SICILIAN PROVERBS

translated into English by Arthur V. Dieli

mali n.m. Pain, bad thing, sickness, evil.: Ogni mali nun veni pri nòciri.; Eng. Not every pain comes to harm you.; Di lu mari nasci lu sali e di la fimmina ogni mali.; Eng. Salt comes from the sea and every bad thing comes from the woman.; Hai un mali? Dillu a tutti.; Eng. When you're sick, tell everyone.; Autru fa lu mali, ed io nni patu.; Eng. Someone faults and I suffer.; Mali nun fari, paura nun aviri.; Eng. Do no evil, have no fear.; Cu' ha fattu lu mali si lu chiancissi.; Eng. Would that the perpetrator feels the pain.; Cu' fa mali, mali aspetta.; Eng. Who does evil awaits evil.; Di lu mali spissu nni nasci lu beni.; Eng. A problem often gives rise to a benefit.; Un mali nun è passatu chi l'autru è gghiuntu.; Eng. One problem isn't gone before the next one appears.; Mali e beni a lu so fini veni.; Eng. All things come to an end.; Penza lu mali, ca ti nni veni beni.; Eng. To do well, plan for the worst.; Cu' di mali veni 'm beni, cu du' manu si lu teni.; Eng. One who gains from evil holds on to it with two hands.; Cu' cerca d'autru lu mali, spissu lu so trova.; Eng. Who seeks other's evil often finds his own.; A cu' ridi di lu mali d'autru, lu so è vicinu.; Eng. Misfortune's not far from the one who laughs at another's; Si travagghia cchiù pri fari mali, ca pri fari beni.; Eng. It's more work to do evil than to do good.; A cu' natura a lu mali inclina, a forza di virtuti si raffrena.; Eng. The force of goodness is repressed in one who by nature is inclined to evil; Fattu chi è lu mali si conusci.; Eng. Once done the evil is recognized.; A cu' fa mali arrigordatillu.; Eng. Remember those you've harmed.; Fai beni e scordatillu fai mali nun ti lu scurdari.; Eng. Do good and forget it, do evil and don't forget it.; A cui fai mali nun cci cridiri mai.; Eng. Don't ever believe anyone you've hurt.; A lu mali nun cc' è funnu, a lu peju nun cc' è fini.; Eng. Problems never end.; Nuddu mali senza peni, e nuddu beni senza mercedi.; Eng. There is no evil without pain and no good without mercy.; Pocu di tempu basta a fari mali.; Eng. It doesn't take much time to foul up.; Di lu mali e di lu beni pri tri gghiorna sinni parla.; Eng. They talk endlessly about the good and the bad.; Nun bendiri mali pri mali.; Eng. Don't meet evil with evil.; Mali pri beni lu so mali prestu veni.; Eng. Evil for good, its own evil will soon find.; Cu' cerca lu mali lu mali ritrova.; Eng. If you seek evil, you'll find it.; Benchì natura a lu mali t'inclina, si ti raffreni nn' acquisti unura.; Eng. Although nature may incline you to evil, if you refrain you will acquire honor.

malu adj. Bad, evil.: Cu' è malu pri natura, dura finu la sepurtura.; Eng. One evil by nature is evil until death.

malupagaturi n.m. Hard pressed payer.: Di lu malupagaturi o oriu o pagghia; Eng. From the hard pressed payer, recoup what you can get. Lit. From the hard pressed payer barley or hay.

mamma n.f. Mother.: La mamma è l'arma.; Eng. The mother is the soul of the family.; La mamma senti li guai di lu mutu.; Eng. Mother hears the cries of the mute.; Cu' ha mamma nun è orfanu. Source: Pitrè, II, 142.; Eng. One with a mother is not an orphan.; Zoccu fa la mamma a lu cufularu, fa la figghia a lu munnizzaru.; Eng. Children imitate their parents. Lit. What the mother does at the hearth, the daughter does at the trash heap.

mammana n.f. Midwife.: Mammana nuvella fa nesciri la criatura di lu ciancu.; Eng. The new hire works to succeed. Lit. The new midwife makes the baby issue from the side.; Io pri tia nun pagavi mammana.; Eng. I won't oblige you. Lit. I didn't pay the midwife for you.

mancamentu n.m. Lack, need, detraction, deficiency.: Quannu tu d'autru senti mancamentu, chiuditi la lingua ntra li denti.; Eng. Don't chime in with detractors. Lit. When you hear someone being run down, shut your tongue betwixt your teeth.

mancari v.i. To miss, to lack, to be found wanting.: Zoccu è datu da Diu, nun pò mancari.; Eng. What is given by God, can't be lacking.; Cui tarda e nun manca, nun si chiama mancaturi.; Eng. Who is late and not absent, is not missing.; Uni manca Diu cuverna.; Eng. God will provide.

manciari v.t. To eat, overwhelm.: Lu suli si mancia lu lumi di la cannila. Source: Pitrè, II, 13,; Eng. The sun overwhelms the light of the candle.; Mancia a gustu tò, càusa e vesti a gustu d'àutru.; Eng. Eat to please thyself, but dress to please others.; Mancia picca e campirai, parra picca e 'nzirtirai, spenni picca e arricchirai.; Eng. Eat little and you'll live long, speak little and you'll get it right, spend little and you'll become rich.; Lu troppu manciari nun fa ripusari, o fa muriri.; Eng. You won't be able to rest, or you'll die, if you eat too much.; Cu' mancia fa muddichi.; Eng. Eating makes crumbs.; Cu' mancia picca mancia assai.; Eng. Eat little, live long. Lit. Who eats little eats a lot.; Cu' mancia sulu s'affuca.; Eng. You'll choke if you eat without drinking. Lit. One who only eats, chokes.; Cu' mali mancia assai dijuna.; Eng. Who eats badly often diets. Lit. Who eats badly often fasts.; Lu manciari senza viviri, è comu l'annuvulatu senza chioviri.; Eng. Eating without drinking is like clouds without rain.; Dammi a manciari, ca ti fazzo arricchiri.; Eng. Feed the sheep and you'll prosper.; Cu' mancia, mancia.; Eng. Laissez-faire.; Porta cu tia e mancia cu mia.; Eng. It's your turn to treat. Lit. Bring provisions and eat with me.; Pocu manciari, pocu parrari, e caudu di pannu nun fici mai dannu.; Eng. Eating little, speaking little, and dressed warmly, never hurt.; Cu' mancia a crepa panza, nun cueta si nun si lanza.; Eng. If you overeat your stomach will hurt. Lit Who eats immoderately, won't be comfortable until he throws up. (Shades of ancient Rome.); La vacca chi nun mancia cu lu voi, o ha manciatu, o mancirà di poi.; Eng. The cow that doesn't eat with the ox, either has eaten, or will eat later.; L'ura di manciari, pri li ricchi è quannu hannu fami; pri li poviri, quannu hannu dinari.; Eng. For the rich, the time to eat is when they are hungry, for the poor it is when they have money.; Lu manciari 'nsigna biviri.; Eng. Necessity is the mother of invention. Lit. Eating teaches you to drink.; Cu' nun mancia mori.; Eng. Eat to live. Lit. Who doesn't eat, dies.; Cu' mancia lu carni di lu re, supra l'annu caca l'ossa.; Eng. Who dines at the king's table will soon lose his integrity. Lit. Who eats the king's meat, will defecate bones.

