Short answer: "cheers" in German is Prost, or Zum Wohl depending on the situation.
Prost, the core translation
The default way to say "cheers" in German is Prost. Pronounced roughly PROHST.
When German speakers actually use it
Eye contact when clinking is non-negotiable. "Zum Wohl" is the formal variant.
Alternative: Zum Wohl
Zum Wohl is the other option German 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 German conversation
Reading a phrase and saying it out loud are two different skills. Skala's AI conversations let you drop "Prost" into a real German 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 German?
Both Prost and Zum Wohl are polite. Pick based on who you're talking to: register, not translation, is what natives are tuning into.
How do I pronounce Prost?
Roughly PROHST. Recording yourself once and comparing to a native audio inside Skala closes the gap faster than reading pronunciation guides.