SICILIAN PROVERBS

translated into English by Arthur V. Dieli

abbada v.i. To look after, to mind, to manage.: Cu fa assai e nun ci abbada, spenni assai e 'un cogghi biada.; Eng. If you invest a lot but don't manage it, you'll have spent a lot but gained little.

abbaia v.i. To bark, to shout inconsiderately, to ask for in vain.: Cani abbaia e voi pasci.; Eng. Dogs bark and oxen graze.; Cani di pagghiaru abbaia e sta luntanu.; Eng. A timid watch 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. There's honor amongst the cunning.

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.)

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.

accordu n.m. A musical chord, an agreement, an accord, a compromise.: Megliu accordu màghiru ca sintenza grassa.; Eng. A lean award is better than a fat 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.tr. 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.

acidduzzi n.m.pl. dim. Little birds.: Quannu l'acidduzzi 'un fannu dannu signu ca cuntrariu avisti l'annu.; Eng. When birds aren't making a mess it's a sign that it's been a bad year.

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. Timely 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. Wrongful acquisitions don't last long.

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.tr. 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.tr. 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.tr. To rear, to bring up, to raise children.: L'addivari fa l'amuri.; Eng. Raising children engenders love.

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.

addumanna v.tr. 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.

affetu n.m. Affection.: Lu maritu senza affetu comu la casa senza tettu.; Eng. The husband who lacks affection is like a house that lacks a roof.

affliggi v.tr. 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, to clear up, to enlighten.: Fa' chi t'agghiorna e no chi ti scura.; Eng. Keep up with the times, don't stay in the dark.

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.; Acqua d'agustu, 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.tr. To help.: Quannu Diu ti voli aiutari, sinu a la casa ti veni a truvari.; Eng. When God wants to help you, he 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.)

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

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.

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 (of plants).: Amari e disamari nun sta a cui lu voli fari.; Eng. You don't choose whom to love and not love.; 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.

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

amaru n.m. Love.: È sempri cu l'amaru 'mmiscatu l'amur tirrenu.; Eng. Love is always bittersweet. (Lit. Love land is always mixed with bitterness.)

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, you go down many steps.; 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.

ammatula adv. Useless.: Ammatula si pisca si a l'amu non c'è l'isca.; Eng. It's useless to fish with an unbaited hook.

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.

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.

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 e gilusia su' sempri 'n cumpagnia.; Eng. Love and jealousy always keep company.; Amuri e signuria nun vonnu cumpagnia.; Eng. Love and arrogance don't go together.; 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 loc. adv. 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

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.

appigghia v.t. 3rd p.sing. Burns: 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.

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.; 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. (about 15 km North of Agrigento.): 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

àrvulu n.m. Tree.: Àrvulu 'mmenzu li strati, di tutti su' cutulati.; Eng. The tree in the middle of the road is 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.

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 the parties.

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.)

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.

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.

auguru n.m. Good wishes.: Cui simìna terri forti, havi certi auguru e sorti.; Eng. Whoever sows on hard ground, needs good wishes 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.

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 part of avantari. boasted: Mai nuddu s'avantau chi caru 'un ci custau.; 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.

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.

azzalori n.fp. bot. Loquat, medlar.: Li cutugna pri l'èrrami ziti, l'azzalori (nèspulu) pri l'omini boni.; Eng. The quince is for quarreling fiancees, 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.

badagghiu n.m. Yawn.: Lu badagghiu 'un pò mintíri: o voli manciari o voli durmiri.; Eng. The yawn doesn't lie: it wants you to eat or sleep.

banni f.pl. of banna Side, part, place.: Un bonu gaddu canta a tutti banni.; Eng. A good rooster crows everywhere.; Cui nun senti a li cchiù granni, appenni li vèrtuli a mali banni.; Eng. Who fails to listen to his elders, will be hanging his knapsack in the wrong places.

bella adj. Beautiful, pretty, pleasing.: Di lu voscu 'na bella faciana, di lu mari 'na bella murina; di lu ciumi 'n'ancidda di tana, di la gaggia 'na bella gaddina.; Eng. From the woods a beautiful pheasant, from the sea a beautiful moray eel, from the river a den eel, from the coop a beautiful chicken.

beni n.m. Good.: Ogni beni di Diu veni.; Eng. Every good thing comes from God.; è cchiù caru chiddu beni chi ddoppu di lu mali veni.; Eng. The good that follows evil is more appreciated.; Fa' beni e scordatillo, fa' mali e pènsaci.; Eng. Do good and forget it, do bad and think about it.; Lu beni chi lassi di fari, mai cchiù l'aspittari.; Eng. The good that you fail to do is gone forever.; Lu beni chi sdilleggi e nun riguardi, lu riconusci guannu tu lu perdi.; Eng. The good that you scoff at and ignore, you'll recognize when you lose it.; Beni di furtuna pàssanu comu la luna.; Eng. Easy come, easy go.; Quannu lu poviru veni a beni, nun c'è terra chi lu teni.; Eng. When a poor man gets lucky, nothing can contain him.

