SICILIAN PROVERBS

translated into English by Arthur V. Dieli

saluti n.f. Health.: Libbirtati e saluti cui ha, è riccu e nun lu sa.; Eng. Freedom and health, who has them is rich and doesn't know it.; Vôi stari di saluti sempri chinu? mancia sempri ova e trinca bonu vinu.; Eng. If you want to stay healthy all the time, always eat eggs and drink good wine.; Megghiu poviru cu la saluti ca riccu e malatu. Source: Traina, 850.; Eng. Better poor and healthy than rich and sick.; La saluti veni di l'alligrizza di lu cori.; Eng. Good health comes from a happy heart.; Quanti vali la saluti nun vannu li dinaru. Source: Traina, 850.; Eng. Money won't buy good health.; A la saluti nun c'è prezzu. Source: Zinna, 105.; Eng. Good health is priceless.

salutiferu adj. beneficial, good, healing, wholesome.: La chianta velenusa nun ha nescita mai da radici salutiferu.; Eng. A poisonous plant has never sprouted from good roots.

Sammartinu n.m. Saint Martin.: Cu' havi li dinari 'ntra li manu,; Fa la Pasqua, Natali e Sammartinu. Source: Pitrè, III, 255.; Eng. Who has money in hand,; Celebrates Easter, Christmas, and the feast of Saint Martin (Nov. 11).

sana v.t. 3rd p.sing. Heals.: Testa firuta si mèdica e sana, cori firuta nun sana mai.; Eng. A head wound is treated and heals, but a wounded heart never heals.

sanari v.t. To heal, cure.: Mali vecchiu nun pò sanari.; Eng. An advanced disease can't be cured.

sancisuca n.f. Leech, bloodsucker.: La sancisuca mai lassa di sucari, si mai si 'ngrassa. Source: Traina;, 851.; Eng. The leech doesn't stop sucking until it's fattened.; Mischinu chiddu ch' havi sancisuchi. Source: Pitrè, III, 272.; Eng. He's the poor wretch who has bloodsuckers.

sangu n.m. Blood.: Bonu vinu fa bonu sangu.; Eng. Good wine makes good blood.; Lu sangu nun si po fari acqua. Source: Bellantonio, II 156.; Eng. Blood runs thicker than water. Lit. You can't make blood into water.; Lu sangu tira.; Eng. Relationship makes itself known. Lit. Blood pulls.

sanità n.f. Health.: Sanità senza dinari è menza malatia. Source: Pitrè, III, 276.; Eng. Health without wealth is halfway sick.; Cu' havi sanità è riccu e nun lu sa.; Eng. He that has good health is rich and doesn't know it.

sanitati n.f. Health.: A la 'nfirmitati si conusci la sanitati.; Eng. During sickness health is recognized.

santa n.f. Saint.: Santa Marina cc'è, santa Muntagna no.; Eng. Safeguard the flock that is grazing on the mountain. (Lit. There is a Saint Sea but no Saint Mountain.)

santu n.m. Saint.: Si lassi la cascia aperta,; Macàri lu santu pecca. Source: Pitrè, III, 388.; Eng. If you leave the safe open,; Eng. Even a saint will sin.; Li santi nun mancianu. Source: Bellantonio, II 135.; Eng. Saints don't eat.; Li santi su' 'n paraddisu. Source: Bellantonio, II 186.; Eng. The saints are in paradise.; Santu chi mancia pani guardatinni!; Eng. Beware of a saint who eats bread.; Cu li santi nun si cci joca.; Eng. Don't joke about the saints.; Santu viniri, festa fari.; Eng. There's a time for everything.; Lit. Venerate the saint, make merry.; Cui nasci è beddu, cui si marita è bonu, cui mori è santu. Source: Bellantonio, II 144.; Eng. Who is born is beautiful, who marries is good, who dies is a saint.; Ad ogni santu veni la sò festa. Source: Pitrè, I, 274.; Eng. A feast day comes around for every saint.

santu croccu n.m. Parsimony, thrift.: Làssitu, truvatura e santu croccu,; Di poviru fannu l'omu riccu. Source: Pitrè, III, 263.; Eng. A bequest, a found treasure, and parsimony; Lift a man from poverty and make him wealthy.

