SICILIAN PROVERBS

translated into English by Arthur V. Dieli

granfi n.f. Claw, power, clutches.: Megghiu muriri 'ntra li granfi di lu liuni chi sutta la cuda di l'asinu. Source: Pitrè, III, 242.; Eng. Better to die in the clutches of the lion than under the tail of a jackass.

granita n.f. Flavored ices, granita.: La granita custa un carrinu; acqua pri acqua, è megghiu lu vinu.; Eng. A granita doesn't cost much; still it's just water, wine is better.

granni n.f. Big, open, elders.: Cu' havi la facci granni si marita.; Eng. A self confident woman will soon be married.; Porta granni, gran marteddu. Source: Bellantonio, II, 108.; Eng. For a big door, use a big hammer.; Fa chiddu chi ti dicinu li cchiù granni di tia. Source: Bellantonio, II, 208.; Eng. Obey your elders.

grannizzi n.f. Grandness, nobility, excess.: Tutti li grannizzi li cummògghia la terra. Source: Pitrè, III, 99.; Eng. All excesses are interred.

grànnuli n.f. Hail.: La scuzzària nun timi grànnuli.; Eng. The turtle is not afraid of hail stones.

granu n.m. Grain, flour.: 'N accattari di l'amicu, nè di lu mircanti cumprari granu. Source: Pitrè, I, 322.; Eng. Don't buy from a friend, nor should you buy flour from a merchant.

granu n.m. Copper coin.: Enter1stSicilianText.; Prima lu granu e poi lu friscalettu. Source: Bellantonio, II 188.; Eng. Pay me first, then I'll perform.; Lit. First the coin and then the flute.

grapi v.t. 3rd p.sing. Opens.: Diu chiudi 'na porta e grapi un purticatu.; Eng. God closes a door and opens a portico.; Quannu veni gràpicci la porta. Source: Pitrè, III, 386.; Eng. When a good time comes, open the door.

grasciura n.f. Fertilizer.: Dici la sagra scrittura: unni cc'è erva, 'un ci voli grasciura.; Eng. It is written in sacred scripture: where grass is growing you don't need fertilizer.

grassu adj. Fat, fatty, greasy.: Cu' havi un porcu sulu lu fa grassu, Cu' havi un figghiu sulu lu fa pazzu. Source: Bellantonio, II 143.; Eng. Who has only one pig, fattens it, Cu' has only one son, maddens him.

grassura n.f. Fertilizer.: Metti grassura cà canciu natura.; Eng. Use fertilizer to change the course of nature.

grastudda, rastudda n.f. Terracotta fragment.: A veccia ca si marita, sunàticci li ristuddi (Modica). Source: Bellantonio, II, 208.; Eng. Ridicule the old woman who marries.; Note. In the parrata of Modica, sunàticci li ristuddi, means to tease or ridicule.; Lit. Make music with the terracotta fragments, for the old woman that gets married.

gravusu adj. Grave, heavy.: Ad àsinu vecchiu càrrica gravusu.; Eng. Put a heavy load on an old donkey.

graziusa n.f. Gracious.: Megghiu 'na donna niura e graziusa, ca una bianca dissapita.; Eng. Better a woman who is dark-skinned and gracious, than one who is light-skinned and insipid.

grecu n.m. Greek.: Si vidi un grecu e un lupu, lassa lu lupu e tira a lu grecu.; Eng. If you see a Greek and a wolf, ignore the wolf and shoot the Greek.

gridaci adj. Shouting.: Mugghieri superba e maritu gridaci mai starannu 'n paci.; Eng. An overbearing wife and a shouting husband will never be in peace.

groi n.m. Crane.: Quannu passa lu groi, punci lu voi.; Eng. When the crane flies by, prod the oxen on. (Because bad weather is on its way.)

grossa n.f. Fat, large, big.: Vacca grossa fa viteddu magru.; Eng. A fat cow makes a skinny calf.

grunnusu adj. Sulky, grumpy.: Cani grunnusu e cavaddu allegru.; Eng. You want a grumpy dog and a lively horse.

gruppa n.f. Rump, back.: Cui porta 'n gruppa, è cacciatu di sedda.; Eng. Being too obliging is not wise. (Lit. Who carries on his back is thrown from the saddle.)

gruppu n.m. Knot.: Cui nun fa lu gruppu a la gugliata, perdi lu' puntu cchiù di 'na vota.; Eng. Who doesn't make a knot at the end of the thread, loses the stitch more than once.

guadagna v.t. 3rd p.sing. Earns.: Cui si sagna, guadagna.; Eng. Who bleeds, earns.

guadagnari v.i. Earn.: Cci voli cchiù a sapiri spènniri chi a sapiri guadagnari. Source: Pitrè, II, 108.; Eng. You need to know more about spending than earning.

guadagnatu v.t. past p. Gained.: Lu malu guadagnatu prestu è cunsumatu.; Eng. Wrongful gains are quickly consumed.

guadagnu n.m. Gain.: Ognunu pensa a lu propriu guadagnu e si joca accussì a gabba cumpagnu.; Eng. Everyone thinks of his own gain, and plays in this way to deceive his fellows.; Guadagnu luntanu arresta pri la via.; Eng. Earnings far away get spent along the way.; Pocu servi lu guadagnu, s' 'un si sapi mantiniri.; Eng. Earnings are of little use if one doesn't know how to save.

