SICILIAN PROVERBS

translated into English by Arthur V. Dieli

nudu adj. Nude.: Centu vistuti 'un ponnu spugghiari un nudu. Source: Pitrè, III, 254.; Eng. A hundred people who are dressed can't undress a nude.; Centu a cavaddu, ad unu nudu nun hannu chi cci fari. Source: Pitrè, III, 254.; Eng. A hundred horsemen can't undress a nude.

nun adv. Negation, not, don't.: Tu nun fili, nun tessi e nun 'ncanni,; Dunni ti vinni stu gghiòmmaru granni? Source: Bellantonio, II 199.; Eng. You don't spin, you don't weave, or wind,; So where did this nestegg come from?

nutricari v.t. Nourish.: Cu a casa d'autru nutrica, a sò mori pòvira e mminnica. Source: Piccitto, III, 348.; Eng. One who takes comfort in the house of another, will see his own go to ruin.

nutricu n.m. Nourishment, breast feeding.: Lu nutricu fa l'amuri. Source: Bellantonio, II 150.; Eng. Breast feeding engenders love.

'nvanu adv. In vain.: 'Nvanu grida cui ad un surdu chiama.; Eng. You shout in vain when you're calling the deaf.

'nzèmmula adv. Together.: Nuddu arricchisci tuttu 'nsèmmula. Source: Pitrè, III, 272.; Eng. Getting rich is not accomplished all together.

'nzerta v.t. 3rd p.sing. of 'nzirtari. Foretells, guesses.: L'omu chi si marita, mori e nasci e si dici: Mischinu cu' la 'nzerta!; Eng. The man who marries dies and is reborn and it is said: Who would have guessed it!; Santu nzerta e santu sgarra.; Eng. The saint foretells and the saint errs. (Particular circumstances may cause a different than expected outcome.)

nziru n.m. A terra-cotta vase used for liquids, usually without handles.: Quannu figghia nziru e fa nziriddu!; Eng. When hell freezes over! (Lit. When the vase gives birth and makes a little vase.)

'nzunza n.f. Pork fat, lard.: La 'nzunza vecchia conza la minestra. Source: Bellantonio, II, 212.; Eng. Old pork fat seasons the soup.

o conj. Either, or.: O cottu o crudu. Source: Pitrè, III, 384.; Eng. Either cooked or raw.; O dintra o fora. Source: Pitrè, III, 384.; Eng. Either in or out.; O mmerda o birritta russa. Source: Pitrè, III, 385.; Eng. All or nothing.; Lit. Shit or the red beret (cardinal's cap).; O si o no. Source: Pitrè, III, 385.; Eng. Either yes or no.; O tuttu o nenti. Source: Pitrè, III, 384.; Eng. All or nothing.; O tuttu di Diu, o tuttu di lu diavulu. Source: Pitrè, III, 386.; Eng. All of God, or all of the devil.

occhi n.m. Eyes.: Pani cu l'occhi, furmaggiu senz'occhi e vinu chi ti cava l'occhi.; Eng. Choose bread with eyes, cheese without eyes and wine that makes your eyes pop.

occhiali n.m.pl. Eyeglasses.: Unni cci vidi, nun cci voli occhiali. Source: Pitrè, III, 187.; Eng. You don't need eyeglasses to see what you're already looking at.

occhiettu n.m. buttonhole, eyelet, bump, swelling.: Quantu occhietti, tanti buttuna (Catania). Source: Bellantonio;, II, 108.; Eng. There are as many buttons as there are buttonholes.

occhiu n.m. Eye.: L'occhiu di la Siragusana fa nèsciri la serpi di la tana.; Eng. The eye of the Syracusan makes the snake come out of its den.; Cu' havi un occhiu sulu, spissu l'annetta. Source: Bellantonio, II 143.; Eng. Who has only one eye, cleans it often.

occhiu di crapa n.m. Goat's eye cloud.: Occhiu di crapa, O ti jinchi o ti sdivaca Source: Pitrè, III, 47.; Eng. Goat's eye clouds, Either torrential rain or nothing. Note: It's a goat's eye formation when the sun's rays break through a small hole in dense clouds, a sure sign of heavy rain. When the hole is large and not circular, it's called, "testa di turco".

occultu adj. occult, well hidden.: L'occultu scogghiu 'nganna li marinara chiù saggi. Source: Traina, 890.; Eng. The underwater rock fools the wisest sailor.

occùrriri v.i. To happen, occur, transpire.: Figghi assai, puvirtà occurta. Source: Bellantonio, II 147.; Eng. Lots of children, poverty imminent.

ocidiri v.t. To kill, murder, slaughter.: Acqua d'Aprili lu porcu ocidi, Lu voi 'ingrassa e la pecura ridi. Source: Pitrè, III, 3.; Eng. With April rain, slaughter the pig, fatten the oxen, and the sheep smiles.; Pagami e poi m'ocidi. Source: Pitrè, I, 323.; Eng. Pay me and then kill me.

oduri n.m. Odor, fragrance, smell, fame, inkling.: Ogni ciuri a la fini perdi l'oduri. Source: Pitrè, III, 92.; Eng. At the end, every flower loses its fragrance.

offriri v.t. Offer.: Cu' assai offirisci, nenti duna. Source: Pitrè, III, 280.; Eng. Who offers much, gives nothing.

ogghiu n.m. Oil.: Vinu vecchiu ed ogghiu novu.; Eng. Choose old wine and new oil.; Ogghiu comuni sana ogni duluri.; Eng. Plain oil cures every pain.

oggi adv. Today.: Oggi sugnu 'n paci e dumani sugnu 'n guerra. Source: Pitrè, III, 92.; Eng. Today I'm at peace and tomorrow I'm at war.

