The word kanpai is a Japanese expression used to toast glasses equivalent to “cheers” in Portuguese. Few know, but this word has a long history and a much deeper meaning that we will examine in this article.
For some reason, they write kampai (with M) in the Portuguese language… This is nothing more than a transliteration from Japanese to Portuguese, but I find it ugly and prefer to write the original form kanpai a thousand times more.
Kanpai is written [乾杯] where the ideogram (乾) means dry or drink and the ideogram (杯) means wine glass. Literally speaking, it means to empty the glass, a very literal and appropriate expression to say when we are going to drink. This word can also be used as the verb to toast or to drink a toast. In Chinese, it is written with the same ideograms and pronounced Gānbēi.
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Where and when to say kanpai?
In the past, kanpai literally meant to empty the glass. In other words, you would have to drink everything at once, but nowadays you don’t have to worry too much about that.
Nowadays, it is a mandatory etiquette to make a toast in Japan. If you start drinking before saying kampai, you are being rude. And it is not used only for sake, but for any alcoholic beverage.
There are no secrets; it is like the word cheers or saúde in English. It is common to hear this word a lot at year-end events called bounenkai, where people gather.
This expression is also used in any gathering of friends where they will drink, especially if it is a lot. When making the kanpai greeting, make sure your glass is lower than the glass of someone who is superior to you, like your boss.
We must show respect to the elders and bosses in Japan. For this reason, when you meet with your boss or someone older, unless they say kanpai, you can use the formal expression otsukare-sama. This word does not have the same meaning as kampai, but it is used to appreciate the work they have done.
Be careful with kenpai
At funerals, it is common to use the word kenpai (献杯) to toast the deceased with respect. When you are at a funeral and if there are drinking glasses, you can raise them and say kenpai without toasting with other glasses.
So be careful not to say kenpai instead of kanpai at drinking gatherings with friends. Another word that some may end up confusing due to its similar pronunciation is banzai.
What do you think of this expression? Have you had the opportunity to use it? We appreciate comments and shares! We also recommend reading:
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