Textbook건배합시다geon-bae-hap-si-daLet us toast
Real자, 건배! / 위하여~!ja, geon-bae! / wi-ha-yeo~!Okay, cheers! / To (something)~!🏷️ Daily conversation
건배 (cheers) is the standard toast. 위하여~ (to~!) is used for dedicating the toast — 우리의 우정을 위하여! (to our friendship!). At company dinners, the boss toasts first. Always.
Korean drinking etiquette rules
두 손으로 따르기/받기Pour and receive with two hands
윗사람 먼저 마시면 따라 마시기Drink after the elder/senior drinks first
고개 돌려서 마시기Turn your head away when drinking near elders
빈 잔은 채워주기Refill empty glasses (especially seniors')
잔은 내려놓고 따르기Put the glass down to pour (don't pour in mid-air)
첫 잔은 원샷First glass is bottoms up
These rules apply mainly to 소주. Beer is more casual. Wine/cocktails = almost no rules. The formality of drinking etiquette matches the relationship hierarchy.
Drinking vocabulary
The two-hand rule: when someone older/senior pours you a drink, receive with TWO hands on the glass. When you pour for them, hold the bottle with your RIGHT hand and support your right forearm with your LEFT hand. This is Korean respect in physical form.
Quick Quiz