guagghiardu adj. Vigorous, robust, diligence.: Guadagna fa guagghiardu.; Eng. Earnings make for diligence.

guai n.m. Misfortune, trouble.: Ognunu havi li so' guai, cui cchiù picca, cui cchiù assai. Source: Pitrè, III, 95.; Eng. Everyone has their own troubles,; Some have fewer, some have more.; Li guai si si mittissiru a la chiazza, ognunu si pigghirria li soi. Source: Bellantonio, II 179.; Eng. Troubles, were you to put them in the plaza, each person could come by and pick their own.; Cui lassa la via vecchia pri la nova, li guai ch'un va circannu, ddà li trova.; Eng. Who leaves the old way for the new, the trouble not looked for, will be found there.; Cu' cchiù havi, havi cchiù guai.; Eng. The richer you are, the more troubles you have.; Cu' havi figghi, havi guai. Source: Bellantonio, II 142.; Eng. Who has children, has troubles.; Unni vai, cci su' guai. Source: Pitrè, III, 100.; Eng. Wherever you go there's trouble.

guarda v.t. Regard, save, protect.: Di l'amicu fintu mi guarda Diu,; Cà di lu nnimicu, mi nni guardu iu. Source: Bellantonio, II 185.; Eng. God save me from false friends,; Eng. That I may protect myself from my enemies.; Diu ti guardi d'omu chi guarda 'n terra e di fimmina chi guarda 'n celu.; Eng. God protect you from the man who looks down at the ground and the woman who looks up to heaven.; La morti nun guarda né pìcciuli né granni né pòviri né ricchi.; Eng. Death respects neither young nor old, neither poor nor rich.

guardari v.t. Look at, regard, watch, beware.: Fa' zoccu hai di fari e li fatti d'àutru nun guardari.; Eng. Do what you have to do and don't watch what others do.; Guarda cu' sugnu e nun guardari cu' era.; Eng. Look at who I am and not who I was.; Guardati d' omu chi nun parra, e di cani chi nun abaja. Source: Traina, 700.; Eng. "Yon Cassius has a lean and hungry look; He thinks too much: such men are dangerous."; Lit. Beware of the man who doesn't speak and the dog that doesn't bark.; Cui guarda la robba sò, non fa erruri a nuddu. Source: Bellantonio, II 184.; Eng. Who watches over his own things, doesn't lead others into temptation.; Guarda bonu lu tò, e nun fari latru a nuddu Source: Bellantonio, II 184.; Eng. Guard well your own, and make a thief out of no one.

guardau v.t. Guarded, looked after.: Cui bonu si guardau, bonu si truvau.; Eng. To have security, plan ahead.

guasta v.t. 3rd p. sing Wastes, spoils, ruins, hurts.: Lu troppu guasta e lu pocu nn'abbasta.; Eng. Too much spoils and too little is not enough.; Pedi di ciocca nun guasta puddicinu.; Eng. Hens feet don't hurt the chick.

gudiri v.t. To enjoy.: Nun si pò gudiri chistu munnu e chiddu. Source: Pitrè, III, 90.; Eng. You can't enjoy both this world and the next.

guerra n.f. War.: A tempu di guerra ogni cavaddu ha soldu.; Eng. In time of need everyone is valuable.; Cu' chiù voti a la guerra va, la peddi ci lassa.; Eng. If not this time, then the next time. (lit. One who goes often to war will leave skin there.); Cu' havi terra, havi guerra.; Eng. Owning land is like fighting a war.; Jiri a la guerra nè maritari, a nuddu lu cunsigghiari.; Eng. I don't advise going to war or marrying.; La guerra pari bedda a cu' nun l'ha pruvata.; Eng. War seems attractive only to the inexperienced.

guidata v.t. past p. Managed, regulated, guided.: Nudda cosa pò aviri fini furtunata si di lu Celu 'un è guidata.; Eng. Nothing can end favorably without heavenly guidance.

gula n.f. Throat, gluttony.: Gula di mònacu e pitittu di parrinu.; Eng. The gluttony of the monk and the appetite of the priest.

gunciari v.t.i. To swell, to inflate.: Senza lu ventu nun guncianu li veli.; Eng. Without the wind the sails don't fill.

gunnedda n.f. Skirt.: Mentri hai gunnedda, vesti; mentri hai maritu, godi. Source: Pitrè, III, 383.; Eng. While you have a skirt, get dressed; while you have a husband, be glad.

gurgu n.m. Whirlpool.: Essiri ntra un gurgu d'acqua.; Essiri ntra un'acqua.; Eng. To be in a sweat.; Lu munnu è un gurgu di dolu e ffruduri. Source: Piccitto, II, 330.; Eng. The world is a whirlpool of pain and deception.

gustari v.t. Enjoy.: Nun su li donni chi nun gustanu, Su' li dinari chi nun bastanu. Source: Pitrè, III, 272.; Eng. It's not the women who don't like it, It's that there isn't enough money.; Nun su' li tanti cosi ch' 'un mi gustanu, Su' li tanti dinari ch' 'un mi bastanu. Source: Pitrè, III, 272.; Eng. It's not that I don't like lots of things, It's that I don't have lots of money.

