SICILIAN PROVERBS

translated into English by Arthur V. Dieli

maritata adj. Married.: Bonu maritata senza sòggira e cugnata.; Eng. She has a great marriage without a mother-in-law or sister-in-law.; Cu' ama donna maritata, la sò vita è 'mpristata.; Eng. Being in love with a married woman is living on borrowed time.

maritu n.m. Husband.: Cui nun ha maritu, nun ha nuddu amicu.; Eng. The woman without a husband doesn't have a friend.

Martinu n.m. Martin.: A san Martinu ogni mustu è vinu.; Eng. On St. Martin's day each must is wine.

marva n.f. Mallow (genus malvo).: Nun canusciri mancu la marva.; Eng. To be a complete ignoramus. (Lit. Does not even recognize mallow.)

marzu n.m. March.: Ddiu nni scanza di cuda di marzu e di testa d'aprili.; Eng. God save us from the end of March and the beginning of April.; Marzu conza e guasta nè cuvernu cc'è chi basta.; Eng. There's no plan that can handle the vagaries of March.; Si frivaru nun frivìa, marzu nun erburìa.; Eng. If February doesn't do its thing, the March landscape its green won't bring.

massaru n.m. Steward, manager, farmer.: A sant'Andrìa lu bon massaru siminatu avìa.; Eng. By St. Andrea's day the good farmer has already seeded.

mastru n.m. Teacher, master.: Lu mastru è mastru, e lu patruni è capumastru.; Eng. The master is the master and the owner is the headmaster.; Zoccu guasta la vicchiaja, nun c'è mastru chi lu conza; Eng. There is no master who can fix the ravages of old age.

matinu n.m. Dawn, morning, daybreak.: All'ortu e a lu mulinu, vacci matinu.; Eng. Go early to the garden and the mill.; Cui nesci matinu, àscia un carrinu.; Eng. The early bird catches the worm. (lit. The one who goes out in the morning finds the carlin.)

matri n.f. Mother.: Lu cani pri la matri, lu cavaddu pri lu patri.; Eng. The dog is for the mother, the horse is for the father.

matrimoniu n.m. Matrimony, marriage.: Lu matrimoniu s'havi a fari o prestu o mai.; Eng. Marriage must occur early or it will never happen.; Vintott'anni voli aviri l'omu, dicidotto idda: è matrimoniu bonu.; Eng. It's a good marriage when he's twenty eight and she's eighteen.

maturari v.t. Ripen, mature.: Un sittembri càudu e asciuttu maturari fa ogni fruttu.; Eng. All the fruit will mature in a warm and dry September.

mazza n.f. Mallet, mace, heavy staff.: L'oliva ch'è cugghiuta cu la mazza, ogghiu di mal sapuri porta 'n chiazza.; Eng. Olives harvested with a heavy staff will produce poor tasting oil.

'mbriachi adj. Drunk.: Nè tutti li russi su' 'mbriachi, nè tutti li giarni su' malati.; Eng. Not all the red-faced are drunk nor all the pale-faced sick.

meli n.m. Honey.: Lu meli spissu è feli.; Eng. Honey is often bitter.; Bisogna prima masticari feli, cui voli ddoppu agghiuttiri meli.; Eng. You need to first experience adversity, before you can handle high praise.; Pri san Micheli, la racina è comu lu meli.; Eng. On St. Michael's, September 29, the grapes are like honey.; Vasa, vasa, vuccuzza di meli: Tu si'bagascia e iu sugnu mugghieri.; Eng. Kiss him, kiss him, little mouth of honey: you're the hooker but I'm the wife.; Sciami di marzu, bon meli ti fazzu.; Eng. Swarms in March make good honey.

meti v.t. 3rd p. sing. Mows, harvests.: Cu' meti lassa spichi.; Eng. You're bound to leave some grain when you harvest.

mia pro. Me.: Oggi a mia, dumani a tia, semu tutti 'n cumpagnia.; Eng. Today to me, tomorrow to you, we're all in it together.

midicina n.f. Medicine.: Quannu la morti è vicina, nun vali nè medicu nè midicina.; Eng. When death is near, neither doctors nor medicine help.

midudda n.f. Brain.: Vutari lu cuverchiu di la midudda.; Eng. To blow your top. (Lit. To overturn the cover of the brain.)

minestra n.f. Soup.: Duluri di testa voli minestra.; Eng. Headaches need soup.

