SICILIAN PROVERBS

translated into English by Arthur V. Dieli
cirrichincì n.m. Screech owl.
Quannu canta lu cirrichincì,
O bonu o tintu cci dici di sì; Source: Pitrè, I, 59.
Eng. When the screech owl sings,
For better or for worse you can say yes;
 
Quannu canta lu cirrichinciò,
Cu' havi patruni canciari lu pò (Erice). Source: Pitrè, I, 59.
When the screech owl sings,
You can go work for someone else.
 
citrolu n.m. Cucumber.
L'amuri è comu lu citrolu;
'Ncumincia duci e finisci amaru (Termini). Source: Pitrè, I, 113.
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.
 
ciummu n.m. Lead (the metal).
La toppa è ciummu. Source: Bellantonio, II 153.
Eng. Women are complex. Lit: The lock is leaden. Tr. note: Women are referred to as locks because you need a key.
 
ciuri n.m. Flower.
Àrvulu 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.
 
cocciu n.m. Berry, fruit, seed, drop.
A cocciu a cocciu si inchi lu parmentu.
Eng. Patience and perseverance made a bishop of his reverance. lit. Berry by berry the wine cellar will be filled.
 
Ristari ad unu lu cocciu. Source: Traina, 210.
Eng. Place an obligation on someone. or To be suddenly obliged.
 
Lassari lu cocciu ad autru. Source: Traina, 210.
Eng. Leave the mess for others.
 
civu n.m. Food.
Di la nuci si nni pigghia lu civu; li scorci si jèttanu. Source: Bellantonio, II 146.
Eng. From the nut you eat the kernel; the shell is discarded.
 
cociri v.t. To cook, to torment, to grieve.
Ogni lignu coci pasta. Source: Bellantonio, II 14.
Eng. All firewood cooks pasta.
 
cocu n.m. A cook.
Sparaci e funci svrigògnanu cocu.
Eng. Asparagus and mushrooms teach a cook humility.
 
colira n.f. Anger, rage.
Cu' pena si campa cu' colira si mori.
Eng. You can live with pain, but rage is mortal.
 
coffa n.f. Shopping bag, coffer, basket, feed trough, swollen tonsils.
Sparagna la farina, mentri la coffa è china. Source: Bellantonio, II, 109.
Eng. Conserve the flour while the coffer is still full.
 
cogghiri v.t. Gather, harvest, pick.
Cui cogghi nun duna. Source: Bellantonio, II 26.
Eng. One who gathers for himself and doesn't think to give to others.
Lit. Who gathers doesn't give.
 
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.
 
contrabbannu n.m. Smuggling, contraband.
Cui fa contrabbannu, guadagna e nun sa quannu. Source: Bellantonio, II 199.
Eng. The smuggler's earnings are unpredictable.
Lit. The one who smuggles, doesn't know when he will earn.
 
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.
 
còppula n.f. Cap, bonnet for newborns, cap of an acorn.
Si si metti a fari còppuli, li genti nascinu cu dui testi. Source: Bellantonio, II 190..
Eng. Set to making bonnets, and people will be born with two heads.
Note. A complaint about bad luck.
 
cori n.m. Heart.
Nun t'avanzari si cori nun hai. Source: Pitrè, III, 242.
Eng. Don't push yourself forward if you don't have the heart.
 
Cui di cori ama, di luntanu vidi.
Eng. Looking through rose colored glasses.
Lit. Who loves with his heart sees from a distance.
 
Mmerda teni cori. Source: Bellantonio, II 158.
Eng. Stubborn diarrhea in infants is heart rending.
 
Aviri un cori d'asinu e n'autru di liuni. Source: Zinna, 124.
Eng. Having one heart of a donkey and another of a lion.
 
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.
 
corpu n.m. Blow, stroke, hit, body.
L'arvulu nun cadi a lu primu corpu. Source: Pitrè, II. 19.
Eng. The tree isn't felled with the first blow.
 