ogni adj. Each, every.: Nè pr'ogni mali jiri a medicu nè pr'ogni liti a l'avvucatu nè pr'ogni siti a la funtana.; Eng. Don't go to the doctor for every malady, nor to the lawyer for every disagreement, nor to the fountain for every thirst.; EnterSicilianText. Source: Pitrè, Vol, Page.; Eng. EnterEnglishText.; Ogni casa havi la sò porta. Source: Pitrè, III, 92.; Eng. Every house has its own door.; Ogni cosa a stu munnu veni a fini. Source: Pitrè, III, 92.; Eng. Everything in this world comes to an end.; Ogni cosa torna a la sò origini. Source: Pitrè, III, 92.; Eng. Everything returns to its origins.; Ogni oceddu chi vola, sempri tocca la terra. Source: Pitrè, III, 93.; Eng. Every bird that flies, always comes down to earth.; Ogn'omu havi lu sò difettu (o -- viziu). Source: Pitrè, III, 93.; Eng. Every man has his own fault (or -- vice).

ognunu pron. Everybody, everyone.: Ognunu voli diri la sua. Source: Pitrè, III, 229.; Eng. Everyone wants the right to speak his mind.; Ognunu sa navicari cu bon ventu. Source: Bellantonio, II 195.; Eng. Everyone knows how to manage when things are going smoothly.; Lit. Everyone knows how to sail in a good wind.; A lu bon tempu sapi annari ognunu. Source: Bellantonio, II 195.; Eng. In good weather everyone knows how to go.; La casa d'ognunu havi la sò porta. Source: Pitrè, III, 92.; Eng. Everybody's house has its own door.

ognura adv. Always.: A essiri asinu si vôi chi ti 'mparu,; Cridi ogni cosa chi t'è ditta ognura. Source: Bellantonio, II 189.; Eng. To be a jackass you need to learn,; To always believe everything you're told.

olivi n.f. Olives.: Pani ed olivi, mai sàturu ti vidi.; Eng. You'll never be sated with bread and olives.; Annata di nivi, annata d'olivi.; Eng. A year of snow, bodes a good year for olives.; A l'olivi un saviu a li pedi e un pazzu a la testa.; Eng. In the olive grove, a wise man at the feet and a wild man at the head.

omini n.m. Men.: Munti cu munti 'un si jùncinu mai, ma l'omini cu l'omini si 'nfrùntanu.; Eng. One mountain peak will never engage another, but men will confront other men.

omu n.m. Man.: Omu poviru e mischinu havi li jorna longhi.; Eng. A poor and wretched man has long days.; L'omu pri la parola, lu voi pri li corna. Source: Pitrè, III, 282.; Eng. A man for his word, an oxen for his horns.; Lu pisci pri la gula, lu voi pri li corna, l'omu pri lu nnomu. Source: Pitrè, Vol, Page.; Eng. The fish for gusto, the oxen for its horns, a man for his good name.; L'omu ch' ha li manu netti, sempri parra trànti e forti. Source: Pitrè, III, 282.; Eng. The man who has clean hands, always appears taut and strong.; L'omu tantu è omu finu a chi manteni la parola. Source: Pitrè, III, 282.; Eng. A man is a man to the extent that he keeps his word.; La furtuna d'un omu è 'n àutr'omu. Source: Bellantonio, II 195.; Eng. The good fortune of a man is another man.; Note. Pitrè says this proverb is intended to be taken physically and morally.

onurari v.t. Honor.: A cui t'onura, onùralu. Source: Pitrè, III, 313.; Eng. Honor those who honor you.

onuratu adj. Honest, honorable.: L'omu onuratu campa stintatu.; Eng. The honorable man lives within self imposed limits.

onuri n.m. Respect, honor.: L'onuri è fattu a li robbi.; Eng. Honor is determined by your dress.; Quantu va l'onuri di la frunti, nun va Palermu livannu li santi.; Eng. How much is prestige worth, not as much as Palermo, if you take away the saints.; Cui perdi l'onuri, nun lu trova cchiù.; Eng. Who loses honor won't ever regain it.; Cui pr'amuri, cui pri timuri, cui pri dinari perdi l'onuri. Source: Pitrè, III, 281.; Eng. Some lose their honor for love, some out of fear, and some for money.; Nun cc'è duluri unni manca l'onuri. Source: Pitrè, III, 283.; Eng. The dishonorable feel no pain.; Lit. There's no pain where honor is lacking.; Nun fùjri signu d'onuri. Source: Pitrè, III, 284.; Eng. Welcome the honorable.; Lit. Don't flee from a sign of honor.

opira n.f. Work.: Di l'opira si canusci lu mastru.; Eng. You know the master by his work.; La fini curuna l'opira. Source: Bellantonio, II 18.; Eng. The quality of the work shows in the finish.; Lit. The finish crowns the work.

orfanu n.m. Orphan.: L'orfani nun su' vuluti di nuddu. Source: Bellantonio, II 154.; Eng. Orphans are not wanted by anyone.

oriu n.m. Barley, fig. beating.: A chi nun pôi dari oriu, strigghia. Source: Pitrè, III, 189.; Eng. With one you can't beat, use kindness. Lit. With the one you can't beat, use a currycomb.; Si l'òriu va caru, chi curpa cci havi la mula? Source: Bellantonio, II, 109.; Eng. What fault is it of the mule, if the cost of barley goes up?