Miniòli n. pl. Mineans.: Miniòli, testi fuòddi e cora moddi.; Eng. Mineans, crazy heads with soft hearts.

minzogna n.f. A lie.: È cchiù criduta la minzogna di lu riccu, ca la viritati di lu poviru.; Eng. The lie of the millionaire is more believable than truth from a beggar.

miraculu n.m. EngTrans: Fari lu miraculu di Maumettu.; Eng. Seeking something considered to be useless.

mircanti n.m. Trader, merchant.: D'ogghiu lu mircanti manìa l'oru e li diamanti; mircanti di furmentu nigozia cu l'argentu, ma un mircanti di vinu è mircanti puvirinu.; Eng. The oil merchant trades in gold and diamonds; the grain merchant does business with silver, but the wine merchant is a poor man.

misa v.t.i. past p. To put, mount.: A cui fu misa la sedda, sarrà misa la vardedda.; Eng. Once broken, the pack-saddle will follow.

mischinu adj. Wretched.: Fussi 'nduvinu nun sarrìa mischinu.; Eng. If I were a prophet, I wouldn't be wretched.

missa n.f. Mass.: Quantu va 'na missa 'n vita, 'un ci vannu centu doppu morti.; Eng. One Mass now is worth a hundred after you're gone.

Missina place name Messina.: Bannu di Missina di matina finu a sira!; Eng. The banns of Messina last for a day.; Missina è 'ncignusa, Palermu pumpusa; Missina la ricca, Palermu la licca.; Eng. Messina is clever, Palermo is pompous; Messina is rich, Palermo savors.

misuratu v.t. past p. Measured, apportioned.: L'amuri è misuratu: cui lu porta, l'havi purtatu.; Eng. Love is apportioned, who brings it will have it brought.

mitennu v.t. pres. p. Harvesting.: Nun mi mitennu, nenti cchiù tegnu.; Eng. A stitch in time is worth nine. (lit. Not harvesting me [on time], nothing will I hold.)

'mmitatu v.t. past.p. Invited.: Quannu si' 'mmitatu, mancia forti, chì si ti voli beni si nni ridi, e si nun t'ama senti li peni di la morti.; Eng. When you're invited, eat heartily, because if they like you they'll be pleased, and if they don't like you they'll feel the pangs of death.

'mmurdi v.t. 2nd p. sing. Harness, fasten, tie.: 'Mmurdi bonu e va' cantannu.; Eng. Tie the burden securely (on the mule) and go off singing.

Modica place name Modica.: Petrafennula di Modica, pani di Ragusa e olivi di Chiaramunti.; Eng. Pietrafendola from Modica, Bread from Ragusa, and olives from Chiaramonte. (Pietrafendola is a mix of honey, candied orange, figs and other ingredients in a tasty but hard pastry. Used in the Christmas season.)

monaca n.f. Nun.: Siddu è mònaca a batìa, a Gesù lu patrunìa, ma la mònaca di casa a Gesù lu servi e vasa.; Eng. If she's a nun in the abbey, she treats Jesus as her boss, but if she's a nun in the home, she serves Jesus and kisses him.

monaci n.m. Monks.: Monaci, a lu largu si cci passa; parrini, boni sulu pi la missa.; Eng. Bypass monks with a big stride; have nothing to do with priests, except at Mass.

mori v.i. 3rd p. sing. Dies.: Cu' arrisòrvi, nun mori.; Eng. Who resolves problems, doesn't die.; Cu' ama a Diu di cori, filici campa e filici mori.; Eng. Who loves God with all his heart, lives happy and dies happy.

morti n.f. Death.: Ad ogni duluri rimedia la morti.; Eng. Death cures all ailments.; A la morti si cummògghianu li detti e li difetti.; Eng. At death, one's debts and defects are buried.; Cu' ha fattu bona vita, fa bona morti.; Eng. Who has lived a good life has a good death.; La morti a tutti trova e lu munnu s'arrinova.; Eng. Death finds everyone and the earth renews itself.

mortu adj. Dead.: Cui mancia babbaluci e vivi acqua, sunati li campani pirchi è mortu.; Eng. Ring the bells for whoever eats snails and drinks water, because he's dead.; A favi ed ortu, un omu mortu.; Eng. A man could die just cultivating fava beans and the kitchen garden.

moru v.i. 1st p. sing. Dying.: Ahi! moru! Acqua càuda e firriòlu.; Eng. Ahi! I'm dying! Give me a hot water bottle and a cloak.