Un arvulu a primu corpu nun si tagghia. Source: Bellantonio, II 19.
Eng. The tree isn't cut down with the first blow.
 
Li tanti corpi fannu cascari l'antica cersa. Source: Bellantonio, II 19.
Eng. The many blows felled the ancient oak tree.
 
L'anima a Diu, lu corpu a la terra, e la robba a cu' spetta.
Eng. The soul to God, the body to the earth, and the belongings to those who wait.
 
Tintu ddu corpu ch' è chiamatu matri. Source: Bellantonio, II 141.
Eng. Terrible is the body that is called mother.
 
Biatu ddu corpu ch' 'un è chiamatu matri. Source: Bellantonio, II 141.
Eng. Blessed is the body that is not called mother. Tr. note: Said by a lamenting mother who has suffered for her children.
 
costa n.m. Cost, coast, rib.
Cara costa la vigna di la costa.
Eng. The vineyard along the coast costs dearly.
 
costu n.m. Expense, price, cost.
A costi d'àutru si tagghia grassu Source: Bellantonio, II 22.
Eng. Eating high on the hog.
Lit. Take a thick slice at the expense of another.
 
cozzu n.m. Occiput, the back of the skull, a spine, a ridge.
Scappari d'un cozzu di cuteddu.
Eng. To barely escape. (lit. To escape by the thickness of a knife's back.)
 
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
 
cravaccari v.t. Ride horseback.
La varca è di cu' la cravacca. Source: Traina, 1074.
Eng. The boat belongs to the one who takes charge.
 
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.
 
crianza n.f. Manners, politeness, well mannered.
Cui nun ha crianza, mancia fina ch'è saziu. Source: Pitrè, III, 317.
Eng. Who is impolite, eats until he's sated.
 
criàti n.f. Maids, servants.
Matrimonii e criàti, nun nni purtati cà sariti gastimati.
Eng. Marriage and maids, confuse them at your peril.
 
cridenza n.f. faith.
Cu' duna a cridenza (o fa cridenza) perdi l'amicu e perdi li dinari. Source: Traina, 237.
Eng. One who gives on faith, loses both his friend and his money.
 
cridiri v.t. To believe, to think, to trust.
Occhiu nun vidi, cori nun cridi. Source: Bellantonio, II 187.
Eng. Seeing is believing.
Lit. What the eyes don't see, the heart doesn't believe.
 
Lu cridiri è curtisia. Source: Bellantonio, II 186.
Eng. Believing is a courtesy.
 
Lu prestu cridiri è asinitati. Source: Bellantonio, II 186.
Eng. Believing too hastily is asininity.
 
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.
 
Nun cridiri a la donna, chi ti 'nganna. Source: Bellantonio, II 82.
Eng. Don't trust a woman, for she will deceive you.
 
Nun cridiri a lu santu, si nun vidi lu miraculu. Source: Bellantonio, II 186.
Eng. Don't trust a saint, if you don't see the miracle.
 
Cui cchiù sapi, menu cridi. Source: Bellantonio, II 184.
Eng. The more you know, the less you believe.
 
Cui prestu cridi, prestu si nni penti. Source: Bellantonio, II 185.
Eng. Who readily believes, soon has regrets.
 
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.
 
Cosi cuntati cridìtinni mitati; si menu nni criditi, megghiu faciti. Source: Bellantonio, II 184.
Eng. Believe half of what's recounted, the less you believe, the better you'll do.
 
criju v.t. 1st p.sing. I believe.
Tannu criju a lu tronu, quannu viju lu lampu.
Eng. I'll believe the thunder when I see the lightning.
 
crisciri v.i. To grow, increase, rise.
Acqua di Maju crisci capiddi, Criscili a mia, ca l'haju picciriddi. Source: Pitrè, III, 4.
Eng. May rains grow hair, Grow mine for my heads bare. Lit. May water grows hair, Grow mine because I have little.
 
