SICILIAN PROVERBS

translated into English by Arthur V. Dieli

verità n.f. Truth.: La verità veni 'n summa comu l'ogghiu.; Eng. The truth will out. Lit. Truth comes to the surface like oil.

veru adj. True.: Lu veru surdu è chiddu chi nun voli sèntiri.; Eng. The truly deaf is the one who doesn't want to hear.

vespa n.f. Wasp.: San Paulu fici la vespa e san Paulu l'addummà.; Eng. St. Paul made the wasp and only St. Paul will control it.

vespru n.m. Vespers, sixth canonical hour.: Ntra vespru e nona nun nesci nuda persuna bona.; Eng. No good person goes out between Vespers and Nones.; Lu senti a vespri ca sona?; Eng. Do you understand? Lit. Do you hear the Vespers sounding?; Vespru Sicilianu.; Eng. The Sicilian Vespers. The revolution and massacre of 1282 that started during the hour of Vespers to rid Sicily of the reign of Charles of Anjou.

vesta n.f. Dress, suit, garment.: Vesta longa fa la donna.; Eng. A long dress makes a lady.; La vesti fa l'omu.; Eng. Dress indicates social position and wealth.

vèstiti v.t. 2nd p. pl. Dress, dress up, put on clothing.: Vèstiti 'na vota l'annu, e vèstiti di pannu.; Eng. Dress up once a year, and dress up in cloth.

via n.f. Street, road.: Cu' cancia la via vecchia pri la nova, perdi la vecchia e la nova.; Eng. If you choose a new road in place of the old, you lose both the old one and the new one.; A la via fatta ognunu cci sa jiri. Source: Pitrè, II, 125.; Eng. Everyone knows how to take the road well traveled.

viaggiu n.m. Voyage, trip, travel, tour.: Amari la sò vicina è gran vantaggiu: spissu si vidi e nun si fa viaggiu.; Eng. It's a great advantage to love someone in your neighborhood: you see each other often and you don't have to travel.; Tanti viaggi consumanu un voscu.; Eng. Many trips consume a forest.; Fari un viaggiu è du' sirvizza.; Eng. Kill two birds with one stone. Lit. Making a voyage serves two purposes.

vicchiaja n.f. Old age.: La stissa vicchiaja è malatia.; Eng. Old age is itself a sickness.; A la vicchiaja ogni fatiga è pisu.; Eng. In old age every task is onerous.; La vicchiaja nun veni sula.; Eng. Old age doesn't come unaccompanied.; La vicchiaja è gran pisu.; Eng. Old age is a heavy burden.; La vicchiaja è disiata, ma quannu veni è odiata.; Eng. We look forward to old age but when it arrives we hate it.; Chiddu chi guasta la vicchiaja, nun cc'è mastru chi la conza.; Eng. There isn't a master who can fix that which spoils old age.

vicchiareddu n.m. dim. Little old man.: A latu di lu picciutteddu è sempri bonu lu vicchiareddu.; Eng. It's always good to have an old man at a little boy's side.

vicchizza n.f. Old age.: A li vicchizzi valori?; Eng. How can you get smallpox in old age?; A li vicchizzi cutiddati.; Eng. With old age comes pain.

vicina n.f. Neighbor.: La mamma fa la figlia e la vicina la marita.; Eng. The mother bears the daughter and the neighbor marries her off.; La riggina havi bisogna di la vicina.; Eng. We need each other. Lit. The queen needs her neighbor.; La tila di la vicina pari megghiu, o la vigna di lu vicinu pari cchiu carricatu.; Eng. The weaving of your neighbor seems better, or, your neighbor's vines seem to more heavily fruited.

vicini n.pl. Neighbors.: Frati, ciumi e parrini, su' tri mali vicini.; Eng. Brothers, rivers and priests are three bad neighbors.; Cu' vicini e cu parenti nun cci accattari e vinniri nenti.; Eng. With neighbors or relatives, buy or sell nothing.; Di Diu e di li vicini nun ti po' ammucciari, ovvero Di tutti ti po' guardari a poi di lu to vicinu, ovvero Lu vicinu è sirpenti, si nun ti vidi ti senti.; Eng. Everyone experiences problems with bad neighbors. Lit. You can't hide from God and your neighbors. Or. Protect yourself from all and then from your neighbor. Or. The neighbor is a serpent, if he can't see you he can hear you.