'mparari v.t. To learn.: Nisciunu è vecchiu pri 'mparari.; Eng. You're never too old to learn.

muddichi n.f. Crumbs.: Cui mancia, fa muddichi.; Eng. Eating makes crumbs.

mugghieri n.f. Wife.: Bona terra e bona mugghieri portanu all'omu beni.; Eng. Good land and a good wife bring a man well-being.; Cui nun ha mugghieri, nun a nuddu beni.; Eng. The man without a wife, has nothing good.; Li mariti su' di li mugghieri e li bagasci su' pri li feri.; Eng. The husbands belong to the wives and hookers are for the wild beast.; Mugghieri di muntagna e maritu di citati.; Eng. Wives from the mountains and husbands from the cities.; Mugghieri e runzinu, pigghiali di lu vicinu.; Eng. A wife and a nag, choose them from your neighborhood.

muli n.m. Mules.: Quannu in marzu suli e acqua 'ncuttu sempri cu acqua e suli carricari fa li muli.; Eng. When in March sun and water are taking turns with water and sun, the mules end up doing the carrying.

mulinu n.m. Mill.: Cui primu arriva a lu mulinu, macìna.; Eng. Who arrives at the mill first, grinds.

mulu n.m. Mule.: Lu mulu si nun tira càuci, tira muzzicuna.; Eng. If the mule isn't kicking, it's biting.

munnu n.m. World.: Cci dissi lu gadduzzu a la puddastra: tuttu lu munnu è comu casa nostra.; Eng. The young cock said to the young chicken: the whole world is like our house.; Acqua di giugnu cunsuma lu munnu.; Eng. June rains wash away the world.; 'Na rota è stu munnu, cui nata e cui va'n funnu.; Eng. The world is a wheel, there are births and there are deaths.

muntuni n.m. Ram.: Ciaraveddu, di ciaravidduni e agneddu di grossu muntuni.; Eng. A kid goat comes from a big goat and a lamb from a big ram. (trans. note: The uni ending is normally an augmentative suffix used to connote bigness as in ciaravidduni. But the feminine of muntuni is pecora and the young is agneddu.)

mura n.m. Walls.: Li mura nun hannu oricchi e sèntinu, nun hannu vucca e pàrranu.; Eng. Walls don't have ears but they hear, they don't have mouths but they speak.

mureddi adj. Blackish.: Baj vonn'essiri li cavaddi, li scecchi surci e li muli mureddi.; Eng. Horses should be bays, jackasses should be greys, and mules should be blackish.

Murriali place name Monreale.: Cui va 'n Palermu e 'un vidi Murriali, si nni parti sceccu e torna armali.; Eng. Whoever goes to Palermo and doesn't see Monreale, goes there a jackass and returns a fool.; Murriali, cità senza cunfortu, o chiovi o mina ventu o sona a mortu.; Eng. Monreale, a city without comfort, either it rains, or the wind blows, or bells ring for the dead.

musca n.f. Fly, horsefly.: A santu Vitu passa la musca a lu voi e va a lu pudditru.; Eng. On the feast of St. Vitus the fly bypasses the oxen and goes to the colt.

muschi n.f. Flies.: A pignata chi vugghi nun cci 'ncugnanu muschi.; Eng. Flies don't approach a boiling pot.

mussu n.m. Lips, mouth.: Lu friddu e lu pitittu fannu lu mussu afflittu.; Eng. Both cold and hunger make the lips quiver.

mustu n.m. Must, new wine.: Di sittèmmiru ad agustu vivi lu vinu vecchiu e lassa stari lu mustu.; Eng. From September to August drink the old wine and leave the must to age.; Cui voli aviri bonu mustu, zappassi la viti ad agustu.; Eng. Whoever wants a good must should hoe the vineyard in August.

muta v.t. 3rd p. sing. Changes.: Quannu lu tempu si muta, la vèstia stranuta.; Eng. When the weather changes, the beast sneezes.

mutari v.t. To change.: 'Nvanu tenta lu statu mutari cu' nun ha la furtuna 'n sò favuri.; Eng. It's useless to try to change your condition, if you don't have luck in your favor.

muzzicari v.t. To bite.: Cui nun pò muzzicari, nun mustrassi li denti.; Eng. Who can't bite should not bare his teeth

muzzicuni n.m. Morsel, bite.: Supra muzzicuni di cani mèttici pilu.; Eng. Cover a dog bite with fur.