beni adv. Well.: Cui ti voli beni, 'n casa ti veni.; Eng. Who likes you well, will come to your house.

benifiziu n.m. Reward, advantage, benefit.: Longu sirviziu aspetta benifiziu.; Eng. Long service awaits rewards.

biata adj. Blessed or blest.: Biata dda casa ch'havi 'na cricchia rasa.; Eng. Blessed is the house that has a son who is a cleric.

billizza n.f. Beauty.: Gèniu fa billizza e no billizza amuri.; Eng. Congeniality makes beauty and not beauty love.

bisesta adj. Leap year.: Annata bisesta, biatu cu' cci resta!; Eng. You're blessed if you're here on leap year.

bisognu n.m. Need, necessity.: Poviru è cu' havi di bisognu.; Eng. The poor are the needy.

bonu adj. Good.: Megghiu vecchiu bonu chi giùvini tintu.; Eng. A good old man is better than a bad young man.

botta n.f. Tap, hit, blow.: 'Na botta a la vutti e 'n'àutra a lu timpagnu.; Eng. One tap on the keg and another on the spout.

brivatura n.f. Water trough.: Cuverna a manciatura e abbivìra a brivatura.; Eng. Govern the feed trough and water the animals at the drinking trough.

burrasca n.f. Tempest, thunder storm.: Burrasca furiusa prestu passa. Oppure: Forti burrasca pocu dura.; Eng. A furious storm passes quickly. Also: A strong storm lasts briefly.

busi n.f. Empty, parched stalks, bushes in arid location.: Busi di sciloccu e grana di tramuntana.; Eng. Empty stalks from the Sirocco and full spikes of wheat with the North Wind.

buttunedda n.m. Bud.: Si l'olivuzza sbuccia 'ntr'aprili, basta pri cògghila cu li varrilli; s'a maju affàccianu li buttunedda, basta pri jìnchiri 'na misuredda; ma si poi tàrdanu pri sin'a giugnu, jirrai cugghiènnula a pugnu a pugnu.; Eng. If the olive trees blossom in April, you'll have enough to collect them with barrels; if they bud in May, you'll have enough to fill a small measure; but if as late as June, you'll only be collecting handfuls.

caccia n.f. Hunt.: Quannu la caccia nun ti dici, vattinni ad accampari babbaluci.; Eng. When the hunt is not successful, go find snails.

caccia v.t. 2rd p.sing.imp. Drive, urge on, hurry.: Cu lu vastuni si caccia lu sceccu, cu lu punturu lu voi e lu mulu, cu la virga e cu lu spruni lu cavaddu.; Eng. You drive a donkey with a stick, an ox and a mule with a prod, and the horse with a whip and spurs.

cacciaturi n.m. Hunter.: L'omu è cacciaturi.; Eng. Man is a hunter.; Lu cani cacciaturi, quannu abbaja è signu chi la caccia havi vicina.; Eng. When the hunting dog barks it's a signal that the prey is near.

caciu n.m. Cheese.: Né di caciu varca, né di pani Bartulumeu.; Eng. It's not polite to eat just the center of the cheese and just the crust of the bread.

cadi v.t. 3rd p.sing. Falls.: Quannu cadi lu vecchiu, nun ti rìdiri, ha successu a lu giuvini càdiri.; Eng. When the old man falls, don't laugh, the young have also fallen.

cadutu v.t. past part. of càdiri. Felled.: Ad àrvulu cadutu ognunu curri e fa ligna.; Eng. Everyone runs to cut wood from the felled tree.

cafè n.m. Coffee.: Lu cafè santiannu e lu cicculatti ripusannu.; Eng. Drink coffee while it's hot enough to make you swear but let the chocolate cool.

caiccu n.m. Caique. (A small narrow boat.): Cc'è sempri lu locu pi lu caiccu.; Eng. There's always a place for a caique.

càlia n.f. roasted chick peas.: Sosizza di Mazzarinu, càlia di Cartagiruni e pasta di Vizzini.; Eng. Sausage from Mazzarino, càlia from Caltagirone, and pasta from Vizzini.

calici n.m. Chalice.: Lu parrinu cummogghia lu calici e nui nn'avemu a cummigghiari l'unu cu l'àutru.; Eng. The priest covers the chalice and we must cover each other.

