SICILIAN PROVERBS

translated into English by Arthur V. Dieli
dolu n.m. Pain, ruin, waste.
Cu' ha oru, nun ha dolu. Source: Pitrè, III, 255
Eng. The rich have no pain.
 
domari v.t. Tame.
Lu pisu doma la bestia.
Eng. The burden tames the beast.
 
donna n.f. Woman.
Vôi donna bedda? curri a Siragusa; si la vôi brutta, curri a Terranova, va a Rusulini si la vôi lagnusa, e a Spaccafurnu si la cerchi a prova.
Eng. If you want a beautiful woman, hurry to Syracuse: if you want her ugly, run to Terranova, go to Rosolini if you want her lazy and to Spaccaforno if you're looking for one to try.
 
Cani di quattru, cavaddu d'ottu, donna di dicidottu e giuvini di vintottu.
Eng. The ideal is a four year old dog, an eight year old horse, an eighteen year old woman and a twenty eight year old man.
 
Di giusta tagghia e di giusta misura, la donna havi a èssiri pri fari figura.
Eng. A lady has to be of the right cut and the right measure to make a pretty figure.
 
Donna senza amuri è rosa senza oduri.
Eng. A woman without love is like a rose without a scent.
 
É bona donna, donna chi non pàrra.
Eng. A silent woman is a good woman.
 
doppu adv. After.
Doppu chi a Santa Chiara l'arrubbaru, ci ficiru li porti di brunzu. Source: Zinna, 126.
Eng. Closing the barn doors after the horses are out.
Lit. After Saint Clare was robbed, they made bronze doors.
 
Ddoppu la guerra veni la paci. Source: Pitrè, I, 277.
Eng. After the war comes the peace
 
Ddoppu la timpesta veni la calma. Source: Pitrè, I, 277.
Eng. The calm comes after the storm.
 
Ddoppu la furtuna veni la bunazza. Source: Pitrè, I, 277.
Eng. After the uncertainty comes the calm.
 
Ddoppy lu scuru si spera la luci. Source: Pitrè, I, 277.
Eng. After the dark we hope for the light.
 
dormi v.i. 3rd p.sing. Sleeps.
Cani chi dormi, nun lu scuitari.
Eng. Let a sleeping dog lie.
 
dòrmiri v.i. To sleep.
Nun si pò dòrmiri e fari la guardia.
Eng. You can't sleep and be on guard.
 
dota n.f. Dowry.
Cui pri la dota pigghia la mugghieri, dulurusu farà lu sò campari.
Eng. Who chooses a wife based on the dowry, will have a painful life.
 
dottu adj. Learned, wise.
Cu' havi dinari, addiventa dottu. Source: Pitrè, III, 271.
Eng. Who has money, becomes learned.
 
È megghiu essiri dottu ca dutturi.
Eng. Better substance than appearance.
 
drittu n.m. Straight, right, honest, upright.
Cui va drittu, va afflittu.
Eng. When you try to walk the straight and narrow you get pebbles in your shoes.
 
Nun si pò viviri assai e jiri drittu.
Eng. You can't live a long life and remain upright.
 
Cui tira drittu nun la sgarra mai. Source: Pitrè, III, 281.
Eng. Who stays on the straight and narrow will never go wrong.
Lit. Who pulls straight will never make a mistake.
 
Tira drittu, chi 'nserti la strata. Source: Pitrè, III, 281.
Eng. Stay upright and you'll find your way.
 
dùbula v.t. 2nd p.sing. Harrow.
Ciacca cu muddura, dùbula cu calura, simina quannu è ura.
Eng. Plow when the soil is moist, harrow with the warm weather, and do the seeding on time.
 
dubbitari v.i. Doubt, suspect.
Cui nenti fa, nun dubbita di nenti. Source: Pitrè, III, 281.
Eng. Who does nothing, suspects nothing.
 
Cui nenti sapi, mai dubbita di nenti. Source: Pitrè, III, 281.
Eng. Who knows nothing, never has any doubts.
 
duci adj. Sweet.
Manciari amaru e sputari duci.
Eng. Keep up a good front though things are tough. Bella figura.
Lit. Eat bitter and spit sweet.
 
dugnu v.t. 1st p.sing. of Dare. I give, I'll give.
La terra dici: Dùnami ca ti dugnu.
Eng. The earth says: Give to me and I'll give to you.
 
duluri n.m. Pain.
Pri l'omu un gran suduri, pri la donna un gran duluri.
Eng. For the man a great sweat, for the woman a great physical pain.
 
Cui si marita pr'amuri, sempri campa 'n duluri.
Eng. Whoever marries for love will always live in pain.
 
dumani n.m. Tomorrow.
Oggi pensu iu, dumani pensa Diu.
Eng. I'll take care of today, let God take care of tomorrow.
 
Zoccu oj nun fai, dumani nun farrai. Source: Pitrè, III, 389.
Eng. What you put off today, you won't do tomorrow.
 
Zoccu pô' fari oggi, 'un lu fari dumani. Source: Pitrè, III, 389.
Eng. Don't put off 'tl tomorrow what you can do today.
 
'Mpara oj, chi s' aspetti a dumani nenti 'mparirai. Source: Pitrè, III,389.
Eng. Learn today, you'll learn nothing if you wait for tomorrow.
 
dumanna n.f. Request, question, demand.
Non ti cumanna cui ti dumanna.
Eng. A request is not a command. Or, Do what you think is best.
 
dura v.i. 3rd p.sing. Lasts, bears.
Pocu dura lu malu acquistatu.
Eng. Ill gotten gains don't last.
 
Cui la dura, la vinci. Source: Bellantonio, II 17.
Eng. Who can bear it, wins.
 
durmiri v.i. To sleep.
Aprili, lu duci durmiri, nè livari nè mittiri.
Eng. April is the time for sweet sleep, don't take things off, don't put things on.
 
Si S. Giuvanni tri jorna 'un durmissi, Oh! quantu e quantu cosi nni facissi!
Eng. If St. John would not sleep for three days, oh what a lot of things he could do for us.
 
