All words ›Gan bei
PhraseHow to pronounce “Gan bei” (cheers)
干杯gān bēi
Literally: dry the cup.
❌ What English speakers usually say
“gone bay” with a falling end
✅ What to say instead
gahn-BAY — both syllables flat and high, like a held note
The shape of the word
Tap any syllable to hear it. The curve above each one is the tone you are aiming for.
Syllable by syllable
| Syllable | Tone | Practise it |
|---|---|---|
| 干 gān | First tone — high and flat | gan — open drill → |
| 杯 bēi | First tone — high and flat | bei — open drill → |
Worth knowing
Taken literally it means empty the glass in one go — and at a Chinese table it often is meant literally.
Questions people ask
How do you pronounce Gan bei?
Gan bei is 干杯, gān bēi — gahn-BAY — both syllables flat and high, like a held note. Literally it means dry the cup.
What is the most common mistake with Gan bei?
“gone bay” with a falling end
Is there anything else worth knowing about Gan bei?
Taken literally it means empty the glass in one go — and at a Chinese table it often is meant literally.
More words people mispronounce
Can you actually say it?
Reading a respelling is not the same as producing the tones. The free 2-minute check listens to you and shows which syllables land wrong.