SICILIAN PROVERBS

translated into English by Arthur V. Dieli

abbada v.i. 3rd p.sing. To look after, to mind, to manage.: Cui fa assai e nun cci abbada, spenni assai e 'un cogghi biada. Source: Pitrè, I, 38.; Eng. If you invest a lot but don't manage it, you'll have spent a lot but gained little. Lit. Who does a lot and doesn't look after it, spends a lot but doesn't harvest a crop.

abbaia v.i. 3rd p.sing. To bark, to shout inconsiderately, to ask for in vain.: Cani abbaia e voi pasci. Source: Pitrè, I, 123.; Eng. Dogs bark and oxen graze.; Cani di pagghiaru abbaia e sta luntanu.; Eng. All bark and no bite. lit. A field dog barks but stays far away.; A un povir' omu, ogni cani cci abbaja.; Eng. Every dog barks at a wretched man.

abballanu v.i. 3rd p.pl. Dance.: Quannu gatta nun c'é li surci abballanu.; Eng. When the cat's away the mice will play.

abbraciu n.m. A kind of coarse cloth.: 'Ntra greci e greci nun si vinni abbraciu.; Eng. The cunning don't prey on each other.

abbramari v.t. To yearn.: Picciula cosa di luntanu purtata da tutti veni bramata.; Eng. Everyone yearns for the little thing brought from afar.

abiti n.m. Clothes, dress.: Spissu sutt' abiti vili, si trova un cori gintili. Source: Pitrè, II, 137.; Eng. Under ragged clothing one often finds a kind heart. Tr. note. See poem by Fudduni.

accatta v.t. 3rd p.sing. Buy.: Cui accatta havi bisogna centu occhi, e cui vinni unu sulu.; Eng. Buyer beware. lit. The buyer needs a hundred eyes, the seller only one.; Accatta caru e vinni mircatu.; Eng. Buy good quality and sell at the market price.; Accatta di quattru e vinni d'ottu.; Eng. Buy for four and sell for eight.; Accatta scecchi e vinni scecchi.; Eng. Stick with what you know. lit. Buy donkeys and sell donkeys.

accattari v.t. To buy.: Accattari la gatta nta lu saccu.; Eng. Buying a pig in a poke. lit. To buy a cat in a sack.

acchiana v.t. 3rd p.sing. Climbs.: Cui acchiana troppu 'nnautu nun è sicuru.; Eng. Who climbs too high is not secure.

accidenti n.m. Accident, mishap, chance.: Sìggiri prestamenti, pagari tardamenti; cu' sa qualchi accidenti, non si ni paga nenti.; Eng. Collect promptly, pay slowly; who knows, in case of an accident, no payment will be needed.

accordiu, accordu n.m. A musical chord, an agreement, an accord, a compromise.: Megliu accordu màghiru ca sintenza grassa. Or, È meghiu accordiu magru ca sintenza grassa.; Eng. A lean award is better than a costly judgement.

accumenza v.t. 3rd p.sing. Begins, starts, commences.: Cui multi cosi accumenza, nudda nni finisci.; Eng. Who starts many things, finishes nothing.

accuminzari v.t. To begin, to start, to commence.: Cui vecchiu voli campari, a bon' ura voli accuminzari.; Eng. If you want to live to an old age, you need to start early.

accunsenti v.i. Approve, agree, consent.: Cui taci, accunsenti. Source: Pitrè, III, 220.; Eng. Silence is tantamount to agreement.

accurdari v.t. Reconcile, tune, pacify.: Cui pò accurdari la Spagna cu la Franza? Source: Pitrè, III, 142.; Eng. Who can make Spain and France reconcile?

aceddu n.m. Bird.: L'aceddu 'nta gaggia, nun canta pr'amuri, ma pri raggia.; Eng. The bird that's caged, sings not from joy, but from rage.

acidduzzi n.m.pl. dim. Little birds.: Quannu l'acidduzzi 'un fannu dannu signu ca cuntrariu avisti l'annu.; Eng. The year hasn't been the best if the birds haven't messed.

acitu n.m. Vinegar.: Di bonu vinu si fa pessimu acitu.; Eng. Good wine yields pungent vinegar. Lit. Bad vinegar is made from good wine.

