To raise a glass in Sardinia, you may hear “A sa salude!” or the familiar Italian “Cin cin!” A heartfelt wish is “A cent’anni!”—literally, “to a hundred years.” Sardinian has several local varieties, so wording and pronunciation can differ from one area to another. These expressions are useful ways to join a toast, but not every phrase is exclusive to Sardinian.

1. “A sa salude!” — to your health

A sa salude! is a Sardinian-style toast meaning “to health” or “to your health.” You may also encounter spelling and wording variations depending on the local variety of Sardinian. If you're visiting a restaurant or sharing a meal with Sardinian friends, raise your glass, smile and follow the wording used by the people around you.

2. “Cin cin!” — the familiar toast

Cin cin! is widely used in Italian and is easy to understand throughout Sardinia. It is informal and friendly, suitable for a casual meal, aperitivo or celebration. The spelling in Italian is usually “cin cin,” although people may write “chin chin” informally.

3. “A cent’anni!” — wishing someone a hundred years

A cent’anni! means “to a hundred years” and expresses a wish for a long life. It is a warm, celebratory toast that you may hear in Sardinian social settings. As with other traditional expressions, usage can vary by family and locality, so enjoy it as a cultural phrase rather than assuming everyone uses it in exactly the same way.

How to make a toast in Sardinia

  • Wait for the group. If others are raising their glasses, join in when they do.
  • Keep it simple. “Cin cin!” is perfectly understandable if you're unsure which local expression to use.
  • Listen and follow local usage. Sardinian has regional varieties, and a host may use a different form from the one you learned.
  • Share the moment. A toast is usually about good company, health and celebration—not perfect pronunciation.

Is Sardinian the same everywhere on the island?

No. Sardinian includes several varieties, and local vocabulary and pronunciation can differ across the island. Some communities also use other local languages and dialects. If you want to learn a phrase for a specific town or area, ask a local speaker which form they use.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Sardinian way to say cheers?

A sa salude! is a Sardinian-style toast meaning “to your health.” You will also hear the Italian “Cin cin!” throughout the island.

What does “A cent’anni” mean?

It literally means “to a hundred years” and is used as a warm wish for a long life.

Can I just say “Cin cin” in Sardinia?

Yes. It is a familiar Italian toast and will be understood. Trying a local expression can be a friendly gesture, especially if you hear it used by your hosts.

Is “Chin chin” the standard spelling?

In Italian, the usual spelling is “cin cin.” “Chin chin” is also seen informally, but it is not the standard Italian spelling.

Does everyone in Sardinia use the same expression?

No. Local speech varies, and people may choose different expressions depending on their area, family and language. Follow the wording used by your hosts.

The takeaway

For a toast in Sardinia, try “A sa salude!” or use the familiar “Cin cin!” If you want to make a heartfelt wish, “A cent’anni!” means “to a hundred years.” Local forms vary, so the best way to learn the expression for a particular place is to listen to local speakers and raise your glass with them.