Italian for a Formal Toast: Proposing a Brindisi in Public
Learn to propose a brief, formal toast in Italian: fixed brindisi formulas, the subjunctive after vorrei, and the right register for public occasions.
By PookieFriends & plans · Yapr Learn
A toast in Italian is a brindisi, and proposing one is a short, formal, public act: you stand, get attention, say a few well-chosen words, and everyone raises their glass. This lesson gives you the fixed formulas Italians actually use, shows you the grammar that holds them together (vorrei + infinitive, the subjunctive after auguri che), and helps you avoid the most common foreigner error: turning a toast into a long speech. Keep it brief; the moment belongs to the room, not to the speaker.
By the end, you can…
- propose a toast in Italian with a short, formal opening and closing formula
- express good wishes for a person or group using auguri che + subjunctive
- choose between formal and informal second-person forms depending on the audience
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Vorrei proporre un brindisi.
I'd like to propose a toast.
vor-REH-ee pro-POR-reh oon BREEN-dee-zee
The standard, neutral opening. Vorrei is the polite conditional of volere; it softens the request and works in any formal setting.
Alziamo i calici!
Let's raise our glasses!
al-TSYA-mo ee KA-lee-chee
A lively, inclusive imperative. Calice (plural calici) is the elegant word for a wine glass; bicchiere is the everyday one.
Un brindisi alla salute degli sposi!
A toast to the health of the newlyweds!
oon BREEN-dee-zee AL-la sa-LOO-teh DEH-lyee SPO-zee
Alla salute di... is the core toast formula. Replace degli sposi with any person or group: alla salute di tutti voi.
Facciamo gli auguri a Marco e Giulia!
Let's wish Marco and Giulia well!
fach-CHYA-mo lyee ow-GOO-ree a MAR-ko eh JOO-lya
Fare gli auguri a qualcuno is the standard way to express good wishes; use it for birthdays, graduations and retirements.
Che possiate essere felici insieme.
May you be happy together.
keh pos-SYA-teh ES-seh-reh feh-LEE-chee in-SYEH-meh
A formal wish with the subjunctive possiate (voi form). Use it when addressing a couple or a group; for one person say che tu possa.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The backbone of a toast is Vorrei + infinitive, followed by a wish introduced by che + subjunctive: 'Vorrei proporre un brindisi. Che il vostro futuro sia pieno di gioia.' After auguri, Italian also uses che: 'Auguri che tutto vada bene.' Note that auguri is plural, but the verb after che agrees with the subject of the wish, not with auguri. For a single person, 'Che tu possa...'; for a group, 'Che possiate...'. This keeps the toast formal without sounding stiff.
When to use it
Use this register at weddings, retirements, official dinners and award ceremonies, where you speak in front of others. A public toast normally lasts under a minute: one greeting, one wish, one closing 'Salute!' or 'Cin cin!'. With close friends, the same structure works but you can switch to the informal tu: 'Voglio fare un brindisi per te.' In some southern regions you may hear 'Salute e figli maschi!' as a jokey traditional toast; it is familiar and not appropriate for a formal occasion.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Buonasera a tutti. Vorrei proporre un brindisi per il nostro collega Paolo.
Good evening, everyone. I'd like to propose a toast to our colleague Paolo.bwo-na-SEH-ra a TOOT-tee. vor-REH-ee pro-POR-reh oon BREEN-dee-zee per eel NOS-tro kol-LEH-ga PAO-loGrazie, sono davvero commosso.
Thank you, I'm truly moved.GRAT-tsyeh, SO-no da-VEH-ro kom-MOS-soChe il tuo futuro sia sereno e pieno di soddisfazioni. Alziamo i calici!
May your future be calm and full of satisfaction. Let's raise our glasses!keh eel TOO-o foo-TOO-ro SEE-a seh-REH-no eh PYEH-no dee sod-dis-fat-TSYO-nee. al-TSYA-mo ee KA-lee-cheeSalute! E grazie a tutti voi.
Cheers! And thank you all.sa-LOO-teh. eh GRAT-tsyeh a TOOT-tee VOYA little context goes a long way
Italians often say 'cin cin' when glasses touch, but at a formal toast 'Salute!' is safer and more elegant. Touching glasses while looking the other person in the eye is a widespread custom; some consider it bad luck to touch only one glass. 'Cin cin' is common and informal in much of the country, while 'Salute!' is the standard choice at formal occasions. Avoid clapping during a toast, which is generally reserved for the end.
One thing to watch for
Translating 'I want to propose a toast' as 'Voglio proporre un brindisi' in a formal setting.
Try this instead: Voglio sounds blunt and demanding in public. Use the conditional: 'Vorrei proporre un brindisi.' If you want to be warmer but still polite, 'Mi piacerebbe proporre un brindisi' also works. Reserve voglio for friends and family.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1You are at a wedding and want to toast the couple formally. Which phrase do you use?
Show a sample answer
Un brindisi alla salute degli sposi!
Alla salute di... is the standard toast formula and degli sposi correctly means 'of the newlyweds'. 'Un brindisi agli sposi' is also acceptable and slightly shorter.
2How do you wish a group of colleagues well using the subjunctive?
Show a sample answer
Che possiate avere molto successo.
Possiate is the voi subjunctive of potere, matching a group addressed formally. For one colleague you would say 'Che tu possa avere molto successo'.
3A friend asks why you said 'Vorrei' instead of 'Voglio'. What do you answer?
Show a sample answer
Vorrei is more polite and formal; voglio is direct and better with friends.
The conditional vorrei softens the request, which matters in public or formal contexts. Voglio is not wrong grammatically, just too blunt for a formal toast.
Open with Vorrei proporre un brindisi, add one che + subjunctive wish, close with Salute!, and stop there: a good Italian toast is short, formal and public.
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