acqua n.f. Water, rain.: L'acqua fa mali e lu vinu fa cantari.; Eng. Water harms but wine makes you sing.; Acqua mali fàciri e vinu cunfurtibili.; Eng. Water harms and wine comforts.; Acqua di primintíu, allarga l'armu miu; acqua e suli 'ntra li simenzi, mi criscinu li spiranzi; acqua di maju e aprili, curru cu tutti li vili; poi boni matinati, ricchizza di li casi.; Eng. Early rain cheers my soul; water and sun during seeding, inspires hope; the rains of April and May are late at night; then the good mornings, will be the wealth of the houses.; Acqua e suli fa lavuri, acqua e ventu fa frummentu.; Eng. Water and sun make work, water and wind make grain.

acquistatu v.t. past p. Acquired, transferred, received.: Pocu dura lu mal'acquistatu.; Eng. Ill gotten gains are not long possessed. Lit. Wrongful acquisitions don't last long.

adaciu adv. Slowly.: Adaciu adaciu si fa gran viaggiu.; Eng. A long journey begins with a single step. lit. A long voyage is made very slowly.

addabbanna adv. Over there.: Dumani matina cu lu cozzu addabbanna.; Eng. I'll get to it tomorrow morning.

addàuru n.m. Laurel.: Cchiù sosizza e mancu addàuru.; Eng. Less appearance and more substance. Lit. More sausage and less laurel.

addimura n.f. Delay, hesitate, protest.: Sceccu ch'addimura torna càricu.; Eng. The jackass that delays returns laden.; Cani ch'addimura, porta caccia.; Eng. The dog that's late is bringing the catch.

addisìa v.t. 3rd p.sing. Desires, wants, yearns.: Zoccu si schifia, veni tempu chi s'addisìa.; Eng. In time you'll want what you had scorned.

addisiari v.t. To desire, to want, to yearn.: Megghiu muriri e lassari, chi campari e addisiari.; Eng. Better to die and have something to leave than to live wanting.

additta adv. Upright, land on your feet, in the right.: Cascari addita comu li gatti.; Eng. Come out of it standing on all four.

addivari v.t. To rear, to nurse, to bring up, to raise children.: L'addivari fa l'amuri. Source: Pitrè, II, 150.; Eng. Raising children engenders love.; Cu' addeva figghi, addeva porci. Source: Pitrè, II, 141.; Eng. Who nurses children, nurses pigs.

addivintirai v.i. 2nd p.sing. To become.: Assai megghiu addivintirai si a la morti pinsirai.; Eng. You'll become a lot better if you think about your death.

addubbari v.t. To embellish, adorn, accomodate.: Nn' ha manciatu sta vucca pastizzi ed ora si addubba a pani e ramurazzi.; Eng. We've had our mouthful of focaccio, now we'll get back to our bread and radishes.

addugari v.t. To rent, hire, accomodate.: Lu sennu non si vendi nè s' adduga.; Eng. Wisdom is not sold, nor can it be rented.

addumanna v.t. 3rd p.sing. Ask for, demand, request.: A cui ti pò pigghiari chiddu chi hai, dacci chiddu chi t'addumanna.; Eng. If someone can take whatever you have, give them whatever they ask for.

affannatu adv. Anguish, distress, trouble, affliction, pain.: Vôi fari parrari lu mutu? Lèvacci lu sò affannatu.; Eng. Do you want to make the mute speak? Get rid of his affliction.

affettu n.m. Affection.: Lu maritu senza affettu comu la casa senza tettu.; Eng. The husband lacking in affection is like a house lacking a roof.; Cu' ti porta veru affettu non ti manca di rispettu.; Eng. True affection does not lack respect.

affliggi v.t. 3rd p.sing. Afflicts.: Diu affliggi, ma nun abbanduna.; Eng. God afflicts, but does not abandon.

agghiorna v.i. 3rd p.sing. of agghiurnari. Keep up to date, clear up, enlighten.: Fa' chi t'agghiorna e no chi ti scura.; Eng. Keep up with the times, don't stay in the dark.

agghiòttiri v.t. To swallow.: Agghiuttiri macari lu fumu di la lampa.; Eng. Eat everything that's offered. lit. Swallow even the smoke of the lamp.

aggiarniari v.i. To turn pale.: Quannu lu citrolu nesci di la sò casedda, aggiarnia. Source: Pitrè, III, 181.; Eng. When the fool ventures out of his element he is shamed. Lit. When the cucumber comes out of its place it turns pale.