oru n.m. Gold.: L'omini 'un si pìsanu a cantàru, ma vannu ad unza e a pisu comu l'oru.; Eng. Men are not measured by hundredweight, but by the ounce, like gold.; Oru fintu e cartapista, pocu spisa e bona vista.; Eng. Fake gold and papier machè cost little and look like a lot.; Unni l'oru cchiù scrusci, eu curru cu cchiù prescia.; Eng. Where the gold jingles more, I run more quickly.; Nun é tutt' oru chiddu chi luci. Source: Bellantonio, II 190.; Eng. All that glitters is not gold.; L'oru e l'argentu rumpinu porti di ferru. Source: Pitrè, III, 254.; Eng. Gold and silver break through doors of iron.; Cu' ha oru, nun ha dolu. Source: Pitrè, III, 255.; Eng. When you have money, you have no pain.

orvu n.m. Blind.: A la terra di l'orvi beatu cu' havi un occhiu.; Eng. Rare skill or talent is highly valued. (Lit. In the land of the blind he is blessed who has an eye.); Quannu un orvu accumpagna a 'n autru, tutti dui cadinu 'nta la fossa.; Eng. Poor advice leads to trouble. (Lit. When one blind person accompanies another, both fall into the hole.)

ossa n.m. Bone.: Duluri d'ossa, morti mai.; Eng. Aching bones will never kill you.

ovu n.m. Egg.: Megghiu oj l'ovu chi dumani la gaddina. Source: Pitrè, III,381.; Eng. Better an egg today than the chicken tomorrow.; A tutti cosi cci voli furtuna, anchi a frìjri l'ova. Source: Bellantonio, II 192.; Eng. You need good fortune for everything, even to fry eggs.

pacenzia n.f. Forbearance, patience.: Pacenzia cci voli a li burraschi: nun si mancia meli senza muschi. Source: Zinna, 122.; Eng. You need to have patience during storms: you don't eat honey without flies.; Cu' è pacinziusu mori curnutu. Source: Pitrè, III, 247.; Eng. The patient man will die a cuckold.; Cu la pacenzia si vinci ogni cosa. Source: Pitrè, III, 247.; Eng. Patience overcomes all.; La pacenzia si chiantau ma nun nasciu. Source: Pitrè, III, 248.; Eng. Patience was sown but it didn't bloom.; La pacenzia va cara assai. Source: Pitrè, III, 248.; Eng. Patience has a heavy cost.; O pazienza, o cinque lettere Source: Pitrè, III, 249.; Eng. Either patience or death. Note: Morti has five letters, coincidentally, so does death.

paga n.f. Compensation, pay.: Lu mònacu sciala e lu cummentu paga.; Eng. The monk feasts and the convent pays.

paganu adj. Heathen, pagan.: Medicu cristianu e avvucatu paganu.; Eng. Get a Christian doctor and a pagan lawyer.

pagari v.t. To pay.: Cui nun voli pagari, s'assuggetta ad ogni pattu.; Eng. Who doesn't intend to pay, agrees to any contract.

pagatu v.t. past p. Paid.: Cu' ha travagghiatu, vol'essiri pagatu.; Eng. The worker wants to be paid.

pagaziu n.m. Compensation, pay.: Secunnu pagaziu, serviziu.; Eng. Render the service paid for.

pagghia n.f. Straw, hay.: Cci vonnu zucchi di centu cantàra, cà lu focu di pagghia pocu dura.; Eng. It takes bales of a hundredweight because a fire of straw lasts little.; Cavaddu di focu, omu di pagghia; cavaddu di pagghia; omu di focu.; Eng. A spirited horse, a compliant man; an aggressive man, a compliant horse.

pagghiaru n.m. Haystack, field shelter, hay barn.: Pagghiaru di prima cappa, amaru cu' cci 'ncappa!; Eng. Leading edge or bleeding edge?; Lit. It's risky to be the user of a newly roofed field shelter!; Canta la pirnici a lu chiarchiàru: carrìati li ligna a lu pagghiaru.; Eng. When the partridge sings on the stone pile bring the wood into the hay barn.

paisi n.m. Nation, city, village, town.: A paisi unni chi vai, comu vidi fari fai.; Eng. When in Rome, do as the Romans. (lit. In the cities where you go, do as you see it being done.)

palazzu n.m. Mansion, apartment house, condominium.: Prima fa' li dinari e poi li palazzi. Source: Pitrè, II, 108.; Eng. First make the noney, then the mansions.

Palermitani adj. A native of Palermo.: Palermitani, du' tarì 'i cumpanaggiu e du' rana 'i pani.; Eng. In Palermo you pay two tarìs for the spread and two grains for bread. (tr. note: There were 20 grains in a tarì.); È veru ca lu viddanu nascìu prima di lu Signuri, ma a lu Palermitani 'un cci havi a dari cumannu nuddu. Source: Pitrè, III, 144.; Eng. Granted that the yokel was born before the Lord, but one should never put a palermitanu in charge.

Palermu place name Palermo.: A Càccamu cci sunnu l'abbuttati, a Termini scavuzzi sapuriti; a Palermu li rosi spampinati, beddi di fora e di dintra purriti. Source: Zinna, 111.; Eng. At Càccamu there are the boors at Termini pleasing brunettes; and at Palermo long-stemmed roses, beautiful on the outside and rotten on the inside.; Cu tuttu ca Missina havi lu portu, pri la bella Palermu sempri è ortu.; Eng. With everything Messina has the port, but for beautiful Palermo it is always just a garden.; Palermu è omu dabbeni, cu' va va e cu' veni veni. Source: Zinna, 111.; Eng. Palermo is like a tolerant person, whoever goes, goes and whoever comes, comes.; Palermu pri la pinna, Missina pri la 'ntinna.; Eng. Palermo for its illustrious writers and Messina for its harbor.

