SICILIAN PROVERBS

translated into English by Arthur V. Dieli
cavaleri n.m. Cavalier, gentleman.
Nun aviri chi fari cu cavaleri cadutu 'n puvirtà.
Eng. Don't have anything to do with the cavalier who has fallen into poverty.
 
cavuli n.m Cabbages.
Cavuli di jinnaru, jèttali a lu munnizzaru.
Eng. Throw January cabbages in the garbage.
 
Celu n.m. Sky, paradise, heaven.
Contra lu Celu nun vali difisa.
Eng. There's no defense against the wrath of God.
 
Nuddu pò jiri contra lu Celu.
Eng. You can't fight City Hall.
 
centu n.m. One hundred.
Cu' fa centu e nun fa l'unu, perdi lu centu pri causa di l'unu.
Eng. Finish what you start. lit. Who makes the hundred and not the one, loses the hundred because of that one.
 
cera n.f. Look, appearance.
Beni e mali, 'n cera pari.
Eng. Your looks betray your thoughts.
 
cerca v.t. Seek.
Cerca lu beni e aspetta lu mali.
Eng. Seek goodness and expect evil.
 
Cui cerca chiddu chi nun divi, trova chiddu chi nun voli.
Eng. Who seeks that which he must not, finds that which he wants not.
 
cèusi n.m. Mulberry tree.
Olivari di tò nannu, cèusi di tò patri, vigna tò.
Eng. The olive grove of your grandfather, the mulberry trees of your father, and your grape vines.
 
chiama v.t. 3rd p.sing. Calls.
Ama a cui t'ama, rispunni a cui ti chiama.
Eng. Love the one who loves you, answer the one who calls you.
 
chianci v.t. 3rd p.sing. Mourn for, cry.
La cattiva chianci lu mortu e pensa a lu vivu.
Eng. Grief for a husband is like a pain in the elbow, sharp and short.
 
chiànciri v.i.t. To cry.
Occhi ch'aviti fattu chiànciri, chianciti; nun è maravigghia siddu lacrimati.
Eng. Eyes that you have made cry, cry; so it's no wonder if they tear.
 
chiàntani v.t. Plant.
Cirasi e pruna, chiàntani una.
Eng. You need plant only one cherry and one plum tree.
 
chianu n.m. Plain.
Quannu amuri è capitanu, la muntagna pari chianu.
Eng. When there's love, mountains seem like plains. or, Love levels all ranks.
 
chiesa n.f. Church.
Jiri 'n chiesa è cosa morta quannu 'n casa nun si porta.
Eng. What good is faith if you don't live by it.
 
chiò n.m. Owl.
Quannu canta lu chiò, cu' havi patruni tintu, canciari si lu pò.
Eng. If you have a rotten boss, look for a new one when the screech owl sings.
 
chiovi v.i. 3rd p.sing. Rains.
Quannu chiovi di matina, pigghia l'aratu e va simìna; quannu chiovi di vèspiru a notti, va mèttiti li botti.
Eng. When it rains in the morning, take the plow and start sowing; when it rains between Vespers and nightfall, put on your boots.
 
chiòviri v.i. To rain.
Si si metti a tramuntana, appizza a chiòviri pri 'na simana.
Eng. If the North Wind takes to blowing, it will rain for a week.
 
ciacca v.t. 3rd p.sing. Cracks.
Tantu va la quartara all'acqua, fina chi si rumpi o si ciacca.
Eng. No matter how often a pitcher goes to the water, it is broken in the end.
 
ciaccari v.t. To plow, to split, to crack, to cleave.
'Ntra sittèmmiru nun ciaccari e 'ntr'ottùviru 'un siminari.
Eng. Don't plow during September and don't seed during October.
 
ciancu n.m. Hip.
Vinu biancu 'nforza lu ciancu.
Eng. White wine strengthens the hip.
 
Ciaramunti place name Chiaramonte.
Ciaramunti, munti d'oru, ogni fimmina vali 'n trisoru.
Eng. Chiaramonte, a mountain of gold, every woman is a treasure.
 
ciaraveddu n.m. Kid goat.
Ciurìu lu prâineddu: 'un patisci cchiù lu ciaraveddu.
Eng. The wild pear has blossomed: the kid goat no longer suffers.
 
cibbu n.m. Food, nourishment.
Caciu, pira e pani non è cibbu di viddani.
Eng. Cheese, pears and bread, is not the food of peasants.
 
Ciccu informal of given name Franciscu Chick, Frank, Francis.
Dici sempri la viti a lu zu Ciccu: Fammi pòvira ca iu ti fazzu riccu.
Eng. The vine always says to his uncle Chick: Make me poor and I'll make you rich. (Severe vine pruning yields a better harvest.)
 
