Question 1

In Italian, does Brindiamo here mean “let’s toast” or “we toast”?

Accepted Answer

Both are possible, but in context like this it functions as the inclusive imperative: Brindiamo! = “Let’s toast.” Italian uses the present tense of noi as the “let’s …” form. A neutral alternative is Facciamo un brindisi (“Let’s make a toast”).

Question 2

What’s the difference between brindare con and brindare a?

Accepted Answer

- Brindare con + beverage/object = the instrument you toast with: Brindiamo con acqua/con vino.
- Brindare a + person/occasion/idea = the thing you toast to: Brindiamo a Maria/al nuovo anno/alla salute.
You can combine them: Brindiamo con acqua alla tua promozione.

Question 3

Why is there no article in con acqua? Could I say con l’acqua or con dell’acqua?

Accepted Answer

- con acqua (no article) is normal when speaking generically about a substance, especially after con/senza.
- con l’acqua points to specific water already known (e.g., the water on the table) or sounds a bit more definite.
- con dell’acqua is the partitive (“with some water”). All are correct; the nuance is specificity.

Question 4

Where should anche go, and what exactly does it modify here?

Accepted Answer

Anche usually comes right before the element it modifies.
- Brindiamo anche con acqua = We’ll also toast with water (in addition to other drinks).
Other placements change focus:
- Anche noi brindiamo con acqua = We, too, toast with water.
- Anche con acqua va benissimo = Even with water, it’s perfectly fine.

Question 5

Could anche mean “even” here?

Accepted Answer

Yes, context and intonation can give anche the meaning “even.” If the intent is explicitly emphatic, perfino/persino are clearer: Brindiamo perfino con acqua.

Question 6

What does va benissimo literally mean, and why use andare (“to go”)?

Accepted Answer

Va benissimo = “It goes very well” → idiomatically “That’s perfectly fine.” Italian uses andare bene to mean “to be OK/suitable/acceptable.” It’s an impersonal judgment about the situation.

Question 7

How is va benissimo different from va bene or va molto bene?

Accepted Answer

- va bene = it’s OK/fine.
- va molto bene = it’s very OK.
- va benissimo (superlative of bene) = it’s perfectly/absolutely fine, strongest of the three.

Question 8

Why not say è benissimo or è buonissimo?

Accepted Answer

- È benissimo is not used to mean “it’s fine”; use va bene/va benissimo.
- buonissimo is the adjective related to buono (good/tasty/kind). Here you need the adverb bene → benissimo, not the adjective.

Question 9

Is the comma before va benissimo necessary?

Accepted Answer

It’s stylistically helpful because va benissimo is a separate comment on the previous clause. A colon or dash also works: Brindiamo anche con acqua — va benissimo.

Question 10

How do you pronounce the key words?

Accepted Answer

- Brindiamo: breen-DYAH-moh (stress on -DIA-)
- anche: AHN-keh (the ch gives a hard k sound before e/i)
- acqua: AHK-kwah (the cq is like k + kw)
- va benissimo: vah beh-NEES-see-moh (double s is crisp)

Question 11

Could I use pure instead of anche?

Accepted Answer

Often, yes. Brindiamo pure con acqua means roughly “let’s go ahead and toast with water” and can sound like permission/encouragement. Anche is the neutral “also/too.”

Question 12

Isn’t toasting with water considered bad luck?

Accepted Answer

There’s a common superstition in various places (including parts of Italy) that toasting with water is inauspicious. The line va benissimo explicitly reassures: “it’s perfectly fine.” In real life, practices vary; many people do toast with water, especially for non-drinkers.

Brindiamo anche con acqua, va benissimo.

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