SICILIAN PROVERBS

translated into English by Arthur V. Dieli

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

babbanu adj. Foolish.: Si lu riccu nun fussi babbanu,; Nun purria campari lu viddanu. Source: Pitrè, III, 276.; Eng. Were the rich man not foolish,; The peasant would not be able to survive.

bada n.f. Wait for.: Mircantu fallutu nun bada a 'ntiressu. Source: Pitrè, I, 322.; Eng. The bankrupt merchant doesn't wait for the whole amount.

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.; Cui sòffri vinci, cu' ha fami badigghia. Source: Bellantonio, II 17.; Eng. Who persists wins, who yields to hunger, yawns.

bagascia n.f. Harlot, whore, hooker.: Sbirri, bagasci e cani, quannu su' vecchi morinu di fami.; Eng. Cops, hookers, and dogs, when they're old they die of hunger.

balata n.f. Slate, flagstone, stone tomb cover.: Camurria 'nvicchiata, ti lassa a la balata. Source: Pitrè, IV, 6.; Eng. You'll be rid of chronic gonorhea at your tomb.; Note. That was the outlook until the 20th century.

ballu n.m. Dance, ball.: Mentri semu 'ntra lu ballu cci abballamu. Source: Pitrè, III, 384.; Eng. When in Rome do as the Romans.; Lit. While we're at the ball we'll dance.; A la casa d'àutru si balla vulinteri. Source: Bellantonio, II 23.; Eng. One cavorts happily at someone else's house.; Note. This is an expression of selfishness.

bammina n.f. Baby, La Bammina is the Festival of the Nativity of Mary Sept. 8.: Pri la Bammina, Lu sangu a lavina. Source: Pitrè, III, 49.; Eng. For the Festival of Mary, a flood of blood. Tr. note. The proverb refers to September 8, 1474 when the inhabitants of Modica arose against the Jews and massacred four hundred.

banna n.f. Side, part, place.: Lu bonu gaddu canta a tutti banni. Source: Bellantonio, II 20.; Eng. A good rooster crows everywhere.; A banna unni si' 'nvitatu, vacci. Source: Pitrè, III, 312.; Eng. Go wherever you're invited.

baratteri n.m. Discounter.: La puvirtà fa l'omu baratteri. Source: Pitrè, III, 262.; Eng. Poverty makes a man sell at discount.

baruni n.m. Baron.: Lu primu figghiu è baruni. Source: Bellantonio, II 156.; Eng. The first son is a baron.

bastardu adj. Bastard, mongrel, not genuine.: Bastardu di figura e figghiu di natura. Source: Bellantonio, II 140.; Eng. A bastard in appearance, a child of nature.

battagghiu n.m. Clapper.: Dissi la campana a lu battagghiu, Ogni cosa ch'arresta è pri lu megghiu. Source: Pitrè, III, 248.; Eng. Said the bell to its clapper, Everything that stops is for the better.

battiri v.t. Strike, beat.: Batti lu ferru mentri è càudu. Source: Pitrè, III, 383.; Eng. Strike while the iron is hot.

beccamortu n.m. Gravedigger.: Megghiu li sbirri ca li beccamorti.; Eng. Better the cops than the gravediggers.

beccu n.m. Beak.: È fattu lu beccu a l'oca. Source: Traina, 117.; Eng. All's well that ends well.; Lit. The beak of the goose is made.

bedda, beddu adj. Beautiful, pretty.: 'A bedda d'i setti veli.; Eng. A beauty in veils and lace. (lit. A beauty of seven veils.); Bedda in vista, spissu dintra è trista.; Eng. A smiling face often hides an aching heart.

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.; Tinta dda casa unni 'un trasi beni. Source: Pitrè, III, 253.; Eng. Sorry the house that lacks necessities.; Lu beni chi lassi di fari, mai cchiù l'aspittari.; Eng. The good that you fail to do is gone forever.; 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.

bianchi adj. White.: Nun tutti chiddi chi hannu li denti bianchi mancianu ricotta.. Source: Bellantonio, II 137.; Eng. Not all of those with white teeth eat ricotta.

biasimari v.t. Disparage, belittle, degrade, blame.: Nuddu divi biasimari l'arti chi nun sapi.. Source: Bellantonio, II 130.; Eng. One should not belittle unfamiliar work.