camina v.t. 3rd p.sing. Walks.: Cui camina licca, cui sedi sicca.; Eng. Who walks gains, who sits withers.; La donna e la gaddina si perdi si troppu camina.; Eng. The woman like the hen, gets lost if she walks too far.

campa v.i. 3rd p.sing. Lives.: Cui cchiù campa, cchiù 'mpinatisci.; Eng. The longer you live the more you suffer.

campani n.f. Bells.: Pri campaniari li campani nichi, primu hannu a campaniari li campani granni.; Eng. The big bells have to ring, in order for the little bells to ring.

campari v.i. To live, to be alive.: Si mancia pri campari, nun si campa pri manciari.; Eng. Eat to live, and not live to eat.; Si vô' campari assai, fatti 'na suppitedda ora e 'n'autra poi.; Eng. To lengthen thy life, lessen thy meals.; Si vôi campari l'anni di la cucca, sfarda stivali assai, linzola picca.; Eng. It's healthier to wear out many boots and few bed sheets.

càncari n.m. Cancers, troubles, hinges.: Lassatimi stari pri li càncari mei.; Eng. Let me deal with my troubles myself.; Ogni porta havi li so' càncari.; Eng. Every door has its own hinges.

canci v.t. 3rd p.sing. var. Changes, trades, barters, transforms, alters.: Cui canci, si leva li crozzi e tinci.; Eng. Whoever exchanges gets rid of the coarse and the bad.

cància v.t. 3rd p.sing. Changes, trades, barters, transforms, alters.: Nun si cància la facci pri dinari.; Eng. Don't compromise your beliefs for money.; Fimmina e ventu, cància ogni mumentu.; Eng. A woman and the wind change every moment.; Cui cància lardu pri lardu, l'unu o l'àutru è ràncitu.; Eng. Whoever exchanges some lard for some other lard, one or the other must be rancid.

càncianu v.t. 3rd p.pl. Change.: Fuj li cosi tinti, ama li boni, cà 'ntra un mumentu càncianu li sceni.; Eng. Avoid the bad, love the good, because things change in a moment.

cani n.m. Dog.: Nun tràsiri cani dintra, cà ti pòrtanu l'ossa fora.; Eng. Beware of false friends with wagging tongues.; Cui va a caccia senza cani, veni a casa senza lebbru.; Eng. Who goes hunting without dogs, comes home without rabbits.

canigghia n.f. Skin, peel, grain chaff.: Sparagnari la canigghia e sfragari la farina.; Eng. Penny wise and pound foolish. (Lit. Sparing the chaff and squandering the flour.)

canna n.f. Cane, stick.: L'omu spertu a la sò donna 'n ci hav'a ddari tanta canna.; Eng. A smart man doesn't need to beat his woman very much.

cannileri n.m. Candlestick.: A san Micheli, l'omu a lu cunseri e la fimmina a lu cannileri.; Eng. On St. Michael's the man attends to the harness and the woman to the candlestick.

canta v.t. 3rd p.sing. Sings.: Cu' havi mugghieri bedda sempri canta, cu' havi dinari picca sempri cunta.; Eng. The man with a beautiful wife is always singing, the one with little money is always counting.; Tinta dda casa unni cci canta la gaddina.; Eng. Cursed is the home where the hen does the crowing.; S'è gadduzzu, canta canta, s'è puddastra si mùzzica l'anca.; Eng. If it's a cock it will crow and crow, if it's a chicken it will peck its hip.

canti v.t. 2nd p.sing. Sing.: Comu mi canti ti sonu.; Eng. I'll play the song that you sing to me.

cantunera n.f. Cornerstone.: Petra disprizzata, cantunera di muro.; Eng. The rejected stone will become the cornerstone of the wall.

canuscirai v.t. 2nd p.sing.fut. You will recognize, understand, realize.: Tannu l'amicu, lu canuscirai, quannu lu perdi e nun lu vidi cchiui.; Eng. You'll realize he was a friend when you lose him and see him no more.

canuzzu n.m.dim. Little dog, lap dog.: Cani grossu nun s'appetta cu canuzzu di fàuda.; Eng. A big dog is not to be compared with a lap dog.

capiddu n.m. Hair.: Tira cchiù un capiddu di fimmina chi 'na corda di bastimentu.; Eng. One hair from the head of a woman pulls more than a ship's hauser.

cappeddu n.m. Hat.: Né cappeddu fa galantomu né birritta fa viddanu.; Eng. The hat does not make the gentleman nor the cap a lout.

carduna n.m. Cardoon, thistle, (like artichoke).: Avanti la costa manci carduna, ca a lu casteddu manci picciuna.; Eng. In the countryside eat cardoon, because at the castle you'll eat pigeon.