vicinu n.m. Neighbor.: Quannu s'ardi lu tò vicinu, lu tò mali è vicinu.; Eng. When your neighbor burns down, your hurt is near.; Quannu si' pri caminu, nun diri mali di lu tò vicinu.; Eng. When you're around about, don't speak poorly of your neighbor.; Diu ti scanzi di malu vicinu e di principianti di viulinu.; Eng. Lord save us from the bad neighbor and the beginning violinist.; Pigghia la munnizza (o la terra) di lu tò vicinu, e mettitilla dintra, ovvero Pigghia lu taju di lu vicinu e 'mpiccicalu a lu tò muru.; Eng. Choose your spouse from your own neighborhood. Lit. Take the garbage (or the soil) from your neighbor, and bring it inside. Or. Take your neighbor's lotus and affix it to your wall.; Cu' havi lu malu vicinu havi lu malu matinu.; Eng. A bad neighbor makes for a bad morning.; Amicu fausu e mali vicinu tira la petra e s'ammucia la manu.; Eng. A false friend and a bad neighbor throw stones and hide their hands.; Lu malu vicinu e amicu fintu.; Eng. A deceptive friend is a bad neighbor.; Cu lu vicinu nun t'hai a cunfidari.; Eng. Don't confide in your neighbor.

viddanu n.m. peasant, hired hand, rude, ill mannered.: Lu viddanu è comu lu mònacu.; Eng. The peasant is like the monk in many ways.; Du' cosi num potti addizzari lu Signuri: cucuzzi longhi e testa di viddanu.; Eng. Two things the good Lord could not straighten out: bald heads and the brain of the peasant.; Lu viddanu sempri e riccu l' annu chi veni.; Eng. Wait 'til next year. (Lit. The peasant is always rich in the coming year.); A lu viddanu nun ci dari bacchetta 'm manu.; Eng. Never give authority to a churlish or unqualified person.; Viddanu nun è cu' viddanu nasci, viddanu è cu' fa viddanìa.; Eng. The peasant is not the peasant born, the peasant is as the peasant acts.; Viddanu 'un è binchì in villa stia, viddanu è chi usa scurtisìa.; Eng. The ill mannered is not the one who lives in the peasant's house, the ill mannered is the one who is discourteous.; Fa beni a lu viddanu ca ti nni voli mali, facci mali ca ti voli beni.; Eng. Keep the peasant under your thumb. Lit. Treat the peasant well and he will harm you, treat him poorly and he will do well by you.; Lu viddanu havi la vertula di la gnuranza e la vertula di la malizzia.; Eng. The peasant carries a load of ignorance and maliciousness.; Viddanu gnuranti e malizziusu.; Eng. The peasant is ignorant and wicked.; Lu viddanu teni lu cuntu 'ntra la birrita.; Eng. The peasant comes to you with an agenda. Lit. The peasant keeps his tale in his hat.; Diu ti scanza di lu viddanu arrinisciutu.; Eng. Lord preserve you from the remade peasant.; Lu viddanu s' avissi un tesoru di 'n coddu, sempri havi l'orrichi di mitaddu.; Eng. Even if the peasant were rich, he'd still be stubborn. Lit. If the peasant carried a treasure on his shoulders, he always has metal ears.; Sapi cchiù un viddanu 'n casa sua, ca un dutturi 'n casa d'autru.; Eng. The peasant knows more in his own house than does a doctor in the house of others.; E unni mai si 'ntisi viddanu gentili e marinaru curtisi?; Eng. Where did anyone ever hear of a polite peasant and a courteous sailor?; Lu viddanu è comu lu pannu, chi mai lassa la sò piega.; Eng. The peasant will always be a country bumpkin. Lit. The peasant is like a wrinkle that won't come out of clothing.; Lu viddanu fattu riccu nun canusci nè parenti nè amicu.; Eng. The newly rich peasant doesn't know his relatives nor his friend.; Lu viddanu tantu cchiù è pregatu, tantu cchiù è ostinatu.; Eng. The more the peasant is beseeched, the more obstinate he becomes.; A lu viddanu la zappa 'm manu.; Eng. Each to his own work.; Lu viddanu havi aviri scarpi grossi, e ciriveddi suttili.; Eng. The peasant needs big shoes and a sharp mind.

viddicu n.m. Umbilical cord.: Nasciri cu lu viddicu d'oru.; Eng. Born with a silver spoon in his mouth. Lit. To be born with an umbilical cord of gold.

vìdiri, vidìri v.t. To see.: È megghiu ca ti vidissi Diu di susu, ca piccidottu di pirtusu.; Eng. If not chaste, then be cautious. Lit. It's better that God were to see you from above than a young rascal through a hole.; Vivu nun ti potti vidiri e mortu ti mannavi a salutari.; Eng. Couldn't see you alive and dead sent you greetings.