S'hai furtuna dormi. Source: Bellantonio, II 195.
Eng. If you have good fortune, relax.
Lit. If you have good fortune, sleep.
 
duru adj. Hard.
Lu pani é duru, lu cuteddu nun tagghia. Source: Traina, 289.
Eng. Everything is going wrong.
Lit. The bread is hard, the knife won't cut.
 
ecce-homu n.m. Corpus.
Fari stari ad unu comu un ecce-homu.
Eng. To savage someone, or bring someone to a bad end.
 
eccessu n.m. Excess.
Ogni eccessu è viziu.
Eng. Every excess is a vice.
 
epiremia n.f. Epidemic.
'Ntempu d'epiremia duttura in alligria.
Eng. During an epidemic doctors are happy.
 
eredità n.f. Inheritance.
La gaddina si spinna quannu è morta. Source: Traina, 423.
Eng. Inheritance flows only after death. Lit. A chicken is plucked when it's dead.
 
Erice place name Erice.
Cui voli sali, vaja a Trapani, cui voli beddi vaja a lu Munti. oppure: Carrica sali li Tapanisi, biddizzi rari tutti li Muntisi.
Eng. Go to Trapani for salt, go to Erice for a beauty. Or: In Trapani they carry salt, in Erice they have rare beauties.
 
erra n.f. The letter R.
Misi cu l'erra 'un ti curcari 'n terra.
Eng. Don't sleep on the ground during those months that are spelled with an r.
 
erruri n.m. Errors, mistakes.
L'erruri di li medici, tutti li cummogghia la terra.
Eng. A doctor's mistakes all lie buried.
 
Erruri nun porta pena.
Eng. Errors don't pay.
 
Cu' nun si quarda di lu picciuli erruri, cadi poi ntra li maggiuri.
Eng. If you make little mistakes then you'll make big ones.
 
Autru fici l'erruri, ed io lu chianciu.
Eng. I'm paying for someone else's mistake.
 
erva n.f. Grass.
Erva ch'un si conusci, nun si meti.
Eng. Don't harvest grass that you don't recognize.
 
esalta v.t. Exalts, praises.
Cui s'esalta sarrà umiliatu. Source: Pitrè, III, 175.
Eng. Who praises himself will be humbled.
 
esiggituri n.m. Collector.
Lu malu esiggituri fa lu malu pagaturi.
Eng. Late billing leads to bad debts. (Lit. The bad collector makes the bad payer.)
 
està n.f. Summer.
Nun jinchi li visazzi està chi fa cucuzzi e ramurazzi.
Eng. The summer that yields pumpkins and horseradishes won't fill us up.
 
etisia n.f. Consumption (med).
Tri sunnu li rimèddii pri l'etisia di la vurza: cena di latti, pruvuli di granci e di giurani e limatura di corna di cervu. Source: Pitrè, III, 265.
Eng. There are three remedies for consumption of the purse: a meal consisting of milk, ground up crabs and frogs, and filings of deer antler.
 
fa v.t. 3rd p.sing. Makes.
Corda fa viteddu, zimma fa purceddu, costa fa agneddu, para fa ciaraveddu.
Eng. A halter makes a calf, a sty makes a pig, the open field makes a lamb, a pen makes a kid goat.
 
facci n.f. Face.
Cui sputa 'n celu, 'n facci cci torna.
Eng. Spit at the heavens and you'll get it back in your face.
 
Rispetta lu cani pi facci di lu patruni.
Eng. Love me, love my dog.
 
La facci si vidi e no lu cori.Source: Bellantonio, II 134.
Eng. The face is seen and not the heart.
 
fadeddi n.f. Skirts.
Unni cc'è cappeddi, nun ci vonnu fadeddi.
Eng. Where there are hats you don't need skirts. This means where men are managing there is no need for women to be involved.
 
fallutu adj. Bankrupt.
Mircanti fallutu è menzu arriccutu.
Eng. The bankrupt merchant is half rich.
 
fama n.f. Good name, reputation.
Cui perdi la bona fama, perdi tuttu! Source: Pitrè, I, 206.
Eng. Who loses his good name, loses everything.
 
La mala fama è peju di tutti. Source: Pitrè, I, 206.
Eng. A bad reputation is the worst possible thing.
 
Fatti fama e cùrcati. Source: Pitrè, I, 206.
Eng. Establish a good reputation and relax.
 
La fama vola. Source: Pitrè, I, 207.
Eng. A good name is a sometime thing.
 
Vali cchiù la bona fama, chi tuttu l'oru di lu munnu. Source: Pitrè, I, 209.
Eng. A good name is worth more than all the gold in the world.
 
Mala fama, pruvidenza. Source: Pitrè, I, 209.
Eng. Bad reputation, blame providence.
 
fami n.f. Hunger.
La fami nun cerca pititti.
Eng. Hunger doesn't have to look for an appetite.
 
La fami è bagascia e latra. Source: Pitrè, I, 198.
Eng. Hunger is a hooker and a thief.
 
La fami è latra, e 'un ni senti la panza raggiuni. Source: Pitrè, I, 198.
Eng. Hunger is a thief, and the stomach doesn't listen to reason.
 
La fami fa abbajari li cani. Source: Pitrè, I, 199.
Eng. Hunger makes dogs bark.
 
La fami fa nèsciri la serpi di la tana. Source: Pitrè, I, 199.
Eng. Hunger makes the snake come out of its pit.
 
La fami nun è critta. Source: Pitrè, I, 199.
Eng. Hunger is not believed.
 
famigghia n.f. Family, household.
Famigghia assai, puvirtà vicina. Source: Bellantonio, II 147.
Eng. With a large family, poverty is close by.
 
farfanterìa n.f. Trickery, roguery.
Cui nun dici farfanterìa, cridi chi tutti dicissiru la virità. Source: Pitrè, III, 281.
Eng. One who doesn't engage in trickery, thinks that everyone tells the truth.
 
fari v.t. To do, to make.
Zoccu hai di fari, fallu prestu.
Eng. Don't put off to tomorrow what you can do today. Lit. Whatever you have to do, do it soon.
 
Chiddu ca fai a l'autri lu fai a tia. Source: Bonner, 101.
Eng. What you do for others you do for yourself.
Meaning: Helping others will make you a better person. The Golden rule. Eng. trans. by Bonner.
 
Si li cosi si sapissiru, gran cosi si facissiru.
Eng. If we could know what would be, we could do great things.
 
Cui nun fa prima, fa ddoppu. Source: Pitrè, III, 375.
Eng. Who doesn't do it at first, does it later.
 