'na adj. One.: 'Un pò scrùsciri 'na nuci 'ntra un saccu.; Eng. You can't make a rattle with a single walnut in a sack.

nannu n.m. Grandfather.: 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.

Napuli place name Naples.: Vidi Palermu e gori, vidi Napuli e poi mori.; Eng. See Palermo and enjoy it, see Naples then die.

nassa n.f. Cage.: "Unni maggiuri cc'è, minuri cessa." dici lu puddicinu 'ntra la nassa.; Eng. Where there's a senior the minor yields, said the chick in the cage.

Natali n.m. Nativity, Christmas.: Scumatura a san Micheli, la pècura 'nsicchisci pi Natali.; Eng. Skimp with the feed by St. Michael's, the sheep will be skinny for Christmas.

'ncumpagnia n.f. Friendship.: Cui nun voli stari 'ncumpagnia, o è sbirru o curnutu o spia.; Eng. Who doesn't want to stay with friends, is either a cop, a cuckold, or a spy.

'ngrifarisi v.t. refl. To wrinkle.: 'Ngrifarisi lu nasu pri ammustrari sdengu.; Eng. To wrinkle your nose in disdain.

negghia n.f. Fog.: Negghia vascia bon tempu lassa.; Eng. A low fog leaves good weather.

nenti pro. Nothing.: Nuddu fa nenti pri nenti.; Eng. No one does something for nothing.

nesci v.i. To go out, to leave.: Nni la casa di Gesù zoccu trasi un nesci cchiù. (lit. In the house of Jesus that which enters never leaves.); Eng. The Church never gives anything away.

nèspuli n.f. Medlars, loquats.: A san Simuni, li nèspuli a munsidduni e l'acqua a li vadduni.; Eng. By St. Simeon's, the medlars have been stacked in straw and water is in the ravines.

netta adj. Neat, clean.: Fimmina ca si 'mpupa e fa toletta, o 'nnamurata o è cajorda netta.; Eng. A woman who dresses up and puts on makeup is either in love or a clean prostitute.

netti adv. Cleanly.: Netti netti, dici la troja a li purceddi, e idda si strica 'nta la rimarra. (lit. Cleanly, cleanly, says the sow to the piglets as she rolls in the mud.); Eng. Do as I say and not as I do.

'ngannatu v.t. past p. Deceived, cheated.: Mentri nun fidi, mai sarrai 'ngannatu.; Eng. As long as you don't trust, you won't be cheated.

'ngrassa v.t. 3rd p. sing. Fattens.: A maju lu cavaddu 'ngrassa e si nun 'ngrassa, megghiu lu 'nfossa.; Eng. In May the horse gets fat, but if he doesn't get fat it's better to ditch him.

'ngrizza v.t. 2nd p. imp. Arrange, set.: 'Ngrizza li vili secunnu lu ventu.; Eng. Set the sails according to the wind.

'ngurfa v.t. 2nd p. imp. Get involved.: A lu caru pènsacci, a lu mircatu 'ngurfa.; Eng. When the cost is high think about it, when it's low, buy a lot.

nicu adj. Little, small.: Vôi lu cani? Nutrìcalu nicu.; Eng. If you want a dog raise him from a pup.

nimicu adj. Hostile, unfriendly, inimical.: Cu' è nimicu di li cani, è nimicu di li cristiani.; Eng. If you don't like dogs, you don't like people.

ninni n.pl. Money: Cui va a donni senza ninni, havi dittu: jitivinni.; Eng. Making advances without the cash, she's sure to dump you in the trash.

nisciunu pron. Nobody, no one.: Deci unzi a tutti, unnici unzi a qualcunu, un ròtulu a nisciunu.; Eng. Ten ounces to all, eleven ounces to some, and a full twelve to no one.
(Translator's note: twelve ounces made a pound.)

niura adj. Black, dark.: Terra niura duna bonu pani; terra bianca prestu stanca.; Eng. Good bread from black earth; white earth gives dearth.

nivi n.f. Snow: La nivi marzalora la notti cadi e lu jornu 'un si trova.; Eng. The nightime March snow disappears by daybreak.

nìvica v.i. 3rd p. sing. Snows.: A la santa Cannilora, si cci nìvica o cci chiova, quaranta jorna cci nn'è ancora.; Eng. On Saint Candelora, if it's snowing or raining, there'll be another forty days of winter.