Cifalutani n.m.f. A native of Cefalu, a Cefaluan.
Nobili e ricchi su' li Missinisi, capi di regnu li Palermitani, cori cuntenti su' li Catanisi, ricchi di pisci li Cifalutani.
Eng. Nobel and rich are the Messinans, heads of the kingdom are the Palermitani, the Catanians have a contented heart, and in Cefalu they are rich with fish.
 
cinquant'anni adj. At fifty years of age.
L'omu a cinquant'anni o è papa o varvajanni.
Eng. At fifty a man is either the Pope or a fool.
 
ciocca n.f. Hen.
A ch'è riduttu lu gaddu di Sciacca, a èssiri pizzuliatu di la ciocca!
Eng. What has the rooster of Sciacca been reduced to, to be pecked by the hen!
 
circari v.t. To look for, to search, to seek.
Nun circari zoccu nun pôi truvari.
Eng. Don't look for what you can't find.
 
ciriveddu n.m. Brain, talent, good sense, etc.
Letu e filici pò chiamarisi chiddu ch'havi cu li ricchizzi ciriveddu.
Eng. When you have brains to go along with your wealth you can call yourself happy and content.
 
cirrichincì n.m. Screech owl.
Quannu canta lu cirrichincì, o bonu o tintu cci dici di sì.
Eng. When the screech owl sings, whether good or bad, you can agree to work for someone else.
 
citrolu n.m. Cucumber.
L'amuri è comu lu citrolu, 'ncumincia duci e finisci amaru.
Eng. Love is like a cucumber, it starts off sweet and ends up bitter.
 
ciuccata n.f Hatching, hatchery.
L'ova di la ciuccata vonn'èssiri spari.
Eng. Eggs left from the hatching want to be discarded.
 
ciumi n.m. River.
Tutti li ciumi e li ciumari cùrrinu a lu mari.
Eng. All rivers and streams run to the sea.
 
Tutti semu d'un'acqua tanti ciumi.
Eng. We're many rivers from the same water.
 
A lu giru di lu ciumi nun ti fari baruni.
Eng. Don't try to make yourself a land baron at the turn of the river.
 
'Ntra lu ciumi senza pisci non si jetta rizzagghiu.
Eng. You don't cast a net into a river that has no fish.
 
ciuri n.m. Flower.
Ŕrvulu chi d'aprili nun fa ciuri, manca nni fa 'ntra l'àutri staciuni.
Eng. A tree that doesn't flower in April, won't flower at all.
 
cocu n.m. A cook.
Sparaci e funci svrigògnanu cocu.
Eng. Asparagus and mushrooms teach a cook humility.
 
comu adv. As, how, like.
Aprili, comu mi vidi; maju, comu staju; giugnu, comu sugnu; giugnettu, tuttu jettu.
Eng. April, as you see me; May, as I stay; June, as I am; by July, let everything burst forth in buds.
 
conza v.t. 2nd p.sing. Fix, season, prepare.
Nunziata, conza la 'nzalata, picca acitu e bon' ogghiata, quattru vuccuna e la dispirata, e poi cci jamu a la cannata.
Eng. Nunziata, fix the salad, a little vinegar, lots of oil, a few ravenous mouthfuls, and then we'll go to the jug.
 
cori n.m. Heart.
Nun t'avanzari si cori nun hai.
Eng. Don't push yourself forward if you don't have the heart.
 
Cui di cori ama, di luntanu vidi.
Eng. Who loves with his heart sees from a distance.
 
corna n.m. Adultery, cuckold.
Unn'è monaci e parrini, cci su' corna e vastunatì.
Eng. Where there are monks and priests, there is adultery and beatings.
 
Li corna di soru su' corna d'oru; li corna di mugghieri, su' corna veri.
Eng. The horns of the sister are horns of gold; the horns of the wife are true horns. or An adulterous sister is one thing, an adulterous wife is quite another.
 