Cui nun fa prima, mancu fa ddoppu. Source: Pitrè, III, 375.
Eng. Who doesn't do it at first, neither does it later.
 
Cui nun fa quannu pò, nun fa quannu voli. Source: Pitrè, III, 375.
Eng. Who does not when he can, does not when he wants.
 
fari finta v.t. Pretend.
Avemu a fari finta di nun capiri. Source: Pitrè, III, 315.
Eng. We sometimes need to pretend we do not understand.
 
farina n.f. Flour.
Canta lu gaddu e canta la gaddina:
Tinta dda casa chi nun ha farina. Source: Pitrè, III, 253.
Eng. Lit. The cock crows and the hen sings:
Sorry the house that has no flour.
 
fatiga n.f. Work, labor, toil, fatigue.
Fatiga pri sapiri e travagghia pri aviri.
Eng. Toil to know and work to acquire.
 
Cui fatiga 'n giuvintù, godi 'n vicchiaja. Source: Bellantonio, II, 211.
Eng. One who works when young, enjoys old age.
 
fattu n.m. Action, deed.
Vali cchiù un fattu chi deci paroli. Source: Pitrè, II.
Eng. Actions speak louder than words.
Lit. One deed is worth more than ten words.
 
Megghiu 'na cosa fatta ca centu si nn' hannu a fari. Source: Pitrè, III, 380.
Eng. Better one deed than a hundred promises.
 
fatturi n.m. Steward, factor.
Spissu lu bonu patruni fa lu bonu fatturi.
Eng. A good boss often makes a good steward.
 
fàuci n.f. Sickle.
A maju li fàuci 'mpaju, a giugnu li fàuci 'n pugnu, giugnettu la fàuci 'n pettu.
Eng. Prepare the sickle in May, use the sickle in June, and in July carry the sickle to the tool shed.
 
Fauci meti e ventu spagghia.
Eng. The sickle harvests and the wind winnows.
 
fausu adj. False, fake, untrue, incorrect.
D'un fàusu beni, veni un veru mali. Source: Bellantonio, II 133.
Eng. From a false good comes a true evil.
 
fava n.f. Fava bean, broad bean.
La fava baggiana ciurisci ed acchiana.
Eng. The haughty broad bean flowers and climbs but produces little fruit.
 
Fave 'nciuri, acqua a vadduni.
Eng. When fava beans are flowering, apply water in torrents.
 
Cui simìna li favi senza grassu, a la ricôta si stuja lu mussu.
Eng. Whoever seeds fava beans without using fertilizer, shouldn't count on having much to eat.
 
Aprili, favi chini; s'un su' ccà, su' a li marini.
Eng. April is the time for the fava, but if not here, then surely by the sea.
 
A tempu di favi,
Nè parenti nè cummari. Source: Bellantonio, II 24.
Eng. In broad bean season,
Neither relatives nor chums.
 
favuri n.m. Favor, help, protection.
Nun dumannari favuri a cui nun nni pò fari.
Eng. Don't ask a favor of someone who can't deliver.
 
feli n.m. Bile, gall, bitterness, hatred.
Tanticchia di feli fa amaru tantu meli. Source: Bellantonio, II i82.
Eng. A little bit of gall embitters a large amount of honey.
 
fenu n.m. Fodder.
Lu vujaru ch'havi fenu, havi pani, e si fenu nun havi, resta senza voi e senza pani. Source: Alaimo, 53.
Eng. The cowherd who has fodder has bread, and if he doesn't have fodder then he ends up without oxen and without bread.
 
festa n.f. Holiday, holy day.
Lu travagghiu di la festa nè ti luci nè ti resta.
Eng. Preparing for the holiday is neither enlightening nor lasting.
 
Nun c'è festa nè fistinu ch'un c'è un monacu o un parrinu.
Eng. There is nary a feast nor a party without a monk or a priest.
 
Cui porta la mugghieri ad ogni festa, nun ci manchirà dogghia di testa.
Eng. Whoever brings his wife to every feast will not be lacking for headaches.
 
Cui campa un annu,
Vidi tutti li festi chi vennu. Source: Pitrè, I, 277.
Eng. Whoever lives for a year,
Sees all the holidays that occur.
 
La festa è quannu veni. Source: Pitrè, III, 387.
Eng. The holiday is on the day that it occurs.
 
fetu n.m. Stink, stench.
Jocu di manu finisci a fetu. Source: Pitrè, III, 321.
Eng. Sleight of hand ends up stinking.
 
fezza n.f. Dregs.
Lu bonu vinu dura sinu a la fezza.
Eng. Good wine doesn't spoil. Lit. Good wine lasts until the dregs.
 
ficheri n.f. Fig trees.
Vôi fari dispirari la mugghieri? Pòrtacci ligna di ficheri. Source: Bellantonio, II 13.
Eng. Do you want to make your wife despair? Bring her wood from fig trees.
 
fici-fici n.m. zool. Silva Rufa, a tiny bird with a song that sounds like Sicilian fici-fici.
Quannu canta lu fici-fici, è vinuta Primavera. Source: Pitrè, III, 52.
Eng. Spring has arrived when the Silva Rufa sings.
 
ficu n.f. Fig.
Div'èssiri lu ficu murincianu lacrimusu, divotu e piddirinu.
Eng. Before it's ready to eat the fig must be mature, dripping, with a bent neck and a thin skin.
 
La ficu 'ncurunata, si la mancia la malata; la ficu burgisotta, si la mancia la picciotta.
Eng. Even a sick person can eat a fig that's ringed with a crown; the burgisotta fig is a treat for the girl.
 
A tempu di ficu,
Nè parenti nè amicu. Source: Bellantonio, II 24.
Eng. During fig season,
Neither relatives nor friends.
 
ficu n.m. Fig Tree.
Dici lu muttu anticu: mancia ficu e 'nzita ficu. Source: Pitrè, I, 44.
Eng. The ancient motto says: Eat figs, graft fig trees.
Or: When the figs are mature the tree is ready for grafting.
 
Cui voli ficu, nni voli chiantari. Source: Bellantonio, II 27.
Eng. Who wants figs should plant a fig tree.
 
fidari v.t. Trust, faith.
Fidarisi è bonu, 'un fidarisi è megghiu. Source: Bellantonio, II 185.
Eng. Trusting is good, distrusting is better.
 