gustu n.m. Taste, pleasure.: Di guerra, caccia e amuri, pri un gustu milli duluri.; Eng. In war, hunting, and love you suffer a thousand pains for one pleasure.; A gustu nun c'è prezzu.; Eng. There's no price for something you like.

gustusu adj. Tasty.: Si vuliti vìviri gustusu, ovu di tunnu e carduni spinusu.; Eng. For a taste treat, try tuna roe and thorny cardoons (artichokes).

gutta n.f. Gout, drop.: A gutta a gutta si cava la petra.; Eng. Drop by drop the stone is pierced.

guttèna n.f. Dripping, drip hole, drip stain.: La guttèna spirtusa la petra. Source: Bellantonio, II 18.; Eng. Perseverance wins the race.; Lit. The continual drip made a hole in the rock.

ha v.t. 3rd p.sing. To have, has.: Cu' ha, è.; Eng. When you have, you are.

icari v.t. Fold, bend, bow.: L'arvulu vecchiu non si ica. Source: Bonner, 86.; Eng. An old tree doesn't bend.; Meaning: As you grow older, you become less flexible, physically and intellectually. Eng. trans. by Bonner.

imbriacari v.t. To be or get drunk.: Cui s'havi a 'mbriacari, di vinu bonu l'havi a fari.; Eng. If you have to get drunk, you must do it with good wine.

imbriacu adj. Inebriated, drunk.: Lu 'mbriacu dici sempri la viritati.; Eng. The drunk always tells the truth.

imbrugghiari v.r. Become entangled.: Cui camina drittu nun si 'mmrògghia. Source: Pitrè, III, 281.; Eng. Who walks the straight and narrow avoids entanglements.

imbrugghiatu adj. Entangled, confused.: 'Mbrugghiatu com' un scravagghiu 'nta la stuppa.; Eng. Timid as a mouse. lit. Entangled like a crab louse in oakum.

impovirisci v.i. To become poor.: Lu galantomu ca 'mpuvirisci, addiventa birbanti. E viceversa: Lu birbanti, quannu arricchisci, addiventa galantomu. Lu birbanti arriccutu, un galantomu; l'onestu 'mpuvirisci, malu nomu.; Eng. The gentleman who gets poor, becomes a rascal, and the rascal who gets rich becomes a gentleman. The rascal enriched, a gentleman; the impoverished honest man, gets a bad name.

imprescia adv. Quickly, suddenly.: Megghiu scumunicatu a tortu chi cumunicatu a la 'mprescia.; Eng. Better alive, though wrongfully excommunicated than dead and suddenly receiving last rites.

impristari v.t. Lend.: Si lu 'mpristari fussi bonu, macari la mugghieri si 'mpristirria. Source: Traina, 469.; Eng. Lit. If lending were good, even the wife would be lent.; Cu' 'mpresta dinari 'mpresta guai. Source: Traina, 469.; Eng. Lend money and borrow trouble.

inchiri v.t. Fill.: Li paroli nun jinchinu panza. Source: Pitrè, II.; Eng. Words don't fill the stomach.

incignusu adj. Ingenious.: La puvirtà fa l'omu 'ncignusu; Source: Pitrè, III, 262.; Eng. Necessity is the mother of invention. (lit. Poverty makes a man ingenious.)

inciùria n.f. Insult, injury, offense.: Summa giustizia, summa 'nciùria; Eng. Summary justice is a summary offense.

infernu n.m. Hell.: Si vôi pruvari li peni di lu 'nfernu, lu 'nvernu a Missina e la stati 'n Palermu.; Eng. If you want to experience the pains of hell, spend winter in Messina and summer in Palermo.

infirmitati n.f. Sickness.: La 'nfirmitati è visita di Diu.; Eng. Sickness is a visit by God.; L'essiri grassu è menza 'nfirmitati.; Eng. Being overweight is being halfway sick.

ingannu n.m. Deception, fraud, guile.: Raru guadagnu c'è senza lu 'ngannu.; Eng. There is rarely gain without deception.; Senza 'ngannu mèttiti a li patti.; Eng. Make agreements without guile.

ingratitutini n.f. Ingratitude.: Gran sirvizziu veni spissu pagatu d' ingratitutini.; Eng. Exceptional service is often paid with ingratitude.; L'ingratitutini sicca lu fonti di la misiricordia. Source: Traina, 491.; Eng. Ingratitude dries up the source of mercy.

insigna v.t. 3rd p.sing. Teaches.: Cu' ad autru insigna, acquista cchiú sapiri.; Eng. You learn by teaching.; Megghiu si 'nsigna cu lu fari chi cu lu diri.; Eng. Experience is the best teacher.; L'accattari 'nsigna a vinniri e lu guadagnari a spènniri.; Eng. Buying teaches you to sell and earning teaches you to spend.

insìgnanu v.t. 3rd p. pl. Teach, learn.: Li medici si 'nsìgnanu supra li malati.; Eng. Doctors learn on their patients.

inùtili adj. Futile, useless.: Cu' accatta cosi 'nùtili, prestu vinni 'u bisugnèvuli.; Eng. Whoever buys useless things will soon be selling his necessities.