Li corna sunnu sicchi, ma mantennu la casa grassa.
Eng. The horns are dry but they keep the house in plenty.
 
costa n.m. Cost, coast.
Cara costa la vigna di la costa.
Eng. The vineyard along the coast costs dearly.
 
crapa n.f. Goat.
La crapa di jinnaru fa addiccari lu craparu.
Eng. January's goat meat is so good it even spoils the goatherd.
 
cravàccacci v.t. 2nd p.sing. Mount, ride.
A la jumintina cravàccacci supra la schina, a li cavaddi cravàccacci supra li spaddi.
Eng. Ride on the back of a mare, but on the shoulders of stallions
 
credìtinni v.i.t. 2nd p.sing. Believe. (also see cridìtinni)
Cosi cuntati credìtinni mitati; si menu nni criditi, megghiu faciti.
Eng. Believe half of what's recounted, the less you believe, the better you'll do.
 
crèditu n.m. Credence.
A quattru cosi crèditu nun dati: amuri di donna e carità di frati, suli di 'nvernu e nuvuli di stati.
Eng. There are four things to which you should not lend credence: love of women, the charity of friars, sun in the winter, and clouds in the summer.
 
credituri n.m. Creditor.
Lu bonu pagaturi duna bonu pignu a lu sò credituri.
Eng. The creditor gets a pledge from the good borrower.
 
criàti n.f. Maids, servants.
Matrimonii e criàti, nun nni purtati cà sariti gastimati.
Eng. Marriage and maids, confuse them at your peril.
 
cridi v.t. Believe.
Occhiu nun vidi, cori nun cridi.
Eng. What the eyes don't see, the heart doesn't believe.
 
Di chiddu chi vidi, pocu nni cridi; di chiddu chi senti, nun crìdiri nenti.
Eng. Believe only a little of what you see and nothing that you hear.
 
cridìtinni v.t. Believe.
Dinari e santità, cridìtinni mità.
Eng. Believe half of what you hear about wealth and holiness.
 
Dinari e santitati, criditinni mitati; si menu nni criditi, megghiu faciti.
Eng. Wealth and holiness, believe only half, if you believe less, you'll do better.
 
criju v.t. 1st p.sing. I'll believe.
Tannu criju a lu tronu, quannu viju lu lampu.
Eng. I'll believe the thunder when I see the lightning.
 
cristianu n.m. Christian.
Cui nun è bonu turcu, cristianu è cchiù bifurcu.
Eng. A Christian is more of a scoundrel than a rascal of a non-believer.
 
crita n.f. Clay.
Cui zappa crita, arricogghi sita.
Eng. Whoever cultivates clay, harvests silk.
 
critti v.i. past part. Believed.
San Tumasi tannu critti quannu vitti e tuccau cu li manu.
Eng. St. Thomas only believed when he saw and touched with his own hands.
 
crivu n.m. Sieve.
Cu' ad ogni dittu cridi ed è currivu, comu pigghiassi l'acqua cu lu crivu.
Eng. One who believes what's said and is offended, is as foolish as one who fetches water with a sieve.
 
cruci n.f. Cross, sacrifice.
Nun c'è artari senza cruci.
Eng. There is no victory without sacrifice.
 
crucifissi n.m. Crucifix.
Cui sempri vidi a prucissioni e a missi, lignu nun è di fari crucifissi. Cui dijuna ed àutru beni 'un fa, sparagna lu pani e a lu 'nfernu si nni va.
Eng. The one who is always at processions and masses, is not made of the wood for a crucifix. The one who fasts but fails to do other good works, saves his riches but will end up in hell.
 
crucifissu m.m. Crucifix.
Crucifissu vecchiu nun ha cchiù 'ncensu.
Eng. You don't burn incense at an old crucifix.
 
cucchieri n.m. Coachman.
A la calma, bunazza e letu jiri, ogni cucchieri sapi navicari.
Eng. In fair weather, in calm waters and in peaceful travel, even a coachman knows how to sail.
 
cucinanu v.t. 3rd p.pl. They cook.
Giugnu e giugnettu cucinanu, agustu e sittèmmiru minèstranu.
Eng. June and July cook, August and September purèe. (The sun can cook you in June and July and turn you to soup in August and September.)
 
cucuzza n.f. Squash.
Cònzala comu voi sempri è cucuzza.
Eng. Season it however you like, it's still squash.
 
cuda n.f. Tail.
Lu sceccu canusci la cuda quannu la perdi o nun l'avi cchiù.
Eng. You never value something as much as when it's gone.
 