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.

biccheri n.m. Water glass.: Figghi e biccheri cci nni vonnu assai. Source: Bellantonio, II 147.; Eng. Children and glasses, many are wanted.

biddizza n.f. Beauty.: Biddizza e crianza nun si ponnu aviri.; Eng. You can't have both beauty and good manners.; Biddizza e crianza raru si ponnu aviri. Source: Pitrè, 1, 162.; Eng. You rarely see both beauty and good manners.; Arrivatu a la vicchizza, addiu biddizza! Source: Bellantonio, II, 208.; Eng. Hello old age, good bye beauty!

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

binchì conj. Although, however.: La bruca, binchì arsa sia,; Sempri havi a fari l'azioni soi. Source: Bellantonio, II 12.; Eng. Tamarisk, though despised,; Always has to do its own thing.; Tr. note. When burned, it gives off a suffocating smoke.; Binchì di tuttu tempu si cuntrasta,; Ma ad ogni santu veni la sò festa. Source: Pitrè, I, 274.; Eng. Although there are always disputes,; A feast day comes around for every saint.

binidiciri v.t. To bless.: Tanti manu Diu li binidici, ma no' nta lu me' piattu.; Eng. Many people are good at some things but not at others.

birritta n.f. Cap, biretta, man.: A casa senza birritta, Nun si pò stari a l'addritta. Source: Bellantonio, II 139.; Eng. A house without a man, can't stand upright.

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.; Bisogna aviri li spaddi larghi. Source: Pitrè, III, 246.; Eng. You need to have broad shoulders.; Bisogna pigghiari lu munnu comu veni. Source: Pitrè, III, 246.; Eng. You need to face reality. Lit. You need to take the world as it is.; Tintu cu' havi di bisognu d'àutru. Source: Pitrè, III, 277.; Eng. Sorry the one who need to depend on others.; Bisogna sarvari la crapa e li cavuli. Source: Pitrè, III, 288.; Eng. The need is to save both the goat and the cabbages.; Note: This is a riddle. A farmer had to get a wolf, a goat and some cabbages across a river taking only one at a time, without the wolf eating the goat or the goat eating the cabbages.

bonu adj. Good.: Megghiu vecchiu bonu chi giùvini tintu.; Eng. A good old man is better than a bad young man.; Lu bon arvulu fa lu bonu fruttu. Source: Bellantonio, II 154.; Eng. The good tree yields good fruit.; Lu bonu acitu si fa di bon vinu. Source: Bellantonio, II 154.; Eng. Good vinegar is made from good wine.; Di bona chianta nasci bon fruttu, e di bon vinu lu pirfettu acitu. Source: Pitrè, Vol, Page.; Eng. A good plant yields good fruit, and perfect vinegar comes from good wine.; Quannu lu bonu nun cc'è, lu tintu servi. Source: Bellantonio;, II, 108.; Eng. When the good is lacking, make do with the bad.

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.

bruca n.f. bot. Tamarisk.: Focu di bruca, Fumu ca t'affuca Source: Bellantonio, II 12.; Eng. Burning the tamarisk, smoke that suffocates.

bruciari v.i.t. Burn, set fire.: Si nun ti vôi bruciari, nun ti mèttiri a cantu lu focu. Source: Pitrè, III, 296.; Eng. If you can't stand the heat, stay out of the kitchen.; Lit. If you don't want to get kburned, don't stay next to the fire.

buffunìa v., adj., n. Mocks, scorns, shames.: Cui buffunìa a li vecchi, duna 'na timpulata a Gesù Cristu. Source: Bellantonio, II, 208.; Eng. One who mocks the old, beats up on Jesus Christ.

bummulu n.m. Narrow neck terra cotta container, often with two handles and a small hole from which to drink.: Tutti vonnu fari li dutturi 'ntra lu bùmmulu. Source: Pitrè, III, 183.; Eng. You need more than the container to effect a cure. Tr. note: The bummulu was also used to concoct herbal remedies. The proverb is used to sting the conceited who blunder.

burnii n.f. Old fashioned apothecary jars.: Cosi chi mancu nn' hannu li spiziali 'ntra li burnii.; Eng. Things so unusual that not even the pharmacy has them in its jars.