invernu n.m. Winter.: A la Cannilora, 2 Feb, lu 'nvernu è fora.; Eng. By the feast of Saint Candelora winter is over.

invicchiutu v.i. past p. Aged, old, to have put on years, to have lasted a long time.: Quannu lu mali è 'nvicchiutu, mancu Ippocrati cci pò dari aiutu.; Eng. When the sickness is old not even Hippocrates can help.

invirnata n.f. Winter time.: A la santa Cannilora, s'un ci nìvica né chiova, la 'nvirnata è nisciuta fora.; Eng. By the festival of Candlemas, if it's not snowing or raining, winter is over.

irata adj. Irate, angry.: A facci irata teni la vucca sirrata.; Eng. Before an angry face keep your mouth shut.

iri v.t. Go.: Si vaju pri terra li latri mi arrobbanu, si vaju pri mari li Turchi mi pigghianu. Source: Traina, 508.; Eng. Caught between a rock and a hard place.; Lit. If I go by land the thieves will rob me, if I go by sea the pirates will capture me.

isca n.f. Enticement, food, bait.: Nun mèttiri l'isca vicinu lu focu.; Eng. Don't put the bait near the fire.; Ammàtula si pisca si all'amu nun c'è isca. Source: Copani, 199.; Eng. It's pointless to fish if there's no bait on the hook.; Note: Copani suggests that today's usage is more pessimistic and concerns pay-offs.; Invanu si pisca si all' amu non cc'é l'isca. Source: Traina, 508.; Eng. You fish in vain without a baited hook.; English proverb. You need to bait the hook to catch the fish.

iuarari v.t. To take an oath, to swear, to pledge.: Lu celu e la terra l'ha ghiuratu chi nun cc'è cosa cui nun s'ha saputu.; Eng. The truth will out.; Lit. Heaven and earth have sworn that there is nothing that will not be revealed.

jamu v.i. We go.: Jamu avanti pri jiri 'nnarreri.; Eng. One step forward and two back.; Lit. We go forward in order to go backwards.

jancu adj. White.: Li parrini di niuru ti la jèttanu, di jancu ti carrìanu.; Eng. Priests dressed in black bring bad tidings, in white they take you to the cemetery.

jardini n.m. Gardens.: Si Missina avissi jardini, Palermu fôra casalini.; Eng. If Messina had gardens Palermo would be a bunch of poor country houses.; Jardinu senza cani, è senza patruni.; Eng. A garden without a dog has no owner.; Beatu cu' havi jardinu e cogghi rosi. Source: Bellantonio, II 177.; Eng. Blessed is the one who has a garden and gathers roses.

jencu n.m. Bullock, young castrated bull, steer.: Lu jencu fuj a la vista di lu tàuru. Source: Bellantonio, II 155.; Eng. The bullock flees at the sight of the bull.; Lu jencu 'mpara di lu voi, e la vitedda di la vacca. Source: Bellantonio, II 155.; Eng. The steer learns from the oxen, and the calf from the cow.

jènnaru n.m. Son-in-law.: Cui pri jènnari s'ammazza, 'N testa cci sia datu cu 'na mazza. Source: Bellantonio, II 145.; Eng. Who knocks himself out for his in-laws, Should be knocked on the head with a mallet.

jetta manu expr. Steals, pilfers.: Cui di nenti fa scrupulu, jetta manu a tutti cosi. Source: Bellantonio, II 198.; Eng. Who has qualms over trifles, pilfers everything.

jiditu n.m. Finger.: Cu' ti duna jiditu, e tu ti pigghi tutta la manu.; Eng. When you're offered a finger, take the whole hand.; Li jidita di la manu nun su' pari.; Eng. The fingers of the hand are not equal.

jimmu n.f. Bump, defect, fault.: Ognunu si guardassi lu so jimmu.; Eng. Look to your own foibles.

Jinnaru n.m. January.: Jinnaru siccu, massaru riccu quannu dicembri metti lu lippu. Jinnaru vagnatu, burgisi consumatu.; Eng. When January is dry, the farm manager is enriched, luxuriating in December. When January is wet, the tenant farmer is ruined.; La luna di jinnaru luci comu jornu chiaru.; Eng. The January moon turns night into day.; Il jinnaru fici lu piccatu e maju è chiamatu minnali.; Eng. The damage occurred in January but May gets the blame.; Cci havi a pinsari Jinnaru quannu havi a chioviri.; Eng. Think ahead. (lit. January needs to consider when it should rain.)

jiri v.i. To go.: 'Ntra festa e Ferragustu nun ci jiri si si' 'n disgustu.; Eng. Don't join in the celebration or holiday if you feel disgruntled.

jisari v.t. Lift, raise.: Li dinari fannu jisari la testa. Source: Pitrè, III, 264.; Eng. Money lets you hold your head high.; Cu' jisa l' anca, perdi la banca. Source: Pitrè, III, 376.; Eng. When you get up to stretch your legs, you''l lose your seat.; Lit. Who raises his leg, loses the bench.

jissàra n.f. Quarry, hamper, bin.: Mentri la jissara è china, sparagna la farina.; Eng. Conserve the flour while the bin is still full.; Quannu la jissàra è china, sparagna la farina. Source: Bellantonio, II, 109.; Eng. Conserve the flour while the bin is still full.