'nnamuratu n.m. Enamored, in love.: Cu' havi manu friddi è 'nnamuratu; cu' havi manu càudi è 'ngarzatu.; Eng. Who has cold hands is in love, who has warm hands is loved.

nnimicu n.m. Foe, enemy.: Ciràsi e ficu, siacci nnimicu!; Eng. Cherry and fig trees should be pruned mercilessly! (lit. Be the enemy of the cherry and fig tree!)

nnoccu (nocca) n.f. Bow.: Nun c'è quinta senza sciloccu n'fimmina senza nnoccu.; Eng. There isn't a Pentecost without a Sirocco nor a woman without a bow.

novu adj. New, unexpected, recent.: Vôi nun essiri guardatu? Nun mèttiri novu usu.; Eng. If you don't want to attract attention, don't start something new.; A novu nigoziu novu cunsigghiu.; Eng. New advice for a new business.

'nsigni v.t. 2nd p. sing. Teach.: Porci e figghioli, comu li 'nsigni li trovi.; Eng. Pigs and children will turn out the way you teach them.

'ntisu adj. Obeyed, listened to.: Cu' 'un havi dinari, nun pò esseri 'ntisu.; Eng. If you don't have money, you're not worth listening to.

nubbilità n.f. Nobility.: La nubbilità pocu si prezza si cci manca la ricchìzza.; Eng. Nobility is less esteemed when it lacks wealth.

nuci n.m. Walnut tree.: A nuci e ficu siticci nnimicu.; Eng. Nut and fig trees need to be pruned aggressively.

nudu adj. Nude.: Centu vistuti 'un ponnu spugghiari un nudu.; Eng. Even a hundred people can't undress a nude.

nun adv. Negation, not, don't.: Tu nun fili, nun tessi e nun 'ncanni, dunni ti vinni stu gliòmmaru granni?; Eng. You don't spin, you don't weave, or wind, so where did you get this pile of money?

'nvanu adv. In vain.: 'Nvanu grida cui ad un surdu chiama.; Eng. You shout in vain when you're calling the deaf.

'nzerta v.t. 3rd p. sing. Foretells, guesses.: L'omu chi si marita, mori e nasci e si dici: Mischinu cu' la 'nzerta!; Eng. The man who marries is reborn and exults: The poor fellow gets it right! (Lit. The man who marries, dies and is born and says to himself: The poor fellow guesses it.); Santu nzerta e santu sgarra.; Eng. The saint foretells and the saint errs. (Particular circumstances may cause a different than expected outcome.)

nziru n.m. A terra-cotta vase used for liquids, usually without handles.: Quannu figghia nziru e fa nziriddu!; Eng. When hell freezes over! (Lit. When the vase gives birth and makes a little vase.)

occhi n.m. Eyes.: Pani cu l'occhi, furmaggiu senz'occhi e vinu chi ti cava l'occhi.; Eng. Choose bread with eyes, cheese without eyes and wine that makes your eyes pop.

occhiu n.m. Eye.: L'occhiu di la Siragusana fa nèsciri la serpi di la tana.; Eng. The eye of the Syracusan makes the snake come out of its den.

ogghiu n.m. Oil: Vinu vecchiu ed ogghiu novu.; Eng. Choose old wine and new oil.; Ogghiu comuni sana ogni duluri.; Eng. Plain oil cures every pain.

ogni adj. Each, every.: Nè pr'ogni mali jiri a medicu nè pr'ogni liti a l'avvucatu nè pr'ogni siti a la funtana.; Eng. Don't go to the doctor for every malady, nor to the lawyer for every disagreement, nor to the fountain for every thirst.

olivi n.f. Olives.: Pani ed olivi, mai sàturu ti vidi.; Eng. You'll never be sated with bread and olives.; Annata di nivi, annata d'olivi.; Eng. A year of snow, bodes a good year for olives.; A l'olivi un saviu a li pedi e un pazzu a la testa.; Eng. In the olive grove, a wise man at the feet and a wild man at the head.

omini n.m. Men.: Munti cu munti 'un si jùncinu mai, ma l'omini cu l'omini si 'nfrùntanu.; Eng. One mountain peak will never engage another, but men will confront other men.

omu n.m. Man.: Omu poviru e mischinu havi li jorna longhi.; Eng. The poor and wretched man has long days.