palora n.f. Word, pledge.: La prima palora è ancilu.; Eng. Words are for reasoning.; Lit. The first word is an angel.; Ogni prumissa è dèbbitu e si duna, miàtu cui l'atteni la palora.; Eng. Every promise is a debt and is owed, blessed is he who keeps his word.; Palori e pinni lu ventu li leva.; Eng. Actions speak louder than words.; Lit. Words and feathers are blown away by the wind.

palummu n.m. Pigeon.: Palummu carrìa e palummedda fa lu nidu.; Eng. The pigeon brings the makings and the chick makes the nest.

panareddi n.m. dim. Medicinal herbs, baskets.: Nè panareddi di viddanu nè cannistreddi di batìi.; Eng. Neither the baskets of the farmer nor the baskets of the abbey.

panàru n.m. Basket.: Nun pigghiari l'acqua 'ntra lu panàru.; Eng. Don't fetch water in a basket.; La zappudda di jinnaru jinchi lu panàru.; Eng. January hoeing fills the basket.

pani n.m. Bread.: A pani schittu lu veru cumpanaggiu è lu pitittu.; Eng. An appetite is a true companion to plain bread.; Sutt'acqua fami, sutta nivi pani.; Eng. When the fields are flooded you'll have hunger, when they're snow covered there'll be plenty to eat.; Acqua di Maju e ventu di Dicembri, pani pri tuttu l'annu Source: Pitrè, III, 4.; Eng. May rains and December winds, bread all year. Tr. note. May rains lead to bountiful crops and December winds help knock the ripe olives off the trees.; Tutti li guai cu lu pani su' duci. Source: Pitrè, III, 265.; Eng. When there is bread, all troubles are sweet.; Lu pani di lu poviru è sempri duru. Source: Pitrè, III, 268.; Eng. The bread of the poor wretch is always stale.

panittera n.f. Bakery.: Nè pani tuttu di 'na panittera,; Nè vinu tuttu di 'na putiara. Source: Pitrè, I, 322.; Eng. Neither all your bread from a bakery,; Nor all your wine from a wine vender.

pantanu n.m. Swamp, quagmire.: La giurana nun sapi nèsciri di lu pantanu.; Eng. The frog doesn't know how to get out of the swamp.

panza n.f. Belly, stomach.: Panza cuntenti cori clementi; panza dijuna nenti priduna.; Eng. A contented stomach, a forgiving heart; but an empty stomach pardons nothing.; Biata dda panza chi nun fici mai figghi. Source: Bellantonio, II 141.; Eng. Blessed is the belly that never made children. Tr. note A mother's lamentation.

panzata n.f. Belly full, feast, to excess.: Cui vivi a panzata, si nni penti tutta la jurnata.; Eng. If you drink a belly full you'll regret it all day.

papa n.m. Pope.: Mentri ca siti Papa, papiati;; Cui sa si 'n'àutra vota Papa siti. Source: Pitrè, III, 382.; Eng. While you're the Pope, pontificate;; Who knows if you'll be Pope again.; Mentri unu è Papa, papia. Source: Pitrè, III, 382.; Eng. While you're the leader, lead.; Cu' è Papa, papia. Source: Pitrè, III, 382.; Eng. The one who's in charge, gives the orders.

papà n.m. Dad, daddy.: U' papà càtta, 'a mammà mùccia, e u' figghiu mucca. Source: Annaro, 311.; Eng. Daddy buys it, mommy hides it, and the child eats it.; Note. This is about the sweets that are hidden around the house on All Soul's Day. Much like our Easter Egg hunts. The Sicilian is in the parlata of Caltagirone, where Annaro was the pastor of the parish of St. George, the long time home parish of the Dieli family.

papatu n.m. Excessive satifaction, highest state, peak, summit, papal.: Di li fimmini lu papatu è lu statu maritatu.; Eng. For women the highest state is the married state.

papiamu v.i. 1st p.pl. Command, swagger, pontificate.: Mentri chi semu Papa papiamu;; Cu'sa si 'n'àutra vota Papa semu! Source: Pitrè, III, 382.; Eng. While we are the Pope we'll pontificate;; Eng. Who knows if we'll be Pope another time.

para n.f. Fight, struggle.: Lu para e fuj è sarvamentu di vita. Source: Pitrè, III, 242.; Eng. Fight and flight is lifesaving.

paradisu n.m. Heaven, paradise.: Lu parrinu dintra è lu paradisu terrestri.; Eng. Having a priest in the house is paradise on earth.; Cui scecchi caccia e fimmini cridi, facci di paradisu nu' nni vidi.; Eng. Who drives donkeys and believes women, will never see the face of paradise.; Li ricchi hannu lu paraddisu 'ntra stu munnu e nna l'autru.. Source: Pitrè, III, 266.; Eng. The rich have paradise in this world and in the other.; Li dinari fannu jiri 'n paradisu. Source: Pitrè, III, 267.; Eng. Money lets you get into paradise.

paratu n.m. Display.: Megghiu sacchetta 'ngrasciata, chi viddìchi parati. Source: Bellantonio, II 136.; Eng. Better a full purse than pretty clothes. Lit. Better a full pocket than pretty displays.

parenti n.m. Blood relatives.: Si vô' passari vita cuntenti, statti luntanu di li tò parenti. Source: Bellantonio, II 140.; Eng. If you want to have a happy life, stay far away from your relatives.; 'Ntr'amici e 'ntra parenti 'n'accattari e 'un vìnniri nenti.; Eng. Among friends and relatives don't buy or sell anything.; Picca e nenti su' parenti.; Eng. Relatives are little and nothing.; Parenti chi nun ti duna, amicu chi nun t'impresta, fuilu cumu la pesta.; Eng. Relatives who don't give to you, a friend who doesn't lend to you, avoid them like the plague.

