What is a common mistake with “Şerefe”?

✗ Şerefe! (with a glass of tea) → ✓ Afiyet olsun: Şerefe is the toast for alcoholic drinks.

Phrase 416 of 500

How to say “Cheers” in Turkish

Q: How is “Şerefe” used in a conversation?

Can: Yeni işine şerefe! (To your new job, cheers!) Murat: Şerefe! (Cheers!)

Şerefe!

sheh·reh·feh

Listen

Meaning: Cheers!
Pronunciation: sheh·reh·feh

What “Şerefe” really means

Şerefe! means "Cheers!", literally "to honor". Glasses clink and people look each other in the eyes. It is used with alcoholic drinks; with tea or juice people say "Afiyet olsun" or nothing.

💬 Example dialogues

CanYeni işine şerefe!To your new job, cheers!

MuratŞerefe!Cheers!

EceRakılar geldi.The rakı is here.

SelinO zaman şerefe!Then, cheers!

🚫 When NOT to use it

Many people in Türkiye do not drink for religious or personal reasons. Do not push someone to toast with alcohol; with a soft drink a smile is enough.

🇹🇷 Culture note

When glasses clink, the younger person often holds their glass a little lower as a sign of respect. Rakı is sipped slowly with meze, never downed in one go.

⚠️ Common mistakes

✗ Şerefe! (with a glass of tea) → ✓ Afiyet olsunŞerefe is the toast for alcoholic drinks.

Culture tip

Answer holiday wishes with Sizin de! (to you too). At Bayram, children kiss the hands of elders and get sweets or pocket money.

Letters to watch in this sentence

Ş ş like sh in “shoe”