jittari v.t. Throw.: Jittari pruvuli 'ntall' occhi. Source: Traina, 784.; Eng. Blowing smoke.; Lit. Throwing dust into the eyes.; Hai furtuna e jèttati a mari. Source: Bellantonio, II 195.; Eng. With good fortune you can do anything.; Lit. You have good fortune and throw yourself into the sea.

jocu n.m. Play.: Lu beddu di lu jocu è fari fatti e parrari pocu.; Eng. Actions speak louder than words. (lit. The beauty of the play is to do deeds and speak little.)

jocu di focu n.m. Fireworks.: Di lu jocu di focu si nni vidi lu finimentu. Source: Bellantonio, II 18.; Eng. We see the finishing racket of the fireworks.

jornu n.m. Day, daybreak, daylight.: Jornu curtu, pisci longu; jornu longu, pisci curtu.; Eng. During the winter eat long fishes, during the summer eat short fishes.; Cogghi 'ntra jornu lu meli e la cira e balla e joca 'ntra l'aria la sira.; Eng. Make hay while the sun shines.; Lit. Harvest honey and wax in daylight, dance and play in the evening.; Unni càntanu tanti gaddi, nun fa jornu.; Eng. Daybreak depends not on the crowing of roosters.; Pri l'annu novu crisci lu jornu quant' un passu d'omu.; Eng. After new year daylight increases as much as a man's stride.; Nun veni jornu chi nun veni sira.; Eng. Day doesn't come without night following.; Jornu mai fu chi nun scurassi.; Eng. There's never been a day that hasn't darkened.; Cc'è cchiù jorna chi sosizza. Source: Pitrè, I, 276.; Eng. There are more days than sausage.; Un jornu senza l'autru nun è vita. Source: Bellantonio, II 21.; Eng. One day without another is not life.

jovidi n.m. Thursday.: Lu jovidi grassu cu' nun havi dinari s'arrusica l'ossu.; Eng. On Fat Thursday, those without money can gnaw on a bone. (tr.n. The next to last Thursday before lent.)

Judeu n.m. Jew.: È persu l'ogghiu santu a li judei. Vedi Nun servi. Source: Bellantonio, II 244.; Eng. Jewish faith withstands conversion. Lit. Holy oil is lost on the Jews.; Nun servi dari li perni a li porci. Source: Bellantonio, II 244.; Eng. It's useless to give pearls to pigs. Tr. note. Christian enmity ran very deep.

judici e jurici n.m. Judge.: Lu bon judici duna a tutti audienza, ma a pocu duna cridenza.; Eng. The good judge give an audience to all, but gives credence to few.; Lu judici giustu, cchiù a la giustizia chi all' omini divi aviri riguardu.; Eng. The just judge must have a higher regard for justice than for the opinion of men.; Di judici chi pendi, ingiustizia si nni attendi.; Eng. Justice delayed is injustice arrayed.; Essiri judici e parti.; Eng. Being the judge and remaining apart.; Lu judici avi ad aviri dui oricchi, ovvero l'oricchi eguali.; Eng. A judge needs two ears, or rather ears that are equal.

jumenta n.f. Mare.: Voi di vacca jenca, e cavaddu di vecchia jumenta.; Eng. Get your ox from a young cow and your horse from an old mare.

juncareddi n.m. Rush, basketweaver.: Cui si metti cu juncareddi, 'un arricogghi bruciareddi.; Eng. If you're with the basket weavers you're not at the harvest.

junciri v.t.i. Join, link, include, arrive.: Cu' junci primu, aspetta a lu cumpagnu. Source: Pitrè, III, 376.; Eng. The one who arrives first, awaits his companion.

juncu n.m. Reed, bulrush.: Unni cc'è juncu, cc'è acqua. Source: Pitrè, Vol, Page.; Eng. There's water where the bulrush grows.

juntu p.part. of juciri Joined.: Un mali 'un è passatu e l'àutru è juntu Source: Pitrè, III, 99.; Eng. One affliction isn't cured before another occurs.

juramenti n.m. Oath, promise.: Juramenti d'amuri e fumu di ciminia, l'acqua li lava e lu ventu si li arrìa.; Eng. The promises of love and the smoke of a chimney, washed away by water and blown away by wind.

jurnata n.f. Day.: Lu voi ca si mancia la pagghiata, lavura tutta la jurnata.; Eng. The ox that eats the hay, works the entire day.

lamintarisi v.i. To lament.: Io mi dogghiu e autru si lamenta.; Eng. I hurt but another laments.; Voi stari bonu? Lamentati!; Eng. Do you want to stay well? Then lament!

lana n.f. Wool.: È megghiu dari la lana chi la pecura.; Eng. It's better to give the wool than the sheep.; È mègghiu pèrdiri la lana chi la pecura. Source: Piccitto, II, 429.; Eng. Better the lesser of two evils. Lit. It's better to lose the wool than the sheep.

lanuzza n.f. pejor. Know-it-all.: Né 'ntra la casa né 'mmenzu la chiazza, nun stati a fari lu Patri Lanuzza.; Eng. Don't pontificate, neither at home nor abroad.

lapi n.f. Bees.: Crapi e lapi, lassa fari a cui nni sapi.; Eng. Stay within your level of competence.