Mentri l'erva crisci, lu cavaddu mori di fami. Source: Pitrè, III, 383.
Eng. While the grass grows, the hosrse dies of hunger.
 
cristianu n.m. Christian, person.
Cui nun è bonu turcu, cristianu è cchiù bifurcu.
Eng. A Christian is more of a scoundrel than a rascal of a non-believer.
 
Cu' havi figghi e cani 'Un pò jiri nn'ê cristiani. Source: Bellantonio, II 142.
Eng. If you have children or dogs, you can't go where there are adults.
 
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.
 
crivaru n.m. Sieve seller or maker.
Lu figghiu di lu crivaru fa criveddi. Source: Bellantonio, II 155.
Eng. Children imitate adults. Lit. The son of the sieve maker makes little sieves.
 
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.
 
Crivu novu 'n pèrcia penni:
A li tri jorna farina cerni. Source: Bellantonio, II, 110.
Eng. The new sieve hangs on its pivot:
In three days it sifts flour.
 
cruci n.f. Cross, sacrifice.
Nun c'è artari senza cruci.
Eng. There is no victory without sacrifice.
 
Ognunu (o -- Ogni casa) havi la sò cruci. Source: Pitrè, III, 94.
Eng. Everyone has their own cross. or -- Every house has its own cross.
 
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 n.m. Crucifix.
Crucifissu vecchiu nun ha cchiù 'ncensu.
Eng. You don't burn incense at an old crucifix.
 
cubbàita n.f. Nougat, torrone.
Scrùsciu di carti, e cubbàita nenti. Source: Bellantonio, II 137.
Eng. The noise of wrappers, but no nougat.
 
cucca n.f. Owl.
Cu s'avanta ccu la so vucca o è asinu o è cucca. Source: Piccitto, I, 796.
Eng. Who boasts with his own mouth is either a donkey or an owl.
 
cuccagna n.f. Abundance, plenty.
A la terra di cuccagna, Cui cchiù dormi, cchiù guadagna.. Source: Pitrè, III, 190.
Eng. In the land of plenty, The more you sleep, the more you earn.
 
cucchiara n.f. Spoon, wooden spoon, table spoon.
Cu' havi la cucchiara 'mmanu, minestra comu voli. Source: Bellantonio, II 25.
Eng. The one in charge calls the shots.
Lit. The one with the spoon in hand, makes the soup as he wants.
 
cucchieri n.m. Coachman.
A la calma, bunazza e letu jiri, ogni cucchieri sapi navicari. Source: Bellantonio, II 194.
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.
 
cufinu n.m. Basket.
Lu cufinu si sparagna quannu è chinu. Source: Bellantonio, II, 109.
Eng. Conserve the basket while it's full.
 
cugnata n.f. Sister-in-law.
Cui si curca cu mè frati m' è cugnata. Source: Pitrè, Vol, Page.
Eng. The one who sleeps with my brother is a sister-in-law to me.
 
cugnintura n.f. Opportunity, occasion.
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.
 
Cu' ha la cugnintura e 'un si nni servi,
Nun trova cunfissuri chi l' assorvi. Source: Pitrè, III, 372,3.
Eng. Who is given an opportunity and fails to take it,
Won't find a confessor who will absolve him.
 
culu n.m. Ass, backside.
Si lu culu avissi dinari, si chiamirria Don Culu. Source: Pitrè, III, 276.
Eng. Anyone with money is addressed with respect.
Lit. If the ass had maney, it would be called Mr. Ass.
 
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.
 