mandra n.f. Stable, cowshed, herd, flock.: A mandra e marina vacci mattina.; Eng. One goes in the morning to the stable and the sea.; Cu' travagghia a mandra mancia ricotta.; Eng. You earn a living by working. Lit. Who works with the flock (or in the stable) eats ricotta.; Cu' fa la mandra accantu di li stirbubbi, fa gran perdita di agneddi. Source: Traina, 561.; Eng. Who constructs in an inconvenient location will experience bad results. Lit. Who builds the stable near the stirbubbi, will suffer a great loss of lambs.

manica n.f. Sleeve.: Li monaci hanu 'na manica larga e una stritta.; Eng. Monks have both a capacious sleeve and a tight sleeve.

manna n.f. Delicacy, manna.: Acqua d'Agustu, meli, manna, e mustu. Source: Pitrè, III, 3.; Eng. With the rains of August, honey, delicacies, and must.

mannari v.t. To send.: Cu' voli anna, e cu nun voli manna.; Eng. The self-sufficient do for themselves, others look for help. (lit. The one who wants, goes, and who doesn't want, sends.)

mànnira n.f. Barn, stable, cowshed, stall.: Nun facennu nenti 'ntr'aprili, leva la mànnira cu tutti l'ovili.; Eng. Nothing's happening before April, let all the animals out with those in the field.

mantellu n.m. Mantle, cloak.: Nè di stati nè d'invernu, nun lassari lu mantellu.; Eng. Don't leave without your cloak, neither in the summer nor in the winter.

manteni v.t. 3rd p.sing. Care for, uphold, maintain, nurture.: L'omu porta beni, ma la fimmina lu manteni.; Eng. The man provides, and the woman nurtures.

manu n.m. Hand, help, cooperation.: Una manu lava all' autra e tutti dui lavanu la facci.; Eng. One hand washes the other and the two wash the face.; Lu megghiu è chiddu chi tegnu a li manu.; Eng. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. Lit. The better is the one I'm holding in my hand.; Manu caddusi, manu gluriusi.; Eng. Calloused hands are glorious hands.; La manu curri spuntania a lu cori.; Eng. The hand is guided by the heart.; Centu manu Diu li binidissi, ma no 'nta lu me' piattu.; Eng. No help is forthcoming. God blessed a hundred hands but nothing in my plate.; Li multi manu sgravanu travagghiu.; Eng. Many hands make light work.; Si vasanu a li voti ddi manu chi si vurrianu vidiri tagghiari.; Eng. Sometimes you kiss the hands you want to see cut off.; Avemu a basari ddi manu chi meritanu di essiri tagghiati.; Eng. We have to kiss the hands that deserve to be cut off.

manzu adj. Mild, meek, docile.: A lu cani manzu, lu lupu cci pari firoci Source: Pitrè, I, 211.; Eng. To the docile dog, the wolf seems ferocious.

maramma n.f. Wall construction, building.: Ogni pitrudda servi a la maramma.; Eng. Every poor stone can be used to build the wall.; Maramma mmenzu via mastri in quantità.; Eng. There are many master craftsmen when you build in plain sight.

mari n.m. Sea.: Loda lu mari e teniti a la terra.; Eng. Admire the sea and stay on the land.; Mari, donna, e focu, dacci locu.; Eng. The sea, women, and fire; give them a wide berth.; Lu mari jetta foru lu corpu mortu.; Eng. There are no secrets. Lit. The sea disgorges the dead body.; Cu' è a mari navica, e cu' è a terra giudica.; Eng. Those in trouble worry and fret, while others adjudicate. Lit. Those at sea navigate, those on land adjudicate.; Mari è vecchiu assai. Source: Pitrè, II, 14.; Eng. The sea is very old.; Mari grani, pisci nichi. Source: Pitrè, II, 14.; Eng. The sea is big, fishes are little.

marina n.f. Sea, seashore, coast.: Cui va a la marina e pisci nun trova, a lu puddaru s'attacca cull'ova.; Eng. If you go fishing and catch nothing, go to the henhouse and get eggs.

marinaru n.m.. Sailor, seaman, fisherman.: Lu marinaru chi dormi nu nni pigghia pisci. Source: Pitrè, III, 195.; Eng. The fisherman who sleeps won't catch fish.

mariolu n.m. Sly, crafty, jew's harp.: Mariolu e viulinu ti diverti a lu matinu.; Eng. The jew's harp and the violin entertain in the morning.

marita v.t. 3rd p.sing. Marries.: Cui si marita, pinía 'n giuvintú, cui nun si marita, pinía 'n vicchiaia.; Eng. If you marry you'll suffer in your youth, if you don't marry you'll suffer in your old age.

maritari v.t. To marry.: Bellu fussi lu maritari, si nun fussi pri l'annacari. Source: Pitrè, II, 140.; Eng. Marriage would be beautiful if it weren't for cradle rocking.; Maritari a to figghiu quannu voi, a to figghia quannu poi.; Eng. Marry off your son when you want, your daughter when you can.; Omu maritatu, aceddu 'ngaggiatu.; Eng. A married man, a caged bird.; Cu' bonu si voli maritari, si marita cu li so pari.; Eng. Who wants to marry well, marries their peer.; Marita li figghioli cu so' pari, pri nun si aviri un jornu a lamintari.; Eng. Marry your sons or daughters with their peers, to avoid a day of lamentation.; Cu' si marita sta cuntenti un jornu, cu' ammazza un porcu sta cuntenti un annu.; Eng. Who marries is satisfied for a day, who slaughters a pig is satisfied for a year.; Cu' a so capricciu si marita stenta tutta la so vita.; Eng. Who marries on a whim risks a life of privation.; Cu' in fretta si marita adaciu adaciu sinni penti.; Eng. Who marries in haste won't lack time to repent.; Cu' si marita rivali havi attornu.; Eng. Who marries a rival has a tousle ahead.

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

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

marteddu n.m. Hammer.: Quannu sì marteddu dalli e duna, ma quannu sì 'ncunia beni ti sta.; Eng. When you're the hammer, hammer away, but when you're the anvil the experience will have served you well.

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

màrtiru n.m. Martyr.: Megghiu martiru chi cunfissuri. Source: Pitrè, II, 232.; Eng. Better to die a martyr than to squeal. Tr. note. Pitrè notes that this is a belief that is also held outside Sicily, when caught in the clutches of the law.

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

marzu n.m. March.: Ddiu nni scanza di cuda di marzu e di testa d'aprili.; Eng. God save us from the end of March and the beginning of April.; Marzu conza e guasta nè cuvernu cc'è chi basta.; Eng. There's no plan that can handle the vagaries of March.; Si frivaru nun frivìa, marzu nun erburìa.; Eng. If February doesn't do its thing, the March landscape its green won't bring.; Marzu m'arrifazzu.; Eng. In March I'll make myself over.; 'Ntra marzu mi rifazzu, 'ntra aprili mi veni a vidi, si 'nta maju 'un t'attalentu vinni li voi e accatta lu frumentu.; Eng. In March I'll remake myself, in April come and look, if in May I'm not rejuvenated sell the oxen and buy wheat.; Quannu marzu sulu ed acqua 'ncutta sempri cu acqua e suli, carricari fa li muli.; Eng. When March's sun and water is closely followed by water and sun, the mules will be heavily laden.; Si 'nta marzu è acquazzina, è annata di risina.; Eng. If there's dew in March mornings then its a year of rust.; Marzu centu vagna e unu asciuga.; Eng. March, a hundred soakings and one drying.; Marzu chiova chiova, ca un' ura asciuga tuttu.; Eng. March, go ahead and rain 'cause all will dry in one hour.; Ci penza marzu a chioviri.; Eng. Leave it to March to do the raining.; Marzu pazzu.; Eng. March is crazy.; Marzu asciuttu, grana pri tuttu.; Eng. A dry March, grain for all.; Marzu scorcia li vecchi.; Eng. March is difficult for those in fragile health.; Marzu chiova chiova, aprili mai nun fini, e 'ntra maju una bona pri livari li risini.; Eng. A rainy March, never ending in April, gives a May good for removing the dew.