aggravari v.t. To worsen, aggravate.: Quannu lu zitu nun voli la zita, s'aggrava a la doti.; Eng. He finds fault with the dowry when he doesn't want her as his fiancee.

agneddu n.m. Lamb.: Ad Agustu s'ammazzanu l'agneddi. Source: Pitrè, III, 5.; Eng. Lambs may be slaughtered in August. Note by Pitrè: Viceroy Carlos de Aragòn ruled in 1573 that lambs may only be slaughtered from the first day in August to the fifteenth day of September of any year. It is also prohibited to use the hides of goats or sheep to make shoes.

agustu n.m. August.: Sparàgnami d'agustu chi in ottubri ti dugnu gustu.; Eng. Spare the ox in August so that it's ready to work in October.; L'acqua d'agustu fa ogghiu, meli e mustu.; Eng. August rain brings oil, honey and must.; Ad agustu s'ammàzzanu l'agneddi.; Eng. In August the lambs are slaughtered.

aiutari v.t. To help.: Quannu Diu ti voli aiutari, sinu a la casa ti veni a truvari.; Eng. When God wants to help you, God comes all the way to your house.

ajutarisi v.t. refl. To help oneself.: Ajutarisi cu li manu e cu li pedi.; Eng. Help yourself with everything you've got. lit. Help yourself with your hands and with your feet.; Ajùtati mentri pôi. Source: Pitrè, III, 190.; Eng. Help yourself while you can.

alàcci n.f. ichth. Anchovy.: Alàcci, leva li spini e rèstanu li 'mpacci.; Eng. Anchovy, remove the bones and be left with the bother.

àlberu n.m. Tree.: Chiddu è àlberu bonu, chi havi radici.; Eng. It's a good tree that has roots.

allarga v.t. 2nd p.sing.imp. Enlarge, widen, let out (a garment).: Unni monaci vidi allarga passu, e di parrini sntinni la missa.; Eng. Give monks a wide berth, and as for priests just attend Mass.

allattatu n.f. Whitened.: Muru allattatu è carta di mbriàchi. Source: Piccitto, II, 911.; Eng. A blank wall invites graffiti. Lit. A whitened wall is paper of drunkards.

alligrizza n.f. Happiness, joy.: La saluti veni di l'alligrizza di lu cori.; Eng. Health flows from the happiness of the heart.

allisci v.t. 3rd p.sing To pet, to flatter, to polish.: La fimmina é comu lu gattu: cchiù chi l'allisci, cchiù la cuda crisci.; Eng. A woman is like a cat: the more you pet her the better she feels.

alluntanari v.t. To separate, to move away from, to distance.: Asini, donni e voi, nun t'alluntanari di li toi.; Eng. Don't let yourself get far away from your jackasses, women, and oxen.

amari v.t. To love, to prefer.: Amari e disamari nun sta a cui lu voli fari.; Eng. You don't choose whom to love and not love.

amaru adj. Bitter.: Cosi amari, tènili cari; cosi duci, tènili 'nchiusi.; Eng. Bitter things, hold them dear; sweet things, keep them enclosed.

amati v.t. past part. Loved.: Vô essiri amati di li petri? Prima amari a Diu, poi mamma e patri.; Eng. If you want to be loved by all, first love God, then your mother and father.; Nuddu pò sapiri di cui è amatu, quannu si trova 'ntra filici statu.; Eng. You won't know who your friends are until you need them.

amici n.m. Friend.: Quantu amici si pèrdinu, tanti scaluna si scìnninu.; Eng. When you lose friends, that's how many steps you've descended.; Cu' havi dinari, campa filici, e cui nun n'havi, perdi l'amici.; Eng. When you have money you live happily, when you don't you lose your friends

amicizia n.f. Friendship.: Nun tèniri amicizia cu li sbirri ca cci perdi lu vinu e li sicarri.; Eng. Don't maintain a friendship with cops because you'll lose your wine and your cigars.; Patti chiari, amicizia longa.; Eng. Clear pacts, long friendship.; Unni cc'è radicata la malizia, allignari 'un ci pò mai l'amicizia.; Eng. Where malice has taken root, friendship can never be formed.

amicu n.m. friend.: Pri canusciri un amicu reali, si cci havi a manciari 'na sarma di sali.; Eng. To recognize a real friend, you have to together have eaten three bushels of salt.; Quannu si voli sèrviri l'amicu, si lassa jiri la robba a lu focu.; Eng. When you want to serve your friend, you can't worry about your belongings.; Quantu va 'n'amicu 'n chiazza, 'un ce va cent'unzi 'n cascia.; Eng. A trusted friend is a priceless treasure.

amistati n.f. friendship.: Spissu cuntu, longa amistati.; Eng. A frequent accounting, a long friendship.; Cu monaci e surdati nun cògghiri amistati.; Eng. Don't make friends with monks and soldiers.

amistati n.f. friendship.: Spissu cuntu, longa amistati.; Eng. A frequent accounting, a long friendship.