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.

busciuni n.m. Boxwood.: Lu busciuni, nè pri focu nè pri cravuni. Source: Bellantonio, II 13.; Eng. The boxwood, good neither for fire nor for coal.

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.

cacaniru (also cacanidu) n.m. Last born, smartest.: Lu cacaniru si cuggìu tutti li sbièzzii. Source: Bellantonio, II 155.; Eng. The youngster used up all the spices.; Tr. note: The popular view held that the youngest children were smarter than the others.

cacata n.f. Defecation.: Quantu va 'na cacata, nun ci va 'na manciata. Source: Zinna, 107.; Eng. The good feeling from defecation is not matched by that of eating.

caccia n.f. Hunt.: Quannu la caccia nun ti dici, vattinni ad accampari babbaluci. Source: Pitrè, III, 249.; Eng. When the hunt is not successful, go harvest snails.; Quannu tu vidi ca la caccia 'un dici,; Càlati 'n terra e cogghi babbaluci. Source: Pitrè, III, 249.; Eng. When you see that the hunt is not successful,; Bend down and harvest snails.

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

cacòcciula n.f. Artichoke.: Sintirisi cacòcciula.; Eng. To feel too proud and self-centered.

caddusi adj. Calloused, hardened.: Manu caddusi, manu gluriusi. Source: Pitrè, III, 188.; Eng. Calloused hands are glorious hands.

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.

caduta n.f. Fall, fallen.: Cui cadi e si suzi nun si chiama caduta.; Eng. The reformed person is not belittled. lit. The one who falls and gets up is not called fallen.

cadutu v.t. past part. of càdiri. Felled.: Ad àrvulu cadutu ognunu curri e fa ligna. Source: Bellantonio, II 23.; Eng. Everyone runs to cut wood from the fallen 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 hot chocolate cool.

caiccu n.m. Caique.: Cc'è sempri lu locu pi lu caiccu.; Eng. There's always a place for a caique.

calamità n.f. Calamity, misfortune.: 'Ntra tempi filici, si trovanu amici;; 'Ntra li calamitati, nun vi spianu comu stati. Source: Pitrè, III, 252.; Eng. In good time, you find friends;; In calamitous times, they don't ask how you are.

calenni f.pl. Dec. 13 to 24, also calends.: Di li Carènnuli si conusci l'annata. Source: Pitrè, III, 26.; Eng. The calends foretell the year. Note: Popular belief was that the twelve days before Christmas foretold the weather for the year.; Li dudici mesi di l'annu novu, si conuscinu di li dudici jorna prima di Natali. Source: Pitrè, III, 26.; Eng. The twelve months of the year are predicted by the 12 days before Christmas.

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.; Omu senza dinari, è mortu chi camina. Source: Pitrè, III, 273.; Eng. A man without money is a dead man walking.

caminu n.m. Road, travel, way.: Ogni migghiu di caminu havi un pezzu di malu caminu. Source: Pitrè, III, 93.; Eng. There's a rough patch along every mile of road.

càmmara n.f. Room, bedroom, chamber.: Putirisi cociri l'ova 'nta 'na càmmara. Source: Traina, 144.; Eng. It's so hot, you could cook an egg in the room.

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, before the little bells 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.; Cchiù si campa cchiù si sapi (o -- 'mpara). Source: Bellantonio, II 125.; Eng. The longer you live the more you know (or -- learn).; Li patri e matri nun campanu sempri. Source: Bellantonio, II 154.; Eng. Mothers and fathers don't live forever.; Cu campa tuttu l'annu tutti li festi vidi. Source: Bonner, 101.; Eng. The longer you live the more experiences you accumulate. Eng. trans. by Bonner.

