The English language lacks colorful phrases for various social drinking situations. All the more reasons to learn some Italian toasts! If you can’t pronounce them right, at least try to appear enthusiastic when hear these phrases. Unless you are completely comfortable, it is best to leave the toasting to the natives. But you will now know what to expect when someone at the dinner table says: Facciamo un brindisi! (“Let’s make a toast!”).

Alla tua salute! – To your health!

Bevo alla tua salute – I drink to your health.

These two toasts can also be modified to be said in the plural, addressing the present company and including the speaker: Alla nostra salute (“To our health!”), Beviamo alla nostra salute (“Let us drink to our health!”). You will also very commonly hear a simple Alla nostra.

Cin cin! – All things good for you! (Sounds like “cheen-chen”) This meaning is actually extrapolated. The history of the phrase seems to point to its origin during first contacts with traders in the East, as it supposedly comes from the Chinese word ch’ing (“you’re welcome”), which was sometimes repeated. The expression itself resembles the sound of glasses as they are being hit together in an expression of camaraderie and kinship. It is believed that the practice comes from the feasts of old when one could not be sure that the drink was not poisoned. Therefore, vigorously hitting cups and making sure that there is enough splashing around going on helped to ease the suspicions. Modern Italian rules of etiquette (il galatea) generally frown upon this tradition, because it often creates disorder. Besides, wine poisoning is not nearly as common these days… Oh, you can also say Cin cin a tutti! – Cin cin to all!.

Propino tibi! – I drink to you! (this toast is actually in Latin, the language from which modern Italian stems)

Propino tibi salutem! – I drink to your health! (a longer version of the toast above)

Per cent’anni! – One hundred years <of luck to you>! May you (we) live for a hundred years!

Auguri! – Best wishes!

Finally, a traditional Italian wedding toast:

Evviva gli sposi! – “Hooray for the newlyweds”

There are also many toasts that are vulgar or plain obscene. You will only hear them in very close and informal settings. Often, these toasts will have a local flavor and use a dialect.

As aside, nobody knows for sure what brindisi in Facciamo un brindisi! means. There are two main theories. One claims that the word comes from the German Ich bring dir’s (“This I give to you”). According to the other theory, the phrase refers to the custom of Roman soldiers to drink and toast before embarking on expeditions. Brindisi, of course, is one of the main Italian ports used for this purpose.

See also:

Italian wine customs and etiquette

Pairing Italian wines