Bodhi Ramos7 min
Created: Apr 25, 2024Last updated: May 1, 2024
Italian for Beginners
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Alright, picture this: you’re with your friends,drinks in hand, and someone suggests the toast. It sets the mood, right? Well, did you know that in Italy, there are tons of different ways to toast? Whether you’re at a wedding or just chilling with friends, there’s a perfect way to saycheers in Italian. So, in today’s article, we’re diving into the world of Italian toasts. Get ready to find the perfect one for your next get-together!
Common and Casual Italian Cheers to Use When Drinking
Social gatherings and celebrations are essential for every culture and nation, and Italy is no exception. That’s why there are plenty of differentItalian cheers you can use in various circ*mstances. So, for starters, let’s explore some basic expressions that don’t require any additional words.
- Cin cin – [tʃin tʃin] – Cheers.
We’ll start with the most universal and recognizable expression.Cin cin meaning is quite simple: it mimics the sound of clinking glasses and encourages everyone at the table to raise their drinks and start to have fun. For example:
Cin cin, amici, alla vostra salute! (Cheers, friends, to your health!)
- Salute – [saˈluːte] – Cheers.
This one is another universal phrase that you can also hear at Italian social gatherings. Just like the previous one, it means “cheers.” However, thisItalian toast has a few other meanings. Since the word literally means “health,” people usually use it as the equivalent of English “bless you” when someone’s sneezing. For example:
Alziamo i bicchieri e diciamo salute per un anno nuovo pieno di felicità! (Let’s raise our glasses and say cheers to a new year filled with happiness!)
- Facciamo un brindisi – [faˈtʃammo un brinˈdiːzi] – Let’s make a toast.
If you feel like you have a lot to say during your toast and you can’t limit yourself to a simple “Cin cin,” you can use this amazing expression. It is quite polite, making it appropriate for both casual and formal gatherings. You can use it to start your toast and then proceed to all the pleasant words you want to say. For example:
Facciamo un brindisi al padrone di casa di questa festa! (Let’s make a toast to the host of this party!)
- Viva…! – [ˈviːva] – Long live…!
When you want to cheer a specific person, thing, or anything else, this expression is a go-to choice. It means “Hurray” or “Long live” to something and is quite often used as an Italian cheers toast. For example:
Viva Joey! Grazie per averci ospitato! (Long live Joey! Thank you for having us here!)
- Cento di questi giorni – [ˈtʃɛnto di ˈkwesti ˈdʒorni] – A hundred of the days like this.
The last toast on our list is an exciting Italian expression you can use to wish someone to live a hundred years more, and for these years to be filled with joy and celebration like the day you’re experiencing together. For example:
Auguri, Maria! Cento di questi giorni! (Best wishes, Maria! A hundred more days like this one!)
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How Do You Cheers in Italian: Useful Toasts for Various Situations
Toasts from the list above are great for different circ*mstances, from casual get-togethers to birthdays and holidays. However, if you want to learn more specific expressions, we’ve got you covered! Below, you can find some more popularcheers in Italy.
- Auguri – [auˈɡuːri] – Best wishes.
This phrase is probably the most versatile one, as it can be used in tons of different circ*mstances. Whether wishing someone a happy birthday or celebrating any other occasion, this expression is a perfect choice. For example:
Auguri per il tuo nuovo lavoro! (Best wishes for your new job!)
- Buon Compleanno – [ˌbwon kompleˈanno] – Happy Birthday.
Unlike the previous phrase, this one is not very versatile, as it can only be used as a way to wish someone a happy birthday during the celebration of this day. For example:
Buon Compleanno, Giulia! Spero che tutti i tuoi desideri si avverino. (Happy Birthday, Giulia! I hope all your wishes come true.)
- Congratulazioni – [konɡratulaˈtsjoːni] – Congratulations.
This is another versatile way to saycheers in Italian slang. You can use it when celebrating one’s special occasions or milestones, like getting a new job, graduating from college, winning a competition, etc. For example:
Congratulazioni per la tua promozione! (Congratulations on your promotion!)
