16 Ways To Say CHEERS In Italian And The Rules When Toasting ...

Would you like to learn the ways to say CHEERS in Italian?

“Cheers” is a common English phrase used to celebrate good health and to wish friends well. Although there are some traditional expressions for “Cheers!” in Italy, there are also numerous other ways to say it. They are determined by the occasion or the situation where they are said.

People around the world are familiar with the Italians’ passion for wine. As you raise your glass and salute your friends and family, you’ll hear a variety of cheers.

Toasting is an integral part of Italian culture. Greeting each other with a toast is an integral part of many Italian events, and this ritual is always observed.

If you are planning to go to an Italian celebration, such as a wedding or a birthday, or if you are hosting an Italian dinner party, understanding how to salute in Italian can be useful.

The following are the different ways to say CHEERS in Italian and other important rules in toasting that will come in handy when you get invited to a party in Italy.

Table of Contents

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• Ways To Say CHEERS in Italian
  • 1. Cin cin – Cheers
  • 2. Salute – To Your Health
  • 3. Alla nostra – To Us
  • 4. Alla tua – (Cheers) To your health
  • 5. Viva – Cheers
  • 6. Auguri – Wishes
  • 7. Congratulazioni – Congratulations
• Cheers in Italian at Weddings
  • 8. Congratulazioni! – Congratulations!
  • 9. Vi auguro il meglio. – I wish you the very best.
  • 10. Possa il vostro amore vivere per sempre. – May your love live forever.
  • 11. Possa la vostra gioia durare cento anni. – May your joy last 100 years.
  • 12. Per cent’anni – For a hundred years
  • 13. Viva l’amore! – Long live love!
• Making a Toast in Italian
  • 14. Facciamo un brindisi! – Let’s have / make a toast!
  • 15. Propongo un brindisi! – I propose a toast!
  • 16. Vorrei fare un brindisi! – I would like to make a toast!
• Toasting in Italian: Etiquette

Ways To Say CHEERS in Italian

Here are the various ways to say CHEERS in Italian, as well as some Italian terms to use when toasting during special occasions.

1. Cin cin – Cheers

Pronunciation: chin chinUsage: Casual / popular way to say CHEERS in Italian

This is a well-known “Cheers!” not just in Italy but in many other countries as well. This means you can use it anywhere in the world and people will get what you mean.

The expression “cin cin” has origins that may be traced all the way back to China, when people would say “you’re welcome” with “ch’ing ch’ing.”

The popularity of this expression grew throughout time, with ships going throughout Europe and Asia. “Cin cin” would be said as seafarers raised their glasses at night because that was the only way they could communicate with the others. The Italians adopted it because they liked how it sounded — nearly like the ringing of classes after the cheers.

2. Salute – To Your Health

Pronunciation: sa-loo-tehUsage: Formal way to say CHEERS in Italian

This is the more formal way to say cheers in Italian. “Alla nostra salute,” which means “to our health,” is the complete form of this Italian expression.

In a formal setting, touching glasses when you say “Salute!” in Italy is not needed. And neither are you required to make eye contact while toasting, as is customary in other European countries.

“Salute” also has different connotations and is used when someone sneezes or becomes ill. For the most part, it can be used whenever you want to wish someone good health or to cheer them up and encourage them to get better.

3. Alla nostra – To Us

Pronunciation: al-la nos-traUsage: Formal / informal CHEERS in Italian

In Italian, this is another way to say cheers with its complete expression being “Beviamo alla nostra!” This one is appropriate for both formal and informal settings. Its English meaning is “Let’s raise a glass to us!”

This can be spoken at an office party graduation, or to celebrate the end of a sporting match.

You can use it to toast to everyone at the table, just like “cheers” in English, “sante” in French, “kanpai” in Japanese, and “prosit” in German. You can also use the abbreviation “alla nostra,” which means “Here’s to us!”

4. Alla tua – (Cheers) To your health

Pronunciation: al-la too-ahUsage: Cheers for a specific person

If you’re raising your glass for someone, in particular, you can say “alla tua,” which also means “to your health.” You can also add the person’s name along with this term if you want the entire table to cheer for him/her.