Nun sapa beni cumannari cu' nun sapi beni fari.
Eng. He knows not well to command, who knows not well to do.
 
cuminciari v.t. Begin, start, adopt.
Tuttu stà a cuminciari. Source: Pitrè, III, 388.
Eng. The difficulty is in getting started.
Lit. Everything depends on beginning.
 
cummari n.f. Godmother.
Cummari e cumpari, pigghiali uguali. Source: Bellantonio, II 146.
Eng. Godmother and godfather, choose them the same.
 
cummattiri v.t. To combat, assault, compete, deal.
Amici semu e li vurzi si cummattanu
Eng. Friends we are yet our purses fight.
 
Megghiu cummattiri cu centu mariola, ca c'un babbu.
Eng. It's easier to deal with a bunch of sharpies than with a single dummy.
 
cummèniri v.i. Convenient.
Fari prestu e beni, nun si cunveni. Source: Pitrè, III, 367.
Eng. Being in a hurry and being helpful, don't mesh.
 
cummuditati n.f. Comfort, convenience, advantage.
Cu' ha cummuditati e 'un si la pigghia, attàccalu a la stadda e dacci pagghia. Source: Pitrè, III, 372.
Eng. Who has an advantage and doesn't seize it, tie him to a stall and give him straw.
 
Cu' ha la cummuditati e 'un si nni servi,
Nun trova cunfissuri chi l' assorvi. Source: Pitrè, III, 372,3.
Eng. Who is given an advantage and fails to take it,
Won't find a confessor who will absolve him.
 
cumpagnia n.f. Company, fellowship, group.
Amuri e gilusia su' sempri 'n cumpagnia.
Eng. Love and jealousy always keep company.
 
cumpagnu n.m. Companion, friend.
Cu' havi bisognu di lu cumpagnu, aspetta. Source: Pitrè, I, 198.
Eng. Who has need of a companion, awaits.
 
cumpanaggiu n.m. Anything eaten with bread.
'A fami è 'u megghiu cumpanaggiu.
Eng. Hunger is the best thing to eat bread with.
 
Cu' havi fami, nun cerca cumpanàggiu. Source: Pitrè, I, 198.
Eng. One who has need is not choosy.
Lit. Who is hungry, won't wait for a spread for his bread.
 
cumparatu n.m. Godfather, also see parrinu.
Mortu lu figghiozzu, è finutu lu cumparatu. Source: Bellantonio, II 158.
Eng. When the godson died, the status of godfather ended.
 
cumpari n.m. Crony, peer, friend, godfather.
Cu lu vìnniri e cumprari nun c'è amici nè cumpari.
Eng. With selling and buying there are neither friends nor cronies.
 
cumponi v.t. 3rd p.sing. Creates, composes, arranges.
Cu' cumponi lu velenu la prima tazza è la sò.
Eng. The first cup of poison belongs to its creator. (For example, Pope Alexander VI, a Borgia, poisoned himself while meaning to poison someone else.)
 
cunfidari v.t. Confide.
Pigghia cunsigghiu di li vecchi, sirviziu di giuvini e nun cunfidàriti mai di nuddu. Source: Bellantonio, II 188.
Eng. Take advice from the old, service from the young, and never confide in anyone.
 
cunfissioni n.f. Confession.
Fa' tistamentu e cunfissioni, manciannu sosizza e maccarruni. Source: Pitrè, III, 378.
Eng. Make your will and confession while eating sausage and pasta.
 
cunfurtibbuli adj. Comfortable.
L' acqua mali faciri, lu vinu cunfurtibbuli.
Eng. Bad water makes wine attractive.
 
cunfusioni n.f. Confusion, disorder, mess.
Figghi assai, cunfusioni. Source: Bellantonio, II 147.
Eng. Very many children, confusion.
 
cunigghiu n.m. Rabbit.
Vista di nigghiu e 'ntisa di cunigghiu.
Eng. Having vision as sharp as a kite and hearing as keen as a rabbit.
 
cunniri v.t. Season, soil.
Trivulu cunnutu nun è truvulu Source: Pitrè, III, 265.
Eng. A problem is not a problem when you have bread seasoned with oil drippings.
Note: A play on words, just as bread can be seasoned, so can a problem.
 