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. Source: Pitrè, III, 92.; Eng. Every door has its own hinges.; Ognunu havi li sò càncari. Source: Pitrè, III, 94.; Eng. Everyone has their own troubles.

canci v.t. 3rd p.sing. 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. (lit. Don't bring dogs inside because they'll take your bones outside.); Cui va a caccia senza cani, veni a casa senza lebbru.; Eng. Who goes hunting without a dog, comes home without a rabbit.; Varda lu cani pri rispettu di lu patruni. Source: Zinna, 125.; Eng. Love me, love my dog.; Lit. Look kindly on the dog out of respect for its owner.

canigghia n.f. Skin, peel, grain chaff.: Sparagnari la canigghia e sfragari la farina. Source: Traina, 150.; Eng. Penny wise and pound foolish.; Eng. 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.

cannarozzu n.m. Esophagus, throat.: Cui di tozzi pigghia tozzi, Pri sett'anni cci feti lu cannarozzu. Source: Pitrè, III, 259.; Eng. The one who takes from morsels will suffer a fetid throat for seven years.

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.

cannola n.f. hair roller, tube.: Ammatula t'allisci (o - ti 'ntrizzi) e fa' cannola: Bedda cci vô' viniri di natura. Source: Pitrè, 1, 161.; Eng. It's useless to doll up (or - braid) and curl your hair: beauty is endowed by nature.

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, 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.

canusciri v.t. Know, 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.; Pri conusciri a un omu, cci voli 'na sarma di sali. Source: Bellantonio, II 188.; Eng. It takes a lot of experience to get to know a person.; Lit. To know a man, you need a sarma of salt.; Note. a sarma is an old Sicilian measure of about three bushels.; Pri conusciri lu funnu di lu stomacu di l'omu, nun ci basta tuttu lu sali di Trapani. Source: Bellantonio, II 188.; Eng. All the salt in Trapani is not enough to help you know what makes a man tick.; Lit. To know the depths of a man's stomach, all the salt in Trapani is not enough.; Note. Trapani has extensive off shore salt flats.

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.; La furtuna si pigghia pri li capiddi. Source: Pitrè, III, 378.; Eng. Grab luck by the hair.; Teni la furtuna pri li capiddi. Source: Pitrè, III, 378.; Eng. Hold on to good fortune by its hair.

capitari v.t. Occur.: Si pigghia la cosa quannu càpita. Source: Pitrè, I, 324.; Eng. When opportunity knocks open the door.

capizzu n.m. Bolster, pillow.: Cu' havi sonnu, nun cerca capizzu. Source: Pitrè, I, 198.; Eng. One who is sleepy, doesn't insist on a pillow

cappa n.f. Hooded cloak.: Cappa di povir'omu nun pigghiari,; Cà ti la duna e poi la voli arreri. Source: Pitrè, III, 254.; Eng. Don't accept a poor man's cloak,; For he'll give it to you but then he'll want it back.

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.; Tinta ddà casa chi nun havi cappeddu.; Eng. Sorry the home without a father.

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.

caristia n.f. Scarcity.: Diu fa l'abbunnanzia, e li ricchi (o -- li vinnitura) fannu la caristia. Source: Pitrè, III, 261.; Eng. God makes abundance and the rich (or -- the shopkeepers) make scarcity.; Note: Pitrè notes that this is a proverb of the poor against the rich and against the shopkeepers.

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

carminari v.t. Brush, card, tease (wool): Cu' havi pecuri, havi lana a carminari. Source: Pitrè, III, 99.; Eng. Whoever has sheep, has wool to card.

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

carni di vacca n.f. Beef.: Carni di vacca cci nn'è nni la chiazza,; Cu' nni voli si l'accatta. Source: Bellantonio, II 25.; Eng. Beef is available at the market on the square,; Whoever wants it can buy it themselves.; Note. The proverb expresses stinginess.

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

carnilivari n.m. All the days preceding Lent.: Lu Carnilivari mancia cu cu' voi, e La Pasqua cu li toi. Source: Pitrè, III, 47.; Eng. During Carneval eat with whomever you want, but celebrate Easter with your own.

carrabba n.f.. carafe.: Cu' mania gotti spezza carrabbi. Source: Traina, 444.; Eng. A worker can't always be perfect. Lit. One who handles mugs breaks carafes.

