Prosit
“May it benefit you.”
German student Latin
What does “Prosit” mean?
Prosit translates as “May it benefit you.”
It is a toast wishing someone good health and good fortune. It is still raised across German-speaking countries at every celebration.
“Prosit” word by word
| Latin | English | Grammar |
|---|---|---|
| Prosit | may it benefit (you) | third person singular present subjunctive (jussive, a wish) of prosum, prodesse, “to be useful, to benefit”; the subject is an implied “it”, so the literal sense is “may it do good” |
How to pronounce “Prosit”
Both pronunciations sound the same here. Stress the first syllable. In German the toast is shortened to “Prost”, and “Prosit” is also said, with the stress on the first syllable.
The story behind it
Prosit is a single Latin verb form, not a quotation from an ancient author. It comes from prosum, “I am useful, I benefit”, and the subjunctive ending turns it into a wish: “may it benefit”.
The toast is not classical Roman custom. It grew out of the Latin used in German-speaking universities and student life in the early modern period, and it spread from there into everyday German.
Today it survives in the shortened form “Prost” and in the fuller “Prosit”, heard at celebrations, beer halls and festivals in Germany, Austria and nearby regions. The Latin form is also found on drinking vessels and as a playful inscription.
How to use “Prosit”
A cheerful inscription for a beer stein, glass or bottle label, a party or Oktoberfest-style invitation, or a toast card. It suits convivial settings better than formal or solemn ones.
- Latin
- Prosit
- English
- May it benefit you.
- Source
- German student Latin
- Era
- Early modern
- Theme
- Celebration
Common mistakes
- It is not an ancient Roman toast. The Romans had other drinking phrases, and this one comes from later German student use.
- It is a wish for one person (“may it benefit you”). Latin has no separate plural form here, since the verb agrees with an implied “it”, so the same word works for a group.
- German “Prost” is the shortened descendant. Do not treat “Prost” as correct Latin, and do not confuse prosit with the similar-looking prosunt (“they benefit”).
Questions about “Prosit”
What does “Prosit” mean literally?
“May it benefit (you)”, or “may it do good”. It is a short wish for health and good fortune said while drinking.
Is “Prosit” real Latin?
Yes, it is a correct Latin verb form, the subjunctive of prodesse. Its use as a toast, however, comes from German student Latin, not from ancient Rome.
How do you pronounce “Prosit”?
In both Classical and Church Latin it is PROH-sit, with the stress on the first syllable.
What is the difference between “Prosit” and “Prost”?
“Prost” is the shortened German form that developed from Latin “prosit”. Both are used as a toast, but only “prosit” is Latin.
More to explore
Translation and grammar checked by Latin Quoter · last reviewed November 2026
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