Short answer: "cheers" in Italian is Salute, or Cin cin depending on the situation.
Salute, the core translation
The default way to say "cheers" in Italian is Salute. Pronounced roughly sah-LOO-teh.
When Italian speakers actually use it
"Cin cin" is the informal one you'll hear most in bars.
Alternative: Cin cin
Cin cin is the other option Italian speakers reach for in this situation. It's not a synonym so much as a register shift, use the one that matches who you're talking to.
Practice this in a real Italian conversation
Reading a phrase and saying it out loud are two different skills. Skala's AI conversations let you drop "Salute" into a real Italian exchange in your first 3-minute lesson, so it sticks the first time.
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FAQ
What's the most polite way to say "cheers" in Italian?
Both Salute and Cin cin are polite. Pick based on who you're talking to: register, not translation, is what natives are tuning into.
How do I pronounce Salute?
Roughly sah-LOO-teh. Recording yourself once and comparing to a native audio inside Skala closes the gap faster than reading pronunciation guides.