pari v.i. Seem, appear. show.: Lu bon surdatu pari a la guerra. Source: Bellantonio, II 19.; Eng. You'll know the good soldier in battle.; Bonu pilotu a la timpesta pari. Source: Bellantonio, II 19.; Eng. The good pilot is proven in a storm.; Vesti zuccuni ca pari baruni.; Eng. Dress up a country bumpkin and he looks like a baron.; Cosa chi pari nun cci voli prova. Source: Traina, 698.; Eng. Seeing is believing.; Lit. That which is seen need not be proven.

pari n. inv. Peer.: Marìta li figghioli cu sò pari pri nun s'aviri un jornu a lamintari.; Eng. Marry your children with their peers so you won't regret it someday.

pàriri v.i. To appear, to seem.: Pàriri e nun essiri è comu lu filari e nun tèssiri. Source: Bellantonio, II 137.; Eng. To seem and not to be is like weaving and not making cloth.; Studia d'essiri tali quali disìdiri pariri.; Eng. Strive to be that which you want to appear to be.; Cui bedda voli pariri, Peni e guai havi a suffriri. Source: Pitrè, I, 164.; Eng. Who wants to appear beautiful, Has to suffer pains and troubles.

pariri n.m Opinion, advice.: Lu saviu nun si divi virgugnari di mutari lu so pariri.; Eng. The wise man need not be ashamed to change his opinion.

parmentu n.m. Wine cellar.: Sicuru simìna li favi e lu linu quann' hai ancora lu parmentu chinu.; Eng. Sow fava beans and flax with confidence while you still have grapes coming into the wine cellar.

parmu n.m. palm, hand, span.: L'omu nun si misura a parmu.; Eng. You don't measure a man in hands.

parmu n.m. Measured, restrained.: Cui nun havi lu parmu 'nna la giuvintù, porta la canna 'nna la vicchiaia.; Eng. Who fails to show restraint in their youth, will be miserable in their old age.

parola n.f. Word.: L'omu pri la parola, lu voi pri li corna.; Eng. Man is valued for his word, the ox for his horns.; L'omu tantu è omu finu a chi manteni la parola.; Eng. A man is a man to the extent that he sticks by his word.; Lu riccu pò diri 'na parola di cchiù. Source: Pitrè, III, 271.; Eng. The rich man may say a word more.; La bona parola bonu locu pigghia. Source: Zinna, 122.; Eng. A good word finds its mark.; Unni cci su' genti, cci su' paroli. Source: Pitrè, III, 100.; Eng. Where there are people, there is conversation.

parrari v.i. To speak, to talk.: A lu cantari l'aceddu e a lu parrari lu ciriveddu.; Eng. Gauge a bird by its song, and an intellect by its speech.; Lu ddottu si canusci a lu parrari e li campani a lu sunari.; Eng. Bells are distinguished by their ring and the educated by their speech.; Cu' è riccu pò parrari. Source: Pitrè, III, 271.; Eng. One who is rich may speak.; Parrari cu li virguli e li punti. Source: Pitrè, Vol, Page.; Eng. Crossing the "t"s and dotting the "i"s.; Lit. Speaking with commas and periods.; Non ni parramu cchiù ca è quaresima. Source: Copani, 183.; Eng. There's no more to discuss.; Lit. We'll not discuss it anymore because it's Lent.; Prima di parrari, màstica li paroli. Source: Pitrè, III, 368.; Eng. Chew your words before you speak.; Prima chi parru li paroli màsticu. Source: Pitrè, III, 368.; Eng. I chew the words before I say them.; Paroli poco pinsati portanu pena. Source: Pitrè, III, 368.; Eng. Thoughtless words can hurt.; Prima senti e dipo' parri. Source: Pitrè, III, 368.; Eng. Listen before you speak.

parrastra n.f. Stepmother.: La Stati è la parrastra di li picciriddi. Source: Pitrè, III, 33.; Eng. Summer is the stepmother of little children.; Note: Pitrè says it's because children get all kinds of illnesses during the summer.; Soggira e parrastra, Nè di crita nè di pasta. Source: Bellantonio, II 166.; Eng. Mother-in-law and stepmother, they're made neither of clay nor of plaster.

parrastru n.m. Stepfather.: Cui si curca cu mè matri mi veni parrastru. Source: Bellantonio, II 26.; Eng. The one who sleeps with my mother becomes my stepfather.

parrinu n.m. Priest, godfather, skin outgrowth.: Ammuccia lu latinu 'gnuranza di parrinu.; Eng. Latin hides the stupidity of the priest.; Cu' havi lu parrinu 'n casa, havi lu porcu appisu.; Eng. Who has a priest at home, has plenty of food. (a pig hanging in the larder); Morsi lu parrinu, finìu lu figghiozzu. Source: Bellantonio, II 158.; Eng. The godfather died, a godson no more.

Partinicu place name Partinico.: Partinicu, bon paisi, bonu vinu, pochi spisi.; Eng. Partinico is a good town, good wine and low prices.

pàrtiti v.i. 2nd p.sing. To depart, to leave.: Pàrtiti quannu agghiorna, 'un ti pàrtiri quannu scura.; Eng. Leave in daylight, not in the dark.

parturenti n.f. A woman in labor.: Lassa lu focu ardenti e succurri la parturenti.; Eng. Leave the fire hot and help the woman in labor.; Mai vecchia si ricorda di partu. Source: Bellantonio, II 156.; Eng. The pain of childbirth is a pain that's forgotten.

paru adj. Equal.: Nun ti mèttiri a paru cu li megghiu di tia.; Eng. Don't put yourself on a par with your betters.

pasci v.i. 3rd p.sing. Graze.: Unni nasci, lu vermi si pasci.; Eng. The worm grazes where it's born.; Cu' prima nasci, prima pasci. Source: Pitrè, III, 375.; Eng. The early bird catches the worm.; Lit. The one who arrives first, grazes first.

pasciuti v.i. past p. Grazed.: Dannu cchiù li picca boni, cà l'assai mali pasciuti.; Eng. You get more from a few good animals than from the many that are poorly grazed.

