!
2. 乾杯する — “To Make a Toast”
Add する to use kanpai as a verb.
乾杯した — made a toast
乾杯します — make a toast; polite
乾杯しましょう — let’s make a toast
乾杯しよう — let’s toast; casual
全員そろったら乾杯しましょう。
Zen’in sorottara kanpai shimashō.
Let’s make a toast when everyone is here.
ビールで乾杯した。
Bīru de kanpai shita.
We toasted with beer.
3. ～に乾杯 — “Here’s to…”
Use に to mark the person, event, goal, or future being celebrated.
⇒ Here’s to [person / event / goal]
新しい仕事に乾杯！
Atarashii shigoto ni kanpai!
Here’s to the new job!
私たちの友情に乾杯！
Watashitachi no yūjō ni kanpai!
Here’s to our friendship!
二人の未来に乾杯！
Futari no mirai ni kanpai!
Here’s to the couple’s future!
4. ～を祝して乾杯 — A Formal “Toast to…”
～を祝して means “in celebration of…” and is common in formal toast speeches.
お二人のご結婚を祝して、乾杯！
O-futari no go-kekkon o shukushite, kanpai!
To celebrate your marriage—cheers!
皆様のご健康とご活躍を祝して、乾杯。
Minasama no go-kenkō to go-katsuyaku o shukushite, kanpai.
A toast to everyone’s health and continued success.
Useful Kanpai Phrases for Beginners
Cheers!
じゃあ、乾杯！
Well then, cheers!
みんな、乾杯！
Everyone, cheers!
乾杯しよう！
Let’s toast!
乾杯しましょう。
Let’s make a toast.
何に乾杯する？
What are we drinking to?
成功に乾杯！
Here’s to success!
再会に乾杯！
Here’s to meeting again!
In a formal situation, you might give a short message and finish with それでは、乾杯！ (“And now, a toast!”).
Kanpai in Casual and Formal Situations
Casual Kanpai with Friends
Minna nomimono aru?
Does everyone have a drink?
B: あるよ！
Aru yo!
Yep!
A: じゃあ、乾杯！
Jā, kanpai!
Okay, cheers!
Everyone: 乾杯！
Kanpai!
Cheers!
Kanpai at a Workplace Party
皆さん、一年間お疲れさまでした。来年もよろしくお願いします。それでは、乾杯！
Minasan, ichinenkan otsukaresama deshita. Rainen mo yoroshiku onegai shimasu. Soredewa, kanpai!
Everyone, thank you for your hard work this year. I look forward to working with you again next year. And now, cheers!
Kanpai at a Wedding
お二人の末永い幸せを祈って、乾杯！
O-futari no suenagai shiawase o inotte, kanpai!
Here’s to the couple’s lasting happiness—cheers!
What Does 乾杯の音頭を取る Mean?
乾杯の音頭を取る (kanpai no ondo o toru) means “to lead the toast” or “to propose a toast.”
音頭 — lead, call, or cue for a group action
取る — take
乾杯の音頭を取る
⇒ to take the lead in a toast
⇒ to propose the toast
部長が乾杯の音頭を取りました。
Buchō ga kanpai no ondo o torimashita.
The department manager led the toast.
At a wedding or business event, the toast may include a short congratulatory message before the final 乾杯！
Japanese Kanpai Etiquette
Etiquette varies with the group, but these beginner guidelines are useful.
At an organized party, people often wait before taking the first drink.
2. Raise your glass when 乾杯 is called
Look toward the group and join the response.
3. Clink gently when appropriate
You do not need to reach across a large table or force every glass to touch.
4. Take a sip
You do not need to finish the entire glass.
5. Non-alcoholic drinks are fine
You can still join the shared toast.
You do not need to turn the toast into a complicated competition. A polite attitude and awareness of the group matter more.
Kanpai vs Toast vs Bottoms Up
The normal Japanese call used when making a toast.
Cheers!
The closest everyday English equivalent during a toast.
A toast
The event, words, or act of drinking in honor of someone or something.
Here’s to…
Often matches the Japanese pattern ～に乾杯.
Bottoms up!
Emphasizes drinking the contents. This is closer to the literal image of emptying a cup, but it is usually stronger than modern everyday kanpai.
Literal meaning helps you remember a word, but context decides the best translation.
Kanpai vs Kampai: Which Spelling Is Correct?
You may find both kanpai and kampai online.
The most common romanized spelling for learners, dictionaries, and search queries.
Kampai
A spelling that reflects how the nasal sound may be heard before p.
Recommended spelling: kanpai
Both spellings may point to the same Japanese word, but kanpai is the safer form to use in an article title, dictionary search, or Japanese study note.
Be Careful: Kanpai Can Also Sound Like 完敗
Japanese has several words pronounced kanpai. Context and kanji tell you which one is meant.
cheers; a toast
完敗 (kanpai)
a complete defeat; a crushing loss
みんなで乾杯した。
Minna de kanpai shita.
Everyone made a toast.
試合で完敗した。
Shiai de kanpai shita.
We suffered a complete defeat in the match.
Glasses, drinks, and celebrations suggest 乾杯. Sports, games, arguments, or competition suggest 完敗.
The Origin and History of Kanpai
The basic image of 乾杯 is old: 乾 means to dry or empty, while 杯 means a drinking cup. The original sense was therefore to empty the cup by drinking its contents.
A historical example of 乾杯 appears in the Japanese text Shingi-shiki, dated to around 963. This shows that the written expression has a long history in Japanese.
乾 — dry or empty
＋
杯 — drinking cup
↓
drink the cup dry
↓
raise and drink a cup in celebration
↓
the modern toast: 乾杯！
But word meanings and social customs develop over time. Modern kanpai usually refers to the shared toast itself, and a sip is enough.
