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How do you say Cheers in Italian?

Here is how to say the word Cheers in Italian with translations, audio and example sentences.

If you want to say Cheers in Italian, you have several traditional options. Depending on the setting—whether a casual dinner with friends or a formal celebration—you can choose the expression that fits best.

The Most Common Way: Cin cin!

The most popular expression in Italy is cin cin! This is the classic Italian way to say cheers while clinking glasses. Italians use it in a variety of settings: casual dinners, parties, family gatherings, and even informal work events.

Interestingly, cin cin has an international origin. It comes from the Chinese phrase qing qing, which means please. Merchants likely brought it to Europe around the 19th century, and over time, it became fully integrated into Italian culture. You might also see it written as a single word, cincin, and both versions are perfectly acceptable.

Formal Option: Salute!

If you want to sound slightly more formal, you can say Salute! Literally translating to health, Despite being more formal, it’s still widely interchangeable with cin cin, so you won’t go wrong using it in most situations.

Other Italian Cheers Expressions

Beyond cin cin and Salute!, Italian has a few other ways to raise your glass:

• Alla salute! A variation of Salute!, literally meaning to health! Use this when you want to emphasize good wishes for everyone’s wellbeing.
• Alla nostra! To ours! This is ideal when celebrating with a close group of friends or family.
• Evviva! Hooray! This is a more generic exclamation of joy. You may hear it occasionally during a toast, though it’s less common than the other expressions.

How to Say Toast in Italian

If you’ve studied some Italian, you might think toast translates directly—but that’s a common misconception! In Italian, il toast actually refers to a toasted sandwich or bread. For example: Ho mangiato un toast al prosciutto e formaggio (I ate a ham and cheese toast).

If you want to talk about raising a glass, the correct word is un brindisi. The term brindisi comes from the German phrase bring dir’s, meaning I offer it to you. Historically, this was used to introduce a toast, and over time it became a standard Italian expression. Contrary to popular belief, it has nothing to do with the Italian city of Brindisi in Apulia. Example: Facciamo un brindisi! (Let’s make a toast!)

Quick Cultural Tips

Toasting in Italy comes with a few unspoken rules that are easy to follow:

• Always make eye contact when clinking glasses. It’s considered polite and shows sincerity.
• Avoid crossing arms with someone else while toasting—this is seen as bad luck.
• Never toast with an empty glass. Italians take the gesture seriously, so make sure your glass has something in it before raising it.
• Hold your glass by the stem when drinking wine; it’s more elegant and prevents warming the wine with your hands.

Final Thoughts

Now that you know how to say cheers like a true Italian, next time you’re in Italy—or even enjoying an Italian meal with your Italian friends try using these phrases. You’ll impress your friends and feel more like a local.

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