màsculi n.m. Males, male children.: Cu' havi figghi fimmini, havi figghi fimmini e figghi màsculi; cui havi figghi màsculi, 'un havi nè fimmini nè màsculi. Source: Pitrè, Vol, Page.; Eng. Who has female children has femaale children and male children; who has male children has neither male children nor female children. Tr. note: A married son tends to spend most time with his wife's family.

massaru n.m. Steward, manager, farmer, janitor.: A sant'Andrìa lu bon massaru siminatu avìa.; Eng. By St. Andrea's day the good farmer has already seeded.; Massaru travagghia, lu ventu spagghia.; Eng. The janitor works, the wind sullies.

massaru adj. Diligent, prompt, quick.: La matri lagnusa fa li figghi massari. Source: Pitrè, II, 151.; Eng. The lazy mother raises diligent children.; La matri massara fa li figghi lagnusi. Source: Pitrè, II, 152.; Eng. The lively mother raises lazy children.

mastru n.m. Teacher, master.: Lu mastru è mastru, e lu patruni è capumastru.; Eng. The master is the master and the owner is the headmaster.; Zoccu guasta la vicchiaja, nun c'è mastru chi lu conza; Eng. There is no master who can fix the ravages of old age.; Nun sia nisciunu chi si fazza mastru.; Eng. No one is perfect.; Lu bonu mastru fa lu bonu discipulu.; Eng. The good teacher makes good pupils.; Lu bonu mastru nun fallisci mai.; Eng. The good teacher never errs.; Mastru chi fa un panaru nni fa centu.; Eng. The master artisan who makes one basket makes a hundred.; Nuddu si po' fari mastru.; Eng. No one can make themselves perfect.

matinata n.f. The entire morning.: La matina fa la jurnata.; Eng. The morning makes the day.; Cu' perdi la matinata perdi la jurnata.; Eng. Lose the morning and you lose the day.; Di la matinata si canusci la jurnata.; Eng. The beginning predicts the following.

matinu n.m. Dawn, morning, daybreak.: All'ortu e a lu mulinu, vacci matinu.; Eng. Go early to the garden and the mill.; Cui nesci matinu, àscia un carrinu.; Eng. The early bird catches the worm. (lit. The one who goes out in the morning finds the carlin.); Di lu matinu si vidi lu bon jornu.; Eng. Based on the morning you can foresee a good day.

matri n.f. Mother.: Lu cani pri la matri, lu cavaddu pri lu patri.; Eng. The dog for the mother, the horse for the father.; Nudda matri è tanta trist chi nun vurria bona la figghiola.; Eng. No mother is so bad that she doesn't love her daughter.; La matri piatusa fa la figghia tignusa.; Eng. A lenient mother makes a spoiled daughter.; La matri 'nfasciata e lu figghiolu pri la casa.; Eng. The mother occupied and the child doing housework.; La matri chianci e lu figghiu si rasca.; Eng. The mother suffers for the pains of the child. Lit. The mother cries and the sick child scratches.; Zoccu fa la matri a lu cufulara, fa la figghia a lu munnizzaru; Eng. Children copy their parents. Lit. What the mother does at the hearth the daughter does at the trash bin.; Tali matri, tali figghia.; Eng. Like mother, like daughter.; Amuri di matri e sirvamentu di mugghieri.; Eng. A mother's love and a wife's devotion.; La bona matri fa la bona figghia. Source: Pitrè, II, 149.; Eng. A good mother raises a good daughter.

matrimoniu n.m. Matrimony, marriage.: Lu matrimoniu s'havi a fari o prestu o mai.; Eng. Marriage must take place early or never.; 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.; Matrimoniu tardìu, orfani primintìu.; Eng. Late marriage, early orphans.; Pocu onuri s'acquista cui cu matrimoniu s'immisca.; Eng. There is little honor in interfering in a marriage.; Matrimoniu e viscuvati di lu celu su' calati.; Eng. Marriage and the bishopric are arranged in heaven.

mattu adj. Crazy, insane, mad.: Cu' voli sapiri cchiù chi nun divi, pri mattu si fa tiniri.; Eng. Who wants to know more than he should projects an image of madness.

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

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

mazzu n.m. Haycock, hayrick.: Faciti mazzi picciuli ca la citati è granni.; Eng. Make small portions because there are many. Lit. Make small haycocks because it's a big city.; Metiri tutti 'nto'on mazzu.; Eng. Lit. Put it all in one haycock.

'mbillittata v.i. To be made up, to have makeup on.: Donna 'mbillittata, vòtacci la facci. Source: Pitrè, I, 167.; Eng. Turn away from the woman that's made up.

'mbriachi adj. and n.m. Drunk.: Nè tutti li russi su' 'mbriachi, nè tutti li giarni su' malati.; Eng. Not all the red-faced are drunkards nor all the pale-faced sick.; 'Mbriachi e picciriddi Diu L'ajuta.; Eng. God helps drunks and little children.

medicu n.m. Doctor, physician.: Medicu vecchiu e spizziali novu.; Eng. Choose an old doctor and a new pharmacist.; Lu medicu piatusu fa lu chiaja virminusu.; Eng. An overly compassionate doctor makes the wound verminous.; Medicu vecchiu e varveri picciottu o e mammana picciotta.; Eng. You want an old doctor but a young barber or and a young midwife.; Mentri lu medicu studia, lu malatu si nni va.; Eng. While the doctor studies the patient dies.; Visita di medicu.; Eng. A short visit.; Aviri lu medicu 'nta la sacchetta.; Eng. To be sure of yourself. Lit. To have the doctor in your pocket.; Nè pr' ogni mali iri a medicu, nè pr' ogni liti all' avvucatu, nè pr' ogni siti a la funtana.; Eng. Go not to the doctor for every ache, nor to the lawyer for every quarrel, nor to the fountain for every thirst.; È gran pazzìa fari lu medicu eredi.; Eng. It's a big mistake to make the doctor your heir.; Lu medicu nun pigghia mai medicina.; Eng. The doctor never takes medicine.; Onura lu medicu pri 'n'autra vota.; Eng. Honor the doctor for the next time.; Lu medicu nun avi bisognu di la grammatica pri fari declinari la malattia.; Eng. The doctor needs not a grammar to make your illness decline. Tr. note: Declinari also means to recite the cases of nouns.; Tra medicu e mammana squagghia la criatura.; Eng. Too many cooks spoil the broth. or Funds passing from hand to hand will vanish. Lit. Between the doctor and the midwife the newborn melts away.

megghiu adj. Better.: È megghiu essiri dottu ca dutturi.; Eng. Better substance than appearance. Lit. It's better to be a scholar than a doctor.