Vidua n.f. Widow.: La vidua è mecciu astutatu chi fuma.; Eng. A widow is a snuffed out wick that is still smoking.

vigghia v.i. 3rd p.sing. Awake.: Cu' vigghia, la pigghia.; Eng. The early bird catches the worm. (Lit. Who's awake, gets it.); Quannu lu jornu 'n peni si travagghia, pri li pinseri la notti si vigghia.; Eng. When you work with anxiety during the day, you'll sit up at night with your thoughts.

viggilanti adj. Vigilant, watchful, alert.: Cui viggilanti sta, chiddu la vinci.; Eng. Who stays vigilant, will win.

vigna n.f. Vineyard.: Vigna accattata, vigna arrubbata.; Eng. A purchased vineyard is tantamount to a stolen vineyard.; Casa fatta e vigna posta nun si sapi quantu costa.; Eng. The cost for a finished house and a healthy vineyard is unknowable.; Casa fatta e vigna sfatta.; Eng. Buy a house that's finished and a vineyard that's overgrown.; Accatta vigna di cu' nu' 'nn'havi chiantata, accatta casa di cu' nu' nn'ha fabbricatu.; Eng. Buy a vineyard from the one who didn't plant it and a house form the one who didn't build it.; Cu' havi una bona vigna, havi pani, vinu e ligna.; Eng. A good vineyard provides bread, wine, and firewood.; Megghiu tigna chi locu e vigna.; Eng. It's better to have ringworm than a farm and vineyard.; Olivari di tò nannu, cèusi di tò patri, vigna tò.; Eng. The olive grove of your grandfather, the cherry trees of your father, and your grape vines.; Azzuffarsi pri la vigna di lu segretu.; Eng. Fighting over nothing.; Cu' travaggia a vigna, mancia racina.; Eng. Who works the vineyard, eats grapes.; Pocu parti e pocu vigna, l'una è rugna e l'autra è tigna.; Eng. A small portion and a small vineyard, one itches and the other is wormy.; Cu' chianta la vigna pocu la vinnigna.; Eng. The planter of the vineyard has a small harvest.; È megghiu stari sulu a la sò vigna, ca la vigna d'autru cunzari.; Eng. It's better to have your own vineyard than to work on someone else's.; A la vigna vacci, a la putì stacci, dici Magumi cartagginisi.; Eng. Go to the vineyard, stay at your shop, says Magumi the carthaginian.; Pri la bona vigna scanza cannedda, e scausa gramigna.; Eng. For a good vineyard avoid reeds, and remove weeds.; Amara dda vigna chi di pruppaina nun è digna.; Eng. Sorry the vineyard that fails to have sprouts.; Chianta la vigna unni teni la vutti.; Eng. Plant your vineyard nearby.; Cara custa la vigna di la costa.; Eng. A vineyard on the coast is costly.

vilenu n.m. Poison.: Latti e vinu, vilenu finu.; Eng. Milk and wine together make an excellent poison.; Lu peju vilenu è chiddu di la lingua.; Eng. Tongue is the most poisonous cut of meat. Or: The spoken word is the strongest poison.

vina n.f. Vein, blood vessel.: Essiri 'n vina.; Eng. To be indisposed.

vinciri v.t. To win.: Cu' vinci prima perdi poi.; Eng. Who wins first loses later.; Cu' la dura vinci.; Eng. He wins who sticks to it.

vincituri n.m. Victor, winner.: Di forti acquista fama cui resta vincituri.; Eng. The name of the winner is remembered.

vinnica v.t. 3rd p.sing. Vindicates, avenges.: Si fai beni a lu riccu, otteni nenti, d'un tortu si nni vinnica a l'istanti.; Eng. If you show a rich man kindness, you gain nothing, but when you wrong him he avenges himself instantly.

vinnigna n.f. Grape harvest.: Cui scippa vigna e chianta vigna, mai vinnigna.; Eng. Who uproots vines and plants vines, will never harvest the grapes.; Cui simìna 'ntra la vigna, nun meti né vinnigna; Eng. Whoever sows within the vineyard, neither reaps a crop nor harvests grapes.; Prima di la vinnigna, cunzati la vutti!; Eng. Prepare the barrels before the grape harvest.; Cu' travagghia pri la vinnigna s'arriposa tuttu l'annu.; Eng. The grape harvest enriches. Lit. Who works the grape harvest rests the entire year.

vinniri v.t. To sell.: Cu' vinni scinni.; Eng. Who sells, impoverishes.; Nun cc' è cosa cchiù cara vinnuta, di chidda chi s' accatta cu prigheri.; Eng. Nothing sold is more expensive than when it's bought on a prayer.; Accatta e vinni quannu si' prigatu.; Eng. Buy and sell when you're asked.