cunnuttu n.m.. canal.
Cu' nun po' biviri 'ntr' on gottu, calasi 'n terra e bivi 'ntr' on cunnuttu. Source: Traina, 444.
Eng. When you can't do as you want, do as you can. Lit. If you can't drink from the mug, bend down and drink from the canal.
 
cunòcchia n.f. Cane implement used in spinning wool, distaff, woman.
Mali sta la casa chi la cunòcchia cumànna la spata.
Eng. Sorry the house that is headed by the woman.
 
cunsigghi n.m. Counsel, advice.
'Nvanu si doli cui disprezza li boni cunsigghi. Source: Pitrè, III, 188.
Eng. In vain forlorn when good counsel you scorn.
 
Amuri nun senti cunsigghi.
Eng. Love doesn't listen to advice.
 
cunsigghia v.t. Advises, counsels.
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.
 
cunsigghiati v.t. Counsel.
Vogghi beni a tutti e cunsigghiati cu pochi.
Eng. Be friendly with everyone and counsel with few.
 
cunsigghiu n.m. Advice, counsel.
Acqua, cunsigghiu e sali senza dumannatu nu nn' hai a dari.
Eng. Water, advice, and salt unasked for should not be given.
 
Acqua, cunsigghiu e sali,
A cu' nu nn'addumanna 'un cci nni dari. Source: Pitrè, III, 313.
Eng. Water, advice, and salt,
Unaked for, should not be given.
 
Di lu nnimicu 'un pigghiari cunsigghiu. Source: Bellantonio, II 185.
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.
 
Di lu picciottu lu travagghiu,
Di lu vecchiu lu cunsigghiu. Source: Bellantonio, II, 211.
Eng. Work from the young,
Advice from the old.
 
cunsulatu v.t. past p. 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.
 
cunsumari v.t. Consume, use, waste, scorn, long for.
Cori forti cunsuma cattiva sorti. Source: Bellantonio, II 17.
Eng. A stout heart scorns bad luck.
 
Cuntanti adj., n. Cash payment.
Accattari 'n cuntanti e vinniri in cridenza. Source: Traina, 271.
Eng. Buy with cash and sell on credit.
 
cuntari v.t. v.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.
 
Cu' è cuntenti, è pazzu. Source: Bellantonio, II 177.
Eng. The contented man must be crazy.
 
Cu' è cuntenti è poviru, cu' è scuntenti è riccu. Source: Bellantonio, II 177.
Eng. Who is content, is poor, who is discontented is rich.
 
cunti n.m. Dealings with, reckonings.
Nun aviri cunti cu monaci e parrini.
Eng. Have no dealings with monks and priests.
 
Cunti spissu, amicizia longa. Source: Bellantonio, II 185.
Eng. Frequent reckonings, long friendship.
 
Spissu cuntu, longa amistati. Source: Bellantonio, II 185.
Eng. Frequent reckonings, long friendship.
 
cuntintizza n.f. Happiness, joy.
A lu poviru pidochi, a lu riccu cuntintizzi. Source: Pitrè, III, 252.
Eng. Lice to the poor man, joys to the rich man.
 
cuntinu adj. Continuous, enduring.
'Ntra ortu e jardinu stacci cuntinu.
Eng. Always attend to the vegetable and flower gardens.
 
cuntrastari v.t. Oppose, contest, hinder.
È veru chi a stu munnu si cuntrasta,
Ma ad ogni santu veni la sò festa. Source: Pitrè, I, 274.
Eng. It's true that one encounters opposition in this world,
But a feast day comes around for every saint.
 
Nun cuntrastari cu cui nun havi chi pèrdiri.
Eng. Don't fight with someone who has nothing to lose.
 
cuntrattu 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.
 
La parola di lu galantomu è cuntrattu. Source: Pitrè, III, 282.
Eng. The word of a gentleman is a contract.
 