sanu adj. Healthy, sound.: Cu' lu jiditu sanu s' attacca, sanu si lu sciogghi.; Eng. The innocent have nothing to fear.; Lu sanu nun cridi a lu malatu.; Eng. The healthy don't believe the stricken.

sapi v.t. 3rd p.sing. Knows.: Cui chiù sapi, menu cridi.; Eng. The more you know the less you believe.

sapienti adj. Learned, wise.: L'omu chi parra assai, nun dici nenti;; L'omu chi parra picca è sapienti. Source: Pitrè, III, 225.; Eng. The man who talks a lot, says nothing;; Eng. The man who talks little is learned.

sapìri v.t. and v.i. To know something, to have knowledge.: Contra furtuna nun vali sapìri. Source: Bellantonio, II 192.; Eng. Knowledge is no match for luck.; Cu' ad àutru 'nzigna, acquista cchiù sapiri.; Eng. Who teaches another, acquires more knowledge.; Aviri fa lu sapiri: cui nun ha, nenti sa. Source: Pitrè, III, 271.; Eng. A wealthy man is a wise man: a poor man knows nothing.; Cci voli assai a sapiri picca.; Eng. It takes a lot to know little.; Cu' cchiù sapi, cchiù travagghia.; Eng. Who knows more, works more.; Cu' cridi sapiri assai nun sapi nenti.; Eng. Who believes he knows much, knows nothing.; L'omu chi sa è patruni di l'autru.; Eng. Knowledge is power.; Lit. The one who knows is the master of the other.; Cu' sa, havi deci occhi, e cu è ignuranti è cecu affattu.; Eng. Who knows, has ten eyes, and who is ignorant is blind indeed.; Lu sapiri è megghiu di l'aviri.; Eng. Knowing is better than having.; Di lu sapiri si veni all' aviri.; Eng. From knowing comes having.; Unu chi nun sapi è comu unu chi nun vidi.; Eng. One who knows not, is like one who sees not.; Nun sapemu cui su' li merri e cu' su' li marvizzi. Source: Bellantonio, II 187.; Eng. We can't tell the one from the other.; Note. The merri and marvizzi were two sides in a rebellion between 1674-1675. Merli and malvizzi are also the names of two types of birds, blackbirds and thrushes.

sapissi v.t. 3rd p.sing. subj. Known.: Si vôi ch' 'un si sapissi, nun la fari. Ovvero: Nenti fari cà nenti si sapi.; Eng. If you don't want it to be known, don't do it. Or: Do nothing and nothing will be known.

sarda n.f. Sardine.: La sarda di jinnaru e la vopa di marzu.; Eng. Sardines in January and perch in March.

sarmentu n.m. Twig, dried vine branch.: L' asinu si arrusica lu sarmentu pirchi si rigorda quann' era tadduni.; Eng. The donkey browses on the twig because he remembers when it was a sprig.

sarsa n.f. Sauce.: Non c'è megghiu sarsa di la fami.; Eng. Hunger is the best sauce.

sarva n.f. Salvation, cure.: Fidi sarva, no lignu di varca.; Eng. Faith is salvation, not the wood of a ship.; Marva ti sarva.; Eng. Mallow (genus malva) will cure you.

sarvari v.t. Save, keep, conserve.: La megghiu cosa ch'hai di fari sia l'arma tua sarvari.; Eng. The most important thing you have to do is to save your soul.; Cui si pò sarvari, si sarva. Source: Bellantonio, II 26.; Eng. Who can save himself, saves himself.; Sarvari crapa e cavuli.; Eng. Save the cabbages without starving the goat.; Tr. note: Save something without losing something else. Use something for a second purpose without affecting its first use. Lit. Save the goat and the cabbages.; Cu sarva trova. Source: Bellantonio, II, 100.; Eng. Who saves, finds.; Li dinari sarvati gran guerra fannu. Source: Pitrè, III, 264.; Eng. Turmoil accompanies inheritance. Lit. Saved money makes for a great war.; Sarvati chi manciari, e no chi fari.; Eng. Conserve what's to eat and not what's to do.; S' 'un cc'è 'nfernu, tutti nni sarvamu. Source: Pitrè, III, 98.; Eng. If there's no hell we'll all be saved.; Sarva risposta, cà lu tempu veni. Source: Pitrè, III, 231.; Eng. Hold your reply, for your time will come.; Sàlvati mentri pôi. Source: Pitrè, III, 388.; Eng. Save yourself while you can.; Sarva ca trovi. Source: Bellantonio, II, 108.; Eng. EnterEnglishText.; Sarva la pezza pri quannu veni lu pirtusu. Source: Bellantonio, II, 108.; Eng. Save the scrap to patch the next hole.