àmmaru n.m. Shrimp, bait.: Biddizza senza grazia è comu l'isca senz'àmmaru. Source: Pitrè, I, 162.; Eng. Beauty without grace is like a hook without bait.

ammàtula adv. Useless, in vain.: Ammatula t'alliffi e fa' cannola, bedda cci vo' viniri di natura. Source: Traina, 49.; Eng. EnterEnglishText.

ammazzari v.t. To kill.: Cui pri li figghi d'àutru s'ammazza, Scacciàticci la testa cu 'na mazza (Salaparuta). Source: Pitrè, II, 145.; Eng. Who kills himself for the children of others, Crack him on the head with a mallet.

ammenna v.t. Reproach, correct, scold.: Cui pecca e poi s'ammenna, a Diu si raccumanna.; Eng. Who sins and then makes amends, trusts in God.

ammigghiurata adj. Better, improved.: A porta sirrata, opira ammigghiurata. Source: Pitrè, III, 192.; Eng. A locked door, better work.; ammizzigghiari

ammizzigghiari v.t. To spoil, coddle excessively.: Figghia di cattiva, 'mmizzigghiata. Source: Pitrè, II, 148.; Eng. Daughter of a widow, spoiled.

ammuccia v.t. 3rd p.sing. Hides, conceals.: Cu' ammuccia zoccu fa, è signu chi mali fa.; Eng. A secretive person is up to some mischief.

ammucciari v.t. To hide, to conceal, to secrete.: Amuri, biddizzi e dinari su' tri cosi ch' 'un si ponnu ammucciari.; Eng. Love, beauty and money are three things that can't be hidden.

amu n.m.. Fishhook.: Jetta l'amu pri pigghiari lu pisci. Source: Pitrè, III, 201.; Eng. Cast your line to catch the fish. Lit. Throw the hook to get the fish.

amuri n.m. Love.: Amuri è amaru, ma ricría lu cori.; Eng. Love is bitter, but it comforts the heart.; Amuri è dintra e nun vi nn'addunati: lu vuliti cacciari e nun putiti.; Eng. Love entered and you didn't realize it: you wanted to drive it out but you couldn't.; Amuri novu caccia amuri vecchiu.; Eng. New love throws out old love.; Amuri nun senti cunsigghi.; Eng. Love doesn't listen to advice.; Amuri tannu è beddu, quannu è un pocu stizzateddu.; Eng. Love is the more beautiful when it is a little irritated.; Amuri, tussi e fumu nun si ponnu tèniri cilati.; Eng. Love, coughing, and smoke can't be kept concealed.; Amuri, tutti dìcinu ch'è amaru, e ognunu voli pruvari siddu è veru.; Eng. Love, everyone says it's bitter, but everyone wants to see for themselves if it's true.; Benchì l'amuri novu trova locu, scurdari nun si pò l'amuri anticu.; Eng. Although there's a new love, the old love can't be forgotten.

ancilina adv. loc. Left fallen.: L'oliva lassata all'ancilina, nun jinchi né visazza né sacchettina.; Eng. Uncollected olives, left to the elements, fill neither the saddle bag nor the waist pack

annittari v.t. To clean, purge, empty.: Cu' addiserta annetta; e cui spinna, mori. Source: Pitrè, Vol, Page.; Eng. Who miscarries, cleans; and who yearns for, dies.

annu n.m. Year.: Pani d'un jornu e vinu d'un annu.; Eng. Eat yesterday's bread and last year's wine.

apa n.f. Bee.: Apa di giugnu, oj ti viji e dumani sdugnu.; Eng. The June bee portends lots of honey.

apparenza n.f. Appearance.: L'apparenza inganna.; Eng. Appearance can deceive. Trans note: See Meli poem.

appiccicari v.i. To climb up, to light a fire, to incite.: Du' tizzuna astutati nun ponnu appiccicari. Source: Traina, 1035.; Eng. You can't re-ignite two embers. Said of two former lovers.