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.

carricatu v.t. carried, burdened, fruited.: Arvulu spissu richiantatu, Mai lu trovi carricatu. Source: Pitrè, III, 114.; Eng. Too frequent change inhibis development. Lit. A tree often replanted will never be found fruited.

càrricu n.m. Load, burden.: A cui nun pisa lu càrricu, lu porta bonu. Source: Pitrè, III, 189.; Eng. Who carries a burden lightly, carries it well.

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.; Omu di vinu, nun vali un carlinu! Source: Cipolla, 21.; Eng. A man who loves wine too much is not worth a sou. Trans by Cipolla.

carru n.m. Wagon, cart.: Nun mèttiri lu carru avanti li voi. Source: Pitrè, III, 366.; Eng. Don't put the cart before the horse.; Metti lu carru davanti li voi,; Chissu è lu carru ch' 'un camina mai. Source: Pitrè, III, 366.; Eng. Putting the cart before the oxen,; That's the cart that will never move.

carta n.f. Paper.: Li picciriddi su' carta bianca. Source: Bellantonio, II 154.; Eng. Little children are a blank slate. Lit: Little children are white paper. Tr. note: An old fashioned view.

Cartagiruni a city in the province of Catania. Caltagirone.: A Cartagiruni cuscenzi pilusi e cruni di quinnici posti. Source: Alaimo, 177.; 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. Source: Alaimo, 7.; Eng. The basket maker, makes some ugly and some beautiful.

carti n.f Cards.: Cui sapi tèniri li carti 'mmanu, pò parrari di lu jocu. Source: Bellantonio, II 128.; Eng. One who knows how to hold the cards in his hand, can talk about the playing.

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.

carzarari v.t. Imprison, jail.: Ad arvulu cadutu accettu accettu,; E ad omu carzaratu môra môra. Source: Bellantonio, II 23.; Eng. To the fallen tree hatchet hatchet,; And to the jailed man death death.

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.; Casa ch' 'un havi omu, 'un havi nnomu. Source: Bellantonio, II 141.; Eng. A house without a man is a house without a name.

cascari v.i. To fall.: Li tanti colpi fannu cascari l'antica cersa.; Eng. Many blows make the old oak tree fall.

cassata n.f. Cassata: Tintu cu' 'un mancia cassati la matina di Pasqua. Source: Pitrè, III, 277.; Eng. Pity those who don't eat cassata on Easter morning.; Note by Pitrè: Cassata, the sweet cake found all aver Sicily, is especially eaten on Easter which is therefore called Easter of the cassati to distinguish if from Easter of the flowers, which is Pentecost.

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.

castigari v.t. Castigate, chastise, chasten.: Quannu Diu voli castigari all'omu, cci leva lu lumi. Source: Pitrè, I, 347.; Eng. When God wants to chastise man, He takes away his good sense.

castratu v.t. past p. 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.

catarru n.m. Catarrh, phlegm.: Catarru, vinu cu lu carru. Source: Pitrè, IV, 6.; Eng. Catarrh, wine by the car load.

cattiva n.f. Widow.: Lu granu di la cattiva va alla chiazza e torna e riggira.; Eng. The widow's two cents go to the plaza and turn and come back. (She's not spending carelessly.)

catu n.m. Pail, bucket.: Fari comu lu catu di la senia.; Eng. Make like the pail on the pulley.; Si iunciu 'u catu câ corda.; Eng. Like two peas in a pod. lit. Joined like the (water) bucket and the rope.

càuci n.f.. Lime, mortar.: Càuci e rina, Dopu cent'anni diventa petra fina (Menfi). Source: Bellantonio, II 11.; Eng. Lime and sand, after a hundred years becomes fine rock.

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. Source: Traina, 181.; Eng. Don't look a gift horse in the mouth.; Lit. With a gift horse, don't look for a saddle.; or You don't look a gift horse in the mouth.; Cavaddu vecchiu nun pigghia mai paliu. Source: Bellantonio, II, 208.; Eng. An old horse never wins the race.; 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.