5. Viva – Cheers

Pronunciation: vee-vaUsage: Another word for cheers, like “salute”

Another typical Italian term for toasts is “viva.”

In most cases, “viva” means “hurray,” which you might say at a wedding as “Viva gli sposi!” It is translated as “Hurray to the bride and groom!” or “Long live the newlyweds!”

“Viva l’Italia” means “hurray for Italy,” a phrase frequently heard from Italians cheering for their homeland at major sporting events.

“Viva” can be used alone or as an alternative to “salute” to say cheers in Italian.

6. Auguri – Wishes

Pronunciation: aw-goo-reeUsage: Cheers for birthdays or any occasion where you want to wish someone well

“Auguri” means “wishes” – as in “best wishes” – in Italian and is said to those who celebrate their birthdays and other occasions when you want to wish someone well.

You can greet them with “Auguri, buon compleanno!” for “Happy birthday,” or “Cento di questi giorni.” The latter translates as “Wishing you 100 days like this one,” which implies that you are toasting to the person living for another 100 years.

7. Congratulazioni – Congratulations

Pronunciation: koŋgratulatˈʦjoːniUsage: Cheers to celebrate an achievement

Just like in English, “congratulazioni” is a way to say cheers in Italian to celebrate certain momentous occasions. Examples are college celebration, a new job, a job promotion, the start of a new business, and any time you want to highlight and celebrate achievement.

Cheers in Italian at Weddings

Since Italians love to enjoy themselves, all Italian weddings are bound to be festive occasions. You never know when you’ll be invited to an Italian wedding, so it’s a good idea to know how to say cheers in Italian properly.

Here are some frequent terms to use during Italian weddings to convey your well-wishes and share in the celebration.

8. Congratulazioni! – Congratulations!

This expression can be addressed directly to the newlyweds, as in: “Congratulazioni agli sposi!” It means “Congratulations to the newlyweds!” This phrase can be spoken before or after a toast. It is intended to congratulate the newlyweds.

9. Vi auguro il meglio. – I wish you the very best.

Say “Vi auguro il meglio” to wish a newly-wed couple the best of luck in their marriage.

10. Possa il vostro amore vivere per sempre. – May your love live forever.

This is a rather more meaningful way to say cheers in Italian when greeting the bride and groom in a wedding.

11. Possa la vostra gioia durare cento anni. – May your joy last 100 years.

This is one of the most elegant ways to greet the new bride and husband in Italian. However, it is somewhat formal.

12. Per cent’anni – For a hundred years

The best man traditionally says this line at the start of a toast, and the guests repeat after him.

13. Viva l’amore! – Long live love!

This one isn’t just for weddings; it can be used whenever you want to celebrate love.

Making a Toast in Italian

When making a toast is a good idea in both formal and informal occasions, these phrases can come in handy. Use one of the following expressions to grab everyone’s attention before making a toast.

14. Facciamo un brindisi! – Let’s have / make a toast!

This phrase is used when proposing a toast. It can also be translated as “Let’s drink a toast!”

15. Propongo un brindisi! – I propose a toast!

This is an alternative phrase to #14 when saying cheers in Italian.

16. Vorrei fare un brindisi! – I would like to make a toast!

This may also translate as “to drink a toast” or “a toast would seem to be in order.”

Toasting in Italian: Etiquette

Saying “cheers” is subject to several rules in Italy. You must understand these rules if you have been asked to a formal event. However, the majority of them do not apply to everyday family dinners or gatherings.

This is essential information whether you wish to be more knowledgeable in etiquette or are attending a formal event.

The toast can only be started by the dinner host. Traditionally, on one’s birthday, the birthday person will deliver a speech of thanks or address the group for applause.

Tapping the glass to attract the guests’ attention is a no-no.

Raise your glass to the center of the table to express your joy. Clinking glasses, while common, is considered improper. It is okay to break this particular rule, but you must refrain from clinking glasses in front of everyone.

Rather than toasting with each visitor, the most common technique of toasting is for everyone to clink glasses in the center of the table.

When toasting, Italians aren’t used to staring each other in the eye. Some people in Northern Europe engage in this behavior, but it is neither common nor traditional in Italy.