Say ‘Za zda-ró-vye!’ not ‘Na zda-ró-vye!’

In my considerable experience (all in the name of research!), I have found that it is a rare occasion when a Russian will take a drink in a social setting without first raising his or her glass to make a toast.  And during my early visits to the former Soviet Union, I would clink glasses and utter the famous phrase that is still ubiquitous in American films featuring Russians: ‘Na zda-ró-vye!’ (Hа здоровье!).  But in fact, ‘Na zda-ró-vye’ is not precisely correct.  Close, but no cigarski.

‘Здоровье’ [zda-ró-vye] means health.  But it should be preceded by ‘за’ [za], which means ‘to’ rather than ‘на’ [na], which means ‘on’.  So instead say ‘Za zda-ró-vye!’ (За здоровье!).

Of course, Russians tend to skip the word 'to' altogether.  So if you want to be authentic use any of the following:

Ваше здоровье! - [vashee zda-ró-vye] – the formal form of ‘Your health!’ which is appropriate for business settings.

Твоё здоровье! - [tva-jó zda-ró-vye] – the informal form of ‘Your health!’ which is appropriate with friends and family.

Or…

"Будем здоровы!" [bóo-deem zda-ró-vye"], which means "Our health!"

Comments

[Jordan]

Yippee ! Well done mrs S. ! and it's not even an LCB ripece...I'll give this one a go real soon. (I'll also try the 'real' Scotch egg.) Have fun bread baking soon. Sj(busy,busy,busy @ d resto. 12 hrs a shift 4 days a week.... and I love it. But I'm still no real chef. ha,ha! )