vintottu adj. Twenty-eight.: Cui di trenta, cui di trentunu, di vintottu cci nn'è unu.; Eng. There are some with thirty, some with thirty-one, with twenty-eight there is but one.; Chiantarissi cu vintottu.; Eng. To pretend to not know, understand, or be aware of something and therefore forego commenting.

vintu v.t. past p. Won.: Cui di paroli è vintu, nun è sempri di virità cunvintu.; Eng. Who is defeated by words is not always really convinced.

vintura n.f. Luck, chance, risk, destiny.: Quantu cchiù granni è la vintura, tantu cchiù mancu è sicura.; Eng. The bigger the risk, the less the security.; Vintura bona ch'un'era aspittata, junci cchiù grata.; Eng. Unexpected good fortune, gets more appreciation.; Sedi, sedi, figlia, sedi, cà megghiu vintura veni.; Eng. Sit, sit, daughter, sit, because good fortune is coming.; Cu' havi la bona vintura cci va la mugghieri prena fina la casa.; Eng. Who has good fortune will have everything go well. Lit. Who has good fortune will have a pregnant wife at the house.; Cui di vecchi si 'nnamura, si la pila vintura.; Eng. Whoever falls in love with an old person laments their fortune.; Cci voli la vintura di Giufà.; Eng. The luck of Giufà is needed. Tr. note: Giufà is an idiot savant kind of character in the history of Sicilian literature and folklore.

vinu n.m. Wine.: Carni fa carni, pani fa panza, vinu fa danza.; Eng. Meat makes meat, bread makes a paunch, and wine makes you dance.; Lu vinu a lu sapuri, lu pani a lu culuri.; Eng. Judge wine by its taste, and bread by its color.; Lu vinu è meli e diventa feli.; Eng. Wine is as sweet as honey but it can be abused.; Lu vinu avi ad essiri turcu.; Eng. Wine should not be watered.; Timpirateddu ti vivi lu vinu, ca to manteni lu stòmacu 'n tonu.; Eng. Wine in moderation promotes good stomach tone.; Lu vinu è lu latti di li vecchi.; Eng. Wine is the milk of the old.; Cui di vinu è amicu di se stissu è nemicu.; Eng. Of wine a friend, of himslf an enemy.; Lu vinu nun appi mai frenu.; Eng. The drunkard loses all inhibitions.; Lu bonu vinu dura sinu a la fezza.; Eng. Good wine lasts down to the dregs.; L'acqua mali faciri, lu vinu cunfurtibbuli.; Eng. It's terrible to add water to wine.; Pocu vinu, vivi primu.; Eng. Serve sparse things first.; Lu vinu e la donna fannu apostatari lu sapienti.; Eng. The learned can be led astray by wine and women.; Vinu amaru tenilu caru.; Eng. Bitter wine, value it dearly.; Vinu biancu 'nforza lu ciascu.; Eng. White wine reinforces the flask.; L'omu di vinu campa mischinu.; Eng. The drunkard lives impoverished.; Cui di vinu è amicu di sè stissu è nemicu.; Eng. Who befriends wine is his own enemy.; Nun ti mettiri in camminu, si la tua vucca nun sapi lu vinu.; Eng. Don't walk away if you haven't tasted the wine.; Tutti li ciuri piacinu, ma no chiddu ca fa lu vinu (Catania). Source: Pitrè, II, 14.; Eng. All flowers please, but not the one that makes wine.

virdi adj. Green.: Nun sempri virdi si manteni un citru.; Eng. The world changes. Lit. A citron doesn't stay green forever.

virgugnari v.i. Be_ashamed.: Lu saviu nun si divi virgugnari di mutari lu sò pariri. Source: Pitrè, III, 185.; Eng. The wise man need not be ashamed of changing his opinion.

virga n.f. Stick.: Li virgni nun si rumpinu tutti nzemmula.; Eng. In union there is strength. Lit. Sticks don't break all together.

virminusa adj. Wormy.: Lu medicu piatusu fa la chiaja virminusa.; Eng. Too compassionate the doctor, too inadequate the treatment.

virrutu adj. Angry, furious, aggressive.: Fatti virrutu ca sarai timutu.; Eng. Act aggressive and you will be feared.

virsura n.f. Furrow.: Virsura lunga e voi lentu, virsura brevi e voi grossu.; Eng. On a long furrow let the ox move slowly, a big ox on a short furrow.