carduni n.m. Cardoon or perhaps artichoke.: Dicìa lu lavuraturi: nun c'è megliu di lu carduni. Rispusi lu zingareddu; tutti cosi su' munnizza; nun c'è paru di la sosizza.; Eng. The laborer said: there's nothing better than cardoons. The gypsy answered; that's garbage; nothing compares to sausage.; Vôi sdivacari tutta la cannata? Carduni amaru e favuzza caliata.; Eng. Do you want to experience real thirst? Then try eating bitter cardoons and roasted fava beans.; A tempu di carduni lu cuteddu servi a lu patruni.; Eng. Don't lend out something that you're going to soon need. lit. At cardoon time the owner needs his knife. trans. note: In California it is possible to get a second crop of artichokes if you cut the plant down one inch from the ground soon after the first harvest.

caritati n.f. Charity.: Unni nun c'è amuri, nun c'è caritati.; Eng. Where there is no love there is no charity.

carnalivari n.m. Carnival, Mardi gras, Shrove Tuesday.: Pasqua e Natali cu cu' vôi Carnalivari cu li toi.; Eng. Spend Easter and Christmas with whomever you want, but celebrate Mardi gras with your own.

carni n.f. Meat.: A pocu carni, pigghiati l'ossu.; Eng. When there's little meat, take the bone.

carrettu n.m. Cart.: Cavaddu di carrettu pocu dura.; Eng. A cart horse doesn't last long.

carricari v.t. To carry.: Megghiu nasciri patedda 'ntra lu mari, ca sceccu a carricari.; Eng. Better to be born a limpet in the sea, than a load bearing donkey.

carrinu n.m. A carlin, a silver coin during the Bourbon reign worth two centesimi, two hundredths of a lira.: A frummentu ed a linu, nun ci sparagnari carrinu.; Eng. Don't spare expense on the wheat and the flax.

carru n.m. Wagon, cart.: Nun mèttiri lu carru davanti li voi.; Eng. Don't put the cart before the horse.

Cartagiruni a city in the province of Catania. Caltagirone.: A Cartagiruni cuscenzi pilusi e cruni di quinnici posti.; Eng. At Caltagirone a hairy conscience and a crown with fifteen places.

carteddi n.m. Baskets.: Cui fa carteddi, nni fa làidi e nni fa beddi.; Eng. The basket maker, makes some ugly and some beautiful.

caru adj. Dear, expensive.: Cui voli vìnniri caru, guadagna pocu dinaru.; Eng. If you want to sell at a high price you'll earn little.; Lu prezzu caru riforma la gula.; Eng. A high price moderates desire.

casa n.f. House.: L'omu fa la casa e no la dota.; Eng. The man makes the house and not the dowry.; Nun accattari casi vicinu a cunventi né lochi vicini a batii.; Eng. Don't buy houses near convents nor dwellings near abbeys.

Castedduvitranu a city in the province of Trapani. Castelvetrano.: Castedduvitranu, riccu di milinciani e vinu bonu.; Eng. Castedduvitranu, Castelvetrano, rich in eggplants and good wine.

castratu v.t. past part. Castrated.: Carni di castratu, unni pigghi pigghi si' gabbatu.; Eng. The meat from the castrated, from wherever you take it you're foiled.

Catania capitol city of the province. Catania.: Catania, giammerghi di sita.; Eng. Go to Catania for beautiful silk jackets.

càuciu n.m. Kick: Càuci di jimenta nun fici mali a lu stadduni.; Eng. The mare's kick didn't hurt the stallion. (tr note: Stadduni can also refer to a beloved husband.)

càudu adj. Hot.: Batti lu ferru mentri è càudu.; Eng. Strike while the iron is hot.

càusa n.f. Litigation, reason, cause.: Cu' è càusa di lu so dannu chiancia sè stessu.; Eng. Who harms himself cries by himself.

cavaddu n.m. Horse.: A cavaddu datu nun circari sedda. o Cavaddu datu nun si guarda 'n mucca.; Eng. Don't look a gift horse in the mouth.; Brigghia e bacchetta fannu bon cavaddu.; Eng. Reins and a whip make a good horse.; Cavaddu a la catina, jumenta a la frattina.; Eng. The horse chained to the feeding trough and the mare in the thicket.; Si vôi mali ad unu, dùnacci un cavaddu, e si lu vôi mali cchiùi, dunaccìnni dui.; Eng. If you wish someone evil, give him a horse, and if you wish him more evil, give him two horses.; Cu' nun havi cavaddu sempri lu curri.; Eng. Someone without something who thinks he would make better use of it than the present owner.; Cu' havi cavaddu va unni voli.; Eng. On horseback you can go wherever you want.

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