Nu nni putemu fidari mancu di ddu patri chi nni fici. Source: Bellantonio, II 187.
Eng. We can't even trust the father that made us.
 
fidi n.f. Faith.
Megghiu muriri chi rùmpiri la fidi.
Eng. Your word is your bond.
Lit. It's better to die than to go back on your word.
 
Cui nun va cu malu fidi,
Facci di paraddisu nun nni vidi. Source: Bellantonio, II 185.
Eng. Who doesn't approach with disbelief,
Won't see the gates of heaven.
Pitrè notes that this is said with the idea that one need stay on guard.
 
A vecchi e strànii nun ci aviri fidi. Source: Bellantonio, II, 208.
Eng. Don't trust old people and strangers.
 
A cui nun cridi, nun cci aviri fidi. Source: Bellantonio, II 183.
Eng. Don't trust those you don't believe.
 
Cui perdi la prima fidi, mai letu si vidi.
Eng. The one who loses his faith will never be content.
 
Cui perdi l'onuri, perdi assai, ma cui perdi la fidi, perdi tuttu.
Eng. Who loses his honor loses a lot, who loses his faith, loses everything.
 
Cui Roma vidi, perdi la fidi. Source: Pitrè, III, 142.
Eng. Who sees Rome, loses their faith.
 
Cu' 'un ha fidi, nun duna fidi. Source: Pitrè, III, 281.
Eng. Who has no faith, gives no faith.
 
Fidi mi càccia, no lignu di varca. -- o
-- Fidi salva e no lignu di varca. Source: Pitrè, III, 341.
Eng. Faith saves and not a piece of wood from a boat.
Note: Pitrè explains that a man was cured when he erroneously believed he had been given a piece of wood from the cross, but he really was cured by his faith and not by the chunk of wood from a boat.
 
fidili adj. Faithful, true, believer.
Omu fidili, di tutti è benvulutu. Source: Pitrè, III, 285.
Eng. The faithful man is well liked by all.
 
figghioli fimmini n.f.pl. Daughters.
Di li figghioli fimmini una è pocu, du' jocu, li tri su' focu, li quattru n'hannu locu.
Eng. One daughter is too few, two are fun, three are trouble and four is insanity.
 
figghiozzu n.m. Godson.
Mortu lu figghiozzu, nun cc'è cchiù cumpari. Source: Bellantonio, II 158.
Eng. With the death of the godson, there's no longer a godfather.
 
figghiu n.m. Son.
Un figghiu parrinu è la ricchizza di 'na casa.
Eng. A son who is a priest is the wealth of a house.
 
Cui nun havi figghi, nun sapi chi veni a diri amuri di figghi. Source: Bellantonio, II 145.
Eng. Who has no children won't know what comes to be called the love of children.
 
Li figghi fimmini cu la matri, Li figghi màsculi cu lu patri. Source: Bellantonio, II 153.
Eng. Daughters with the mother, sons with the father.
 
Li figghi fimmini cu lu feli, Li figghi màsculi cu lu meli. Source: Bellantonio, II 153.
Eng. Daughters with bitterness, sons with honey.
 
Li figghi granni si trattanu cu la vucca di meli. Source: Bellantonio, II 153.
Eng. Deal kindly with your older children.
 
Li figghi su di li mammi: Prejatìnni e nni manni. Source: Bellantonio, II 153.
Eng. Children belong to their mothers: Enjoy them and send them to her.
 
filari v.t.i.. Spin, run away, clear out.
Cu' ha stuppa, fila. Source: Pitrè, Vol, Page.
Eng. Who has flax, spins.
 
fileri n.f. In files staggered behind one another.
Quannu li groi passanu a fileri, la mala attimpata 'un pò mancari.
Eng. When cranes migrate, bad weather can't be far off.
 
filici adj. Happy.
Filici cui ben nasci, ma cchiù filici cui ben mori.
Eng. Happy are those who are well born, but happier are those who have a happy death.
 
Lu riccu è chiddu chi campa filici. Source: Bellantonio, II 180.
Eng. Rich is the one who lives contented.
 
fimmina n.f. Woman.
Casa senza fimmina 'mpuvirisci.
Eng. A house without a woman impoverishes.
 
fimmini n.f.pl. Women.
Scecchi e fimmini, vastunati, cà aggrìzzanu.
Eng. Donkeys and women, beat them with a stick, to keep them at task.
 
Fimmini e frumentu, nun perdinu tempu. Source: Bellantonio, II 148.
Eng. Women and flour don't waste time.
 
Li fimmini su' saccu: Jinchinu e sdivàcanu. Source: Bellantonio, II 153.
Eng. Women are sacks: They fill up and they empty.
 
fìnciri v.t. To pretend.
Nuddu bonu si pò fìnciri malatu e nuddu malatu si pò fìnciri bonu. Source: Zinna, 106.
Eng. The healthy can't pretend to be sick nor can the sick pretend to be healthy.
 
Finciri è virtù, tàciri è prudenza. Source: Pitrè, III, 227.
Eng. Pretence is a virtue, silence is prudence.
 
finestra n.f. Window.
Megghiu un colpu di balestra ca un colpu di finestra.
Eng. Better to be shot with a crossbow than rejected by a window slammed shut.
 
O ti manci sta minestra,
O ti jetti di la finestra. Source: Pitrè, III, 95.
Eng. Agree, or suffer the consequences.
Lit. Either you eat the soup,
Or I'll throw you out of the window.
 
finimentu n.m. Racket, din, completion, finish.
Di lu jocu di focu si nni vidi lu finimentu. Source: Bellantonio, II 18.
Eng. We see the finishing racket of the fireworks.
 
finisci v.t. 2nd p.sing. Finish.
Zoccu si cumincia, si finisci.
Eng. Finish what you start.
 
firraru n.m. Blacksmith.
A bon firraru nun manca di fari. Source: Pitrè, III, 188.
Eng. A good blacksmith doesn't lack work.
 
firredda n.f. bot. dim. of ferra Giant fennel, ferula communis.
Firredda 'nsigna zitedda. Source: Traina, 389.
Eng. Whipping with giant fennel stalks teaches the young lady to follow the straight and narrow. Lit. Fennel teaches the girl.
 
firiri v.t. Wound, injure.
Cui firiri nun vò, guàrdati! dici. Source: Pitrè, III, 317.
Eng. Who doesn't want to injure says: "look out!".
 
firmatura n.f. Lock, keyhole.
Ad ogni chiavi cc'è la sò firmatura. Source: Pitrè, I, 274.
Eng. Every key has its own keyhole.
 
