敬酒

• Pinyin: jìng jiǔ
• Hanzi breakdown: 敬 = reverence + action; 酒 = 氵(liquid) + 酉 (wine vessel) — alcoholic drink

Meaning

To propose a toast; to offer a drink as a gesture of respect.

A central social ritual in Chinese dining culture. 敬酒 involves raising one's glass and offering it to another person as a sign of respect, gratitude, or goodwill. The person receiving the toast typically drinks more than the one giving it. Declining a toast can be socially awkward in many contexts. The practice is deeply embedded in business, family, and celebratory dining.

Examples

1. 宴席刚开始，主人便起身向来宾逐一敬酒，气氛十分热烈。 As soon as the banquet began, the host rose to offer a toast to each guest in turn, creating a lively atmosphere.
2. 他向老领导敬酒时，双手捧杯，姿态十分恭敬。 When he toasted the senior leader, he held the glass with both hands in a very respectful posture.
3. 在中国的商务宴请中，敬酒的顺序和方式都有约定俗成的讲究。 In Chinese business banquets, the order and manner of toasting follow well-established conventions.

Usage Guide

Context: dining, social etiquette, business, celebration

Tone: respectful

Do Say

• 我来敬大家一杯，感谢今晚大家的到来。(Let me propose a toast to everyone — thank you all for coming tonight.)
• 他主动走过去向长辈敬酒，表现得很有礼貌。(He walked over proactively to offer a toast to the elders — a very polite gesture.)

Don't Say

• 我给自己敬了一杯。(敬酒 is directed at others, not oneself — it's a social gesture, not a self-indulgent act)

Origin & History

敬 (to respect) + 酒 (alcohol, wine). The act of offering alcohol as a gesture of respect has ancient roots in Chinese ritual and ceremony, dating back to Zhou dynasty banquet culture.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal