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trinquer

clink glasses

verb tran-KEH Less Common

Origin: German trinken (to drink)

Also means

suffer the consequences

Usage Note

Trinquer primarily means to clink glasses and toast (trinquer avec des amis). Its informal second meaning is 'to take the hit' or 'to suffer for something' (c'est toujours moi qui trinque = 'I'm always the one who gets it'). Both senses are common in everyday spoken French.

Examples

"Ils trinquent en criant 'Santé!'."

Natural Translation

They clink glasses shouting 'Cheers!'

Literal Translation

They clink glasses shouting 'Health!'

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