Li porti e firmaturi su' fatti pri l'omini boni. Source: Bellantonio, II 186.
Eng. Doors and locks are made for men who are good.
 
firmizza n.f. Stable, secure, fixed.
Sutta lu celu e la luna -->
Nun c'è firmizza alcuna. Source: Bellantonio, II 20.
Eng. There's nothing fixed under the sun.
Lit. Under the sky and the moon there's nothing whatsoever fixed.
 
firrìa adv. Around.
Firrìa, firrìa, lu parpagliuni mori a la cannila.
Eng. Around and around, the moth dies in the candle flame.
 
Malu signu quannu lu malatu firría lu lettu.
Eng. It's a bad sign when the sick person tosses and turns in bed.
 
focu n.m. Fire, flame.
Livarisi di lu focu e cadiri 'nta la braci. Source: Traina, 394.
Eng. Out of the frying pan and into the fire.
Eng. Lit. Get out of the fire and fall into the hot coals.
 
Bon focu libbira cocu.
Eng. A good fire gives the cook latitude.
 
Lu focu forti facili s'astuta.
Eng. A strong fire is easily put out.
 
Acqua e focu, dacci locu. Source: Bellantonio, II 11.
Eng. Both water and fire need to be treated with respect.
 
Acqua e focu, 'un ci pigghiari 'mprisi.
Eng. Don't try to make out with water and fire.
 
Ogni picculu amuri prisu a jocu di 'na faidda addiventa gran focu.
Eng. Every little love captured as a playful spark becomes a great flame.
 
Mi scacci, mi sagni; mi scafazzi, m'attigghi; cu lu focu, nun ci jocu.
Eng. You may crush, bloody, stamp on and scratch me, but I won't play with fire.
 
Cui nun voli focu, livassi li ligna.
Eng. Who doesn't want a fire, should remove the wood.
 
Unni cc'è focu, pri lu fumu pari. Source: Bellantonio, II 15.
Eng. Where there's smoke, there's fire.
 
foddi adj. Crazy, senseless.
Foddi mamma, foddi tata, Foddi tutta la casata. Source: Bellantonio, II 148.
Eng. Crazy mother, crazy father, crazy houseful.
 
fodedda n.f. Gown reaching the shoes.
A fodedda nova nun circari pezza;
Un malannu a cui arripezza. Source: Pitrè, III, 279.
Eng. Don't make excuses. Lit. Don't look to patch a new gown;
The one who repairs it will have a bad year.
 
fodìli n.m. Diaper, piece of cloth.
A setti misi, le fodìli stisi. Source: Bellantonio, II 140
Eng. At seven months the diapers are prepared. Lit. laid out.
 
fogghiu n.m. Leaf, page.
Assai fogghi e nenti frutti. Source: Pitrè, III, 280.
Eng. All appearance but no substance.
Lit. Lots of leaves but no fruit.
 
fora adv. Out, outside of, off, except.
Santu Nicola, vacchi dintra e porci fora.
Eng. On St. Nicholas day bring the cows in and let the pigs out.
 
Quannu canta lu gaddu fora l'ura, a canciari lu tempu 'un addimura.
Eng. When the rooster crows off the hour, don't hesitate to adjust the clock.
 
Fa cu tutti guerra,
Fora d'Inghiliterra. Source: Pitrè, III, 145.
Eng. Wage war against all,
Except for England.
Tr. note. Pitrè adds that the Sicilian of his day regards England as an almost invincible power.
 
formula n.f. Formula, procedure, system.
Formola per segnarsi con l'acqua santa.
Io pigghiu l'acqua di lu Paradisu,
Mi la mettu 'ntra lu visu;
Sarvatimi, mio Dio, chi v'haju offisu. Source: Pitrè, II.
Eng. The formula for blessing yourself with holy water.
I take some water from Paradise,
I put it on my face;
Save me, my God, for I have offended you.
 
forti adj. Strong.
Omini forti, dammagghiu di casa.
Eng. Strong men, harmful at home.
 
forza n.f. Strength, force, power, might.
Forza di giuvini e cunsigghiu di vecchi. Source: Bellantonio, II, 211.
Eng. The strength of the young and the counsel of the old.
 
Forza di picciottu, e pitittu di vecchiu. Source: Bellantonio, II, 211.
Eng. Strength of the young and appetite of the old.
 
forzi n.f. Strength, fortitude.
Jiri 'n celu ognunu vò; l'armu cc'è, li forzi no.
Eng. Everyone wants to go to heaven; the desire is there but the fortitude is not.
 
fràcitu adj. Spoiled, corrupt.
'N piru fracitu fa 'nfracitiri tutta 'na cannistra 'i pira.
Eng. One rotten apple spoils the barrel. (lit. A rotten pear will spoil the whole basket of pears.)
 
fràdiciu adj. Spoiled, corrupt.
Lu fradiciu nun teni.
Eng. The old doesn't last.
 
frasca n.f. Branch.
Cui s'arripara sutta la frasca, si cogghi chidda chi chiovi, e chidda chi casca.
Eng. Who takes cover under the branch, collects what rains and collects what falls.
 
frattaria n.f. Quickness, hurry.
Menu travagghiu cui fa frattarìa. Source: Bellantonio, II 136.
Eng. He works less who works with quickness.
 
frevi n.f. Fever.
A cu' havi la frevi, lu meli cci sapi amaru.
Eng. The one who has a fever thinks that honey is bitter.
 
Frevi autunnali o longa o murtali. Source: Alaimo, 117.
Eng. A fever in autumn is either long lasting or mortal.
 
Frevi cuntinua abbatti lu liuni. Source: Alaimo, 117.
Eng. A fever that hangs on downs the lion.
 
