Culture — Entry No. 1225
건배
geonbae · interjection
건배
geonbae
[GUHN-bay]
interjectionbeginner
Meaning
Korean toast meaning ‘cheers’ or ‘bottoms up,’ literally translating to ’empty glass.’ Used when raising glasses in celebratory or friendly gestures before drinking, essential to Korean drinking etiquette and social bonding customs.
K-Pop & K-Drama Context
Central to Korean social drinking culture and one of the most iconic Korean expressions known worldwide. BTS members mentioned geonbae during variety show appearances where they shared Korean traditions. BLACKPINK referenced Korean drinking customs in international interviews. The word appears in nearly every K-drama with drinking scenes, representing friendship, respect, and camaraderie in Korean society.
Example Sentences
건배! 우리 우정을 위해서!
Geonbae! Wuri ujung-eul wi-hae-seo!
Cheers! To our friendship! (Most common usage in celebratory settings)
건배하면서 눈을 맞춰야 돼.
Geonbae-ha-myeon-seo nun-eul maj-chwo-ya dwae.
You have to make eye contact while saying geonbae. (Shows proper etiquette—important cultural note)
좋은 날을 위해 건배!
Joh-eun nal-eul wi-hae geonbae!
Cheers to good days! (Reflects gratitude and celebration)
⚠️ Don’t use geonbae when…
1) Don’t say geonbae without making direct eye contact—this is considered disrespectful in Korean drinking culture. 2) Geonbae doesn’t mean you must finish your drink immediately; it’s the gesture that matters, not the pace of drinking.
🎵 Heard In
- K-Drama: My Love from the Star (2013) — Do Min-joon and Cheon Song-yi share geonbae scenes at Korean restaurants, showing how the tradition bonds them across time.
- K-Pop: TWICE — ‘Feel Special’ — members have discussed Korean friendship traditions including drinking culture and geonbae in V Live and interview appearances.
ℹ️ Editorial Note: The cultural context and example usage are for educational reference only. Artist names, song titles, and drama references are used descriptively to illustrate vocabulary in context. This content is AI-assisted and reviewed for accuracy. For official information, please refer to the respective artists’ or studios’ official channels.