meli n.m. Honey.: Lu meli spissu è feli.; Eng. Honey is often bitter.; Bisogna prima masticari feli, cui voli ddoppu agghiuttiri meli.; Eng. You need to first experience adversity, before you can handle high praise.; Pri san Micheli, la racina è comu lu meli.; Eng. On St. Michael's, September 29, the grapes are like honey.; Vasa, vasa, vuccuzza di meli: Tu si'bagascia e iu sugnu mugghieri.; Eng. Kiss him, kiss him, little mouth of honey: you're the hooker but I'm the wife.; Sciami di marzu, bon meli ti fazzu.; Eng. Swarms in March make good honey.; Aviri lu meli 'm mucca e lu diavulu a lu cori.; Eng. Lit. To have honey at mouth a the devil at heart.; Nun si mancia meli senza muschi.; Eng. Lit. Honey is not eaten without flies.; Lu meli si fa liccari e lu feli si fa sputari.; Eng. Honey elicits love and bile elicits hatred.; Lu meli si fa liccari pirch'è duci.; Eng. Honey elicits love because it is sweet.; A cu havi la frevi, o guastu lu balataru, lu meli sapi amaru.; Eng. Honey is bitter to one with a fever or a broken palate.; Quantu va una iditata di meli nun va una vutti d'acitu.; Eng. A barrel of vinegar is outdone by a finger of honey. Tr. note: In measuring, the finger is held horizontally, similar to the position of the hand measure for horses.

mènnula n.f. Almond tree, almond.: La mennula ciurisci e la fimmina 'mpazzisci.; Eng. The almond tree blossoms and the woman thrills.

menu adv. Less.: Cui fa lu cchiù, pò fari lu menu. Source: Pitrè, II, 126.; Eng. Who does the most, can do the least.

menzacanna n.f. Yardstick, 1.03 meters.: Misurari cu la so menzacanna.; Eng. Measuring with your own yardstick. Tr. note: In the Sicily of long ago there were no standard measures so the responsibility for a good measure fell on the individual.

mercedi n.f. Remuneration, payment.: Servizziu fattu, mercedi aspetta.; Eng. Service rendered, payent awaited.

merci adj. Merchandise, goods.: Tempu vinni merci.; Eng. Goods will sell in season. Lit. Time sells goods.

mercuri n.m. Wednesday.: Zoccu nun s'ha fattu tra mercuri e jovidi, nun si fa 'ntra venniri e sabbatu.; Eng. What's not been done by Wednesday and Thursday, will not be done by Friday and Saturday.

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

meu poss.pro. Mine.: Nun cc'è nè to, nè meu.; Eng. There is neither yours nor mine.

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

miatu adj.. Happy, blessed.: Miatu cu' 'mpara a spisi d'àutru!. Source: Pitrè, II, 130.; Eng. Happy is the one who learns from the mistake of another.

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

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

migghiu n.m. Mile.: Pri mari nun si cùntanu migghia.; Eng. Sailing depends on the wind. lit. At sea you don't count the miles.

migghiuranza n.m. Betterment, promise.: La migghiuranza di la morti.; Eng. The promise of death.

minchiuni adj. Foolish, silly, simple.: Cu' nasci minchiuni minchiuni mori.; Eng. Who is born foolish, dies foolish.; Fari lu minchiuni pri nun pagari la tassa.; Eng. Play the fool to avoid paying the tax.

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

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

minnali adj. Silly, foolish, amateurish.: Cui è minnali sta 'n sua casa.; Eng. Who is foolish stays in his house.

minnulica n.f. Almond paste.: Supra pastu minnulicchi.; Eng. To answer evil with evil.

minuzzatu v.t. Minced, chopped, crumbed, cut.: A tavula misa e pani minuzzatu, È filici cu' è assittatu.. Source: Pitrè, III, 192.; Eng. All's right with the world. Lit. The table is set and the bread is cut, Happy is the one who is settled.

minzanu n.m. Mediator, middleman.: A bonu minzanu nun manca mustra.; Eng. The good middleman does not lack goods.

minzogna n.f. A lie.: È cchiù criduta la minzogna di lu riccu, ca la viritati di lu poviru.; Eng. The lie of the millionaire is more believable than truth from a beggar.; La minzogna havi li gambi.; Eng. A lie has legs.; La minzogna havi curtu pedi e la veritati appressu veni.; Eng. A lie has a short gait and the truth follows close behind.; Cu' si fida di minzogni nenti accanza.; Eng. Who trusts in lies gains nothing.; La minzogna apporta vergogna.; Eng. A lie brings shame.; Benchì adorna nasciu la minzogna, sempri resta cu virgogna.; Eng. Though the lie was born in embellishment, it always remains in shame.

minzugnaru n.m. Liar.: Lu minzugnaru voli aviri bona memoria.; Eng. The liar wants to have good memories.; Minzugnaru in unu, minzugnaru in tuttu.; Eng. A liar is a liar.; Lu minzugnaru nun è crittu mai.; Eng. The liar is never believed.; Anchi chi dicissi la virità, lu minzugnaru nun è cchiù crittu.; Eng. Even should he tell the truth, the liar is no longer believed.; Lu minzugnaru è da tutti odiatu.; Eng. The liar is detested by all.; A lu minzugnaru nun mancanu scusi.; Eng. The liar does not lack for excuses.

mira n.f. Aim, sight, sights.: Pigghiari la mira auta.; Eng. Set your sights high.

miraculu n.m. Miracle.: Fari lu miraculu di Maumettu.; Eng. Doing or seeking something considered to be useless.

mircanti n.m. Trader, merchant.: D'ogghiu lu mircanti manìa l'oru e li diamanti; mircanti di furmentu nigozia cu l'argentu, ma un mircanti di vinu è mircanti puvirinu.; Eng. The oil merchant trades in gold and diamonds; the grain merchant does business with silver, but the wine merchant is a poor man.; Mircanti e porcu vidilu mortu.; Eng. The merchant and the pig, see them dead.; Fari oricchi di mircanti.; Eng. Pretend to not hear. Lit. Adopt the ears of the merchant.; Mircanti di vinu, poviru e mischinu.; Eng. The wine merchant, poor and tattered.; Mircanti è cu' accatta, e mircanti è cu' vinni.; Eng. It's the merchant who buys, and the merchant who sells.; Lu mircanti e lu baratteri subbitu si juncinu.; Eng. The merchant and the discounter soon come together.; Mircanti fallutu è menzu arriccutu.; Eng. The merchant in bankruptcy is half rich.; Ogni mircanti parra di la sua mircanzia.; Eng. Everyone looks after their own needs.

mircanzia n.f. Merchandise, goods.: Cu' fa la mircanzia chi nun canusci, li so' dinari addiventanu muschi.; Eng. Who engages in commerce without knowledge, will lose his money.; Mircanzia sarvata, furtuna aspetta.; Eng. Good fortune awaits the one who has an inventory.

mircatu adj. Slashed, discounted.: A lu mircatu pensacci (e a lu caru cridicci).; Eng. Be careful when buying at discount (and trust the expensive). Tr. note: Times change.

mircatu n.m. Marketplace.: Lu bonu mircatu caccia li dinari di la vurza, e lu bonu parrari leva lu cori di lu pettu.; Eng. Lit. A good market drives your money from your purse, and smooth talk captures your heart.

mirenna n.f. Snack.: Sempri unu havi a sarvari pani pri mirenna.; Eng. One has always to put bread aside for a snack.

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

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

miseria n.f. Misery, extreme poverty.: Miseria porta miseria.; Eng. Misery brings misery.; Cu' 'un ha pruvatu miseria, nun sa cumpatiri.; Eng. If you haven't experienced misery, you don't know how to commiserate.

misi n.m. Month.: Dammi senza cuntarimi misi ed anni, cuntami li spisi nun mai li misi.; Eng. Give to me without telling me how many months and years, tell me the supplies and not the months. Tr. note: This is the pig talking to his keeper.; A misi ca nun tiri soldu nun dumannari quantu veni.; Eng. Bad things come on their own, there's no need to look for them.; Pigghiari erruri a li misi.; Eng. To make a mistake.; Li misi di l'annu nun su' uguali.; Eng. The months of the year are not equivalent.; A ottu misi, o la matri o lu figghiu. Source: Pitrè, II, 140.; Eng. At eight months, either the mother or the child. Tr. note. A popular prejudice that an eight month birth would be fatal.

missa n.f. Mass.: Quantu va 'na missa 'n vita, 'un ci vannu centu doppu morti.; Eng. One Mass now is worth a hundred after you're gone.; Senza dinari nun si canta missa.; Eng. A mass won't be said if you don't make an offering.

missaggiu n.m. Messanger.: Missaggiu masculu nun mannari.; Eng. Don't send a male messenger (to your girl friend).; Nun cc'è megghiu missaggiu di te stissu.; Eng. There's no better messenger than you yourself.

