cin cin
The English phrase "cheers" can be translated into Italian as cin cin.
The phrase cin cin is a way to toast in Italian, typically used when clinking glasses before drinking together. While cin cin mimics the sound of the toast, you can also use the expression alla tua salute, which means "to your health" or simply the word salute, which means "health".
What does it mean word for word?
The term cin cin is an onomatopoeic representation of the sound made by glasses clinking together, literally meaning "clink clink".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
cin cin is an informal phrase and is most commonly used among friends, family or in casual social settings.
Did you know?
- In some regions of Italy, clinking glasses without a sound or failing to properly touch rims is thought to bring seven years of bad luck in the bedroom.
- While clinking glasses for a cin cin, Italians almost always maintain direct eye contact with the person they are toasting. Looking away or at your drink is often seen as a sign of untrustworthiness or rudeness.
- While cin cin is the standard toast, Italians use the word salute as both a toast and a polite response when someone sneezes.
Examples in context
- Cin cin!Cheers, everyone!
- Cin cin, ragazzi!Cheers, guys!
- Facciamo un brindisi, cin cin!Let's make a toast, cheers!
- Cin cin a tutti voi!Cheers to all of you!
Example conversation
Chiara and Alessandro are celebrating a promotion at a bar.
- ChiaraAlla tua promozione, Alessandro!To your promotion, Alessandro!
- AlessandroGrazie, Chiara. Cin cin!Thanks, Chiara. Cheers!
- ChiaraCin cin a noi!Cheers to us!
- AlessandroSalute!To our health!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry cin cin, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