onuratu adj. Honest, honorable.: L'omu onuratu campa stintatu.; Eng. The honorable man lives within self imposed limits.

onuri n.m. Respect, honor.: L'onuri è fattu a li robbi.; Eng. Honor is determined by your dress.; Quantu va l'onuri di la frunti, nun va Palermu livannu li santi.; Eng. How much is prestige worth, not as much as Palermo, if you take away the saints.; Cui perdi l'onuri, nun lu trova cchiù.; Eng. Who loses honor won't ever regain it.

opira n.f. Work.: Di l'opira si conusci lu mastru.; Eng. You know the master by his work.

oru n.m. Gold.: L'omini 'un si pìsanu a cantàru, ma vannu ad unza e a pisu comu l'oru.; Eng. Men are not measured by hundredweight, but by the ounce, like gold.; Oru fintu e cartapista, pocu spisa e bona vista.; Eng. Fake gold and papier machè cost little and look like a lot.; Unni l'oru cchiù scrusci, eu curru cu cchiù prescia.; Eng. Where the gold jingles more, I run more quickly.

orvu n.m. Blind.: A la terra di l'orvi beatu cu' havi un occhiu.; Eng. Rare skill or talent is highly valued. (Lit. In the land of the blind he is blessed who has an eye.); Quannu un orvu accumpagna a 'n autru, tutti dui cadinu 'nta la fossa.; Eng. Poor advice leads to trouble. (Lit. When one blind person accompanies another, both fall into the hole.)

ossa n.m. Bone.: Duluri d'ossa, morti mai.; Eng. Aching bones will never kill you.

ovu n.m. Egg.: Megghiu oj l'ovu chi dumani la gaddina.; Eng. Better an egg today than the chicken tomorrow.

pacenzia n.f. Forbearance, patience.: Pacenzia cci voli a li burraschi: nun si mancia meli senza muschi.; Eng. You need to have patience during storms: you don't eat honey without flies.

paga n.f.. Compensation, pay.: Lu mònacu sciala e lu cummentu paga.; Eng. The monk feasts and the convent pays.

paganu adj. Heathen, pagan.: Medicu cristianu e avvucatu paganu.; Eng. Get a Christian doctor and a pagan lawyer.

pagari v.t. To pay.: Cui nun voli pagari, s'assuggetta ad ogni pattu.; Eng. Who doesn't intend to pay, agrees to any contract.

pagatu v.t. past p. Paid.: Cu' ha travagghiatu, vol'essiri pagatu.; Eng. The worker is supposed to be paid.

pagaziu n.m. Compensation, pay.: Secunnu pagaziu, serviziu.; Eng. Render the service paid for.

pagghia n.f. Straw.: Cci vonnu zucchi di centu cantàra, cà lu focu di pagghia pocu dura.; Eng. It takes bales of a hundredweight because a fire of straw lasts little.; Cavaddu di focu, omu di pagghia; cavaddu di pagghia; omu di focu.; Eng. A spirited horse, a compliant man; an aggressive man, a compliant horse.

pagghiaru n.m. Haystack, field shelter, hay barn.: Pagghiaru di prima cappa, amaru cu' cci 'ncappa!; Eng. Leading edge or bleeding edge? (lit. It's risky to be the user of a newly roofed field shelter!); Canta la pirnici a lu chiarchiàru: carrìati li ligna a lu pagghiaru.; Eng. When the partridge sings on the stone pile bring the wood into the hay barn.

paisi n.m. Nation, city, village, town. (lit. In the cities where you go, do as you see it being done.): A paisi unni chi vai, comu vidi fari fai.; Eng. When in Rome, do as the Romans.

Palermitani adj. A native of Palermo.: Palermitani, du' tarì 'i cumpanaggiu e du' rana 'i pani.; Eng. In Palermo you pay two tarìs for the spread and two grains for bread. (tr. note: There were 20 grains in a tarì.)

