How to Respond to "Auguri" in Italian: Toasting and Celebrations for Beginners
"Auguri" is used for celebrations like birthdays and holidays, not as a toast. Learn to say "Cin cin!" or "Alla salute!" and respond naturally at parties and dinners.
By LiamCulture & nuance · Yapr Learn
In Italian celebrations, you'll often hear "Auguri!" — but that's not what people say when clinking glasses. This lesson teaches you the difference between general good wishes and actual toasts. You'll learn short, reusable phrases for toasting and how to respond when someone toasts you. Perfect for dinners, birthdays, and casual gatherings. No formal speeches here — just the everyday words that make you sound natural.
By the end, you can…
- say "Cheers!" and short toasts in Italian.
- respond appropriately when someone says "Auguri" or toasts me.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Cin cin!
Cheers!
CHEEN cheen
The most common toast when clinking glasses. Said twice, with a light clink. Use with friends, family, or colleagues in casual settings.
Alla salute!
To your health! / Cheers!
AHL-lah sah-LOO-teh
A polite, versatile toast. Literally "to health." Works in almost any situation, from dinner with friends to a work celebration.
Auguri!
Best wishes! / Congratulations!
ow-GOO-ree
Good wishes for birthdays, holidays or other occasions. It can accompany a celebration or toast. The appropriate reply depends on whether the occasion applies to both people.
Grazie, altrettanto!
Thanks, same to you!
GRAH-tsee-eh, ahl-tret-TAHN-toh
Return a wish that also applies to the other person, such as a shared holiday. For wishes on your own birthday, usually reply Grazie without altrettanto unless it is also their birthday.
A te!
To you! (informal)
ah teh
A short toast to one person you address as tu. A lei is the formal-address version; use it when that matches the relationship.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
To make a short toast, use "A" + person or thing. For example: "A te!" (To you!), "Alla salute!" (To health!), "Al compleanno!" (To the birthday!). You can also say "Cin cin!" on its own. These are all complete, natural toasts. For a slightly longer toast, try "A te e alla tua famiglia!" (To you and your family!). Keep it simple — no need for long speeches.
When to use it
Cin cin and Alla salute are common when raising glasses. Auguri offers good wishes and can also accompany a celebratory toast; these functions are not rigidly separate. Reply Grazie when someone wishes you a happy birthday. Grazie, altrettanto returns the same wish, so it suits a shared holiday or an occasion that also applies to the other person. If you toast a friend with A te, they might thank you or return a toast. The situation matters more than memorizing a single automatic reply.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Auguri per il tuo compleanno!
Happy birthday!ow-GOO-ree pehr eel TOO-oh kohm-pleh-AHN-nohGrazie mille!
Thank you very much!GRAH-tsee-eh MEEL-lehCin cin! Alla salute!
Cheers! To your health!CHEEN cheen! AHL-lah sah-LOO-tehA te!
To you!ah tehA little context goes a long way
Short, warm wishes are enough in many celebrations. The return phrase altrettanto means the same to you, so check whether it fits the occasion. You would not normally wish someone a happy birthday just because they wished you one. At a shared holiday, returning their good wishes is natural. Auguri can be said alongside a toast, and local or personal habits vary.
One thing to watch for
Automatically replying Grazie, altrettanto when someone wishes you a happy birthday.
Try this instead: Altrettanto means the same to you. Say Grazie or Grazie mille for your birthday wishes. Add altrettanto when the wish applies to both of you, such as a shared holiday.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1Someone says "Auguri!" to you at a birthday party. What is a polite response?
Show a sample answer
Grazie! or Grazie mille!
Thank the person for wishing you well. Altrettanto returns the same wish, so it normally does not fit unless the other person is celebrating the same occasion too.
2You want to toast your friend at dinner. What short phrase can you use?
Show a sample answer
Cin cin! or Alla salute!
Both are common toasts. "Cin cin!" is casual and used when clinking glasses. "Alla salute!" is slightly more formal but still friendly. Either works.
3How do you say "To you!" informally in Italian?
Show a sample answer
A te!
"A te!" is the informal way to say "To you!" Use "A lei!" for formal situations. Both are short return toasts.
Use Cin cin or Alla salute to toast, and Auguri to offer good wishes. Reply Grazie; add altrettanto only when you can sensibly return the same wish.
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