saturari v.t. To satiate, soak, saturate.: Voi saturari ad unu? Dacci prima lu friscu e poi lu duru. Source: Piccitto, IV, 393.; Eng. Do you want to satiate someone? First give them the fresh and then the stale bread.; Li chiàiti nun saturanu gatti. Source: Pitrè, III, 282.; Eng. Gossip doesn't satisfy cats.

sàturu adj. Full, satiated.: Lu sàturu nun cridi a lu dijunu.; Eng. The satiated doesn't believe the hungry.; Cu' è saturu schifìa.; Eng. Once satiated, he scorns.

sàuri adj. Sorrel (brownish orange to light brown), chestnut.: Cavalli sàuri ed omini mancusi mancu ponnu fari pri li spisi.; Eng. Chestnut horses and surly men can't even cover expenses.

sàuru adj. Sorrel.: Sàuru, 'un ci spènniri un àuru, ma quann'è bonu, spènnicci un tisoru.; Eng. Don't pay a single gold coin for the sorrell, but when he's good, be ready to spend a fortune.

sautu n.m. Jump, leap.: Si la jumenta fa lu sautu, la putra lu fa cchiù autu.; Eng. If the mare jumps, the filly will jump higher.; Lu sàutu chi fa la cràpa, lu soli fari la crapetta. Source: Bellantonio, II 156.; Eng. As the goat jumps so does the kid.; Lu sàutu chi fa la jimenta fa la putra. Source: Bellantonio, II 156.; Eng. As the mare jumps, so jumps the filly.; Lu sàutu chi fa la scecca fa lu pudditru. Source: Bellantonio, II 156.; Eng. As the donkey jumps, so jumps the filly.; Lu sàutu chi fa la matri, fa la figghia. Source: Bellantonio, II 156.; Eng. Like mother like daughter.

saviu adj. and n.m. Learned, expert, wise man.: Lu veru saviu è cui si sarva l'arma dici sant'Arfonsu.; Eng. According to St. Alphonse the truly learned is the one who saves his soul.; Manda lu saviu e lassa fari ad iddu.; Eng. Send in the wise man and let him do it.; Lu saviu si vinci cu la raggiuni, lu pazzu cu lu vastuni.; Eng. You win over the learned with reason, the crazy with blows.; Lu saviu havi l'occhi 'nta la testa, e lu pazzu, a li pedi.; Eng. The wise man has eyes in his head, the crazy, in his feet.

saziari v.t and v.i. To satisfy.: Ziti a vasari e babbaluci a sucari su' cosi chi nun ponnu mai saziari.; Eng. The kissing of sweethearts, the eating of snails, they're never enough to satify.; Megghiu muriri saziu chi dijunu. Source: Pitrè, III, 272.; Eng. Better to die satiated than hungry.

sàzii adj. Give satisfaction.: 'N tempu di disgrazii parrini beddi sàzii.; Eng. In hard times priests give satisfaction.

sbasciàri v.t. To lower, reduce, diminish.: Quannu la superbia in àutu acchiana, Accumenza a sbasciàri la furtuna. Source: Pitrè, III, 182.; Eng. When pride climbs high, it begins to depress good fortune.

sbarbatu adj. Beardless, unskilled.: Sbarbatu senza culuri d'ogni autru è piggiuri.; Eng. There's nothing worse than being unskilled. Lit. Beardless and without other coloring is worse.

