When you will be invited to the wedding or to the party in Moldova you will most probably become a part of "drinking ceremony" and will hear a lot of toasts. In Moldova, as you know, many people speak both Romanian and Russian languages, so you will probably hear some toasts in Russian and would like to say something on your own. The following article will help you to learn how to do it and to avoid common mistakes the foreigners do when trying to propose a drink in Russian.
First of all and the most important: In Russian, "Na Zdorovie" is not a toast. Vodka or Not, Russians Never Toast Their Drinks with Na Zdorovie
Na zdorovie! This snappy expression is arguably the most well-known Russian phrase outside Russia. And still, no matter how much it may surprise you, the phrase Na zdorovie! is not a Russian toast and cannot be used to toast anything at all.
Na zdorovie is in fact a very old Russian phrase meaning "You're welcome" or "Enjoy it". Most commonly, it's said by the hostess when the guests praise her culinary skills, but it can be used in response to any words of gratitude, just as we say "You're welcome". If you attempt to toast with Na zdorovie! around native Russians, their reactions will vary from an awkward pause to hearty laughter (at your expense).
Incidentally, the name of the new hot St Petersburg restaurant, Na Zdorovie, means exactly that: "Enjoy your meal". Admittedly it creates a lovely play on words, considering most Westerners do believe this phrase to be a toast.
Za Vas! -- How to Toast Your Drink in Russian
This is how you can say it if you want to do it right:
Zdorovie means "health" in Russian, so naturally there are toasts featuring this word, even though Na zdorovie is not one of them. You can say, Za vashe zdorovie (zah VAH-she zda-ROH-vye) -- "Here's to your health", when you speak to several people or formally address one older or respected person.
If you toast one person who is also a friend or relative, you can say informally, Za tvoyo zdorovie (zah tvah-YOH zda-ROH-vye). The shortest and easiest version is simply saying "Za vas!" (zah VAHS) -- "Here's to you!" In any case, the first word should always be "Za" and never (ever, ever) "Na".
If Na Zdorovie is not a Russian Toast, Then What is It?
The confusion stems from two other Slavic languages: Polish and West Ukrainian. In Polish, indeed, "Na zdrowie!" is a toast meaning "To your health!" Don't forget though that Russian and Polish are two entirely different languages and use different prepositions in order to say the same thing.
The West Ukrainian language is very similar to Polish, but many Western Ukrainians are also bilingual Russian speakers. As with many bilingual people, the two languages often get confused in speech, resulting in some funny or ungrammatical expressions. Thus, Western Ukrainians do toast with "Na zdorovie!" in Russian, but only because they confuse the Russian "Za vashe zdorovie" with the same phrase in their own language.
No Drink Without a Toast in Russia
Russian traditions demand that every drink is accompanied by a toast. In the Soviet times, this habit was influenced even further by the Caucasian custom where toasting makes an important part of oral culture. As Caucasian wines, especially Georgian ones, were considered the best in the iron-curtain Russia, the Georgian tradition of flowery parable-like toasts made its way into the country.
Usually, they are ad-libbed by the tamada (tah-mah-DAH) - a Georgian toastmaster. Russian parties, too, usually have a tamada - either a hired one or just one of the revelers -- whose responsibility is to make sure the guests have fun: a tamada organizes dances and party games, acts as a party cheerleader, and says toasts.
Russian toasts are usually less ornate and more to the point. But, as the Russians say, "Only alcoholics don't toast their drinks".
(The most part of this article is from - Copyright Irene Woodhead - Na Zdorovie: The Truth Behind Russian Toasts and Drinking Customs - http://suite101.com/article/na-zdorovie-the-truth-about-russian-toasts-and-drinking-customs-a313468#ixzz2KE2YzXwe)
How much do Moldovans drink?
Translation and interpretation services in Chisinau and Moldova
First of all and the most important: In Russian, "Na Zdorovie" is not a toast. Vodka or Not, Russians Never Toast Their Drinks with Na Zdorovie
Na zdorovie! This snappy expression is arguably the most well-known Russian phrase outside Russia. And still, no matter how much it may surprise you, the phrase Na zdorovie! is not a Russian toast and cannot be used to toast anything at all.
Na zdorovie is in fact a very old Russian phrase meaning "You're welcome" or "Enjoy it". Most commonly, it's said by the hostess when the guests praise her culinary skills, but it can be used in response to any words of gratitude, just as we say "You're welcome". If you attempt to toast with Na zdorovie! around native Russians, their reactions will vary from an awkward pause to hearty laughter (at your expense).
Incidentally, the name of the new hot St Petersburg restaurant, Na Zdorovie, means exactly that: "Enjoy your meal". Admittedly it creates a lovely play on words, considering most Westerners do believe this phrase to be a toast.
Za Vas! -- How to Toast Your Drink in Russian
This is how you can say it if you want to do it right:
Zdorovie means "health" in Russian, so naturally there are toasts featuring this word, even though Na zdorovie is not one of them. You can say, Za vashe zdorovie (zah VAH-she zda-ROH-vye) -- "Here's to your health", when you speak to several people or formally address one older or respected person.
If you toast one person who is also a friend or relative, you can say informally, Za tvoyo zdorovie (zah tvah-YOH zda-ROH-vye). The shortest and easiest version is simply saying "Za vas!" (zah VAHS) -- "Here's to you!" In any case, the first word should always be "Za" and never (ever, ever) "Na".
If Na Zdorovie is not a Russian Toast, Then What is It?
The confusion stems from two other Slavic languages: Polish and West Ukrainian. In Polish, indeed, "Na zdrowie!" is a toast meaning "To your health!" Don't forget though that Russian and Polish are two entirely different languages and use different prepositions in order to say the same thing.
The West Ukrainian language is very similar to Polish, but many Western Ukrainians are also bilingual Russian speakers. As with many bilingual people, the two languages often get confused in speech, resulting in some funny or ungrammatical expressions. Thus, Western Ukrainians do toast with "Na zdorovie!" in Russian, but only because they confuse the Russian "Za vashe zdorovie" with the same phrase in their own language.
No Drink Without a Toast in Russia
Russian traditions demand that every drink is accompanied by a toast. In the Soviet times, this habit was influenced even further by the Caucasian custom where toasting makes an important part of oral culture. As Caucasian wines, especially Georgian ones, were considered the best in the iron-curtain Russia, the Georgian tradition of flowery parable-like toasts made its way into the country.
Usually, they are ad-libbed by the tamada (tah-mah-DAH) - a Georgian toastmaster. Russian parties, too, usually have a tamada - either a hired one or just one of the revelers -- whose responsibility is to make sure the guests have fun: a tamada organizes dances and party games, acts as a party cheerleader, and says toasts.
Russian toasts are usually less ornate and more to the point. But, as the Russians say, "Only alcoholics don't toast their drinks".
(The most part of this article is from - Copyright Irene Woodhead - Na Zdorovie: The Truth Behind Russian Toasts and Drinking Customs - http://suite101.com/article/na-zdorovie-the-truth-about-russian-toasts-and-drinking-customs-a313468#ixzz2KE2YzXwe)
How much do Moldovans drink?
Translation and interpretation services in Chisinau and Moldova
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