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

misteri n.m. Trade, job, occupation.: Lassa fari lu misteri a cu' lu sapi fari.; Eng. Leave the job to the one who knows how.

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

mitennu v.t. pres.p. Harvesting.: Nun mi mitennu, nenti cchiù tegnu. Source: Pitrè, I, 55.; Eng. A stitch in time saves nine. (lit. Not harvesting me [on time], nothing will I hold.)

mittillu v.t. Put it.: Lu poviru 'un havi beni, pirchì 'un havi unni mittilu. Source: Pitrè, III, 270.; Eng. The poor man has no goods, because he has nowhere to put them.

'mmitari v.t. To anger, incite, tempt.: Vo' 'mmitari lu bonu amicu? Carni di vacca e ligna di ficu. Source: Pitrè, II, 13.; Eng. Do you want to incite your good friend? Give him cow's meat and firewood from the fig tree.

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

'mmriacari v.t. To get drunk.: Nun si pò aviri la vutti china e la mugghieri 'mmriaca. Source: Pitrè, III, 89.; Eng. You can't have both a full cask and a drunken wife.

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

mmustra n.f. Example, show, essay.: Nun si pò lamintari d'ingannu chi pri mmustra compra lu pannu.; Eng. One who buys cloth for show can't complain of being cheated.

moddu adj.. Soft, weak, limp, slow.: Cu' è moddu a lu manciari, È moddu a lu travagghiari. Source: Pitrè, III, 193.; Eng. Who eats slowly, works slowly.

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

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

monaci n.m. Monks.: Monaci, a lu largu si cci passa; parrini, boni sulu pi la missa.; Eng. Bypass monks with a big stride; have nothing to do with priests, except at Mass.; Monaci e parrini viricci la missa e rumpicci li rini.; Eng. Attend the mass of monks and priests and break their backs.; Di medici e judici t' arrassa, quannu monaci 'ncontri a largu passa, di li parrini sentiti la missa.; Eng. Avoid doctors and judges, give monks a wide berth, as to priests, go to mass.

monacu n.m. Monk.: Nè tonacu fa monacu, nè cricchia fa parrinu.; Eng. The tunic does not make the monk nor the tonsure the priest.; A picca a picca lu monacu si ficca.; Eng. Little by little the monk insinuates himself.; Lu primu solu di lu 'nfernu è chinu di succanni di monachi e cricchi di parrini.; Eng. The soil of the first level of the Inferno is full of the of bibs of monks and the tonsures of priests.; Si lu munnu fussu fattu di sasizza lu monacu 'nn ha sempri dui caddozza; Eng. If the world was made of sausage the monk would always have two.

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

morti n.f. Death.: Ad ogni duluri rimedia la morti.; Eng. Death cures all ailments.; A la morti si cummògghianu li detti e li difetti.; Eng. At death, one's debts and defects are buried.; Cu' ha fattu bona vita, fa bona morti.; Eng. Who has lived a good life has a good death.; La morti a tutti trova e lu munnu s'arrinova.; Eng. Death finds everyone and the earth renews itself.; A la morti sula nun cc'è rimediu.; Eng. There is no remedy only for death.; Cc' è morti e vita.; Eng. There is death and life.; Essiri la morti cu lu gnuranti.; Eng. One is worse than the other. Lit. To be the dead with the ignorant.; Aviri visti la morti cull' occhi.; Eng. Having stared death in the face.; Fari la morti chi avia a fari.; Eng. Being battered by a circumstance you wanted to avoid. Lit. Death doing what it had to do.; Morti addisiata nun veni mai.; Eng. The hoped for death never arrives.; La morti va unni nun è vuluta, e fui unn'è disiata.; Eng. Death goes where it's not wanted, and flees where it is desired.; La morti a passu lentu arriva a chiddu chi curri.; Eng. Death arrives slowly but surely.; La morti conza e guasta.; Eng. Death fixes and destroys.; L'acqua e la morti, aspettala ca veni.; Eng. Water and death, wait, for it will arrive.; Morti e maritu nun spiari quannu veni.; Eng. The arrival of death and a husband don't ask when.; La morti veni scusata di tutti.; Eng. Death arrives excused by all.; A la morti e lu pagamentu tarda quantu poi.; Eng. Death and repayment, delay as long as you can.; Quannu accumenza la vita nasci la morti.; Eng. When life starts, death is born.; A la morti si spinna lu picciuni.; Eng. At death the pigeon is plucked.; La morti nun porta rispettu.; Eng. Death doesn't bring respect.; La morti a nuddu la pirduna.; Eng. Death pardons no one.; La morti nun la pirdunau Cristu.; Eng. Death didn't pardon Christ.; La morti nun sparagna re di Francia nè re di Spagna.; Eng. Death doesn't spare the king of France, nor the king of Spain.; La morti veni quannu menu s' aspetta.; Eng. Death comes when it's least expected.; Quannu menu ti lu penzi la morti veni.; Eng. Death comes when you least think about it.; Una bona morti onura tutta la vita.; Eng. One good act honors your whole life.; Nudd' armatura resisti a la morti.; Eng. There is no shield against death.; La morti nun si po' fuiri.; Eng. You cannot flee from death.; La morti si pigghia li megghiu e lassa li diserrami.; Eng. Death takes the best and leaves the incompetent.; 'Na bona morti cumpensa 'na mala vita.; Eng. A good death makes up for a bad life.; Cu' si rallegra di la morti d'autru, la sua e vicina.; Eng. Death is not far behind the one who rejoices at the death of another.; Morti nun veni mai senza scaciuni.; Eng. Death never comes without a reason.

mortu n.m. Dead.: Lu mortu in cimiteru, e la monaca in monasteru.; Eng. Everything in its place. Lit. the dead in the cemetery and the nun in the nunnery.; Quattru omini ci vonnu a livari un mortu di casa.; Eng. It takes four men to remove a dead man from the house.; Di lu morti si nn' havi 'na vota di lu vivi sempri.; Eng. Once from the dead, alwys from the living.; Li morti aprinu l'occhi a li vivi.; Eng. The dead open the eyes of the living.; Nun cc' è mortu senza cantu, nun cc' è zita senza chiantu.; Eng. There's no dead without singing, no girl friend without weeping.; Rigurdari lu mortu 'ntavulu.; Eng. Let bygones be bygones. Lit. Remember the dead at the table. (or at the requiem.); Vegnu di lu mortu e mi dici ch'è vivu.; Eng. Things were not what they seemed. Lit, I come from the dead and he told me he was alive.

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

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

mòviri v.t. To move.: Cu' sta beni nun si movi.; Eng. One who is comfortable will not move.