Frevi quartana li vecchi ammazza e li giuvini sana. Source: Alaimo, 117.
Eng. An intermittent fever kills the old and cures the young.
 
frìiri v.t. Fry.
Lassalu friiri lu tintu omu ntra lu so stissu ogghiu. Source: Bonner, 101.
Eng. Let the wicked man fry in his own oil.
Meaning: Let someone bad who's gotten into trouble pay the consequences. Eng. trans. by Bonner.
Or: Let him stew in his own juice.
 
friscu n.m. Cold.
Pri san Franciscu, 4 ottobre, nesci lu càudu e trasi lu friscu. Source: Pitrè, III, 50.
Eng. The cold weather starts with the feast of St. Francis on October 4.
 
frumintaria n.f. Wheat farming.
Annata nivaria, annata frumintaria.
Eng. A snowy year, means a good year for grain.
 
frummentu n.m. Wheat.
Cui simìna pri Santa Lucia, nun porta frummentu pri la via.
Eng. Who sows as late as St. Lucy's day won't be carrying wheat to the market.
 
frustari v.t. Shame.
Ognunu si frusta comu cci gusta. Source: Pitrè, III, 126.
Eng. Everyone chooses their own poison.
 
fruttu n.m. Fruttu, income, gain.
Di lu fruttu si conusci l'arvulu. Source: Bellantonio, II 147.
Eng. From the fruit you will know the tree.
 
fruttuusu adj. Fruitful.
Aprili chiuvusu, maju vinturusu: annu fruttuusu.
Eng. When April is rainy, and May is windy, the year will be fruitful.
 
fucularu n.m. Hearth, oven.
Buffetta e fucularu all'alttizza di baccalaru.
Eng. The height of the counter and the oven should be designed for the housewife.
 
fuj v.i. Flee, avoid.
Medici fuj e sempri ti 'nn'arrassa.
Eng. Avoid doctors and always keep them far away.
 
fumu n.m. Smoke.
Ogni lignu havi lu sò fumu.
Eng. Every wood has its own smoke.
 
Unni cc'è focu, pri lu fumu pari.
Eng. Where there's smoke, there's fire.
 
Tinta via fa lu fumu. Source: Pitrè, III, 182.
Eng. Smoke makes a bad itinerary.
 
Assai fumu e pocu arrustu. Source: Pitrè, III, 279.
Eng. Lots of smoke but little cooking.
 
funcia n.f. Mushroom.
Cu' mori pri li funci nun c'è nuddu chi lu chianci.
Eng. You are respnsible for your own actions. Lit. No one will mourn for the one who dies from eating mushrooms.
 
Funci e milinciani comu l'hai fattu jettali a li cani.
Eng. Mushrooms and eggplants, as you pick them, throw them to the dogs.
 
funnu n.m. Depth, bottom.
Ogghiu di 'n summa, vinu di 'mmenzu e meli di 'n funnu.
Eng. The choice oil is from the surface, the best wine is from the middle, and the best honey is from the bottom.
 
Quannu lu funnu pari, 'un servi cchiù lu sparagnari. Source: Bellantonio, II, 109.
Eng. It no longer serves any purpose to conserve, once the bottom is showing.
 
furca n.f. Gallows, scaffold.
Fabbricarisi la furca cu li sò stissi manu.
Eng. He's digging his own grave.
 
La furca nun è fatta pri lu riccu, ma pri la testa è fatta di viddanu.
Eng. The gallows is not made for the rich, but for the head of the peasant.
 
furmaggiu n.m. Cheese.
Pani e furmaggiu, nè prudu nè dammaggiu.
Eng. Bread and cheese, neither beneficial nor bad.
 
furmìcula n.f. Ant, silkworm larva, grub.
Si farai comu la furmica, campirai senza fatica. Source: Bellantonio, II, 109.
Eng. If you do like the silkworm larva, you'll live without working.
 
furtuna n.f. Luck.
Furtuna amica d'asini e di pazzi;
Di virtuusi nnimica murtali. Source: Bellantonio, II 192.
Eng. Luck is the friend of jackasses and the crazy;
It's a mortal enemy of the virtuous.
 
L'omu senza furtuna,
Va sempri a la piduna. Source: Bellantonio, II 194.
Eng. A man without luck,
Always goes on foot.
 
Quannu la furtuna voli, veni a li peri. Source: Sutera.
Eng. If you're meant to be lucky, luck will find you.
 
A cu' havi furtuna ogni cosa va bona. Source: Bellantonio, II 190.
Eng. Everything goes well for someone with good fortune.
 
Assai beni balla, a cui furtana sona. Source: Bellantonio, II 191.
Eng. He dances on whom good fortune smiles.
 
A stu munnu cci voli furtuna Source: Bellantonio, II 191.
Eng. You need luck in this world.
 
Beni di furtuna
Passanu comu la luna. Source: Bellantonio, II 191.
Eng. The fruits of good fortune
Disappear like the moon.
 
Li beni di furtuna
Su' mutabbili comu la luna. Source: Bellantonio, II 191.
Eng. The fruits of good fortune
Are changeable like the moon.
 
La furtuna manca e crisci comu la luna. Source: Bellantonio, II 191.
Eng. Good fortune waxes and wanes like the moon.
 
Cci voli furtuna e un diavulu chi ti porta. Source: Bellantonio, II 191.
Eng. You need luck and good fortune.
 
Furtuna va e veni. Source: Bellantonio, II 193.
Eng. Luck comes and goes.
 
Furtuna è rota. Source: Bellantonio, II 193.
Eng. Luck is a wheel.
 
Furtuna nun cumenza mai pri pocu. Source: Bellantonio, II 193.
Eng. Luck never starts small.
 
La furtuna si la fa ognunu cu li so' manu. Source: Bellantonio, II 193.
Eng. Everbody fashions good fortune with their own hands.
 
La furtuna varia, a l'omu duna ora jorna sireni ed ora fuschi. Source: Bellantonio, II 193.
Eng. Luck varies, sometimes it gives a man days of serenity and sometimes days of gloom.
 