lardu n.m.. Bacon, fat, lard, butt.: Pri gula di lu lardu vasibriamu lu culu a la troja. Source: Traina, 523.; Eng. For the love of bacon we kiss the ass of the pig.

largu adv. Widely, freely.: Si spenni largu, ti vennu d'appressu. Source: Pitrè, III, 277.; Eng. If you spend widely, you'll be sought after.

lassari v.t. Leave, abandon.: Nun lassari lu picca pri l'assai, chi forsi l'unu e l'àutru pirdirai.; Eng. Don't leave the small for the big, you might very well lose the one as well as the other.; Comu si pigghia lu munnu si lassa. Source: Pitrè, III, 246.; Eng. Patience is a virtue.; Lit. As you find the world, so you leave it.; Quannu la carne è cotta, si lassanu l'ossa. Source: Pitrè, III, 368.; Eng. When the meat is cooked, the bones separate.

làstima n.f. Affliction, annoyance, pain, anguish.: Ognunu havi li so' làstimi. Source: Pitrè, III, 94.; Eng. Everyone has their own afflictions.

latru n.m. Thief.: Latru chi nun pò cchiù, è tuttu di Gesù.; Eng. The thief who can't anymore, has now found Jesus.; Ogni latru veni pri arrubbari.; Eng. Every thief comes in order to steal.; Latri e sbirri.; Eng. Cops and robbers. Tr. note: The children's game.; L'occasioni fa l' omu latru. Source: Pitrè, III, 379.; Eng. The occasion makes the man a thief.; La cummudità fa l' omu latru. Source: Pitrè, III, 379.; Eng. Convenience makes the man a thief.

lavanara n.f. Washerwoman.: A bona lavanara nun manca petra. Source: Pitrè, III, 188.; Eng. The good washerwoman doesn't lack for a washboard.

làvasi v.t. Wash.: Cui voli prestu muriri, làvasi la testa e vaja a durmiri.; Eng. If you want to die quickly, go to bed with wet hair.

lavuraturi n.m. Worker.: Un bonu lavuraturi, sempri è chiamatu a lavurari. Source: Pitrè, III, 188.; Eng. A good worker is always picked to work.

lavuri n.m. Crops, plants, stalks, seedlings.: Tri cosi boni voli lu lavuri: tempu, simenza e lu zappuliaturi.; Eng. Crops need three good things: good seeds, good time, and good hoeing.; Quannu si curcanu li lavuri, spincinu la testa li massari.; Eng. When the stalks go to sleep, the farmers awaken. i.e. When the crop ripens and the tops bend with their weight, the farmer begins the harvest.

lazzu n.m. Small cord, shoelace, etc.: Quannu pri tanta scarsizza di lazzu; Quannu pri tanta funnizza di puzzu. Source: Pitrè, III, 96.; Eng. When for the lack of a cord; When for the depth of the well.; Pitrè notes. Used metaphorically when things don't succeed.

lebbru n.m. Hare.: Mentri lu cani piscia, lu lebbru si nni va. Source: Pitrè, III, 383.; Eng. While the dog stops to pee, the hare gets away.

lena n.f. Respiration, breath.: Cui di tozzi pigghia tozzi, Pri sett'anni cci feti la lena. Source: Pitrè, III, 259.; Eng. The one who takes from morsels will suffer bad breath for seven years.

lettu n.m. Bed.: Lu lettu fa lu medicu.; Eng. The sick bed makes the doctor.; Gamma a lettu e vrazzu a pettu.; Eng. Bed rest cures a hurt leg and a sling heals a hurting arm.; Giugnettu, lu frummentu sutta lu lettu.; Eng. In July, store the grain under the bed.

letu adj. Glad, happy.: Né tu letu né iu cunsulatu.; Eng. Neither you happy nor I consoled.

leva v.t. 3rd p.sing. Remove.: Cu' havi 'na bona chiusa, ortu e vigna, si leva li crusti cu tutta la tigna.; Eng. With a good farm, garden and vineyard, all your problems will be cured.

lialtà n.f. Loyalty.: Unni cc'è la puvirtà, è suspetta la lialtà. Source: Pitrè, III, 278.; Eng. When there is poverty, loyalty is suspect.

libbici n.m. Southwesterly wind.: Libbici mai beni fici, si qualchi vota nni fici, nun fu veru Libbici. Source: Pitrè, III, 34.; Eng. The southwesterly never did any good, if at some time it did, it was not a true southwesterly.

libbirtà n.f. Liberty, freedom.: Cui di la propria libbirtà si spogghia, sempri si trova cu affannu e cu dogghia.; Eng. Who rids himself of his own freedom, always finds himself with worry and pain.; Giuvintù 'n libbirtà, vicchiaia 'n puvirtà.; Eng. Youth spent freely, old age spent in poverty.

libbirtati n.f. Liberty, freedom.: Libbirtati e saluti cui ha, è riccu e nun lu sa.; Eng. Freedom and health, who has them is rich and doesn't know it.

licca adj. Delicious.: Cosa licca sà di picca.; Eng. Delicious things satiate little.

liccari v.t. Lick, lap, flatter, adulate.: Cu' è l' urtimu si licca li piatta. Source: Pitrè, III, 372.; Eng. The last one can lick the plates.

