Vocabulario básico: cerveza, brindis y clima en español

What does “arriba, abajo, al centro y adentro” mean as a Spanish toast?

Arriba, abajo, al centro y adentro is a playful “cheers” chant said before drinking, common in Mexico. It is not just words — it is a set of moves with your glass. You lift it (arriba = up), lower it (abajo = down), bring it to the middle of the group (al centro = to the center), and then drink (adentro = inside). Everyone says it together.

A simple “cheers” is just salud (health), which the clip also teaches. The full chant adds fun to a group toast. You may hear the ending as pa' dentro, a short, casual form of para dentro. In the clip: “Arriba, arriba, abajo, abajo. Al centro, al centro y adentro.”