virticchiu n.m. Spindle ring, bobbin, scamp, trifle.: 'N autru virticchiu ca lu fusu è chinu.; Eng. Another curious thing. lit. Another ring because the spindle is full.; Nun è virticchiu ch' arrozzula.; Eng. It's not something that is a go. lit. It's not a bobbin that's turning.

virtù n.f. Virtue.: Mentri si' 'n giuventù acquístati virtù.; Eng. Acquire virtue while you're young.; La virtù tantu cchiù è 'nn autu, tantu cchiù risplenni.; Eng. The more the virtue the brighter the sparkle.; La virtù s'illustra cu li travagghi.; Eng. Virtue is recognized by its deeds.; La virtù è la cchiù cara cosa di lu munnu.; Eng. Virtue is the most valuable thing in the world.; La virtù non mori mai.; Eng. Virtue never dies.; Cu' simina virtù assai ricogghi.; Eng. Who sows virtue will reap a lot.

virtuusa adj. Virtuous.: Donna uziusa mai sarà virtuusa.; Eng. A lazy woman is never virtuous.

viscottu n.m. Biscuit, necessity, preparation.: Lu Signuri duna lu viscottu a cu' nun si lu sapi arrusicari.; Eng. The Good Lord gives the biscuit to the one who doesn't even know how to bite.; Nun t'immarcari senza viscottu.; Eng. Don't embark without preparation.

viscuvati n.m. Bishopric.: Matrimonii e viscuvati, di lu celu su' distinati.; Eng. Marriages and bishoprics are predestined in heaven.

visitata v.t. past p. Visited.: Casa ca di lu suli 'un è viduta, di lu medicu spissu è visitata.; Eng. A house that is not seen by the sun, is visited often by the doctor.

vista n.f. Sight, view.: Unni cc'è vista, nun c'è bisognu di prova. Source: Pitrè, III, 187.; Eng. Seeing is believing. (Lit. Where there's a view, there's no need for proof.); La vista soli 'ngannari.; Eng. You can't judge a book by its cover. Appearance can fool you.

vistimentu n.m. Vestment.: Su onurati li vistimenti e no la pirsuna.; Eng. Respect is for the vestments and not the person.

vistissi v.t. 3rd p. sing. past subj. Dressed.: Quannu lu puvireddu s'arripezza, pari ca di novu si vistissi.; Eng. When the poor man patches himself up, he seems newly dressed.

vistutu adj. Dressed, clothed.: Centu vistuti nun ponnu spugghiari a unu nuru.; Eng. One hundred who are clothed can't undress one who is nude.; A locu unni nun si canusciutu, comu si vistutu si rassumigghiatu.; Eng. Where you're unknown, how you appear is how you're perceived.

vita n.f. Life.: La robba e la vita sta 'n putiri di Diu.; Eng. God has dominion over your possessions and your life.; Carne e pisci, la vita ti crisci.; Eng. Eat meat and fish and live longer.; Cu' sprezza la vita, nun timi la morti.; Eng. Who's scornful of life, fears not death.; Quali è la vita, tali sarà lu fini, ovvero tali vita, tali 'nfinita.; Eng. How you live is how you'll end up.; La vita umana è simili a la rosa.; Eng. Our human condition is like the rose.; Cu' sprezza la vita nun timi la morte.; Eng. Who scorns life fears not death.; La vita di l'omu passa comu ventu.; Eng. Life passes like the wind.; La vita di l'omu è curta e travagghiata.; Eng. Life is short and troubled.; La vita di l'omu è una guerra.; Eng. Life is war.; La bona vita manteni la bona zita.; Eng. A good life supports a good sweetheart.

viti n.f. Grapevine.: Dici la viti fammi poviru ca ti fazzu riccu.; Eng. The vine says, make me poor and I'll make you rich.

vittoria n.f. Victory.: Chidda vittoria è granni, chi s'aquista senza sangu.; Eng. It's a huge victory that's achieved without blood.

vivi v.t. 3rd p.sing. Drink.: Cui mancia e nun vivi, mai sàturu si cridi.; Eng. Who eats without drinking, will never feel full.; Mancia càudu e vivi friddu.; Eng. Eat hot and drink cold.; Mancia di sanu e vivi di malatu.; Eng. Eat with gusto but drink in moderation.; Cui vivi la notti, s'accatta la morti; cui vivi 'ntra lu lettu, s'accatta lu catalettu.; Eng. Who drinks at night, buys himself death, who drinks in bed, buys himself a coffin.