Tutti li cosi di lu munnu sunnu attacati a un filu di sita. Source: Bellantonio, II 195.
Eng. Good fortune hangs on a fine silk thread.
Lit. Everthing in the world is tied to a silken thread.
 
furzari v. Force.
Prigari ti pozzu, furzari no. Source: Traina, 420.
Eng. You can bring a horse to water but you can't make it drink. Lit. Entreat I can, force you I can't.
 
fussuni n.m. Tomb, grave.
Lu scagghiuni porta a lu fussuni.
Eng. Your canine teeth can take you to the grave.
 
fùttiri v.t. To have intercourse, to oppress, to fool.
Dici la Scola di Salernu ca lu fùttiri è la megghiu midicinu di lu munnu.
Eng. So says the School of Salerno that making love is the best medicine in the world.
 
futuru adj. Future, what will be.
Si campari voi sicuru, antividi lu futuru.
Eng. If you want to live with certainty, foretell the future.
 
gabba n.f. Fools, cheats, deceives.
'Na vota si gabba la vecchia; appressu vota vi chiuj la porta.
Eng. You cheat an old woman once; the next time she shuts the door on you.
 
Cu' gabba è gabbatu. Source: Traina, 422.
Eng. Who deceives and makes fun is often cheated and made fun of.
 
Pisu e misura nun gabba cumpagnu Source: Pitrè, I, 323.
Eng. Weight and measure don't deceive a friend.
 
gabbo n.m. Fool, ridicule, joke.
Gabbo 'un ti fari e maraviglia no, cà lu gabbu arriva e la gastima no.
Eng. Don't be foolish and awe struck, because foolishness hits home and then cursing doesn't.
 
gabbu n.m. Fool, ridicule, joke.
Nun ti fari gabbu, no! cà lu gabbu arriva e la gastima no.
Eng. Don't be foolish! because foolishness hits the mark and cursing doesn't.
 
gadda n.f. Tint or ink made from walnuts.
Èssiri tinciùtu di galla nìura e vitriolu.
Eng. To be painted with ink, black and vitriolic.
 
gaddina n.f. Hen, chicken.
Unn'è la gaddina, cùrrinu lu puddicina.
Eng. Where the hen goes, the chicks follow.
 
A la Cannilora ogni gaddina veni ad ova.
Eng. On the feast of St. Candelora every hen lays eggs.
 
Gaddina vecchia fa bon brodu. Source: Traina, 422.
Eng. A mature woman whose beauty has passed, still has other qualities. Lit. An old chicken makes good broth.
 
gaddu n.m. Cock.
Cu gaddu e senza gaddu, Diu fa jornu.
Eng. With the cock and without the cock, God brings the morn.
 
galantomu n.m. Gentleman.
A un galantomu ogni paisi è patria. class="src">Source: Pitrè, III, 114.
Eng. A gentleman is at home wherever he is.
 
'Ntra galantomini la parola è cuntrattu. Source: Pitrè, III, 282.
Eng. Among gentlemen their word is a contract.
 
'Menzu tanti galantomini, spirìu lu firriolu Source: Bellantonio, II 186.
Eng. Among all these gentlemen, the cloak disappeared.
 
Tutti galantomini, e mi manca lu muccaturi. Source: Bellantonio, II 186.
Eng. All these gentlemen, and I lack a handkerchief.
Note. Pitrè says he's sure this proverb arose from some fact that has escaped his attention.
 
galuppa v.i. Gallops.
Quannu la superbia galuppa, La vriogna cci sedi 'n gruppa. Source: Pitrè, III, 181.
Eng. When arrogance gallops, shame sits in the saddle.
 
gamma n.f. Leg.
La gamma fa zoccu voli lu dinocchiu.
Eng. The leg does what the knee wants.
 
garzu n.m. Lover, boyfriend.
Megghiu maritu puvireddu chi garzu baruni.
Eng. Better a poor husband than a lover who's a baron.
 
garzuneddu n.m. Stable boy.
Pri 'na vacca ed un viteddu cci voli un omu e un garzuneddu.
Eng. For a cow and a calf you need a man and a stable boy.
 
gastimi n.f. Curses.
Li gastimi su' di canigghia, cu' li jetta, si li pigghia. Source: Traina, 429.
Eng. Cursing is like spitting into the wind.
Eng. Lit. Curses are chaff, who throws them, gets them back.
 
gatta n.f. Cat, person of poor judgement, thick headed.
Figghia di gatta, si nun mùzzica, gratta.
Eng. Daughter of a cat, if she doesn't bite she scratches.
 
Quannu la gatta si lava la facci, signu ch'havi a chioviri.
Eng. When the cat washes its face, you know it's going to rain.
 
La figghia di la gatta, Cui nun la conusci, cara l'accatta. Source: Bellantonio, II 150.
Eng. The daughter of the cat, Who fails to recognize her, will pay dearly.
 
Fari comu la gatta chi quannu accarizza sgranfugna. Source: Traina, 430.
Eng. Make like the cat that scratches with its carress
 
A gattu vecchiu, surci tinnireddu. Source: Traina, 430.
Eng. The foolish are prey for the clever.
 
Tantu va la gatta a la saimi 'nfina chi cci lassa la granfa. Source: Traina, 430.
Eng. The cat goes at the lard container until if eventually leaves scratches.
 
gaudiu n.m. Joyfulness.
Gaudiu d'un'ura e trivulu d'un annu. Source: Traina, 430.
Eng. Joy for an hour and suffering for a year.
 
geniu n.m. Genius, talent, inclination, engineering (mil).
Geniu è curcati 'nterra. Source: Traina, 431.
Eng. Pleasantness is the most important asset of the genius.
 
gghiòmmaru n.m. Ball of thread, twine, skein, nestegg.
Cu' havi pezzi e gghiummareddi,
Nun si chiama puvireddu. Source: Pitrè, III, 194.
Eng. Who has cloth and spools of thread,
Isn't called poor.
 
La pizzudda e lu gghiummareddu,
Fannu cumpariri lu puvireddu. Source: Pitrè, III, 202.
Eng. A cloth remnant and some thread,
Let the poor progress.
 
Cui nun fili, nu 'ncanna e nun tessi,
Dunni cci vennu li gghiòmmari grossi? Source: Pitrè, II 199.
Eng. She doesn't spin, wind and weave,
So where does she get the big nestegg?
 
gigghiu n.m. Lily.
Aviricci lu gigghiu comu lu francisi.
Eng. To have bad blood as said traditionally as of the Sicilian Vespers.
 
Fina 'ntra li gigghia.
Eng. Completely immersed.
 
gilusia n.f. Jealousy.
Amuri e gilusia su' sempri 'n cumpagnia.
Eng. Love and jealousy always keep company.
 