'mparari v.t. To learn.: Nisciunu è vecchiu pri 'mparari. Source: Pitrè, II, 126.; Eng. You're never too old to learn.; Nun si finisci mai di 'imparari. Source: Pitrè, II, 126.; Eng. You never stop learning.; La vecchia di cent'anni avìa a 'mparari. Source: Pitrè, II, 126.; Eng. The hundred year old lady had something to learn.

impijurari v.i. To worsen.: Batti lu boni cà migghiura, batti lu malu cà 'mpijùra. Source: Pitrè, I, 211.; Eng. Frequent the good that it gets better, frequent the bad and it worsens.

'mpisu adj. Hanged man.: A la casa di lu 'mpisu nun si può appenniri l' agghialoru.; Eng. Don't remind people of their misfortune. Lit. At the house of the hanged man one cannot hang garlic strands.; Cca 'mpisu, ddà marturiatu.; Eng. Here a hanged man, there a martyr.; Scippari lingui d' impisi.; Eng. To scrounge with impertinence. Lit. To tear out the tongues of the hanged.; Accatta d'impisu, e vinni d'ammazzatu.; Eng. Buying the goods of the hanged and selling the property of the slain.

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

muddiu n.m. bot. Flowering Ash, Manna Ash, fraxinus ornus.: Si ciurisci lu muddiu e si jinchi di simenza, pocu manna ti farrà; Eng. If the Ash flowers and fills with seed it will produce little manna. Tr. note: a sugary extract from the sap.

muganazza n.f. bot. Milk thistle, carduus marianus.: Unni cc' è muganazzi, cc' è grassura.; Eng. Where you find milk thistle, you find manure.

mugghieri n.f. Wife.: Bona terra e bona mugghieri portanu all'omu beni.; Eng. Good land and a good wife bring a man well-being.; Cui nun ha mugghieri, nun a nuddu beni.; Eng. The man without a wife, has nothing good.; Li mariti su' di li mugghieri e li bagasci su' pri li feri.; Eng. The husbands belong to the wives and hookers are for the wild beast.; Mugghieri di muntagna e maritu di citati.; Eng. Wives from the mountains and husbands from the cities.; Mugghieri e runzinu, pigghiali di lu vicinu.; Eng. A wife and a nag, choose them from your neighborhood.; Cu' nun havi mogghi nun sapi dogghi.; Eng. Who doesn't have a wife doesn't know pain.; Cu' nun havi mugghieri prestu la vesti.; Eng. If she's not your wife it seems easy to dress her.; Cu' ha bedda mugghieri, nun è tutta sua.; Eng. Who has a beautiful wife, doesn't have all of her.; A cu' pozzu, a cu' nun pozzu, a me' mugghiri pozzu.; Eng. To whom I can, to whom I can't, to my wife I can.; Cu' havi mugghieri bedda sempri canta, cu' havi dinari picca sempri cunta.; Eng. Who has a beautiful wife always sings, who has little money always counts.; Mugghieri superba e maritu gridaci mai sarannu 'mpaci.; Eng. A haughty wife and a shouting husband will never have peace.; La mugghieri virtusa è cchiù di la dota.; Eng. The virtuous wife is more than the dowry.; La bona mugghieri è la prima ricchizza di la casa.; Eng. A good wife is the primary richness of the home.; La mala mugghieri distrui 'na casa.; Eng. A bad wife is the destruction of the home.; O bedda o bona sia la mugghieri, bisogna chi si tegna 'n cumpagnia.; Eng. Whether the wife is beautiful or good, she needs to be kept close by.; La mugghieri massara è n'autra dota.; Eng. A farm bred wife is a double dowry.; A bon maritu fa riccu la mugghieri.; Eng. A wife will make a good husband rich.; La bona mugghieri fa bonu maritu.; Eng. A good wife makes a good husband.; Cu' trova bona mugghieri, ha gran vintura.; Eng. Who finds a good wife, has a great future.; Cu' havi mala mugghieri allatu, campa sempri dispiratu.; Eng. A man with a bad wife at his side will lead a hopeless life.; Cu' havi la mala mugghieri havi la stizzana a lu capizzu.; Eng. Lit. A man with a bad wife will have a wet pillow.; Li mugghieri su' di li mariti.; Eng. Wives belong to their husbands.; Varva, mugghieri e dinari fannu la felicità di l'omu.; Eng. Maturity, a wife, and money make a happy man.; Robba, mugghieri e dinari tutti di 'na manu hannu a passari.; Eng. The husband is the boss. Lit. Goods, wife, and money, must all pass by a single hand.; Detti e mugghieri 'nta stu munni cu' nun nni voli nun nn'havi.; Eng. Debts and a wife are your choice. Lit. Debts and a wife, in this world, who doesn't want them, doesn't have them.; Malanni e mugghieri, nn'hai quantu nni vôi.; Eng. Bad years and wives are never in short supply.; Sciarri e mugghieri, cu' nni voli nn'avi.; Eng. Quarrels and wives, who wants them has them.; Cu' havi mogghi allatu sta sempri travagghiatu.; Eng. Who has a wife at his side is always worked up.; Dogghia di mugghieri morta, dura fina a la porta.; Eng. The heartache for a deceased quickly passes.; Megghiu muriri chi mala mugghieri aviri.; Eng. It's better to die than to have a bad wife.; Nun cunfidari nenti a la mugghieri.; Eng. Don't expect your wife to keep your secrets.

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

mulinu n.m. Mill.: Cui primu arriva a lu mulinu, macìna.; Eng. Who arrives at the mill first, grinds.; Tirari l'acqua a lu so mulinu.; Eng. To look after your own interest. Lit. To draw water at your own mill.; Iri la vucca com' un mulinu a ventu.; Eng. Chattering without end. Lit. To run your mouth like a mill in the wind.; Stassi all' asinu iri a lu mulinu.; Eng. To be content with your destiny.; Cu' junci primu a lu mulinu, macina.; Eng. First come, first served.; A mulinu e a nova spusa sempri ci vuole conzi.; Eng. At the mill and with a new wife there is always a need for fixings.; Cu' trasi a lu mulinu s'infarina.; Eng. You're known by the friends you keep. Lit. Who enters the mill will get covered with flour.

mulu n.m. Mule.: Lu mulu si nun tira càuci, tira muzzicuna.; Eng. If the mule isn't kicking, it's biting.; Nè mulu senza vizziu, nè ciumara senza voti, nè fimmini senza rivoti.; Eng. Neither mules without vices, nor rivers without turns, nor women without cleverness.; Di muli, cavaddi, terri e voi, tìranni quantu poi.; Eng. From mules, horses, acreage, and oxen, get as much as you can.; Cu' cavalca la mula, si la sedda.; Eng. Who has need of a horse will saddle his mule.; Persi li muli e cerca li capistri.; Eng. Closing the brn door after the horses got out. Lit. Lost the mules and looks for the rope ties.; Arrivau lu mulu a lu funnacu.; Eng. We've finished. Lit. The mule has arrived at the wayside inn.; Cu' accarizza lu mulu avi cauci.; Eng. When you help an ingrate, don't expect thanks. Lit. Who caresses a mule, get kicked.; Li muli vecchi morinu in casa di li pazzi.; Eng. Sell your mule before it is too old. Lit. Old mules die in the houses of the insane.; Mulu ti mura e cavaddu ti cava.; Eng. The mule earns for you, the horse is an expense.

munciri v.t. To milk.: Bisogna munciri la pecura senza farila gridari.; Eng. You need to milk the sheep without making it scream.

munnu n.m. World.: Cci dissi lu gadduzzu a la puddastra: tuttu lu munnu è comu casa nostra.; Eng. The young cock said to the young chicken: the whole world is like our house.; Acqua di giugnu cunsuma lu munnu.; Eng. June rains wash away the world.; 'Na rota è stu munnu, cui nata e cui va'n funnu.; Eng. The world is a wheel, there are births and there are deaths.; Accusì va lu munnu, cu' acchiana e cu' va a funnu.; Eng. That's the way of the world, some rise and some fall.; Lassari lu munnu comu si trova.; Eng. Leave the world the way you found it.

muntagna n.f. Mountains.: Di la muntagna pigghia la marina, di la marina pigghia la muntagna.; Eng. In the mountains choose the lowest land, at the shoreside choose the highest ground.; Loda la muntagna, ma teniti a lu chianu.; Eng. Appreciate the mountains but hang on to the plains.

munti n.m. Mountain.: Quantu cchiù autu è lu munti, tantu cchiù profunna è la valli.; Eng. The bigger they are, the harder they fall. Lit. The higher the mountain, the deeper the valley.; Pigghiau lu munti e fici un surci.; Eng. Aimed high but missed.