liga n.f. Bud.: Ciuri di maju e liga di giugnu.; Eng. Flowers in May and budding in June.

liggi n.f. Law.: Si nun si' Re nun fari liggi novi; lassa lu munnu comu lu trovi.; Eng. If you're not King don't make new laws; leave the world the way you found it.

lignu n.m. Wood.: Tuccannu lignu, è vinu binignu.; Eng. Wooden casks make good wine.; Nè piru facisti pira, e mancu Crucifissu fai miraculi. Source: Attanasio, 151.; Eng. Neither as a tree did you give pears, nor as a Crucifix do you perform miracles.; Note. The proverb is addressing a piece of pear wood that was used to make a crucifix.; Lignu vecchiu megghiu adduma ma cchiù prestu si cunsuma.; Eng. Old wood lights better but burns out quicker.; Lu lignu cchiù tintu è, cchiù fumu fa. Source: Bellantonio, II 13.; Eng. The worse the wood, the smokier it gets.; Ogni lignu avi lu so vermi o fumu. Source: Traina, 534.; Eng. Each of us has faults.; Lit. Each wood has its own worm or smoke.; Ancora metti ligna ca la pignata vugghi? Source: Traina, 534.; Eng. Adding fuel to a fire.; Lit. Put more wood now that the pot is boiling?; Purtari lignu a lu voscu. Source: Traina, 534.; Eng. Carrying coals to Newcastle.; Lit. Carrying wood to the forest.; Cchiù vecchiu è lu lignu, megghiu adduma. Source: Bellantonio, II, 208.; Eng. The drier the wood, the better the fire.; Lit. The older the wood, the better the fire.

limosina n.f. Alms, charity.: Pri dumannari limosina nun s'offenni signuria. Source: Pitrè, III, 263.; Eng. The nobility does not shirk from asking for charity.; La limosina è licca,; Cu' tasta s'addicca. Source: Traina, 535.; Eng. Charity is sweet,; Who tastes it becomes addicted.

lingua n.f. Language, tongue.: Lu specchiu di lu stòmacu è la lingua.; Eng. Your language displays your true identity. (lit. The tongue is the mirror of the stomach.); Cu' havi lingua, passa u mari. Source: Zinna, 124.; Eng. If you can speak, you can go far.; Lit. Who has a tongue, can cross the ocean.

linnini m/f. Nits.: Linnini cu linnini fa pidocchi.; Pidocchi cu pidocchi fannu linnini. Source: Pitrè, III, 265.; Eng. Nits with nits make lice.; Lice with lice make nits.

lippu n.m. Moss.: Petra chi nun fa lippu, lu ciumi si la tira.; Eng. A stone that gathers no moss will be washed away by the river.

liuni n.m. Lion.: Ogni cani è liuni a la so' casa.; Eng. A man's house is his castle. (lit. Every dog is a lion in his own house.)

livari v.t. To remove, take away.: L'acqua leva la rùggia e no la mola. Source: Bellantonio, II 12.; Eng. Water washes away the residue and not the millstone.

livata n.f. Indignation, scorn, alarm.: Diu nni scanza di mali vicini e di livata d'omini dabbeni.; Eng. God save us from evil neighbors and from the indignation of the upright.

locu n.m. Place.: Quannu amuri voli, trova locu.; Eng. When love is willing, it finds a way.

lodari v.t. To praise.: Bonu vinu, cavaddu e mugghieri, sapi ognunu ca 'un si divi lodari.; Eng. Everyone knows that you mustn't praise a good wine, a good horse and a good wife.; Loda lu fini Source: Bellantonio, II 19.; Eng. Praise the finish.; Loda lu jornu sinu chi scura. Source: Bellantonio, II 19.; Eng. Praise the day until it gets dark.

lordu adj. Gross, dirty, filthy, foul.: A paroli lordi, oricchi sirrati. Source: Pitrè, III, 315.; Eng. At foul language, close your ears.

luci v.t. 3rd p.sing. Lights, brightens.: La luna di jinnaru luci comu jornu chiaru.; Eng. The January moon brightens like a clear day.

lucrusu n.m. Lucrative, profitable.: Frivaru, quann'è chivusu, è assai lucrusu.; Eng. When February is rainy, it's very profitable.

ludari v.t. To praise.: Nun ludari la jurnata si nun scura la sirata.; Eng. Don't praise the daylight before it is evening.; Nun ludari lu jornu si prima nun scura. Source: Bellantonio, II 19.; Eng. Don't praise the work until it's completed.; Lit. Don't praise the day before nightfall.

lumi n.m. Light.: A cu' voli mali Diu ci leva lu lumi.; Eng. God takes the light away from the condemned.

luna n.f. Moon.: La luna di marzu règula sei misi.; Eng. The new moon of March rules for six months.; La luna di sittèmmiru cuverna setti luni.; Eng. The September moon governs seven moons.; Quannu la luna è pàllita, chiovi; quannu è russa, fa ventu e quan'è chiara fa sirinità.; Eng. When the moon is pale, it will rain; when it's red, it will be windy and when it's clear, it will be serene.

luni n.m. Monday.: Li spusi di lu jornu di luni si nni vannu a ruzzulani.; Eng. A couple married on Monday is headed for a fall.

