Short answer: "cheers" in French is Santé, or Tchin-tchin depending on the situation.
Santé, the core translation
The default way to say "cheers" in French is Santé. Pronounced roughly sahn-TAY.
When French speakers actually use it
Look people in the eye when you clink glasses. That part matters in France.
Alternative: Tchin-tchin
Tchin-tchin is the other option French speakers reach for in this situation. It's not a synonym so much as a register shift, use the one that matches who you're talking to.
Practice this in a real French conversation
Reading a phrase and saying it out loud are two different skills. Skala's AI conversations let you drop "Santé" into a real French exchange in your first 3-minute lesson, so it sticks the first time.
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FAQ
What's the most polite way to say "cheers" in French?
Both Santé and Tchin-tchin are polite. Pick based on who you're talking to: register, not translation, is what natives are tuning into.
How do I pronounce Santé?
Roughly sahn-TAY. Recording yourself once and comparing to a native audio inside Skala closes the gap faster than reading pronunciation guides.