Kanpai in Anime, Manga, and Japanese Media
In anime and dramas, kanpai often marks the moment when a group begins relaxing or celebrating together.
Here’s to our reunion—cheers!
勝利に乾杯！
Here’s to victory!
今日は朝まで飲むぞ！ 乾杯！
We’re drinking until morning today! Cheers!
ジュースだけど、乾杯しよう。
It’s only juice, but let’s make a toast.
The personality comes from the words before it, the tone of voice, and the situation—not from changing the word itself.
Common Beginner Mistakes with Kanpai
Mistake 1: Using Kanpai as “Thank You”
○ Arigatō = thank you
○ Kanpai = cheers during a toast
Mistake 2: Thinking Everyone Must Drink Alcohol
You can join a toast with a non-alcoholic drink.
Mistake 3: Thinking You Must Finish the Glass
The kanji preserve the image of emptying a cup, but a modern social toast normally requires only a sip.
Mistake 4: Saying Kanpai Before Everyone Is Ready
At a group event, wait until the drinks are distributed and the person leading the toast gives the cue.
Mistake 5: Translating Every Kanpai as “Bottoms Up”
Cheers is normally the best English translation. Use bottoms up only when the context emphasizes drinking everything.
Natural Example Sentences with Kanpai
乾杯！
Kanpai!
Cheers!
みんなそろったので、乾杯しましょう。
Minna sorotta node, kanpai shimashō.
Everyone is here, so let’s make a toast.
新しい門出に乾杯！
Atarashii kadode ni kanpai!
Here’s to a new beginning!
私たちの友情に乾杯しよう。
Watashitachi no yūjō ni kanpai shiyō.
Let’s drink to our friendship.
彼の昇進を祝って乾杯した。
Kare no shōshin o iwatte kanpai shita.
We made a toast to celebrate his promotion.
ビールが苦手なので、ジュースで乾杯しました。
Bīru ga nigate na node, jūsu de kanpai shimashita.
I do not like beer, so I joined the toast with juice.
部長が乾杯の音頭を取った。
Buchō ga kanpai no ondo o totta.
The department manager led the toast.
お二人の末永い幸せを祈って、乾杯！
O-futari no suenagai shiawase o inotte, kanpai!
Here’s to the couple’s lasting happiness—cheers!
グラスを持ってください。それでは、乾杯！
Gurasu o motte kudasai. Soredewa, kanpai!
Please raise your glasses. And now, cheers!
最初の乾杯が終わるまで待ちましょう。
Saisho no kanpai ga owaru made machimashō.
Let’s wait until the opening toast is finished.
FAQ About Kanpai
What does kanpai mean?
Kanpai (乾杯) means “cheers,” “a toast,” or “to make a toast” in Japanese.
How do you say cheers in Japanese?
Raise your drink and say 乾杯！ (Kanpai!).
Is it kanpai or kampai?
Kanpai is the most common romanized spelling. It may sound close to kampai because the Japanese ん changes slightly before the p sound.
What does kanpai literally mean?
The kanji combine 乾, meaning “dry” or “empty,” and 杯, meaning “cup.” The literal image is “empty the cup.”
Do you have to finish your drink after saying kanpai?
No. Although the literal and older meaning involves drinking the cup dry, a sip is normally enough in a modern toast.
Can you say kanpai with water or juice?
Yes. You can join a toast with a soft drink, tea, water, or a non-alcoholic beverage.
What is the difference between kanpai and cheers?
They have the same meaning during a toast. However, English cheers can also mean “thanks” or “goodbye” in some varieties of English, while Japanese kanpai does not.
How do you say “Here’s to…” in Japanese?
Use ～に乾杯. For example, 友情に乾杯 means “Here’s to friendship.”
What does kanpai suru mean?
乾杯する (kanpai suru) means “to make a toast” or “to drink a toast.”
Is kanpai formal or casual?
The word itself works in both formal and casual situations. The speech before it and the surrounding language determine the level of formality.
Why does kanpai also mean complete defeat?
It does not when written 乾杯. A different word, 完敗, has the same pronunciation and means “complete defeat.” Context and kanji distinguish them.
Summary: The Meaning and Usage of Kanpai
乾杯 means “cheers,” “a toast,” or “to make a toast.”
● Writing
Kanji: 乾杯
Hiragana: かんぱい
Romaji: kanpai
● Literal image
乾 = dry or empty
杯 = cup
⇒ “empty the cup”
● Modern usage
Raise your drink, say 乾杯, and take a sip. You do not normally need to finish the entire glass.
● Kanpai vs cheers
They match when making a toast. Kanpai does not mean “thank you” or “goodbye.”
● Useful grammar
乾杯する = make a toast
乾杯しましょう = let’s make a toast
～に乾杯 = here’s to…
乾杯の音頭を取る = lead the toast
乾杯！
Raise your glass, say it with the group, and enjoy the moment!
References
- Kotobank: 乾杯 — dictionary meanings, historical example, and the modern note that finishing the entire drink is unnecessary.
- Kotobank Japanese–English Dictionary: 乾杯 — English equivalents including “a toast,” “Cheers,” and “Here’s to…”
- Kanjipedia: 乾 — meanings and character information for 乾.
- Kanjipedia: 杯 — meanings and character information for 杯.
- Kanjipedia: 乾杯 — definition and usage.
- Japan National Tourism Organization: Drinking the Japanese Way — general customs surrounding the opening toast at Japanese drinking parties.
- The Japan Foundation: Research on Japanese Special Morae — explanation that the articulation of ん changes according to the following sound.