luntanu adv. Far away, afar.: Luntanu di l'occhi luntanu di cori.; Eng. Out of sight, out of mind. lit. Far from sight, far from the heart.

lupu n.m. Wolf.: San Marcu è lu lupu di la campagna.; Eng. St. Mark is the wolf of the countryside. (When the Sirocco blows around April 25, it can damage crops.); Lu lupu vecchiu conusci li voschi. Source: Bellantonio, II 129.; Eng. The old wolf knows the forest.; Mentri dormi lu cani, mancia lu lupu. Source: Pitrè, III, 382.; Eng. While the dog sleeps, the wolf eats.

lussu n.m. Luxury.: Lettu di Duminicani, tavula di Cappuccini, lussu di Binidittini.; Eng. The bed of the Dominicans, the table of the Capuccins, and the luxury of the Benedictines.

ma n.f. Mamma, mother: 'Un cc'è omu senza ma. Source: Pitrè, III, 99.; Eng. Every man is born of woman.

maceddu n.m. Slaughterhouse.: Quannu lu voi è a lu maceddu,; Tutti cùrrinu cu lu cuteddu. Source: Pitrè, III, 96.; Eng. When the ox is at the slaughterhouse,; Everyone comes running with a knife.

macinari v.t. Grind, crush, mince.: Bisogna macinari quannu chiovi. Source: Pitrè, III, 372.; Eng. Make good use of your time.; Lit. You need to grind when it rains.; Note. If the farmer can't work in the field because of the rain then he should work on an inside task.; Macina mentri chiovi. Source: Pitrè, III, 372.; Eng. Grind when it's raining.

magagna n.f. Fault, defect.: A li corpi di marteddu si conusci la magagna.; Eng. With the hammer's blows the defects become known.

màgghia n.f. Scrounge, link of a chain, sweater.: Acqua di celu e sardi a la màgghia. Source: Pitrè, III, 4.; Eng. Rainwater and scrounged sardines.; Lit. Water from the sky and scrounged sardines.

mai adv. Never, ever.: Megghiu tardu chi mai. Source: Pitrè, III, 185.; Eng. Better late than never.; Mai si conza si nun si guasta. Source: Traina, 277..; Eng. You never fix something without breaking something else.

maiali n.m. Pig.: Ni la testa d'un maiali, cc'è chi pigghiari e chi lassari; ni la testa d'un cunigghiu, nenti lassu e nenti pigghiu.; Eng. In the head of the pig there's something to take and something to leave; in the head of the rabbit there's nothing to leave and nothing to take.

maidda n.f. Cupboard, hopper, fish hatchery, trough.: Sparagna la farina, mentri la maidda è china. Source: Bellantonio, II, 109.; Eng. Conserve the flour, while the cupboard is still full.

majulinu adj. May.: La zita majulina nun si godi la curtina.; Eng. The bride does not prefer a May wedding.

maju n.m. May.: Acqua di maju assuppa viddani e signuri o galantomini quantu nn'incontra.; Eng. The rains of May drench peasants and nobles alike. (lit. May waters drench peasants and lords or gentlemen, as many as it encounters.); Misi di Maggiu, mèttiti 'n casa ligna e furmaggiu. Source: Pitrè, III, 43.; Eng. During May, stock up on wood and cheese. Note by Pitrè, this is because wood is selling at a good price and the cheese is of good quality.

majuri adj. Bigger, senior, wise.: Supra lu majuri si 'nsigna lu minuri; Eng. We learn by standing on the shoulders of the wise.

malanni n.m. Misfortunes, ailments.: Ddoppu li cinquant'anni,; Ogn'annu deci malanni. Source: Bellantonio, II, 212.; Eng. Every year after fifty,; Brings ten ailments.; Criscinu l'anni e criscinu li malanni. Source: Bellantonio, II, 209.; Eng. With old age come ailments.; Ogni annu, un malannu. Source: Bellantonio, II, 209.; Eng. With each year, an ailment.; Li vecchi nun passanu anni senza malanni. Source: Bellantonio, II, 209.; Eng. The old don't have years free of sickness.

malatia n.f. Illness.: La malatia di lu riccu è comu la saluti di lu poviru. Source: Pitrè, III, 262.; Eng. The illness of the rich is like the good health of the poor.; Malatia di lupi, sanità d'agneddi. Source: Traina, 555.; Eng. The sickness of the wolves is the good health of the sheep.; Li malatii vennu currenu e sinni vannu zuppicannu. Source: Traina, 555.; Eng. Sicknesses come on the run and leave at a snail's pace. Lit. ...leave lamely.

malatu n.m. Sick, patient.: Comu va lu tempu, va lu malatu.; Eng. As the weather goes, so goes the patient.; La frevi manteni lu malatu.; Eng. Fever sustains the sick.; Lu poviru e lu malatu nun è vulutu di lu parintatu. Variante: Lu poviru e malatu nun havi parintatu.; Eng. The poor and the sick are not wanted by their relatives. Variant: The poor and the sick have no relatives.; A lu malatu si dici: vuliti?; A cu' è 'n saluti si dici: pigghiati. Source: Pitrè, III, 314.; Eng. To the sick you ask: What would you like?; To the healthy you say: Here, help yourself.

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