La parola è cchiù di cuntrattu. Source: Pitrè, III, 282.
Eng. Your word is more than a contract.
 
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.
 
cunventu n.m. Monastery, assembly.
Lu cunventu havi a stari 'n pedi, chi li monaci vannu e vennu. Source: Bellantonio, II 155.
Eng. The monastery needs to stay on its toes, because monks come and go.
 
cunviniri v.i. Be convenient.
Pigghia lu beni quannu veni,
E lu mali quannu cunveni. Source: Pitrè, III, 386.
Eng. Take the good as it comes,
And the bad when it's convenient.
 
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.
 
cuppulidda n.f. bonnet for newborns.
Si mi mettu a fari cuppuliddi, tutti li genti nàscinu senza testa. Source: Bellantonio, II 190.
Eng. If I set myself to making babies bonnets, everyone will be born without heads.
Said by a person who's experiencing some bad luck. (Not to mention the bad luck of the babies!)
 
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. Care, mind, worry.
Statti onuratu e nun ti curari si si' poviru. Source: Pitrè, III, 286.
Eng. Remain honorable and don't worry if you're poor.
 
curcari v.t. Sleep, fall 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.
 
A tempu di friddu, buon manciari a unu, e curcari a dui. Source: Pitrè, IV,5.
Eng. During cold weather, eat a lot and keep warm.
Note. The english is a translation of Pitrè's note. But the proverb can also be translated differently.
 
A lettu strittu, cùrcati 'mmenzu. Source: Pitrè, III, 371.
Eng. In a narrow bed, sleep in the center.
 
A lettu strittu, cùrcati 'n terra. Source: Pitrè, III, 371.
Eng. When the bed is narrow, sleep on the ground.
 
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 a cuckold.
 
curri v.i. 3rd p.sing. Runs.
Cui cchiù curri, mancu camina.
Eng. Who runs more, lacks walking.
 
currituri n.m. Fast, swift.
Cavaddu currituri duna vantaggiu e piglia lu pàliu.
Eng. A fast horse gives you an advantage and wins the prize.
 
currutella n.f. Spoilage, depravity, indigestion.
'Menzu lu sali nun cc'è curruttela. Source: Bellantonio, II 14.
Eng. There's no spoilage midst the salt.
 
currivu adj. Indignant, upset.
Cu' ad ogni dittu cridi ed è currivu,
Comu pigghiassi l'acqua cu lu crivu. Source: Bellantonio, II 184.
Eng. One who believes everything he hears and is upset,
Is like one who fetches water with a sieve.
 
cursa n.f. Race, trot.
A cursa longa lu bon cavaddu pari.
Eng. In a long race the good horse prevails.
 
Cursa d'asinu e burrasca di Punenti, 'Ncumènzanu cu furia e nun cc'è nenti. Source: Bellantonio, II 17.
Eng. The trot of the donkey and the tempest from the west, begin with fury and soon end.
 
Cursa d'asinu pocu dura. Source: Bellantonio, II 18.
Eng. The trot of the donkey doesn't last.
 
curtina n.f. Curtain surrounding a bedstead.
La zita majulina nun si godi la curtina.
Eng. The bride does not prefer a May wedding.
Lit. The May bride does not prefer the bedstead curtain.
 
curtisia n.f. Courtesy, graciousness.
Superchia curtisia fa dubbitari chi 'ngannu sia.
Eng. Overwhelming graciousness raises concern that you may be being deceitful.
 
curuna n.f. Crown, halo.
Nun prumettiri a Santi la curuna,
Nè mancu a picciriddi la cuddara. Source: Pitrè, III, 284.
Eng. Don't bribe children.
Lit. Don't promise halos to the saints,
Nor bread treats to children.
 