appigghia v.t. 3rd p.sing. Burns, grasps at.: Lu veru amuri 'ntra lu cori appigghia, megghiu di la linazza e di la pagghia.; Eng. True love burns within the heart, better than flax and straw.; 'Nvanu si doli cui disprezza e s'appigghia a lu mali. Source: Pitrè, III, 188.; Eng. It's useless to be concerned for one who scorns advice and grasps at evil.

appoja v.t. 3rd p.sing. of appuiari. Support.: Si la dota nun l'appoja, nun la voli mancu lu boja.; Eng. If the dowry doesn't support her, even the executioner is disinterested.; Cui mali s'appoja, prestu cadi.; Eng. Who poorly supports himself, soon falls.

apprenni v.t. 3rd p.sing. To learn.: Cui sta a mastru e nun apprenni, o è asinu o si finci. Source: Pitrè, II, 128.; Eng. Who stays at the master's and learns not his art, is either a jackass or playing the part.

aprili n.m. April.: Patruni gintili, dammi pagghia pri tuttu aprili.; Eng. Kind master, give me hay for all of April.; Acqua d'aprili lu porcu ocidi, lu voi 'ngrassa e la pècura ridi.; Eng. During April rainfalls the pig gets butchered, the oxen gets fattened and the sheep laughs.; Aprili fa li ciuri e le biddizzi, l'onuri l'havi lu misi di maju.; Eng. April makes the flowers and the beauty, but May gets all the credit.

Aragona n.f. Aragona..: Pri mènnuli muddisi a l'Aragona, e pri picciotti beddi a la Favara.; Eng. For tender almonds go to Aragona, to see beautiful young girls go to Favara.

aranciu n.m. Orange, orange tree.: A sant'Annirìa l'aranciu giarnia.; Eng. By St. Andrea Day the orange ripens.

aranciu (di mari) n.m. Crab.: Rizzi, pateddi, e aranci, spenni assai e nenti manci.; Eng. Sea urchins, limpets, and crabs, costly but not filling.

aricchia n.f. Ear.: Cci sunnu asini assai d'aricchi curti. Source: Pitrè, II, 133.; Eng. There are many jackasses with short ears.

arcu n.m. Rainbow, bow, arch.: Arcu siritìnu fa bon tempu a lu matinu, arcu matinali jinchi pùzzura e funtani.; Eng. An evening rainbow means good weather in the morning, a rainbow in the morning fills wells and fountains.

arìganu n.m. Oregano, marjoram.: Arìganu e puleju, s'unu è tintu, l'àutru è peju.; Eng. Oregano and wild mint, if one does poorly, the other is worse.

arma n.f. Soul.: Un' arma avemu; si la pirdému, comu facemu?; Eng. We have one soul; if we lose it, how will we manage? Or, We have but one soul to lose.; Biatu cui pri l'arma si prucura.; Eng. Blessed is the one who cares for his soul.

armatura n.f. Weaponry, armor, armament.: Contra la morti nun vali armatura.; Eng. Weapons are useless against death.

armisanti n.f. excl. Holy souls. Also a bread roll made in a special form to be given in charity.: Armisanti! Arricogghi unu e màncianu tanti.; Eng. Holy souls! One of them gathers and many eat.

arragghiari v.i. To bray.: Asinu ch'arragghia, mancia pocu fenu. Source: Pitrè, III, 192.; Eng. A jackass that brays, eats little hay.

arraspari v.t To grate, scratch.: Biatu cu' s'arrasp'a testa ccu 'i so manu.; Eng. Blessed is he who scratches his head with his own hand. (Said of someone who is self-sufficient.

arrassu adv. and prep. Far away, far from.: Quannu vidi cchiù cani supra un ossu, la megghiu cosa è faritilla arrassu.; Eng. When you see many dogs at a bone, it's best to make yourself scarce.; Cavaleri, parrinu e malu passu, dinni beni e stanni arrassu.; Eng. Cavaliers, priests, and dangerous places, speak nicely about them but keep your distance.; Si vo' passari 'a vita cuntenti, vivi arrassu di li parenti.; Eng. For a happy life, live far away from your relatives.; Lu ferru s'ardi, e nun pari d'arrassu.. Source: Pitrè, II, 136.; Eng. The iron burns hot, and it's not apparent from afar.