viviri v.t. To drink.: Manciari senza viviri, è comu truniari senza chioviri.; Eng. Eating without drinking is like thunder without rain.; È megghiu viviri virtuusamenti, chi nasciri nobbilmenti.; Eng. It's better to drink virtuously than to be nobly born.; Cu' vivi mali, lu sò propriu mali l'accusa.; Eng. Who drinks in excess, accuses himself.; Nun servi lu viviri multu tempu, ma lu viviri beni.; Eng. It doesn't serve to drink often but rather to drink well.; Cu' pensa viviri longu tempu, vivi mali.; Eng. Who thinks to drink a lot, drinks badly.; Lu viviri misuratu fa l'omu assinnatu.; Eng. The judicious man drinks in moderation.

vizziu n.m. Vice, depravity.: Ogni vizziu havi lu so supplizziu.; Eng. Every vice has its penalty.; Ognunu mori cu lu so vizziu a latu.; Eng. We die, each of us, with our vices alongside.; Lu vizziu si nun veni castiatu irà pri l'infinitu.; Eng. If a vice is not stopped it will follow you to infinity.

voi n.m. Oxen.: Carne di voi, màncianni quantu pôi.; Eng. Eat as much beef as you can.; Lu voi non parra ca havi la lingua grossa, ma si parrassi gran cosi dirrìa.; Eng. The ox doesn't speak because it can't, but if it could, it would have a lot to say.; Hai vistu lu voi? Nè biancu nè niviru.; Eng. Have you seen the ox? It's neither white nor black.; Lu voi chi nun va all'aratru va a lu maceddu, o a la vucciria.; Eng. The ox that doesn't go to the plough goes to the slaughter house, or to the butcher shop.; A jinchiri a lu voi s'havi la panza, e si di fenu nun poi cerca la pagghia.; Eng. If you can't fill the stomach of the ox with fodder then do it with hay.; Voi di vacca jenca, e cavaddu di jimenta vecchia.; Eng. Get an ox from a young cow and a horse from an old mare.; Cu' è riccu di voi e jimenti nun havi nenti.; Eng. Who is rich with oxen and mares has nothing.; Un voi quannu si porta a lu maceddu, ognunu curri cu lu so cuteddu.; Eng. When an ox is brought to the slaughter house everyone runs there with his knife.

volontà n.f. Will, intent.: A cu' ha mala volontà nun mancanu occasioni.; Eng. The evil minded lack not the occasion.

volu n.m. Flight.: A li voli ripintini, li caduti su' vicini.; Eng. Sudden flights hazard a fall.

vonnu v.t. 3rd p. pl. Want.: Li ricchi cchiù chi nn'hannu, cchiù nni vonnu.; Eng. The more they have, the more they want.

vopi n.f. A bony edible fish of the perch type.: Quannu nun trovi pisci pigghi vopi.; Eng. When you can't do what you want, do what you can.; Cci dissi lu patruni a lu criatu: quann'àutru 'un c'è, tu pigghi vopi.; Eng. The boss said to the servant, when there isn't what you want, eat what there is.

voscu n.m. Forest, woods.: Unni cc'è voscura cci su' lupi.; Eng. Where there's a forest there are wolves.; Nè voscu senza ligna, nè aria senza sulami, nè jinia senza corna.; Eng. Neither a forest without trees, nor air without chaff, nor a multitude without horns.

vota n.f. Turn, time.: Li pasturi 'na vota vitiru a Gesù.; Eng. The shepherds saw Jesus only once.; Si li cosi si putissiru fari dui voti! Source: Pitrè, II, 132.; Eng. Oh if we only could have a second chance! Lit. If things could be done two times.

vraca n.f. Shorts, pants, trousers.: Si li to vrachi su' di vitru, nun ci po fari pidita d'azzaru.; Eng. People in glass houses should not throw stones.

vrazzu n.m. Arm.: Vrazzu di giuvini e testa di vecchiu.; Eng. The arm of the young and the head of the old.; Lu servu pagatu avanti tempu avi lu vrazzu ruttu.; Eng. The servant paid ahead of time has a broken arm.; Si ad ogni cani chi abbàia cci vòi tirari na petra, nun ti rèstanu vrazza.; Eng. If you want to throw a rock at every dog that barks, you won't have any arms left.

vriogna n.f. Shame, disgrace, insult, honor, good name.: Lu fùjiri è vriogna, ma è sarvamentu di vita.; Eng. Fleeing is shameful but it preserves life.; Cu' perdi la vrigogna nun la trova cchiù.; Who loses his good name, will never regain it. Eng.; La nostra naturali vrigogna nun si pò nigari; pirchì quannu si caccia di lu cori, sinni fui a la facci.; Eng. Our inate conscience cannot be denied because when it escapes the heart it settles on our visage.