sbirru n.m. Cop.: Diu nni scanza di lu sbirru sicilianu e di cchiù quan'è palermitanu!; Eng. God protect us from the Sicilian cop especially if he's from Palermo.

sbrazzari v.t. To bare one's arms, to rull up one's sleeves.: Io mi sbrazzu e idda senti friddu.; Eng. I bare my arms and she feels the cold.

sbuccia v.i. 3rd p.sing. Flowers, blooms.: Quannu l'oliva sbuccia 'ntr'aprili, si cogghi cu li varrili; quannu l'oliva sbuccia 'ntra giugnu, si cogghi cu lu pugnu.; Eng. When the olive tree blooms in April, olives are harvested with barrels, when it blooms in June, they are harvested in handfuls.

scacciari v.t. To crush, to squash.: Cadi la casa e mi scaccia. Source: Traina, 867.; Eng. The sky is falling! The sky is falling! Lit. The house will fall and crush me.

scàcciati v.t. 2nd p.sing. Hang back.: A lu pigghiari affùddati, a lu pagari scàcciati.; Eng. Crowd around for the getting, hang back when it's time to pay.

scagghiu n.m. Bird seed, chicken feed.: Lu bonu cuvernu e lu scagghiu dùnanu l'ova.; Eng. Good management and feed give eggs.

scagghja n.f. Canine tooth, fang, tusk.: Lu figghiu di lu lupu nasci cu li scagghi. Source: Bellantonio, II 155.; Eng. The wolf's pup is born with fangs.

scala n.f. Staircase, ladder.: Uni cci arriva nun ci metti scala.; Eng. If it's reachable there's no need for a ladder.; Pri nun pagari un granu a lu varveri si fa fari la testa scali scali.; Eng. Said of a miser who for the lack of a pittance lets something go to ruin.

scalari v.i Lower (prices).: Scala si vòi vìnniri. Source: Pitrè, I, 324.; Eng. Lower the prices if you want to sell.

scantari v.i. To fear, be afraid of.: Lu cani vastuniatu si spagna di l'umbra.; Eng. A dog that's been beaten is afraid of it's shadow.; Lu scantu metti l'ali a li pedi. Source: Pitrè, III, 242.; Eng. Fear gives you winged feet.

scanza v.t. 3rd p.sing. Avoid, move, shift, preserve, save.: Diu nni scanza di quattru pirsuni: di mèdici, nutara, spiziali e mali patruni.; Eng. God save us from four people: doctors, notaries, pharmacists, and bad bosses.

scappa v.i. 3rd p.sing. Escapes, flees.: Lu riccu spezza li magghi e si nni scappa, l'affrittu resta a li riti si 'ncappa.; Eng. The rich man breaks through the mesh and escapes, the afflicted man remains in the net and is caught.; Cu' scappa la cunta.; Eng. Who escapes, recounts.; Tr. note: Like holocaust survivors.; Cui scappa d'un puntu, scappa di milli. Source: Pitrè, III, 375.; Eng. Who escapes from one place, escapes from many.

scapulari v.t. Release the herd, liberate, free.: A lu gridari di li pecuri, scàpula li cani. Source: Bellantonio, II 197.; Eng. At the bleating of the sheep, loose the dogs.

scarpa n.f. Shoe.: A jornu pari cu' persi la scarpa.; Eng. At daybreak is seen who lost their shoes.; Cu' havi la scarpa butta si la sola.; Eng. Who has the shoe takes the step.

scarsizza n.f. Scarcity.: La scarsizza fa lu prezzu.; Eng. Scarcity sets the price.; Quannu pri tanta scarsizza di lazzu, quannu pri tanta funnizza di puzzu.; Eng. When for a great lack of string, when for the great depth of the well.

scarsu adj. Poorly, wanting.: Cui nun havi dinari, campa scarsu. Source: Pitrè, III, 259.; Eng. Who lacks money lives wanting.

scattiòla n.f. Immature fig, wild fig, early fig.: A tempu di scattioli,; Vegna cui voli. Source: Bellantonio, II 24.; Eng. During the scattiòla fig season,; Everyone is welcome.; A tempu di scattioli,; Cci sunnu amici boni;; A tempu di ficu,; Nè parenti nè amicu. Source: Bellantonio, II 24.; Eng. During the scattiòla fig season,; There are good friends;; In fig season,; Neither relatives nor friend.