La testa a la padedda e la cuda a mari.
Eng. The fish was so fresh that it was being cooked while its tail was still in the sea.
 
cudduruna n.f Round focaccia.
Cui scippa timpuna, mancia cudduruna.
Eng. Do a good job of weeding and you'll prosper enough to enjoy focaccia.
 
cufini n.m. Coops, pens.
Puddicini di jinnaru jìnchinu lu puddaru, puddicini agustini jìnchinu li cufini.
Eng. January chicks fill the hen house, August chicks fill the pens.
 
cugnintura n.f. Opportunity.
Cu' ha la cugnintura e 'un si nni servi, nun trova cunfissuri chi l'assorvi.
Eng. Who has the chance and doesn't take it, won't find a confessor who will grant him absolution.
 
cumanna v.t. 3rd p.sing. Commands.
Sapi sulu cumannari cui sa chiddu chi cumanna.
Eng. Only he knows how to command, who knows the one who is commanding.
 
cummuditati n.f. Comfort, convenience.
Cu' ha cummuditati e 'un si la pigghia, attàccalu a la stadda e dacci pagghia.
Eng. Who has convenience and doesn't seize it, tie him to a stall and give him straw.
 
cumpari n.m. Crony, peer, friend.
Cu lu vìnniri e cumprari nun c'è amici nè cumpari.
Eng. With selling and buying there are neither friends nor cronies.
 
cunfissioni n.f. Confession.
Fa' tistamentu e cunfissioni, manciannu sosizza e maccarruni.
Eng. Make your testament and confession while eating pasta and sausages.
 
Rabbit. n.m. engTrans
Vista di nigghiu e 'ntisa di cunigghiu.
Eng. Having vision as sharp as a kite and hearing as keen as a rabbit.
 
cunsigghi n.m. Counsel, advice.
'Nvanu si doli cui disprezza li boni cunsigghi.
Eng. In vain forlorn when good counsel you scorn.
 
Amuri nun senti cunsigghi.
Eng. Love doesn't listen to advice.
 
cunsigghia partOfSpeech engTrans
Fimmina ca ti cunsigghia, ti metti la gunnedda o la brigghia.
Eng. A woman who counsels you either puts you in a skirt or a bridle.
 
cunsigghiu v.t. 3rd p.sing. Advises, counsels.
Acqua, cunsigghiu e sali senza dumannatu nu nn'hai a dari.
Eng. Water, advice, and salt unasked for should not be given.
 
Di lu nnimicu 'un pigghiari cunsigghiu.
Eng. Don't take advice from your enemy.
 
Pigghia cunsigghiu di prudenti, chi mai ti penti.
Eng. Take advice from the prudent and you'll never regret it.
 
Contra Diu nun vali cunsigghiu.
Eng. It's useless to give advice opposing God.
 
cunsighiati v.t. cunsigghiari To counsel, advise.
Vogghi beni a tutti e cunsighiati cu pochi.
Eng. Be friendly with everyone and counsel with few.
 
cunsulatu v.t. Consoled, gratified.
Quannu la spica pinnulìa di latu, lu patruni la guarda cunsulatu.
Eng. When the ear of corn hangs to the side the farmer watches it with comfort.
 
cuntari v.t.i. To recount, to tell.
Lu porcu dici: dammi ca ti dugnu, nun mi cuntari nè misi nè anni.
Eng. The pig says: give to me and I'll give to you, don't tell me how long it's taking.
 
Nun manca mai a li vecchi chi cuntari, quannu stannu a lu suli o a fuculari.
Eng. The old never lack for a story when they're standing in the sun or in front of a warm fireplace.
 
cuntenti adj. Happy, content.
Cui si marita, sta cuntenti un jornu, Cu' ammazza un porcu, sta cuntenti un annu.
Eng. Who gets married will be happy for a day, who butchers a pig will be happy for a year.
 
cunti n.m. Dealings with, reckonings.
Nun aviri cunti cu monaci e parrini.
Eng. Have no dealings with monks and priests.
 
cuntinu adj. Continuous, enduring.
'Ntra ortu e jardinu stacci cuntinu.
Eng. Always attend to the vegetable and flower gardens.
 
cuntrastari v.t. To oppose, to contest.
Nun cuntrastari cu cui nun havi chi pèrdiri.
Eng. Don't fight with someone who has nothing to lose.
 
cuntratti n.m. Contract.
Grapi l'occhi e l'oricchi a li cuntratti, cà fannu assai li circustanzi addutti.
Eng. Open your eyes and your ears when contracting, because the agreed upon circumstances mean a lot.
 
Cu l'amici pattu, cu li parenti cuntrattu.
Eng. With friends make agreements, with relatives make contracts.
 
cuntu n.m. Accounting, tale.
Tri sunnu chiddi ch'hannu a dari cuntu a Diu; li jùdici, li parrini e li cumpari vattiati.
Eng. There are three who have to give an accounting to God; the judges, the priests, and the godparents.
 
Lu cuntu malu fattu si pò turnari a fari.
Eng. You can correct a mistake.
 
cunzatu n.m. Seasoning, dressing.
Lu cunzatu quantu basta; cchiù si conza, cchiù si guasta.
Eng. Once you've used enough seasoning; using more will spoil the dish.
 
cupuni n.m. Bung, stopper.
A san Simuni metti cupuni.
Eng. On St. Simeon's stopper the barrels.
 