vròcculu n.m. Broccoli.: Nè nsusu cu li cavuli, nè gnusu cu li vròcculi.; Eng. Neither with the good nor the bad. lit. Neither up with the cabbages nor down by the broccoli.

vrodu n.m. Broth.: Cu' nun po' manciari carni vivi vrodu.; Eng. Who can't eat meat drinks broth.

vucca n.f. Mouth.: Nun mettiri mai la vucca unni nun ti tocca.; Eng. Mind your own business.; A vucca chiusa nun ci trasinu muschi.; Eng. A closed mouth won't catch flies.; A colpu di vucca, scutu d' oricchia.; Eng. When the mouth speaks, the ear pays heed.; Li vucchi su surrelli.; Eng. Mouths are sisters.; La vucca ridi e lu cori chianci.; Eng. The mouth laughs and the heart cries.; La vucca è quantu un aneddu e si mancia palazzu e casteddu.; Eng. The mouth is only as big as a ring but it eats houses and castles.; Vucca vasata nun perdi vintura.; Eng. The mouth that's kissed doesn't lose its fortune.; Zoccu lu cori pensa parra la vucca.; Eng. The mouth speaks what the heart thinks.; Grapi la vucca cunformi è lu vuccuni.; Eng. Open the mouth as needed for the mouthful.

vuddiria n.f. Butcher shop.: A cani di vucciria nun mancanu ossa. Source: Pitrè, III, 189.; Eng. The butcher's dogs never lack for bones.

vuccuni n.m. Mouthful.: Vuccuni arrubbatu cchiù duci e 'nzuccaratu.; Eng. Things acquired with effort are more appreciated.; Cu' fa grossu lu vuccuni prestu s'affuca.; Eng. Don't bite of more than you can chew.; Li megghiu vuccuna affucanu.; Eng. The best mouthfuls are the ones that choke.; Cu' havi figghi, nun tutti li vuccuna su' soi. Source: Pitrè, II, 143.; Eng. If you have children, not all mouthfuls are yours.

vuci n.m. Voice.: Vuci di populu vuci di Diu.; Eng. The voice of the people is the voice of God.

vudeddu n.m. Intestine, gut, bowel.: Lu vudeddu straniu cchiù chi dintra lu ficchi, cchiù nesci.; Eng. Don't trust strangers. Lit. The more you stuff intestines in the more they protrude.

vugghi v.i. 3rd p.sing. Boils.: Dissi lu su'Nicola: si nun vugghi la pignata, nun si cala.; Eng. Sister Nicola said: Don't lower the basket until the water is boiling.

vujaru n.m. Cowboy, cowherd.: Lu vujaru chi havi fenu, havi pani; e si fenu nun havi, resta senza voi e senza pani.; Eng. The cowherd who has fodder, has bread; and if he doesn;t have fodder, he will remain without oxen and without bread.

vulari v.i. To fly.: Nun si pò vulari senz'ali. Source: Pitrè, III, 180.; Eng. You can't fly without wings.

vulinteri adv. Willingly.: Ricotta e meli, màncianni vulinteri.; Eng. Ricotta and honey, eat them willingly.

vuliri v.t. To want.: Cu' tuttu o troppu voli nenti havi.; Eng. Who wants all or too much has nothing.; Zoccu nun vo' pri tia, ad autru unn fari.; Eng. Do unto others as you would have others do unto you.; A cu' nun ti voli, e tu nun lu vuliri.; Eng. To the one who doesn't want you, reciprocate.; Fa quantu poi e quantu sai, chi a mia veniri vurrai.; Eng. Do what you can and what you know, that to me if you would come to me. Tr. note: Says the prison to the thief.; Nni vogghiu cchiù pri li me vicini, ca pri cu' nun vitti mai.; Eng. I would want to benefit those closest to me.

vulissi v.t. 3rd p.sing. Wanted.: Si lu giuvini vulissi e lu vecchiu putissi, nun ci sarrìa cosa chi nun si facissi.; Eng. If the young had the motivation and the old had the strength, there'd be nothing that couldn't be accomplished.

vulpi n.f. Fox.: Ogni vulpi porta amuri a la so tana.; Eng. The fox brings love to its own den.; La vulpi nun fa dannaggiu a li vicini.; Eng. The fox doesn't harm its neighbors.; La vulpi vecchia nun 'ncappa a lu lazzu.; Eng. The old fox doesn't fall into the trap.; La vulpi vecchia 'ncappa a lu lazzu.; Eng. The old fox falls into the trap.; Ad ogni vulpi piaci lu puddaru.; Eng. Every fox like the hen house.