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.
 
custari v.i. Cost, consist, consist of.
Assai vali e pocu custa,
A malu parrari bona risposta. Source: Pitrè, III, 315.
Eng. It's worth much and costs little,
To well answer a malicious word.
 
custicedda n.f. Rib.
Essiri o cridirisi di la custicedda D'Adamu. Source: Traina, 288.
Eng. Being or believing to be from Adam's rib.
Note: Those who beleve they are of ancient nobility or should be favored.
 
custumi n.m. Customs, behavior.
Custumi e no biddizzi fannu amari.
Eng. Good behavior and not beauty fosters love.
 
cutra n.f. Blanket.
Tutta la sciarra è pi' la cutra.
Eng. The fight is all about the blanket. (To express an unknown cause.)
 
cuverchiu n.m. Cover.
Lu suverchiu rumpi lu cuverchiu.
Eng. Every excess is damaging. (lit. Superfluity breaks the cover.)
 
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.
 
darreri adv. Behind, in back of.
Quannu l'alligrizza è 'n casa, la disgrazia è darreri la porta. Source: Pitrè, III, 96.
Eng. When happiness is in the house, sadness is behind the door.
 
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.
 
Cù duna pani a lu cani di cui, perdi lu pani e lu cani di cchiùi. Source: Traina, 149.
Eng. Whoever feeds someone else's dog, loses the bread and the dog as well.
Lit. Whoever gives bread to someone else's dog, etc.
 
Si puvirtà t'è data, è gran ricchizza. Source: Pitrè, III, 277.
Eng. If poverty has been given to you, it is a great gift.
 
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.
 
Ddò n.m. Title, honorific.
Levami lu Ddò, e criscimi la pitanza. Source: Pitrè, III, 268.
Eng. Take away my title, and increase my portion.
 
Lu Ddò senza nninni,
È comu lu cavulu cappùcciu senza carni. Source: Pitrè, III, 267.
Eng. Having the title without the money,
Is like having spring cabbage without meat.
 
debbitu n.m. Debt.
Si debbiti hai, e debbiti fai, si nun fallisci mentirai.
Eng. If you have debts and you incur debts, if you don't fail you'll lie.
 
Ogni prumissa è debbitu e si paga.
Eng. Every promise is a debt to be paid.
 
dèbbuli n.m. Weakness.
Cchiù chi dèbbuli è lu malatu,
Cchiù prestu si nni va la malatia. Source: Pitrè, IV, 6.
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. Sorry is the mouth that loses its first tooth.
 
Cui prestu nasci li denti, aspetta lu parenti. Source: Bellantonio, II 145.
Eng. The baby that teeths early awaits a sibling.
 
detta n.f. Creditor.
Ti vôi 'nsignari a fari detta?
Accàttari lu roggiu e la scupetta. Source: Bellantonio, II, 111.
Eng. Do you want to learn to be a creditor?
Buy a watch and a shotgun.
 
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. Source: Pitrè, III, 275.
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.
 
Santu in chiesa, e diàvulu in casa.
Eng. A hypocrit. Lit. A saint in church, a devil at home.
 
dicidotto adj. Eighteen.
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.
 
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.
 
dijunu n.m. Fast, extended privation.
Predicari lu dijunu a panza china.
Eng. Preaching a fast on a full stomach.
 
dijunu adj. Empty stomach, hungry
Omu dijunu menzu dispiratu.
Eng. The hungry man is half a revolutionary.
Lit. The hungry man is halfway desperate.
 
Megghiu moriri sazziu ca dijunu.
Eng. It's better to die with a full stomach.
 
Ad omu dijunu 'un dumannari grazia. Source: Pitrè, III, 313.
Eng. Don't ask for thanks from a hungry man.
 
dilettu n.m. Pleasure.
Fuji li dilettu presenti, pri nun dari dispiaciri futuri. Source: Traina, 308.
Eng. Bypass this delight to avoid future displeasure.
 