arresta v.i. 3rd p.sing. of arristari. Remains, stops, stays, lasts.: Mogghi onesta, tisoru ch'arresta, mogghi trista è peju di la pesta.; Eng. An honest wife is a treasure that lasts, a sad wife is worse than the plague.

arri archaic. Meaning is lost in Sicilian antiquity.: Arri cu li toi. Source: Pitrè, II, 140.; Eng. Arri with your own. Tr. note: Pitrè explains that the word is now obsolete and its meaning is lost. Furthermore it is only heard in humorous disparagement or resentment, as Arri mula! He refers the reader to the proverb Pari cu pari in his chapter on Compagnia in Volume I. Traina, in apparent agreement, defines arri as a word used to urge beasts to walk.

arricchiri v.i.t. To get rich, to enrich.: Cu' prestu arricchisci, fa assai dubbitari.; Eng. One who gets rich quickly arouses suspicion.

arricogghi v.t. 3rd p.sing. Harvests.: Cui bonu simìna, megghiu arricogghi.; Eng. Seed well and harvest better.

arrinesci v.t. 3rd p.sing. Succeeds, brings to a good end.: Cui nesci, arrinesci.; Eng. Who ventures forth, succeeds.

arrispittari v.t. To respect, to treat well.: Cui parenti 'un arrispetta, Jorna laidi a lu 'nfernu aspetta (Salaparuta). Source: Pitrè, II, 145.; Eng. Ugly days in hell await the one who doesn't treat his relatives with respect.

arritirari v.t. To restrain, hold back.: Cui nun teni la figghia arritirata, La 'nvia a mala strata. Source: Pitrè, II, 145.; Eng. If you fail to restrain your daughter, you'll lead her astray.

arrivi v.i. 2nd p.sing. Arrive, catch up with, reach, succeed.: Si cacci lu sceccu, tardu arrivi; si camina tardu, prestu arrivi.; Eng. If you urge the donkey on, you'll arrive late, if you let the donkey amble, you'll arrive early.

arrubbari v.t. To rob, steal.: 'A robba arrubbatu non luci.; Eng. Stolen goods don't shine. (Because they're kept hidden to avoid being discovered.

artaru n.m. Altar.: Scummigghiari un' artaru pri cummiggiarinni 'n' autru.; Eng. Stealing from Peter to pay Paul. Lit. Uncovering one altar to cover another.; L' artaru si nun si guasta nun si conza.; Eng. Don't fix it if it's not broken. Lit. If the altar isn't disheveled, don't redecorate it.

àrvulu n.m. Tree.: Àrvulu 'mmenzu li strati, di tutti su' cutulati.; Eng. The trees in the middle of the road are shaken by everyone.; Àrvulu ch'un fa fruttu, tàgghialu di pedi.; Eng. If the tree doesn't bear fruit, cut it off at the base.; Àrvulu tagliatu è menzu pigghiatu.; Eng. The tree that's cut down is half taken.; Cu' ama l'arvulu ama la rama.. Source: Pitrè, II, 141.; Eng. Who love the tree loves the branch.

asciutti v.t. 2nd p.sing. Dry.: Asciutti li pedi, càuda la testa e di lu restu campa di bestia.; Eng. Dry your feet and warm your head, and don't worry about the rest.

ascuta v.t. 3rd p.sing. Listens.: Cui nun pò dari ajutu, 'nvanu ascuta.; Eng. Who can't help, listens in vain.

ascutari v.t. To listen.: Cui voli giudicari, li parti voli ascutari.; Eng. Who wants to judge needs to listen to both sides.

aspetta v.t. 3rd p.sing. Awaits, expects.: Sirviziu fattu mircedi aspetta.; Eng. The service is rendered, the goods awaited.

assai adv. A lot, much more.: Addimanna sempri assai, chi a calari cci sarrai.; Eng. Always ask a higher price, because you can always lower it.; Cui servi beni e taci, assai dumanna.; Eng. Who serves well and quietly, expects a lot.; Cu' assai prumetti pocu attenni.; Eng. More words than action. lit. Who promises a lot accomplishes little.; Cci voli assai pri fari nenti. Source: Pitrè, III, 193.; Eng. It takes a lot to do nothing.

assicura v.t. 3rd p.sing. Protects, assures.: Cani ch'abbaia, t'assicura.; Eng. Barking of the dogs, protects you.