A san Grispinu, si tasta lu vinu; a san Simuni, si metti lu cupuni.
Eng. On St. Crispin's, you taste the wine; on St. Simeon's, you put in the bung.
 
curaggiu n.m. Courage, pluck, audacity.
Curaggiu vinci malatia.
Eng. Courage overcomes sickness.
 
curari v.t. To care, to mind.
Statti onuratu e nun ti curari si si' poviru.
Eng. Remain honorable and don't worry if you're poor.
 
curca v.t. 3rd p.sing. Sleeps, falls asleep.
Si lu lavuri si curca, lu patruni si susi.
Eng. When the ripened ears are full and fall over, as if in sleep, the farmer awakens, that is to say, he begins the harvest.
 
curciu adj. Short, small animal.
Asinu curciu 'n porta 'ngruppa.
Eng. The short donkey doesn't carry on his back.
 
curnutu adj. Cuckold, horned (archaic Cuckolded).
Cui perdi la mugghieri pri giustizia, nun si chiama curnutu.
Eng. The man who loses his wife for good cause cannot be called cuckold. (an adjective in Sicilian, a noun in English.)
 
curri v.i. 3rd p.sing. Runs.
Cui cchiù curri, mancu camina.
Eng. Who runs more, lacks walking.
 
currituri n.m. engTrans
Cavaddu currituri duna vantaggiu e piglia lu pàliu.
Eng. A race-horse gives you an advantage and wins the prize.
 
cursa n.f. Race-course.
A cursa longa lu bon cavaddu pari.
Eng. In a long race the good horse prevails.
 
curtisia n.f. Courtesy, graciousness.
Superchia curtisia fa dubbitari chi 'ngannu sia.
Eng. Overwhelming graciousness raises concern that you may be being deceitful.
 
custanza n.f. Constancy, dependability.
La custanza di li fimmini è come l'acqua di giugnettu.
Eng. The constancy of women is like rain in July.
 
custumi n.m. Customs, behavior.
Custumi e no biddizzi fannu amari.
Eng. Good behavior and not beauty fosters love.
 
cuverna n.m. Governs, rules.
Unni la donna cuverna, la paci nun ci sverna.
Eng. Peace won't settle where a woman rules.
 
cuvernu n.m. Treatment, management
Forti malincunia, forti cuvernu.
Eng. You need strong treatment to cure deep melancholy.
 
dari v.t. To give.
Lu cchiù filici (o riccu) è chiddu chi nun havi a dari.
Eng. You're happiest (or richest) if you have no debts.
 
Cu' havi a dari, havi a pagari.
Eng. Pay your bills to maintain good credit.
 
Megghiu dari chi riciviri.
Eng. Better to give than to receive.
 
Zoccu servi a tia ad àutru nun dari.
Eng. Don't give away what you need for yourself.
 
ddisa n.m. Hemp.
Fa' bona maìsa e vattinni a ddisa.
Eng. Prepare the fallow field well enough and you'll be free to go off and gather the hemp ties.
 
dèbbuli n.m. Weakness.
Cchiù chi dèbbuli è lu malatu, cchiù prestu si nni va la malatia.
Eng. The weaker the patient is, the sooner the sickness will end.
 
denti n.m. Teeth.
Mittennu lu pani a li denti, la fami si risenti.
Eng. Taking a bite of the bread restores your appetite.
 
Tinta dda vucca chi cci cadi lu primu denti!
Eng. Sore is the mouth that loses its first tooth.
 
diàvulu n.m. Devil.
Chiaranzana di 'nvernu, diàvulu di 'nfernu.
Eng. When there's a clear horizon in winter, there'll be the devil to pay.
 
Quannu lu poviru duna a lu riccu, lu diàvulu si 'nni ridi.
Eng. The devil laughs when the poor gives to the rich.
 
A porta chiusa lu diàvulu vota li spaddi.
Eng. If you close the door, the devil will turn his back on you.
 
dicinu v.t. 3rd p.pl. They say.
Anni e piccati su' cchiù di quantu si dicinu.
Eng. Age and sins are more than are admitted.
 
difenni v.t. 2nd p.sing. Defend, support, stand by.
Difenni lu tò o tortu o drittu.
Eng. Stand by your own whether right or wrong.
 
difetti n.m. Faults.
Li difetti di la zita s'ammùccianu cu la dota.
Eng. The bride's faults are hidden by the dowry.
 
difettu n.m. Fault.
Ogn'omu havi lu sò difettu.
Eng. No one is perfect.
 