La gilusia avvilena lu cori, spanni lu feli 'ntra lu duci amuri. Oppure: La gilusia è càmula di l'amuri.
Eng. Jealousy poisons the heart, spreads bitterness among sweet love. Or: Jealousy is the woodworm of love.
 
S'un ci fussi la gilusia, l'amuri nun campirìa.
Eng. Without jealousy, love would wither.
 
gintilizza n.f. Gentleness, kindness.
Onestati e gintilizza avanzanu ogni biddizza.
Eng. Honesty and kindness enhance every beauty.
 
giudica v.i. 3rd p.sing. Judges.
Un jornu giudica all' autru e l'urtimu giudica a tutti.
Eng. One day gauges the other, and the last one gauges them all.
 
giudicari v.i. To judge.
Di l'arti nun giudicari, si tu nun la sa' fari.
Eng. Don't pass judgement on a work of art if you don't know how to create it.
 
Giudicari e 'nniminari, Diu sulu lu pò fari.
Eng. Only God can judge and foretell.
 
giudiziu n.m. Judgement, good sense.
Cui curriri pritenni 'ntra pinninu, è di giudiziu scavigghiatu e 'nsanu.
Eng. Who insists on running up a slope, is confused and crazy.
 
Pri li fimmini e lu vinu l'omu perdi lu giudiziu.
Eng. Man loses his good judgement over women and wine.
 
Giufà n.m. Giufà.
Arrassu di li soi, dissi Giufà. Source: Bellantonio, II 140.
Eng. Stay far away from your relatives, says Giufà. Tr. note: Giufà is an idiot savant kind of character in Sicilian folklore.
 
giustizia n.f. Justice.
Diu 'nni scansa di mala chiamata e di giustizia mala 'nfurmata!
Eng. God save us from a mistaken summons and poorly informed justice!
 
Giustizia e focu, dàticci locu!
Eng. Justice and fire, give them a wide berth!
 
Giustizia e sanitati, amaru cui nni cerca!
Eng. Justice and health, woe to the one who seeks them!
 
A nuddu piaci la giustizia davanti la sò porta Source: Bellantonio, II 23.
Eng. No one likes justice on their own doorstep.
 
È bedda la giustizia, ma no davanti la nostra porta. Source: Bellantonio, II 23.
Eng. Justice is fine, but not on our doorstep.
 
Ognunu voli la giustizia, ma chi nun passa davanti la sò porta. Source: Bellantonio, II 23.
Eng. Everyone wants justice, but not passing in front of their own door.
 
Tutti vulemu la giustizia a casa d'àutru. Source: Bellantonio, II 23.
Eng. We all want justice enforced on others.
 
giustu adj. Just, fair.
Caru vinni e giustu misura.
Eng. Sell high and give a fair measure.
 
giuva v.t. 3rd p.sing. To help, to do good works.
Pocu sa cui nun giuva a se stissu.
Eng. He knows little who doesn't help himself.
 
giuvamentu n.m. Benefit.
Ogni 'mpidimentu è giuvamentu.
Eng. Every impediment is a benefit.
 
giuvintù n.f. Youth.
Amuri è lu scogghiu di la giuvintù e la sicca di la vicchiaia.
Eng. Love is the rock of youth and the shoal of old age.
 
Cui 'n giuvintù nun fa qualchi pazzia, la fa a la vicchiaja. Source: Bellantonio, II, 210.
Eng. If he is not one time foolish in his youth, he'll be foolish in his old age.
 
Cui ridi 'n giuvintù, chianci 'n vicchiaja. Source: Bellantonio, II, 210.
Eng. Who laughs in his youth, cries in his old age.
 
gnagna n.f. Food in babytalk, cake.
Cu' ha vriogna, perdi la gnagna. Source: Pitrè, III, 316.
Eng. Who loses honor, loses all.
 
gnuni n.f. Gang, group, corner.
Lu cacaniru scupau tutti li gnuni. Source: Bellantonio, II 155.
Eng. The youngest one bested them all. Tr. note: The popular view holds that the youngest children are smarter than the others.
 
gnuranti adj. Ignorant.
L'omu sempri apprenni e mori gnuranti. Source: Bellantonio, II 129.
Eng. Man is always learning and dies ignorant.
 
godi v.t. 3rd p.sing. Enjoys.
Lu sceccu zoppu si godi la via.
Eng. The lame jackass enjoys the journey.
 
Cu' s'accuntenta godi.
Eng. The self-satisfied enjoys.
 
godiri v.i. Rejoice.
Di li figghioli màsculi nun godiri, di la fimmina nun ti duliri, pirchi nun sai zocc' hai a viniri. Source: Bellantonio, II 147.
Eng. Don't be quick to rejoice over boys or lament over girls for you know not what is to come.
 
gottu n.m. Drinking glass.
Amicu di gottu ti lassa ntra un bottu. Source: Bonner, 101.
Eng. A drinking buddy'll leave you in a flash.
Meaning: "Good time" friends will abandon you when you get in a jam, so don't depend on them. Eng. trans. by Bonner.
 
governari v.t. Govern.
Ognunu guverna a sè stissu e Diu guverna a tutti. Source: Traina, 444.
Eng. Everybody governs themselves and God governs over all.
 
governu n.m. Government, guide, direction.
Nun sempri dura lu malu governu. Source: Traina, 444.
Eng. a bad government doesn't last forever.
 
gradigghia n.f. Grill.
Cci dissi a la padedda la gradigghia: iu pisci grossi vogghiu, no fragagghia.
Eng. The grill said to the frying pan: I want big fishes not minnows.
 
gramigna n.f. Weed.
Affunna beni la zappa a la vigna e scippa la mal'erva e la gramigna.
Eng. Dig the hoe in well in the vineyard and pull out the bad growth and the weed.
 
gran adj. Big, very.
Sant'Antoni, 17 jinnaru, la gran friddura, san Lorenzu, 8 agustu, la gran calura; l'unu e l'àutru pocu dura.
Eng. On the feast of St. Anthony it's very cold, on the feast of St. Lawrence it's very hot; each one is of short duration.
 
grana n.f. Grain.
Busi di sciloccu e grana di tramuntana.
Eng. Empty stalks from the Sirocco and full spikes of wheat with the North Wind.
 
granciu n.m. Crab.
Rizzi, pateddi, e granci, spenni assai e nenti manci.
Eng. Sea urchins, limpets, and crabs, costly but not filling.
 
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