- Buon Anno / Buon Natale – [ˌbwon ˈanno] / [bwon naˈtale] – Happy New Year / Merry Christmas.
These two phrases are great toasts you can say during the holiday season. However, don’t mix them up. The first one is only for New Year’s Eve, and the second – for Christmas. For example:
Buon Anno! Che sia pieno di pace e felicità. (Happy New Year! May it be filled with peace and happiness.)
- Viva gli sposi – [ˈviːva ʎʎi ˈspɔːzi] – Long live the bride and groom.
If you’re wonderinghow to say cheers in Italian during someone’s wedding, this exclamation is everything you need. By saying it, you express your joy and support for the couple’s future together. For example:
Viva gli sposi! Auguriamo una vita di felicità. (Long live the bride and groom! We wish them a life of happiness.)
- Buona Festa del… – [ˈbwɔːna ˈfɛsta del] – Happy… Festival/Day.
The last expression for today is used when you need to toast during a holiday that is not traditionallyItalianbut is still celebrated in the country, like Thanksgiving or Valentine’s Day. For example:
Buona Festa della Mamma! Grazie per tutto quello che fai. (Happy Mother’s Day! Thank you for all that you do.)
LearningItalian for Cheers and More with Promova
Memorizing Italian cheers can be a great way to expand your vocabulary, practice pronunciation, and boost confidence during casual conversations and social gatherings. However, if you want to take your knowledge to a whole new level, you need to pay attention to all the essential language skills, including reading, writing, speaking, and listening. And the best way to achieve the desired results is by using a convenient and helpful resource like Promova.
This is your one-stop solution for fluency. With the modernPromova application, you can practice anywhere and anytime, focusing on the essential things for you. The application is available for all modern iOS and Android devices, making it accessible and easy to use. All you need to do is install the app on your phone or tablet, provide some information to help us personalize your course, and enjoy your learning experience.
All the lessons you get are created by language professionals to be engaging and useful. Moreover, they are tailored for different fluency levels, so you will be able to study the things that are useful for you according to your current proficiency.
And that’s not all! At Promova, we practice bite-sized learning. It allows you to spend only a few minutes a day and still get quite impressive results. There is no more need to feel tired, bored, or overwhelmed with tons of tedious materials. Just install the Promova app and enjoy your pleasant learning journey towards fluency!
Conclusion
Summing up, we can say thatlearning at least a few cheers in Italian can be extremely beneficial for anyone aiming to master this language. Whether you intend to visit the country or you have some Italian-speaking friends, memorizing some toasts can help you feel more confident during social gatherings and easily maintain a conversation during the celebrations. We hope that, with the help of this article, you’ll be prepared for any social occasion. And we’re excited to see you in the next one!
FAQ
Is it true that you can’t cheer with water, according to Italian traditions?
Yes, it is entirely true. In Italy (and some other countries), people believe thattoasting with watercan bring bad luck. Hence, if you are a non-drinker, you can still raise your glass, but don’t clink it with others, and don’t say any cheers at all.
Are there any rules or mistakes to avoid when saying cheers in Italian toast?
Of course, there are quite a few! For example, if you’re celebrating someone’s special occasion, you need to look the person you’re cheering in the eyes. Maintaining eye contact is very important as if you don’t do it, you’ll (guess what) bring bad luck! Again! Also, you can’t cross anyone’s arm when toasting. And don’t try to get attention by clinking your glass with silverware; it can be considered quite impolite.
Are there any specific toasts to use on Italian weddings?
Sure, there are plenty of them. In addition to the one we’ve already mentioned, you can say the beautiful phrase Cent’anni! [tʃentˈanni], which means “A hundred years!” By saying it, you’ll wish the newlyweds to spend almost a century together.
How can I master Italian salute toast phrases as a non-native speaker?
As we always say, practice makes perfect. And, of course, the same thing goes for mastering Italian cheers! The more time you spend working on pronunciation, intonation, and memorizing meanings of different phrases, the better you’ll be able to use them during the next get-togethers. Just focus on one or two expressions at a time and memorize them at your own pace.