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

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

muriri v.i. To die: Comu si campa si mori.; Eng. Live by the sword, die by the sword.; Si sapi unni si nasci, ma nun si sapi unni si mori.; Eng. You know where you were born but not where you'll die.; Si lu picciottu pò muriri, lu vecchiu nun pò campari.; Eng. If the young can die, the old can't live.; Stari a tavula e nun manciari, stari a lettu e nun durmiri, sirviri e nun gradiri, aspittari e nun veniri sunnu peni di muriri.; Eng. To be at the table without eating, to be in bed without sleeping, to help without enjoyment, to wait without arriving; these are the burdens of dying.; Beatu cui mori a lettu.; Eng. Blessed is he who dies in bed.; Megghiu muriri ca aviri lu 'mpasimu.; Eng. Better to die than to be bedridden.; Megghiu muriri ca malu campari.; Eng. Better to die than to live poorly.; Autru è parrari di morti, autru è muriri.; Eng. It's one thing to talk about death, it's another to die.; Tintu cu mori!; Eng. It's bad for the one who dies!; Fari moriri ad unu 'm peddi.; Eng. Make someone die a slow death.; Si campa quantu voli Diu, si mori quannu voli Diu.; Eng. You live as long as God wants, you die when God wants.; Acussì mori l'affamatu, comu mori cu' ha manciatu.; Eng. Just as the hungry die, so too die the well fed.; Felici cu' ben nasci, ma cchiù felici cu' ben mori.; Eng. Content is the well born, but more content is the one who has a happy death.

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

muru n.m. Wall.: Li mura nun hannu oricchi e sèntinu, nun hannu vucca e pàrranu. Source: Traina, 622.; Eng. Walls don't have ears but they hear, they don't have mouths but they speak.; A lu muru vasciu tutti si cci appojanu. Source: Traina, 622.; Eng. Everyone leans against the low wall.; Lu muru scrittu parra di tutti. Source: Traina, 622.; Eng. The written record is there for all to see.; Mura biancu, carta di matti. Source: Traina, 622.; Eng. A white wall invites scribblers.

musca n.f. Fly, horsefly.: A santu Vitu passa la musca a lu voi e va a lu pudditru.; Eng. On the feast of St. Vitus the fly bypasses the oxen and goes to the colt.; Tanti muschi siddianu un cavaddu.; Eng. Lit. Many flies bother a horse.; Fari d'una musca un elefante.; Eng. Make a mountain out of a mole hill.; Aviri muschi.; Eng. Run into trouble.; Nun c'essiri mancu na musca.; Eng. There was nary a soul.; Cu li manu chini di muschi.; Eng. Came away with a fist full of flies.

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

muscugghiuni n.m. Gnat, midge, tiny fly.: Unni cc'è grassu currinu li muscugghiuna.; Eng. Honey attracts flies.

mussu n.m. Lips, mouth.: Lu friddu e lu pitittu fannu lu mussu afflittu.; Eng. Both cold and hunger make the lips quiver.; Mussu di purceddu, oricchi di mircanti, e spaddi d'asineddu.; Eng. The snout of the piglet, the ears of the merchant, and the shoulders of the donkey; good things are.; Lu mussu untatu e la panza vacanti.; Eng. A soiled moth but an empty stomach.

mustazzu n.m. Mustache, whiskers.: Lassa purtari lu mustazzu a lu gattu.; Eng. Leave the wearing of whiskers to the cat.

mustu n.m. Must, new wine.: Di sittèmmiru ad agustu vivi lu vinu vecchiu e lassa stari lu mustu.; Eng. From September to August drink the old wine and leave the must to age.; Cui voli aviri bonu mustu, zappassi la viti ad agustu.; Eng. Whoever wants a good must should hoe the vineyard in August.; Cu' voli aviri bon mustu, zappi la viti 'nt' agustu.; Eng. To get a good must, hoe the vineyard in August.; A S. Martinu ogni mustu è vinu.; Eng. At Saint Martin's the must is wine.

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

mutari v.t. To change.: 'Nvanu tenta lu statu mutari cu' nun ha la furtuna 'n sò favuri.; Eng. It's useless to try to change your condition, if you don't have luck in your favor.; Cu' muta locu, muta vintura.; Eng. With a location change, comes a fortune change.; Mutanu li tempi e mutamu nui cu iddi.; Eng. We change with the times.

muttu n.m. Motto, adage, maxim, statement.: Lu muttu di l'anticu mai mintìu.; Eng. The ancient maxim never lies.; Nun si dici muttu chi nun cci nn' è parti o tuttu.; Eng. Don't say something in public that is not factual.

muzzicari v.t. To bite.: Cui nun pò muzzicari, nun mustrassi li denti.; Eng. Who can't bite should not bare his teeth.; Nun muzzica la crapa pri denti chi nun ha.; Eng. Lit. The goat can't bite with teeth that it doesn't have.

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

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

nannu n.m. Grandfather.: Olivari di tò nannu, cèusi di tò patri, vigna tò.; Eng. The olive grove of your grandfather, the mulberry trees of your father, and your grape vines.

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

nasciri v.i. To be born, begin to be.: Si sapi unni si nasci, ma nun si sapi unni si mori.; Eng. The uncertainty of human existence. lit. It's known where you're born, but it's not known where you'll die.; Cui nasci bedda, nasci maritata. Source: Pitrè, I, 164.; Eng. The girl born beautiful, is born married.

nassa n.f. Cage, trap, fish net.: "Unni maggiuri cc'è, minuri cessa." dici lu puddicinu 'ntra la nassa.; Eng. Where there's a senior the minor yields, said the chick in the cage.; Guarda la nassa ca lu cani passa.; Eng. Be cautious in the face of danger.

nasu n.m. Nose.: Ogni nasu sta beni a la so facci.; Eng. A place for everything and everything in its place. Lit. Each nose fits its own face.; 'Ntra sta casa nun cci po lassari lu nasu.; Eng. Lock the door when you leave. Lit. You can't let a nose into this house.

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

natichi n.m. Buttocks.: Mussu di canni, dinòcchia d'omini e natichi di fimmini. Source: Pitrè, II, 14.; Eng. Always cold, a dog's nose, a man's knees, and a woman's buttocks.

natura n.f. Nature.: Cu' è latru di natura, finu a la morti dura.; Eng. Born a thief, die a thief.; Cu' di natura nasci, nijari nun pò.; Eng. The nature you're born with can't be undone.; Ddu donu chi nni duna la natura, nni lu purtamu 'ntra la sapurtura (sepurtura).; Eng. The gifts we're born with leave us not.

navi n.f. Ship.: A navi rutta ogni ventu è cuntrariu.; Eng. To the damaged ship every breeze is a storm.; Navi chi nun pigghia portu, poca spiranza ci haju.; Eng. There is little hope for a ship that doesn't reach port.; La navi nun va mai senza battellu.; Eng. A ship never goes without a lifeboat.; La navi nun va mai senza timuni.; Eng. A ship doesn't sail without a rudder.

navicari v.t.i. Sail, navigate.: Navicari contra ventu è tempu persu. Source: Pitrè, III, 186.; Eng. Sailing against the wind is time lost.