Pasqua n.f. Easter.: Predichi e lattuchi doppu Pasqua su' finuti. Source: Pitrè, III, 49.; Eng. After Easter, both the prayers and the lettuce are finished.

passari v.i. To pass, to spend, to be worth.: Passari quantu l'acca di l'abbicci.; Eng. To be worth as much as the H in the ABCs.; Note. To be worth nothing because H is silent in Sicilian.; Comu passa lu beni, passa lu mali. Source: Pitrè, I, 276.; Eng. And this too shall pass.; Lit. As the good passes, the bad passes.; Zoccu passa, mai cchiù torna. Source: Pitrè, III, 389.; Eng. What is past will never return.

passu n.m. Pass by, step, byway.: Passu arrubbatu, pàssacci sicuru.; Eng. Pass by the place that was robbed with confidence.; Di santa Lucia a Natali quant'un passu di cani.; Eng. It's a short step from Saint Lucy's Day to Christmas.; Di lu malu passu, 'na vota sula si cci passa. Source: Pitrè, III, 377.; Eng. When the byway is perilous, take it only once.; Di lu malu passu nescitinni prestu. Source: Pitrè, III, 377.; Eng. When the way is perilous, exit promptly.; Malu passu, stanni arrassu. Source: Pitrè, III, 377.; Eng. Stay far away from the perilous byway.

pasturi n.m. Shepherd.: Zoccu veni contru lu pasturi, veni contra l'agneddi. Source: Pitrè, II.; Eng. What harms the shepherd, harms the sheep.

patacca n.f. Money, coin.: Prima chi mi tocchi, dammi li patacchi. Source: Bellantonio, II 188.; Eng. Before I'm obliged, give me the money.; Note. The patacca is an old Sicilian coin.

pati v.i. 3rd p.sing. Suffers.: Cui pati p'amuri, nun senti duluri.; Eng. Who suffers because of love, feels no pain.

patidduzzi n.f. Limpets, snails.: Cui voli manciari patidduzzi,; S'havi a vagnari li piduzzi. Source: Bellantonio, II 27.; Eng. Who wants limpets to eat,; Will have to get wet his little feet.

pàtiri v.i. Suffer, endure, experience pain, tolerate.: Semu distinati cu' havi a pàtire.; Semu tutti figghi d'Adamu. Source: Pitrè, III, 97.; Eng. We are those who are destined to suffer.; All of us are the children of Adam.

patri n.m. Father.: Lu riccu havi lu patri a lu 'nfernu chi prega pri iddu. Source: Pitrè, III, 271.; Eng. The rich man's father is in hell and praying for him.

patruni n.m. Owner.: Mentri 'ntra l'aria resta lu frummentu nun si' tu lu patruni, ma su' centu.; Eng. There are a hundred owners besides you until the wheat is harvested.; Rispetta a lu patruni rispetta a lu cani.; Eng. Love me, love my dog.

Patti place name Patti.: Patti, beddi frutti.; Eng. Patti, has beautiful fruits.

pattu n.m. Pact, agreement, accord.: Chiddu ch'è di pattu, 'un è di 'ngannu.; Eng. That which is agreed upon is not deception.; Patti chiari, amici cari. Source: Bellantonio, II 187.; Eng. Clear agrements, good friends.

paura n.f. Fear.: Cui servi a Diu, nun havi paura di nenti.; Eng. Who serves God, fears nothing.; Pri cu' havi paura è inutili l'armatura. Source: Pitrè, III, 243.; Eng. Weapons are of no use to the fearful.; Tutti l'armi di Sicilia 'un armirìanu la paura.; Eng. All the armament of Sicily won't arm fear.

pazzu n.m. Crazy, insane.: Cui spera limòsina di parrini, va a lu spitali pri pazzi. Source: Alaimo, 153.; Eng. Who hopes for alms from the priests, winds up at the insane asylum.; Si lu riccu 'un fussi pazzu, lu poviru 'un purria campari. Source: Pitrè, III, 277.; Eng. If the rich man were not crazy, the poor man would not be able to live.

pazzia n.f. Madness, lunacy, insanity.: È gran pazzia lu cuntrastari cu du' nun pô vinciri nè appattari.; Eng. It's insane to oppose when you can neither win nor compromise.

pecca v.i. 3rd p.sing. Sins.: Unu pecca e 'n tronu è misu, l'àutru pecca, è crucifissu.; Eng. One sins and is enthroned, another sins and is crucified.

pecura n.f. Sheep.: Cui pecura si fa, lu lupu si la mancia.; Eng. Who makes himself a sheep, will be eaten by the wolf.

pècuri n.pl. Sheep, sheepfold.: Lu diàvulu non avi pècuri e vinni lana.; Eng. Something's fishy. (lit. The devil has no sheep and he's selling wool.); Tutt'i pècuri non zu dû lupu.; Eng. Not all miscues end unfavorably. (lit. The wolf doesn't get all the sheep.); Quannu vai a pècuri e t'arrinesci, pigghia la grossa cà la nica crisci.; Eng. When you're taking from the sheepfold and you're succeeding, take a big one because the small one will grow (and you can take it next time).