Ogni bedda havi lu sò difettu ed ogni brutta havi lu sò talentu.
Eng. Every beauty has some fault and every plain jane some grace.
 
dimoniu n.m. Devil, demon.
Lu dimoniu sapi assai pirchè è vecchiu.
Eng. The devil knows a lot because he's old.
 
dimustrari v.i.t. To demonstrate, display, show.
Si vôi chi nuddu di postu ti scugni, nun dimustrari mai chi tu ti spagni.
Eng. If you don't want anyone to take your place, don't ever show that you're frightened.
 
dinari n.m. Money.
Li dinari a la stranìa si nni vannu pri la via.
Eng. In foreign countries your money goes by the way.
 
Si vôi sapiri s'unu havi dinari, ossèrvalu a la varva e a li quasari.
Eng. If you want to know if someone has money, look at his beard and his boots.
 
Cu' ha dinari lu misi di maju, nn'havi tuttu l'annu.
Eng. If you still have money in the month of May, you'll have it the entire year.
 
Cui fa la mircanzia chi nun conusci, li sò dinari divèntanu muschi.
Eng. If you engage in a business you don't understand, your money will fly away.
 
Dissi lu priuri a la batissa: senza dinari 'un si nni canta missa.
Eng. The prior said to the abbess: without money no Mass will be sung.
 
diri v.t. To say, to tell.
Nun diri a lu tò amicu quantu sai; pensa s'un jornu pri nnimicu l'hai.
Eng. Don't tell your friend everything that you know; remember that one day you may have him for an enemy.
 
Nun stà a diri a lu pedi: veni.
Eng. It won't work to tell your feet: come.
 
Nun stari a diri: Sugnu un vrancu gigghiu, cà poi piccari quannu menu pensi.
Eng. A man is never so ridiculous by those qualities that are his own as by those he affects to have.
 
Megghiu diri tè! ca diri accà!
Eng. It's better to cajole the beast than to scream at it.
 
Cu' voli diri chiddu chi cci piaci, sintirà chiddu chi nun ci piacci.
Eng. Who wants to say whatever he likes, will hear that which he doesn't like.
 
disiari v.t. To wish, to want.
Vôi fàriti amari? Fatti disiari.
Eng. If you'd be beloved, make yourself amiable.
 
disiata v.t. past part. Desired.
La vicchiaia è disiata, ma quannu veni, è udiata.
Eng. Old age is desired, but when it comes, it's detested.
 
disìu n.m. Appetite, desire, wish.
'Un aviri lu disìu di donna Giulia chi, quannu avia carni, vulìa càlia.
Eng. Don't have the appetite of Miss Julia who, when she had meat, wanted roasted chick peas.
 
disprezza v.t. 3rd p.sing. Disparages, scorns.
Cui voli accattari, disprezza.
Eng. The buyer first disparages.
 
disprizzari v.t. Despise, scorn, disparage.
Nun disprizzari omu sutta cappa nè fimmina sutta strazza.
Eng. Don't despise a man under a cape nor a woman in tatters.
 
disputanu v.i. 3rd p.pl. They argue, are arguing.
Mali sta lu malatu quannu li medici disputanu.
Eng. Woe unto the patient whose doctors argue.
 
Diu n.m. God.
Diu vi scanza di stritta di porta, e di menza-canna 'nmanu, di petri chi vannu all'orza e di pisa di putiàru.
Eng. God save you from narrow doorways, a caning, stones thrown at the blind and the weighing of shop keepers.
 
Megghiu giustizia di Diu e no giustizia di lu munnu.
Eng. The justice of God is better than the justice of the world.
 
Ama Diu cu tuttu cori e li mali lingui, làssali jiri.
Eng. Love God with all your heart and ignore the gossip-mongers.
 
Cu gaddu e senza gaddu Diu fa jornu.
Eng. God makes the new day with or without the rooster .
 
dogghi n.f. Pain, ache.
Cui nun havi mogghi, nun sapi chi su' dogghi.
Eng. The unmarried swain knows naught about pain.
 
dogghia n.f. Pain, ache, problem.
Terra 'ncarca e dogghia abbarca.
Eng. Keep your feet on the ground and you'll lessen the pain.
 
Cui va a la fera senza un tarì, va cu 'na dogghia e torna cu tri.
Eng. Who goes to the fair without money, goes with one problem and returns with three.
 
Megghiu dogghia di vurza ca di cori.
Eng. Better a pain in your pocketbook than in your heart.
 