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.

cavigghia n.f. Quibble, split hairs, argue: Cu' havi figghi, havi cavigghi. Source: Bellantonio, II 142.; Eng. Who has children, has quibbling.; Unu fa cavigghi e n'autru fa pirtusa. Source: Traina, 182.; Eng. One splits hairs and the other finds the holes.

cavuli n.m. bot. Cabbages.: Cavuli di jinnaru, jèttali a lu munnizzaru.; Eng. Throw January cabbages in the mulch.

cavulu cappucciu n.m. Spring cabbagge: Cummari cu lu Ddò senza nninni,; Su' càuli cappucci senza carni. Source: Pitrè, III, 268.; Eng. Godparents with the title but without money,; Are like spring cabbagges without meat.

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.; Tutti semu sutta lu celu. Source: Pitrè, III, 99.; Eng. We're all under the same sky.

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. Facial aspect, look, appearance, mien.: Beni e mali, 'n cera pari.; Eng. Your looks betray your thoughts.; Fammi 'na bona cera e pagatilla. Source: Pitrè, III, 321.; Eng. A good demeanor is to your advantage.; Nè ad ogni vucca cci voli risposta, nè ad ogni facci cera. Source: Pitrè, III, 228.; Eng. A reply is not required for every mouthing, nor a smile on every face.; Cui porta rispettu a lu cani, fa cera a lu patruni. Source: Pitrè, III, 317.; Eng. Treating the dog kindly, is the same as smiling at its owner.

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.

cerniri v.t. To sift, to sieve.: Cu ddu ventu chi mina cernu e spagghia.; Eng. With the wind that blows, sift and winnow.

cersa n.f. Oak tree, oak.: L'antica cersa cu tanti colpi veni a càdiri.; Eng. The old oak falls after many blows.

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.

checcu n.m. bot. Stutterer, stammerer.: Cu cchecchi nun cantari, e cu zoppi nun ballari.; Eng. Don't sing with a stutterers or dance with the lame.

chiaga n.f.. Sore, plague, nuisance.: La chiaga d'autru ti sia midicina. Source: Bellantonio, II 128.; Eng. Another's problem could lead you to your solution. Lit. Someone else's sore could be your medicine.; Quannu c'è la chiaia e l'unguentu,; Nun è tantu lu turmentu. Source: Zinna, 106.; Eng. When there's a sore and the ointment,; Then tolerable is the torment.

chiàita n.f. Chatter, gossip.: Tanti chiàiti mettinu siti. Source: Pitrè, III, 226.; Eng. Chattering a lot mkes you thirsty.

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. v.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.; Megghiu chianciri lu figghiu chi lu patri. Source: Bellantonio, II 157.; Eng. Better to mourn a son than the father.

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.

chiaru adj. Clear.: La luna di Jinnàru Luci comu jornu chiaru. Source: Pitrè, III, 32.; Eng. The light from the January moon is as bright as day. Note: Pitrè adds that it's bright enough to find a coin on the ground.

chicari v.t. Bend, fold.: Megghiu chicari chi rumpiri. Source: Pitrè, III, 185.; Eng. It's better to bend than to break.

chiddu pro. That.: Chiddu chi poi fari cu li to' manu, nun lu fari fari ad àutru. Source: Pitrè, III, 193.; Eng. Don't ask another to do that which you can do with your own hands.

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.; Ci' voli lu ventu n'chiesa, ma no a'stutari li cannili! Source: Danny Sutera.; Eng. A breeze in church is needed, not to the point of blowing out the candles.

china n.f. Full.: La vutti mentri è china si sparagna. Source: Bellantonio, II, 109.; Eng. Conserve while the cask is full.

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. Source: Pitrè, III, 53.; Eng. When it rains in the morning, take the plow and start sowing; when it rains between Vespers and nightfall, put on your boots.; Quannu chiovi di vèspiru a notti, Va mèttiti li botti. Source: Pitrè, III, 53.; Eng. When it rains from vespers to nighttime, Wear your boots when you go.

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.; Quannu chiovi cu Tramuntana, Chiovi tri jorna o una simana. Source: Pitrè, III, 53.; Eng. When it rains with a North Wind, It will rain for three days or a week.

chiovu n.m. Nail.: L'amuri è comu 'n chiovu: siddu lu levi lassa lu pirtusu.; Eng. Love is like a nail: it leaves a hole if it's removed.

chiummu n.m. Lead (82 Pb), plumb bob.: Prima di dari un passu,; T' ha' purtari lu chiummu e lu cumpassu. Source: Pitrè, III, 368.; Eng. Before you take the first step,; Make sure you have your plumb bob and compass.