peddi n.f. Skin, hide, strop.: Jinnaru fa l'agneddi, frivaru fa li peddi.; Eng. In January you slaughter the lambs in February you work the skins.; Cchiù su' li peddi di l'agneddu chi chiddu di li crapi. Source: Bellantonio, II, 208.; Eng. There are more lambskins than goat skins in the slaughterhouse.; Cu' havi pecuri, havi peddi. Source: Pitrè, III, 99.; Eng. Whoever has sheep, has hides.; Cu' ha pecuri ha peddi,; Cu' ha vacchi, ha viteddi. Source: Pitrè, III, 99.; Eng. Whoever has sheep has skins,; Whoever has cows has calves.

pedi n.m. Foot, feet.: Cui va a pedi 'ntra aprili e maju, va a cavaddu tuttu l'annu.; Eng. Whoever goes on foot during April and May, goes on horseback the rest of the year.; Quannu l'ossu è 'n pedi, la carni va e veni.; Eng. As long as you're able to walk you can always regain your health.; Pedi di ciocca nun scaccia puddicini.; Eng. Those who have ability or empathy rarely make mistakes. (Lit. The foot of the hen doesn't squash the chicks.)

pèggiu adj. Bad, worse, worst.: A lu peggiu nun cc'è fini.; Eng. The worst never ends.

peju n.m. inv. the worse, the worst.: Tutti li cosi vannu a lu pinninu,; Ed a lu peju si cci 'nclina ognunu. Source: Pitrè, III, 99.; Eng. Everything slides down a slope,; And everyone is inclined to the worst.

pena n.f. Punishment, pain, sorrow, anxiety, trouble.: La pena di lu munzignaru è chi dici la virità e nun è cridutu.; Eng. The trouble with the liar is that when he tells the truth he is not believed.; Diu a cu' voli beni manna cruci e peni.; Eng. God sends pain an suffering to those he loves.; Li peni cu' lu pani nun su' peni,; Li veru peni sunnu senza pani,; Li veri guai su' quannu s'addisia lu pani. Source: Pitrè, III, 265.; Eng. While you still have bread,; Troubles are not troubles,; The real troubles when you're wanting bread.; Cu' si pigghia pena prestu mori o campa pocu.; Eng. The one who takes umbrage dies early.; Figghi picciuli, peni picciuli; figghi granni, peni granni. Source: Bellantonio, II 148.; Eng. Little children, little troublesF; big children, big troubles.

penni v.i. 3rd p.sing. Hangs.: Di jùdici chi penni, 'ngiustizia s'attenni.; Eng. Justice that's pending is injustice attending.

pensa v.i. 3rd p.sing. Thinks.: Si jinnaru 'un jinnaría, frivaru malu pensa.; Eng. If it isn't wintry in January then expect the worst in February.

penti v.refl. 3rd p.sing. from pentirisi. Repents, regrets, is contrite.: Quannu di lu piccatu nun si penti, la confissioni nun servi a nenti.; Eng. Confession without contrition serves no purpose. (lit. When he regrets not the sin, the confession serves for nought.)

pernu n.m. Pearl.: Nun servi dari li perni a li porci. Source: Bellantonio, II 244.; Eng. Don't cast your pearls at swine.

persu adj. Lost.: Cunfissioni senza duluri e orazioni senza 'ntinzioni, è tempu persu.; Eng. Confessions without contrition, and prayers without intentions are time lost.

pesta n.f. Plague, pestilence, pest.: A cui nun ti duna nè ti 'mpresta,; Fùjilu come pesta. Source: Bellantonio, II 23.; Eng. Who neither gives nor lends,; Get rid of him like the plague.

pettu n.m. Chest.: Mànica di mònacu e pettu di parrinu.; Eng. Capacious as the sleeve of a monk and patient as the priest with his arms across his chest.

pica n.f. Spear, pike.: Nun tutti su' boni surdati chiddi chi 'n coddu portanu la pica. Source: Bellantonio, II 137.; Eng. Not all those who shoulder a spear are good soldiers.

picca adj. A little.: Cci voli assai a fari picca.; Eng. It takes a lot to do little.; Picca pani e picca vinu e picca terra zappa Ninu.; Eng. Too little bread and too little wine and little hoeing will get done.; Tanti picca fannu un assai.; Eng. Many littles make a lot.

picca n.f. Pike, lance.: Nun tutti su' boni surdati chiddi chi 'ncoddu portanu la picca.; Eng. Shouldering a lance does not a good soldier make.

piccatu n.m. Sin.: Piccatu vecchiu, sintenza nova.; Eng. An old sin, a new sentence.; Un gran piccatu nun po' stari cilatu.; Eng. A deadly sin can't be concealed.; Cu' arrobba fa un piccatu, nni fa centu cu' è arrubbatu.; Eng. Who robs commits a sin, who is robbed commits a hundred.; Jinnaru fa lu piccatu e maju nn'è 'nculpatu.; Eng. January commits the sin and May gets blamed.; Cu' arrobba a li latri 'un fa piccatu Source: Bellantonio, II 198.; Eng. Who steals from thieves doesn't sin.

picciotti n.pl. Children.: Avemu tempu ca semu picciotti. Source: Bellantonio, II, 208.; Eng. We have time because we're young.; Picciotti e surdi, castigu di Diu!; Eng. Children and the deaf are the punishment of God.; Li picciotti fannu picciutarìi. Source: Bellantonio, II, 214.; Eng. Children make mischief.; Li picciotti su' comu li cani, vannu unni sunnu chiamati. Source: Bellantonio, II, 215.; Eng. Children are like dogs, they go where they're called.; Li picciotti hannu a parrari quannu piscia la gaddina. Source: Bellantonio, II, 215.; Eng. Children should speak when the hen urinates.; Li picciotti vonnu lu sò sfogu. Source: Bellantonio, II, 215.; Eng. Children need to be able to let off steam.