Cu' metti lu jiditu a la porta la dogghia si la porta.
Eng. Who catches his finger in the door, soon learns the meaning of sore.
 
dolu n.m. Pain, ruin, waste.
Cu' ha oru, nun ha dolu.
Eng. The rich have no pain.
 
donna n.f. Woman.
Vôi donna bedda? curri a Siragusa; si la vôi brutta, curri a Terranova, va a Rusulini si la vôi lagnusa, e a Spaccafurnu si la cerchi a prova.
Eng. If you want a beautiful woman, hurry to Syracuse: if you want her ugly, run to Terranova, go to Rosolini if you want her lazy and to Spaccaforno if you're looking for one to try.
 
Cani di quattru, cavaddu d'ottu, donna di dicidottu e giuvini di vintottu.
Eng. The ideal is a four year old dog, an eight year old horse, an eighteen year old woman and a twenty eight year old man.
 
Di giusta tagghia e di giusta misura, la donna havi a èssiri pri fari figura.
Eng. A lady has to be of the right cut and the right measure to make a pretty figure.
 
Donna senza amuri è rosa senza oduri.
Eng. A woman without love is like a rose without a scent.
 
É bona donna, donna chi non pàrra.
Eng. A silent woman is a good woman.
 
dormi v.i. 3rd p.sing. Sleeps.
Cani chi dormi, nun lu scuitari.
Eng. Let a sleeping dog lie.
 
dòrmiri v.i. To sleep.
Nun si pò dòrmiri e fari la guardia.
Eng. You can't sleep and be on guard.
 
dota n.f. Dowry.
Cui pri la dota pigghia la mugghieri, dulurusu farà lu sò campari.
Eng. Who chooses a wife based on the dowry, will have a painful life.
 
dottu adj. Learned, wise.
Cu' havi dinari, addiventa dottu.
Eng. Accumulation of riches brings wisdom.
 
drittu n.m. Straight, right, honest, upright.
Cui va drittu, va afflittu.
Eng. When you try to walk the straight and narrow you get pebbles in your shoes.
 
Nun si pò viviri assai e jiri drittu.
Eng. You can't live a long life and remain upright.
 
dùbula v.t. 2nd p.sing. Harrow.
Ciacca cu muddura, dùbula cu calura, simina quannu è ura.
Eng. Plow when the soil is moist, harrow with the warm weather, and do the seeding on time.
 
dugnu v.t. 1st p.sing. of Dare. I give, I'll give.
La terra dici: Dùnami ca ti dugnu.
Eng. The earth says: Give to me and I'll give to you.
 
duluri n.m. Pain.
Pri l'omu un gran suduri, pri la donna un gran duluri.
Eng. For the man a great sweat, for the woman a great physical pain.
 
Cui si marita pr'amuri, sempri campa 'n duluri.
Eng. Whoever marries for love will always live in pain.
 
dumani n.m. Tomorrow.
Oggi pensu iu, dumani pensa Diu.
Eng. I'll take care of today, let God take care of tomorrow.
 
dumanna n.f. Request, question, demand.
Non ti cumanna cui ti dumanna.
Eng. A request is not a command. Or, Do what you think is best.
 
dura v.i. 3rd p.sing. Lasts.
Pocu dura lu malu acquistatu.
Eng. Ill gotten gains don't last.
 
durmiri v.i. To sleep.
Aprili, lu duci durmiri, nè livari nè mittiri.
Eng. April is the time for sweet sleep, don't take things off, don't put things on.
 
epiremia n.f. Epidemic.
'Ntempu d'epiremia duttura in alligria.
Eng. During an epidemic doctors are happy.
 
Erice place name Erice.
Cui voli sali, vaja a Trapani, cui voli beddi vaja a lu Munti. oppure: Carrica sali li Tapanisi, biddizzi rari tutti li Muntisi.
Eng. Go to Trapani for salt, go to Erice for a beauty. Or: In Trapani they carry salt, in Erice they have rare beauties.
 
erra n.f. The letter R.
Misi cu l'erra 'un ti curcari 'n terra.
Eng. Don't sleep on the ground during those months that are spelled with an r.
 
erruri n.m. Errors, mistakes.
L'erruri di li medici, tutti li cummogghia la terra.
Eng. All a doctor's mistakes lie buried.
 
erva n.f. Grass.
Erva ch'un si conusci, nun si meti.
Eng. Don't harvest grass that you don't recognize.
 
esiggituri n.m. Collector.
Lu malu esiggituri fa lu malu pagaturi.
Eng. Late billing leads to bad debts. (Lit. The bad collector makes the bad payer.)
 
està n.f. Summer.
Nun jinchi li visazzi està chi fa cucuzzi e ramurazzi.
Eng. The summer that yields lots of pumpkins and horseradishes doesn't fill the packsaddles.
 
fa v.t. 3rd p.sing. Makes.
Corda fa viteddu, zimma fa purceddu, costa fa agneddu, para fa ciaraveddu.
Eng. A halter makes a calf, a sty makes a pig, the open field makes a lamb, a pen makes a kid goat.
 
facci n.f. Face.
Cui sputa 'n celu, 'n facci cci torna.
Eng. Spit at the heavens and you'll get it back in your face.
 