Chiuppu n.m. Pioppo, poplar tree, populus dilatata, L.: Prima Diu e poi l'acqua di lu Chiuppu,; 'N Palermu cci arrivanu chini a tappu. Source: Bellantonio, II 305.; Eng. First God and then the water of Pioppo,; In Palermo they arrive filled to the cork.; Note: A proverb about the teamsters who carted wine from Partinico to Palermo and stopped in the village of Pioppo (Chiuppu) to eat and drink lavishly, adding water to the barrels to replace the wine they had consumed.

chiuvaru n.m. Nail maker.: Lu figghiu di lu chiuvaru fa chiuviddi. Source: Bellantonio, II 155.; Eng. Children imitate their elders. Lit. The son of the nail maker makes little nails.

ciacca n.f. Crack, split, cleft, crevice.: Nun cc'è sciloccu senz'acqua,; Nun cc'è fimmina senza ciacca. Source: Bellantonio, II 82.; Eng. There's no sirocco without rain,; And no woman without pain.; Lit. There's no sirocco without rain,; No woman without a crack.

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.; Quannu lu lignu ciacca, ognunu è mastru. Source: Bellantonio, II 195.; Eng. After something goes wrong, everyone knows how it could have been avoided.; Lit. After the wood cracks, everyone is a master craftsman.

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.; A la vuccirìa si scànnanu li ciaraveddi. Source: Bellantonio, II, 208.; Eng. The kid goats are skinned at the slaughterhouse.

ciatu n.m. Breath, force, vigor.: Mentri cc'é ciatu cci é spiranza. Source: Traina, 195.; Eng. Where there's life there's hope.

ciàula n.f. Magpie.: Gattaredda di firraru e ciàula di campanaru. Source: Pitrè, I, 4.; Eng. The blacksmith's cat and the bell ringer's magpie.; Note. Said of a person that doesn't get flustered.

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.

ciciru n.m. Chick pea, garbanzo bean.: L' amuri non è brod'i ciciri. Source: Copani, 40.; Eng. Love is not like chick pea soup that can be prepared to your order.

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.

cìnniri n.f. Ashes.: Sutta la cìnniri cci stà lu focu. Source: Bellantonio, II 136.; Eng. You can't judge a book by its cover. Lit. Under the ashes there is fire.

cinquant'anni adj. Fifty years.: L'omu a cinquant'anni o è papa o varvajanni.; Eng. At age fifty a man is either the Pope or a fool.; A cinquant' anni scàcciacci la testa. Source: Bellantonio, II, 207.; Eng. At fifty years of age break his head.; A cinquant' anni, tàgghiacci li pedi e li gammi. Source: Bellantonio, II, 207.; Eng. There's no fool like an old fool.; Lit. At fifty years of age, cut off his feet and his legs.

cinquantina n.f. Fifty.: Ddoppu la cinquantina,; Un mali ogni matina. Source: Bellantonio, II, 211.; Eng. After fifty,; An ailment every morning.

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!

cira n.f. Wax.: Prestu, prestu, ca la cira squagghia.; Eng. Quickly, quickly, before the wax melts.

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.; Megghiu cridiri, chi jiri circannu. Source: Bellantonio, II 186.; Eng. Better to believe than to go seeking.; Cui nun fa li fatti soi,; Cu 'na lanterna va circannu guai. Source: Pitrè, III, 317.; Eng. Who doesn't mind his own business,; Is looking for trouble with a lantern.; Cui li so' affari nun si fa,; Cu la lanterna guai circannu va. Source: Pitrè, III, 317.; Eng. Who fails to tend his own affairs,; Goes looking for trouble with a lantern.; Si' a cavaddu all'asinu, e lu vai circannu? Source: Pitrè, III, 297.; Eng. The missing donkey that you're looking for is the one you're riding.

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 claim to be happy and content.

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