vurdunaru n.m. Muleskinner.: Succedi a vurdunaru sgarrari la via.; Eng. Everyone can make a mistake. Lit. The muleskinner took the wrong way.

vurza n.f. Purse, pouch, bag.: Tardu di vurza e pronto di cappeddu.; Eng. Be slow to reach for your purse and quick to tip your hat.; Semu amici e li vurzi si cummattinu.; Eng. Clear contracts, good friends. Lit. Though we are friends our monetary interests compete.; Megghiu dogghia di vurza ca di cori.; Eng. Better to buy it than to yearn for it. Lit. Better a pain in the purse than in the heart.

vutti n.f. Cask, barrel.: Puta a la luna di jinnaru si vô' jinchiri li vutti.; Eng. Prune the vines on the January moon if you want to fill the casks.; Vuliri la vutti china e la mugghieri 'mbriaca.; Eng. Wanting the best of both worlds. (lit. Wanting a full wine cask and a satiated wife.); Dari un corpu a la vutti e 'n autru a lu timpagnu.; Eng. Said of someone who does two things at the same time.; La vutti chi nun è attuppata, sventa.; Eng. The cask that is not stoppered, vents.; Secunnu è la vutti nesci lu vinu ovvero la vutti di chi è china spanni.; Eng. People behave as they are. Lit. As the cask is, so the wine. Or. The cask that is filled overflows.

vutu n.m. Vow.: Vutu nun sidisfattu è comu nun s'avissi fattu.; Eng. An unfullfilled vow is as if it had not been made.

zafarana n.f. bot. Saffron.: Tutti zafarana e nenti tinci.; Eng. Things are not always what they seem.

zanni n.m. Charlatan, fraud.: Fari lu matrimoniu di lu zanni.; Eng. Pull a fast one.

zappa n.f. Hoe, mattock.: Darisi la zappa 'nta li pedi.; Eng. Shoot yourself in the foot. (lit. Give your feet a blow with the mattock.); Si iunceru 'u zappuni tintu e 'u tirrenu sciarusu.; Eng. Bad hoeing and poor soil go together.

zappari v.t. To hoe.: Cu' zappa la so vigna, bona la zappa, bona la vigna.; Eng. Who hoes his vineyard well has a good vinyard.; Cu' zappari sapi, zapparassi la so' vigna.; Eng. Who knows how to hoe, should hoe his own vineyard.; Zappa davanti e jetta 'nn arreri.; Eng. Hoe in front and throw behind.; Cu' zappa surdu vivi francu.; Eng. Who hoes without tiring, lives well.; Janni zappa e Petru suda.; Eng. Johnny hoes and Peter sweats.

zappudda n.f. Hoe.: Acqua e zappudda fannu cipudda.; Eng. Rain and the hoe make onions.

zita n.f. Fiancée, sweetheart, bride.: Quannu lu zitu e la zita si vonnu, li parenti accurdari a forza si hannu. Or, Lu zitu cu la zita si vogghianu, ca li parenti poi s'accordanu; Eng. When sweethearts want each other, the parents must inevitably accede.; Cu' va a la zita senza invitatu, si pigghia lu vancu e s' assetta 'n terra.; Eng. Who enters without an invitation finds the bench removed and sits on the ground.; Prigavamu la zita chi ballassi, e ora la prigamu chi stancassi.; Eng. We prayed that she would dance and now we pray that she would tire.; Chista è la zita.; Eng. What you see is what you get. Lit. This is the bride.; Zita vasata nun perdi vintura.; Eng. A kissed sweetheart doesn't lose her future.

zoppa n.f. Lame.: Benchì la pena é zoppa, puru arriva.; Eng. Though trouble be lame, it will arrive.

zoppu n.m. Lame.: Quannu ti vôi fari gabbu di lu zoppu, bisogna chi tu fusi drittu.; Eng. Men in glass houses should not throw stones. (Lit. Before you make fun of the lame, you yourself need to be upright.); Cui pratica cu lu zoppu, all'annu zuppìa.; Eng. Who practices with the lame will be able to limp within a year.; A zoppu nun ci servi di diri curri.; Eng. It serves no purpose to tell the lame to run.

zubbiu n.m. Abyss, chasm.: Essiri jitatu 'ntra lu zubbiu.; Eng. Find yourself in a lamentable state with no hope of improvement. (Lit. To be thrown into the abyss.)

zuccaru n.m. Sugar, sweets, sweetness.: Zuccaru nun guasta bevanna.; Eng. Sugar doesn't spoil the drink.

Return to... Top of Page

or to... the Table Of Contents page

This page is maintained by Art Dieli.
Last updated 5/6/10