Rispetta lu cani pi facci di lu patruni.
Eng. Love me, love my dog.
 
fadeddi n.f. Skirts.
Unni cc'è cappeddi, nun ci vonnu fadeddi.
Eng. Where there are hats you don't need skirts. This means where men are managing there is no need for women to be involved.
 
fallutu adj. Bankrupt.
Mircanti fallutu è menzu arriccutu.
Eng. The bankrupt merchant is half rich.
 
fami n.f. Hunger.
La fami nun cerca pititti.
Eng. Hunger doesn't have to look for an appetite.
 
fari v.t. To do, to make.
Zoccu hai di fari, fallu prestu.
Eng. Whatever you have to do, do it quickly.
 
fatturi n.m. Steward, factor.
Spissu lu bonu patruni fa lu bonu fatturi.
Eng. A good boss often makes a good steward.
 
fàuci n.f. engTrans
A maju li fàuci 'mpaju, a giugnu li fàuci 'n pugnu, giugnettu la fàuci 'n pettu.
Eng. Prepare the sickle in May, use the sickle in June, and in July carry the sickle to the tool shed.
 
Fauci meti e ventu spagghia.
Eng. The sickle harvests and the wind winnows.
 
fava n.f. Fava bean, broad bean.
La fava baggiana ciurisci ed acchiana.
Eng. The haughty broad bean flowers and climbs but produces little fruit.
 
Fave 'nciuri, acqua a vadduni.
Eng. When fava beans are flowering, apply water in torrents.
 
Cui simìna li favi senza grassu, a la ricôta si stuja lu mussu.
Eng. Whoever seeds fava beans without using fertilizer, shouldn't count on having much to eat.
 
Aprili, favi chini; s'un su' ccà, su' a li marini.
Eng. April is the time for the fava, but if not here, then surely by the sea.
 
fenu n.m. Fodder.
Lu vujaru ch'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 then he ends up without oxen and without bread.
 
festa n.f. Holiday.
Lu travagghiu di la festa nè ti luci nè ti resta.
Eng. Preparing for the holiday is neither enlightening nor lasting.
 
Nun c'è festa nè fistinu ch'un c'è un monacu o un parrinu.
Eng. There is nary a feast or a party without a monk or a priest.
 
Cui porta la mugghieri ad ogni festa, nun ci manchirà dogghia di testa.
Eng. Whoever brings his wife to every feast will not be lacking for headaches.
 
ficu n.f. Fig.
Div'èssiri lu ficu murincianu lacrimusu, divotu e piddirinu.
Eng. Before it's ready to eat the fig must be mature, dripping, with a bent neck and a thin skin.
 
La ficu 'ncurunata, si la mancia la malata; la ficu burgisotta, si la mancia la picciotta.
Eng. Even a sick person can eat a fig that's ringed with a crown; the burgisotta fig is a treat for the girl.
 
ficu n.m. Fig Tree.
Dici lu muttu anticu: mancia ficu e 'nzita ficu.
Eng. The ancient motto says: When you can eat the figs, prune the fig trees.
 
fidi n.f. Faith.
Megghiu muriri chi rùmpiri la fidi.
Eng. Your word is your bond.
 
Cui nun va cu malu fidi, facci di paraddisu nun nni vidi.
Eng. Who doesn't approach with disbelief, won't see the face of paradise.
 
A vecchi e strànii nun ci aviri fidi.
Eng. Don't trust old people and strangers.
 
Cui perdi la prima fidi, mai letu si vidi.
Eng. The one who loses his faith will never be content.
 
Cui perdi l'onuri, perdi assai, ma cui perdi la fidi, perdi tuttu.
Eng. Who loses his honor loses a lot, who loses his faith, loses everything.
 
figghiu n.m. Son.
Un figghiu parrinu è la ricchizza di 'na casa.
Eng. A son who is a priest is the wealth of a house.
 
fileri n.f. In files staggered behind one another.
Quannu li groi passanu a fileri, la mala attimpata 'un pò mancari.
Eng. When cranes migrate, bad weather can't be far off.
 
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Last updated 1/15/08