'ncarnatu adj. Rosy, flesh pink.: Lu virdi è sprânza, lu 'ncarnatu è amuri, Lu giarnu è gilusia, raggia di cori. Source: Pitrè, II, 13.; Eng. Green is hope, rosy pink is love, yellow is jealousy and heartbreak.

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

'ncùnia n.f. Anvil.: Mentri si' marteddu dali e duna, Ma quannu poi si' 'ncùnia ti sta'. Source: Pitrè, III, 384.; Eng. While you're the hammer, hammer away, but when you're the the anvil, desist.; Bonu 'ncùnia nun timi marteddu. Source: Pitrè, II, 17.; Eng. A good anvil doesn't fear the hammer.

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

nenti pron. Nothing.: Nuddu fa nenti pri nenti.; Eng. No one does something for nothing.; Megghiu picca ca nenti.; Eng. Better less than nothing. lit. Better little than nothing.; Cu' nun sapi nenti, è nenti.; Eng. Who knows nothing, is nothing.; Lu nenti è picca.; Eng. Having nothing is too little.; Centu nenti ammazzan' un sceccu.; Eng. A hundred nothings can kill a donkey.

nesciri v.i. To go out, to leave.: Cu nesci rinesci.; Eng. Leave (Sicily) and thrive.; Nni la casa di Gesù zoccu trasi un nesci cchiù. (lit. In the house of Jesus that which enters leaves nevermore.); Eng. The Church never gives away its property.

nèspula n.f. Medlar, loquat.: A san Simuni, li nèspuli a munsidduni e l'acqua a li vadduni.; Eng. By St. Simeon's day, the medlars have been stacked in straw and water is in the ravines.; Cu lu tempu e cu la pagghia si maturanu li nespuli.; Eng. Medlars mature with time and straw.; Quannu viditi nespuli chianciti, ca su l'ultimu fruttu di l'estate.; Eng. Shed a tear when you see medlars because they're the last fruit of the summer.

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

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

'nfernu n.m. Hell.: Si vôi pruvari li peni di lu 'nfernu, Lu 'nvernu a Missina, e la stati 'n Palermu. Source: Pitrè, III, 168.; Eng. If you want to experience the pains of hell, spend the winter in Messina and the summer in Palermo.

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

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

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

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

'nguaggiari v.t. To marry.: Di jornu 'n jornu si nguaggia la zita.; Eng. Procrastination is bad. Lit. Day to day and your sweetheart will marry.

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

nichi adj. Little.: Figghi nichi, guai nichi; figghi granni, guai granni. Source: Pitrè, II, 148.; Eng. Little children, little troubles; big children, big troubles.

nicissità n.f. Necessity, need.: Pi la nicissità si fa gran cosi.; Eng. Necessity is the mother of invention. lit. For necessity, great things are done.

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

nidu n.m. Nest.: Ad ogni aceddu lu so nidu pari beddu.; Eng. Everyone loves their own country.

nigghiu n.m. Kite.: Ngagghiari ntra li granfi di lu nigghiu.; Eng. To fare badly.; Nesciri di li pedi di lu nigghiu.; Eng. To escape by the skin of your teeth.; Comu è lu nigghiu, veni lu figghiu.; Eng. Like father like son.; Lu nigghiu gira e torna ma l'occhi su' sempri a lu puddicinu.; Eng. The kite circles and turns but his eyes are ever on his prey.

nigozziu n.m. Store, shop.: A novu nigozziu, novu cunsigghiu.; Eng. With a new business, new advice.

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

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

niputi n.m., n.f. Niece, nephew, grandchildren.: Niputi pigghiali a cuti.; Eng. Keep your nephews (or nieces, or grandchildren) at arm's length.

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

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

niuru n.m. Black: A lu niuru nun ci pò tacca.; Eng. A shameless person is not easily embarassed.; Vidiri 'na cosa vistuta di niuru.; Eng. Have a forboding of trouble.; Mettiri lu niuru supra lu biancu; Eng. To write it down.

nivi n.f. Snow.: La nivi marzalora la notti cadi e lu jornu 'un si trova.; Eng. The nightime March snow disappears by daybreak.; Pri tutti li santi la nivi a li canti.; Eng. By All Saint's Day snow is on its way.; Pri S. Andria la nivi pri la via.; Eng. On St. Andrew's snow covers the road.

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

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

nnimicizzia n.f. Enmity.: Cu' havi nnimicizzia nun dormi.; Eng. Who bears enmity does not forget.; La nnimicizzia vecchia, prestu si rinnova.; Eng. Old hurts are easily renewed.

nnimicu n.m. Foe, enemy, adversary.: Ciràsi e ficu, siacci nnimicu!; Eng. Cherry and fig trees should be pruned mercilessly! (lit. Be the enemy of the cherry and fig tree!); Nun cridiri a nnimicu ricunciliatu.; Eng. Don't believe a former enemy.; Cu' di lu so nnimicu si burra, un jornu lu jetta 'n terra.; Eng. One who belittles his enemy will one day suffer defeat.; A lu nnimicu chi fui, ponti d'oru.; Eng. Provide a bridge of gold for the enemy who flees.; Mora lu me nnimicu e mora a passuli e ficu.; Eng. Like raisins and figs die, so too will my enemy.; Figghi, nnimici amati; Servi, nnimici salariati. Source: Pitrè, II, 148.; Eng. Children, enemies you love; Servants, enemies you pay.

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

nnomu n.m. Name, reputation.: Vali cchiù lu bonu nnomu, ca centu mila scudi in cascia.; Eng. Your good name is worth more than money in the till.; Quantu vali lu bonu nnomu, nun vannu tutti li ricchizzi di lu mundu.; Eng. All the riches in the world are not worth a good name.

nobbilità n.f. Noble, nobility, nobleness, dignity.: La prima nobbilità è la santità.; Eng. Health is the primary dignity.; La vera nobbilità divi essiri accumpagnata di l'onestà.; Eng. True nobility must be accompanied by honesty.

nolu n.m. Shipping charge, freight charge.: È cchiu lu nolu ca la mircanzia.; Eng. Shipping costs more than the merchandise.

notti n.f. Night, nighttime: Li lupi caminanu di notti.; Eng. Wolves prowl at night.

novu adj. New, unexpected, recent.: Vôi nun essiri guardatu? Nun mèttiri novu usu.; Eng. If you don't want to attract attention, don't start something new.; A novu nigoziu novu cunsigghiu.; Eng. New advice for a new business.; Lu novu amuri fa scurdari lu vecchiu.; Eng. New love makes you forget the old love.; Sutta lu celu nun cc'è di novu.; Eng. There's nothing new under the sun.

'nsignatu adj. Educated, informed.: Nuddu nasci 'nsignatu. Source: Pitrè, II, 130.; Eng. No one is born educated.

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

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

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

nuci n.m. Walnut tree, walnut, nut.: A nuci e ficu siticci nnimicu.; Eng. Nut and fig trees need to be pruned aggressively.; Una nuci 'nt 'on saccu nun fa rumori.; Eng. One cloud doesn't make a storm. Lit. One nut in a bag doesn't make noise.

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