assicutari v.t. To chase, to run after, to pursue.: Cui du' lebbri voli assicutari, né l'unu né l'àutru pò pigghiari.; Eng. If you try to chase both rabbits, you'll catch neither one.

assicutatu v.t. past p. Pursued.: L'assicutatu curri cu quattru pedi, l'assicutaturi cu dui.; Eng. The pursued runs on four feet, the pursuer on two.

assimigghia v.i. 3rd p.sing. Resembles, looks like, is like.: Nuddu ti pigghia s'un t'assimigghia.; Eng. No one will choose you if they're not like you.

astutari v.t. To extinguish, to put out.: Lu focu astuta lu focu. Source: Pitrè, II, 13.; Eng. Fight fire with fire. Lit. Fire puts out fire.; Ti vô' 'nsignari a 'stutari lu focu? Pigghia ligna di sutta e metti 'n capu. Source: Pitrè, II, 14.; Eng. Do you want to learn how to put out a fire? Take wood from underneath and put it on top.

astutu adj. Astute.: Lu riccu è dottu e lu riccuni è astutu.; Eng. A rich man is a learned man, a very rich man is astute.

attacca v.t. 3rd p.sing. Tie.: Attacca l'asinu unni voli lu patruni; vegna lu lupu e si lu pozza manciari.; Eng. Tie the donkey where the owner wants, and let the wolf come to devour him.

attristari v.t. Become unhappy.: Di figghioli màsculi nun t'alligrari, nè di fimmina t'attristari. Source: Pitrè, II, 147.; Eng. Don't celebrate male children nor lament female children.

auguru n.m. Good wishes, good fortune.: Cui simìna terri forti, havi certi auguru e sorti.; Eng. Who sows well the ground, is assured good fortune and luck.

ausa v.i. 3rd p.sing. Ventures, dares, lifts, leaves.: Cu' ausa trova.; Eng. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. lit. Who ventures finds.

àutru pron. Someone else, some other.: Cui si vesti di la robba d'àutru, prestu si spogghia.; Eng. Who dresses in some other's clothes, will soon undress.; Miseru cu'n'autru havi bisognu.; Eng. Unfortunate is the one who has need of another.; Àutru fu lu piccaturi ed autru nni fa la pinitenza.; Eng. One was the sinner but another did the penance.

àutru adj. Other, another: Àutru è diri, àutru è fari.; Eng. It's one thing to say and another to do.

autunnu n.m. Autumn.: L'autunnu duci fa cutugna e zorbi.; Eng. You can't tell a book by its cover. lit. A sweet autumn makes quince and sorb-apples.

avantau v.t. past p. of avantari. Boasted.: Mai nuddu s'avantau chi caru 'un ci custau. Source: Pitrè, III, 179.; Eng. No one ever boasted without paying dearly.

avanti prep. Beforehand, prior to.: Cui paga li grana avanti, mancia pisci fitenti.; Eng. Who pays in advance eats stinking fish.

aviri v.i. To have.: Nun aviri cunti cu monaci e parrini.; Eng. Have no dealings with monks and priests.; Cu' accumenza e poi stanca, È comu s' 'un avissi accuminzatu Source: Pitrè, II, 17.; Eng. One who begins and then tires, Is like one who had never started.

aviri v.t. To own, as property, wealth.: Tristu è l'aviri chi lu patruni 'un vidi.; Eng. Unfortunate is the property that the owner doesn't oversee.; Riccu si pò diri cui campa cu lu so' aviri.; Eng. One who lives within his means can be said to be rich.

avvilisciri v.i. get discouraged.: Cori ben natu 'un s'avvilisci mai. Source: Pitrè, II, 17.; Eng. The stout hearted never get discouraged.

azioni n.f. Acts, action.: Ognunu è figghiu di l'azioni soi. Source: Pitrè, I, 346; Eng. Everyone is responsible for their own acts.

azzalori n.f.pl. bot. Loquat, medlar.: Li cutugna pri l'èrrami ziti, l'azzalori (nèspulu) pri l'omini boni.; Eng. The quince is for quarreling fiancées, the loquat for good people.

azzappa v.t. 3rd p.sing. Hoe.: Cu azzappa, azzappa a la sò vigna.; Eng. The hoer hoes in his own vineyard.

babbaluci n.m. Snail.: Babbaluci di timpa e acquazzina di vadduni.; Eng. You find snails on the slopes with the dew from the ravines.

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