The context is like this: In ancient China, I see off my friend on a horse, so I get down from the horse and drink with him, which is a very common scene in parting. This express that I wish him well and want to see him soon. In this context, is it appropriate to say I dismount and toast to him. I mean would it sound unnatural to toast to someone outdoors?
dismount to toast to my friend？
- Thread starter Sun14
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I don't recall seeing people riding horses in Hong Kong, but if you were astride an equine or any other beast and wanted to dismount for whatever reason, that word is appropriate.
In the U.S., however people are toasted (we don't toast to people) normally at some sort of gathering, e.g. picnic, dinner, etc. where horses are not invited.
If, however, you're talking about using the term "dismount" when you're not mounted on anything, that would sound very strange.
In the U.S., however people are toasted (we don't toast to people) normally at some sort of gathering, e.g. picnic, dinner, etc. where horses are not invited.
If, however, you're talking about using the term "dismount" when you're not mounted on anything, that would sound very strange.
Here is a thread on the topic:
http://forum.wordreference.com/showthread.php?t=2693571
Cheers to you!
...also a website called 'A Toast to You' based in Santa Rosa, California, USA.
http://www.atoasttoyou.net/
http://forum.wordreference.com/showthread.php?t=2693571
Cheers to you!
...also a website called 'A Toast to You' based in Santa Rosa, California, USA.
http://www.atoasttoyou.net/
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I have no problem visualizing the scene.
Only if it involves a horse.
Interesting. In traditional British culture, when the upper classes went hunting (some still do) on horseback they would drink from a "stirrup cup" just before they go. This is the only toasting outdoors situation I know of that involves horses. Of more use to you might be the equally traditional idea of the "parting glass", a final drink between friends as they take their leave, especially before a journey. So "they dismounted and drank a parting glass" might work.
In which case "I drink to my friend" would indicate the intention of 'toasting' someone. For example, we might say "to your good health" when raising a glass in someone's honour who was present. Or "we drank to the memory of our brother" in the case of someone who was dead. Perhaps it needs to be something like: "With a parting glass, I drank to my dear friend". Or "I drank a parting glass to my dear friend's honour" or even "I dismounted and drank a parting glass to honour my good friend". English is not as concise in its expression as Chinese and sometimes needs more words to say things.
I'd better stop now
I'd better stop now
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