Palermu place name Palermo.: A Càccamu cci sunnu l'abbuttati, a Termini scavuzzi sapuriti; a Palermu li rosi spampinati, beddi di fora e di dintra purriti.; Eng. At Càccamu there are the boors at Termini pleasing brunettes; and at Palermo long-stemmed roses, beautiful on the outside and rotten on the inside.; Cu tuttu ca Missina havi lu portu, pri la bella Palermu sempri è ortu.; Eng. With everything Messina has the port, but for beautiful Palermo it is always just a garden.; Palermu è omu dabbeni, cu' va va e cu' veni veni.; Eng. Palermo is a tolerant man, whoever goes, goes and whoever comes, comes.; Palermu pri la pinna, Missina pri la 'ntinna.; Eng. Palermo for its illustrious writers and Messina for its harbor.

palora n.f. Word, pledge.: La prima palora è ancilu.; Eng. Words are for reasoning. (lit. The first word is an angel. ); Ogni prumissa è dèbbitu e si duna, miàtu cui l'atteni la palora.; Eng. Every promise is a debt and is owed, blessed is he who keeps his word.; Palori e pinni lu ventu li leva.; Eng. Actions speak louder than words. (lit. Words and feathers are blown away by the wind.

palummu n.m. Pigeon.: Palummu carrìa e palummedda fa lu nidu.; Eng. The pigeon brings the makings and the chick makes the nest.

panareddi n.m. dim. Medicinal herbs, baskets.: Nè panareddi di viddanu nè cannistreddi di batìi.; Eng. Neither the baskets of the farmer nor the baskets of the abbey.

panàru n.m. Basket: Nun pigghiari l'acqua 'ntra lu panàru.; Eng. Don't fetch water in a basket.; La zappudda di jinnaru jinchi lu panàru.; Eng. January hoeing fills the basket.

pani n.m. Bread.: A pani schittu lu veru cumpanaggiu è lu pitittu.; Eng. An appetite is a true companion to plain bread.; Sutt'acqua fami, sutta nivi pani.; Eng. When the fields are flooded you'll have hunger, when they're snow covered there'll be plenty to eat.

panza n.f. Belly, stomach.: Panza cuntenti cori clementi; panza dijuna nenti priduna.; Eng. A contented stomach, a forgiving heart; but an empty stomach pardons nothing.

panzata n.f. Belly full, feast, to excess.: Cui vivi a panzata, si nni penti tutta la jurnata.; Eng. If you drink a belly full you'll regret it all day.

papatu n.m. Excessive satifaction, highest state, peak, summit, papal.: Di li fimmini lu papatu è lu statu maritatu.; Eng. For women the highest state is the married state.

papiamu v.i. 1st p. plu. Command, swagger, pontificate.: Mentri chi semu Papa papiamu; cu'sa si 'n'àutra vota Papa semu!; Eng. While we are the Pope we'll pontificate; who knows if we'll be Pope another time.

paradisu n.m. Heaven, paradise.: Lu parrinu dintra è lu paradisu terrestri.; Eng. Having a priest in the house is paradise on earth.; Cui scecchi caccia e fimmini cridi, facci di paradisu nu' nni vidi.; Eng. Who drives donkeys and believes women, will never see the face of paradise.

parenti n.m. Blood relatives.: Si vô' passari vita cuntenti, statti luntanu di li tò parenti.; Eng. If you want to have a happy life, stay far away from your relatives.; 'Ntr'amici e 'ntra parenti 'n'accattari e 'un vìnniri nenti.; Eng. Among friends and relatives don't buy or sell anything.; Picca e nenti su' parenti.; Eng. Relatives are little and nothing.; Parenti chi nun ti duna, amicu chi nun t'impresta, fuilu cumu la pesta.; Eng. Relatives who don't give you, a friend who doesn't lend you, avoid them like the plague.

pari v.i. 3rd p. sing. Seem, appear. show.: Lu bonu surdatu pari a la guerra.; Eng. You'll know the good soldier in battle.; Bonu pilotu a la timpesta pari.; Eng. The good sailor is proven in a storm.; Vesti zuccuni ca pari baruni.; Eng. Dress up a country bumpkin and he looks like a baron.

pari n.inv. Peer.: Marìta li figghioli cu sò pari pri nun s'aviri un jornu a lamintari.; Eng. Marry your children with their peers so you won't regret it someday.

pàriri e pariri v.i. To appear, to seem.: Pàriri e nun essiri è comu lu filari e nun tèssiri.; Eng. To seem and not to be is like weaving and not making cloth.; Studia d'essiri tali quali disìdiri pariri.; Eng. Strive to be that which you want to appear to be.

parmentu n.m. Wine cellar.: Sicuru simìna li favi e lu linu quann' hai ancora lu parmentu chinu.; Eng. Sow fava beans and flax with confidence while you still have grapes coming into the wine cellar.

