Auguri!
Italian celebrations run on fixed formulas. The umbrella word is gli auguri — literally the wishes. On any happy occasion Italians simply say Auguri! — at a birthday, at Christmas, at New Year. The verb that goes with it is fare: fare gli auguri a... means to give someone your good wishes.
Buon..., buona...
Most wishes put buono in front of the occasion:
| formula | when |
|---|---|
| buon compleanno | a birthday |
| buon Natale | Christmas |
| buon anno | New Year |
| buona fortuna | before something difficult |
Note the short form buon before a masculine noun — buon compleanno, never buono compleanno.
| Merry Christmas and a happy New Year! | Buon Natale e buon anno! |
Well done — and cheers
congratulazioni congratulates an achievement — a new job, a degree, a wedding. A single admiring remark is il complimento, and Italians pay one with fare: fare un complimento.
Glasses raised? The toast is cin cin — often followed by alla salute! (to your health).
The sad one
condoglianze is the fixed word at a death. You say it to the bereaved, on its own or as condoglianze per... — whatever else you say, this word must be there.
