The easiest time to refuse alcohol is before the first glass is poured. Once people assume you are drinking, every later toast becomes another negotiation. Tell the host early, keep a non-alcoholic drink in front of you and join the toast with that.
谢谢，我不喝酒。我用茶代酒，可以吗？
Pronunciation: Xiexie, wo bu he jiu. Wo yong cha dai jiu, keyi ma?
Thank you, I do not drink alcohol. May I toast with tea instead?
Use a short, settled answer
You do not owe the table private medical information. “I do not drink” is complete. If a brief reason makes the moment easier, say you are taking medicine, driving, pregnant, allergic or avoiding alcohol for health or religious reasons only when true.
Keep another drink ready
Tea, water or a soft drink lets you raise a glass without accepting alcohol. Ask the server not to fill the wine glass and keep the alternative visibly in front of you.
Understand common toast language
- 干杯 (Ganbei): literally “dry the glass,” often used like “cheers,” but context determines how much people actually drink.
- 随意 (Suiyi): drink as you wish.
- 我敬你 (Wo jing ni): I would like to toast you.
- 以茶代酒 (Yi cha dai jiu): use tea in place of alcohol.
If someone keeps pressing
Repeat the same sentence instead of inventing new explanations. Ask your host, colleague or translator to support the boundary. If the pressure stops being friendly, put the glass down and step away from the exchange. Hospitality does not cancel consent.
Business dinners
Tell a trusted colleague before the meal so they can arrange tea and explain once to the table. You can participate by making a short toast, thanking the host and drinking tea. Avoid moral judgments about other people’s drinking.
FAQ
Is refusing a toast insulting?
A respectful explanation and a tea toast usually preserve the social gesture. The exact atmosphere depends on the group.
Do I have to empty the glass when someone says 干杯?
No rule requires you to consume alcohol. State your boundary before the toast and use a non-alcoholic drink.
Should I touch glasses lower than the other person?
People sometimes do this as a gesture of respect, but a visitor does not need to turn it into a competition. A simple, attentive toast is enough.
For ordering and shared dishes, read the Chinese restaurant guide.