parmu n.m. palm, hand, span.: L'omu nun si misura a parmu.; Eng. You don't measure a man in hands.

parmu n.m. Measured, restrained.: Cui nun havi lu parmu 'nna la giuvintù, porta la canna 'nna la vicchiaia.; Eng. Who fails to show restraint in their youth, will be miserable in their old age.

parola n.f. Word.: L'omu pri la parola, lu voi pri li corna.; Eng. Man is valued for his word, the ox for his horns.; L'omu tantu è omu finu a chi manteni la parola.; Eng. A man is a man to the extent that he sticks by his word.

parrari v.i. To speak, to talk.: A lu cantari l'oceddu e a lu parrari lu ciriveddu.; Eng. Gauge a bird by its song, and an intellect by its talk.; Lu ddottu si canusci a lu parrari e li campani a lu sunari.; Eng. Bells are distinguished by their ring and the educated by their speech.

parrinu n.m. Priest.: Ammuccia lu latinu 'gnuranza di parrinu.; Eng. Latin hides the stupidity of the priest.; Cu' havi lu parrinu 'n casa, havi lu porcu appisu.; Eng. Who has a priest at home, has plenty of food. (a pig hanging in the larder)

Partinicu place name Partinico.: Partinicu, bon paisi, bonu vinu, pochi spisi.; Eng. Partinico is a good town, good wine and low prices.

pàrtiti v.i. 2nd p. sing. To depart, to leave.: Pàrtiti quannu agghiorna, 'un ti pàrtiri quannu scura.; Eng. Leave in daylight, not in the dark.

parturenti n.f. A woman in labor.: Lassa lu focu ardenti e succurri la parturenti.; Eng. Leave the fire hot and help the woman in labor.

paru adj. Equal.: Nun ti mèttiri a paru cu li megghiu di tia.; Eng. Don't put yourself on a par with your betters.

pasci v.i. Graze.: Unni nasci, lu vermi si pasci.; Eng. The worm grazes where it's born.

pasciuti v.i. past p. Grazed.: Dannu cchiù li picca boni, cà l'assai mali pasciuti.; Eng. You get more from a few good animals than from the many that are poorly grazed.

Pasqua n.f. Easter.: Predichi e lattuchi doppu Pasqua su' finuti.; Eng. After Easter, both the prayers and the lettuce are finished.

passari v.i. To pass, to spend, to be worth.: Passari quantu l'acca di l'abbicci.; Eng. To be worth as much as the H in the ABCs. (tr. note. To be worth nothing because H is silent.)

passu n.m. Pass by, Step.: Passu arrubbatu, pàssacci sicuru.; Eng. Pass by the place that was robbed with confidence.; Di santa Lucia a Natali quant'un passu di cani.; Eng. It's a short step from Saint Lucy's Day to Christmas.

pati v.i. 3rd p. sing. Suffers.: Cui pati p'amuri, nun senti duluri.; Eng. Who suffers because of love, feels no pain.

patidduzzi n.f. Androsaces, Acetabulum marinum: Cui voli manciari patidduzzi, s'havi a vagnari li piduzzi.; Eng. Who wants to eat androsaces, will have to get his feet wet.

patruni n.m. Owner.: Mentri 'ntra l'aria resta lu frummentu nun si' tu lu patruni, ma su' centu.; Eng. There are a hundred owners besides you until the wheat is harvested.

Patti place name Patti: Patti, beddi frutti.; Eng. Patti, has beautiful fruits.

pattu place name Patti.: Chiddu ch'è di pattu, 'un è di 'ngannu.; Eng. That which is agreed upon is not deception.

paura n.f. Fear.: Cui servi a Diu, nun havi paura di nenti.; Eng. Who serves God, fears nothing.; Pri cu' havi paura è inutili l'armatura.; Eng. Weapons are of no use to the fearful.; Tutti l'armi di Sicilia 'un armirìanu la paura.; Eng. All the armament of Sicily won't arm fear.

pazzi n.m. Crazy, insane.: Cui spera limòsina di parrini, va a lu spitali pri pazzi.; Eng. Who hopes for alms from the priests, winds up at the insane asylum.

pazzia n.f. Madness, lunacy, insanity.: È gran pazzia lu cuntrastari cu du' nun pô vinciri nè appattari.; Eng. It's insane to oppose when you can neither win nor compromise.

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