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. v.t. To demonstrate, display, show.
Si vôi chi nuddu di postu ti scugni, nun dimustrari mai chi tu ti spagni. Source: Pitrè, III, 243.
Eng. If you don't want anyone to replace you, 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.
 
Cu' havi dinari assai, sempri cunta. Source: Pitrè, III, 256.
Eng. The man with a lot of money is always counting.
 
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.
 
Figghi e dinari hannu a essiri nostri. Source: Bellantonio, II 148.
Eng. Children and money have to be ours.
 
Cu havi dinari nun mori. Source: Pitrè, III, 258.
Eng. Money lets you live. Lit. Who has money doesn't die.
 
Li dinari levanu l'omu di la furca. Source: Pitrè, III, 258.
Eng. Money lets you survive difficulties. Lit. Money frees you from the gallows.
 
Cu havi dinari, pò diri 'na parola di cchiù. Source: Pitrè, III, 258.
Eng. Having money gives you an extra say.
 
diri v.t. To say, to tell.
Nun diri a lu tò amicu quantu sai;
Pensa s'un jornu pri nnimicu l'hai. Source: Bellantonio, II 185.
Eng. Don't tell your friend everything that you know;
Eng. 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.
 
disculu adj. Unruly, argumentative.
Figghiu disculu, marìtalu. Source: Bellantonio, II 148.
Eng. An unruly son, marry him off.
 
discursu n.m. Discourse, conversation, speech.
Lu discursu è bellu e bonu: ma lu tavernaru voli li picciuli. Source: Pitrè, II.
Eng. Conversation is beautiful and good but the tavern owner wants money.
 
disgrazia n.f. Misfortune, mishap, disaster, disgrace.
Quannu la disgrazia havi a viniri, trasi pri li spaccazzi di la porta. Source: Pitrè, III, 96.
Eng. When misfortune is on its way, it enters through the cracks in the door.
 
disgraziatu adj. Poor, unfortunate, wretched.
A li poviri e a li disgraziati
Cci chivi 'nta lu culu anchi assittati. Source: Pitrè, II. 190.
Eng. The poor and the wretched
Get rained on their backsides even when seated.
 
disiari v.t. To wish, to want.
Vôi fàriti amari? Fatti disiari.
Eng. If you'd be beloved, make yourself amiable.
 
Cu' cchiù havi cchiù disìa. Source: Traina, 103.
Eng. The more one has, the more one wants.
Lit. Who has more, wants more.
 
disiata v.t. past p. Desired.
La vicchiaia è disiata, ma quannu veni, è udiata.
Eng. Old age is desired, but when it comes, it's detested.
 
disignu n.m. Design, plan, drawing.
A cui voli fari, cci rinesci ogni disignu. Source: Pitrè, III, 190.
Eng. Where there's a will there's a way. Lit. One who wants to do it, finds every means.
 
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.
 
dispiaciri v.i. Displease.
Chiddu chi pò dispiaciri, nun fari e nun diri. Source: Pitrè, III, 316.
Eng. Don't do or say that which can displease.
 
disposta adj. disposed, prepared to do, handled.
Richizza malamenti disposta, a puvirtà s'accosta. Source: Bellantonio, II, 108.
Eng. Wealth poorly handled, poverty close by.
 
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.
 
Lu poviru, di tutti è disprizzatu. Source: Pitrè, III, 263.
Eng. The poor man is despised by all.
 
La vicchiaja mmaliditta è di (da) tutti disprizzata Source: Bellantonio, II, 214.
Eng. Accursed old age is despised by all.
 
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.
 
dittu n.m. Word, motto, testimony.
Lu primu dittu è l'ancilu di Diu. Source: Pitrè, III, 226.
Eng. The first word was spoken by the angel of God.
 
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 .
 
divotu adj. Devout, devoted.
Ogni santu havi li so divoti.
Eng. We all have relationships. Lit. There are folowers for every saint.
 
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.
 
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