picciriddi n.pl. Little children.: Cosi di picciriddi, puma, mènnuli e nuciddi.; Eng. Things for little children; apples, almonds and hazel nuts.; Voi sapiri la virità? Dumanna a li picciriddi. Source: Bellantonio, II 169.; Eng. If you want to know the truth, ask the children.

picculu n.m. Child.: Quannu lu picculu voli chianciri, Cu lu granni si va a mettiri. Source: Pitrè, I, 244; Eng. When the child wants to cry, he seeks the company of an adult.

picuntria n.f. Hypocondria: La picontria è cchiù tinta di 'na malatia. Source: Zinna, 106.; Eng. Hypocondria is worse than a sickness.

picurinu adj. A sheep's wool sky.: Ariu picurinu o Livanti o Punenti o Sciloccu finu. Source: Pitrè, III, 17.; Eng. A sheep's wool sky means wind's to follow, either a Levant or a West wind or a Sirocco.; Celu picurinu, s'un chiovi oj, chiovi a lu matinu. Source: Pitrè, III, 22.; Eng. When you see a sheep's wool sky you know, if it doesn't rain today, it will rain in the morning.; Aria picurina, si non duna acqua la sira la duna a la matina.; Eng. With a sheep's wool sky, if it doesn't rain tonight, it will rain in the morning.

piditu n.m. Fart.: Nun fari pidita a cu' havi culu. Source: Zinna, 126.; Eng. Don't try to teach someone who is already an expert.; Lit. Don't fart at someone who has an ass.

pidocchiu n.m. Louse.: Dinari fannu dinari, e pidocchi fannu pidocchi. Source: Pitrè, III, 261.; Eng. Money makes money and lice make lice.

pigghiari v.t. To get, to take, to seize, to have.: Sigreti a tò mugghieri 'un cunfidari, casi cu prèguli 'un adduari, cumpari sbirri nun pigghiari.; Eng. Don't confide secrets to your wife, don't rent a house if it has a pergola, don't have cops as a godfathers.; Tutti nni pigghiamu di lu mali. Source: Pitrè, III, 99.; Eng. We all experience problems.; A pocu pani, pigghia primu. Source: Pitrè, III, 371.; Eng. When there's little bread, be the first to take some.; A pocu pani, pigghiatinni un pezzu a li manu. Source: Pitrè, III, 371.; Eng. When there's a little bread, grab a piece.; Note. These two proverbs are in Chapter 74, Resoluteness, Promptness, Seizing the moment.; Mentri hai bon tempu pigghiatillu,; Chi lu malu tempu nun manca mai. Source: Pitrè, III, 386.; Eng. Take the good time while it lasts,; For a bad time is never lacking.

pigrizzia n.f. Laziness.: Spissu si perdi pri pigrizia; Quantu si guadagna pri giustizia. Source: Pitrè, III, 388.; Eng. One often loses through laziness; That which is gained through justice.

Pilatu Roman official Pilate, Pontius.: Pilatu, nè sarvu nè dannatu.; Eng. Pilate was neither saved nor damned.

pilotu n.m. Pilot.: Lu bon pilotu si canusci a li burraschi. Source: Bellantonio, II 19.; Eng. The skill of the pilot becomes apparent in stormy weather.; Bonu pilotu a la furtuna pari. Source: Bellantonio, II 19.; Eng. A good pilot shows up with good fortune.

pinatu adj. Gravely troubled, anxious.: Omu arrinnatu campa pinatu. Oppure: Rinnati, ricchi di 'nvernu e poviri di stati.; Eng. The man with a fixed income lives with anxiety. Or: On a stipend you're rich in the winter and poor by summer.

pinciri v.t. To paint.: Cui pinci lu ciuri, nun cci pò dari l'oduri. Source: Bellantonio, II 133.; Eng. Who paints a flower, can't give it fragrance.; Lu diavulu nun è tantu bruttu quantu si pinci. Source: Bellantonio, II 136.; Eng. The devil is not as ugly as he's painted.

pinìa v.i. 3rd p.sing. Suffers.: Si marzu nun marzía, giugnu pinía.; Eng. If March is late in coming, June will suffer.

pinna n.f. Feather.: Quannu tutti cosi vannu 'n paru, l'omu metti pinni. Source: Bellantonio, II 195.; Eng. When everything is going smoothly, a man tends to get cocky.; Note. "metti pinni" is to put on airs or to get cocky.; Jettu la pinna a mari e mi va 'n funnu:; Ad àutru viju lu chiummu navicari. Source: Bellantonio, II 190.; Eng. I throw a feather into the sea and it sinks to the bottom:; For someone else it's an aid to navigation.; Note. A complaint of bad luck.

pinninu n.m. Descending slope, descent, slope: Nun cc'è muntata senza pinninu. Source: Pitrè, III, 97.; Eng. There's no climb without a descent.; Poi di la muntata veni lu pinninu. Source: Traina, 618.; Eng. After the good comes the bad.; Li muntati su' quantu li pinnina. Source: Pitrè, III, 97.; Eng. The climbs are as many as the descents.

pinsirai v.t. fut. 2nd p.sing. Think.: Amatu nun sarai si a tia sulu pinsirai. Source: Bellantonio, II 23.; Eng. You will not be loved if you think only of yourself.

pinsirusu adj. Attentive, diligent, pensive.: Omu dinarusu, omu pinsirusu.; Eng. A wealthy man is a pensive man.

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