scausu adj. Barefoot, unshod horse.: Nun vaja scausu cu' simina spinni, ca poi si punci a la sdiminticata.; Eng. Don't walk barefoot where you've scattered thorns.

scavu n.m. Slave.: Scavi su' scavi, nun cci dari chiavi. Source: Bellantonio, II 188.; Eng. Slaves are slaves, don't give them the keys.

sceccu n.m. Donkey.: C'un granu di sceccu tegnu 'ntesta pi curuna a sant' Aloi.; Eng. With two bits worth of a donkey you can earn more than with a mule.; Lu sceccu vecchiu nun torna pudditru.; Eng. Water does not flow uphill. Lit. The old donkey doesn't revert to a foal.; Sceccu e mulu carricalu 'nculu.; Eng. Load the donkey and the mule towards the back.; Perdiri lu sceccu cu tutti li carrubbi.; Eng. Lose the donkey and all the carobs.; Ogni sceccu si preggia di lu so bagghiu.; Eng. Every donkey likes its own courtyard.; Cui sceccu fa cavaddu, lu primu cauciu è so.; Eng. You'll get no thanks when you help an ingrate. Lit. Who makes a horse of the donkey, the first kick is his.; Cu' sceccu si curda, sceccu si leva.; Eng. Who goes to sleep a jackass, wakes up a jackass.; Mentri li scecchi si battinu, li varrili si spezzanu. Source: Pitrè, III, 383.; Eng. While the donkeys amble, the barrels sediment gets loosened.

scerri n.f. Discord, squabble, quarrel.: Cui scerri cerca, scerri trova.; Eng. Who looks for a quarrel, finds a quarrel.

schiavi n.m. Slaves.: Multi su' signuri di citati e schiavi di li donni.; Eng. Many are the lords of the cities and the slaves of women.; A bonu schiavu nun manca patruni.; Eng. The good slave does not lack for owners.; Schiavi su schiavi nun cci dari chiavi.; Eng. Slaves are slaves, don't give them the keys.; Schiavi fideli nun ha mai libbertà.; Eng. The faithful slave will never be freed.; Figghi figghiati, e schiavi accattati. Source: Bellantonio, II 148.; Eng. Children from your own parturition, slaves purchased.

schifìa v.t. 3rd p.sing. Scorns.: Cu' è saturu schifìa.; Eng. One who is sated, scorns.

schifiusu adj. Squeamish, finicky.: Omu schifiusu nun pò mai 'ngrassari. Source: Pitrè, III, 315.; Eng. The finicky eater won't ever get fat.

schifizzaru n.m. Vendor of animal entrails, butcher.: A figghi di schifizzaru vôi vìnniri vissìchi? Source: Bellantonio, II 125.; Eng. Are you carrying coals to Newcastle? Lit. Do you want to sell bladders to the butcher's children?

schinu n.m. Back.: Pani e vinu 'nforza lu schinu.; Eng. Bread and wine strengthen the back.

schipitignusu adj. Finicky, squeamish.: Resta dijunu cu' fa lu schipitignusu. Source: Pitrè, III, 315.; Eng. The squeamish will remain hungry.

sciamu n.m. Swarm, crowd, multitude.: Sciamu di marzu, bonu meli ti fazzu.; Eng. Swarms of March make good honey.; Sciamu di maggiu, tu mi pigghi ed io ti lassu.; Eng. Swarms of May don't fill the hives.; Sciamu e nidu cu' è lu primu.; Eng. The swarm and the nest to the first.; Tantu durassi lu malu vicinu, quantu dura lu sciamu majulinu.; Eng. Would that the difficult neighbor would only last as long as the May swarm.

scialari v.i. Enjoy, have fun.: A chi la purtasti, làssala scialari. Source: Pitrè, III, 371.; Eng. You brought her here, let her have fun.; Cci la purtasti? làssala scialari. Source: Pitrè, III, 371.; Eng. You brought her here? let her have fun.

scialu n.m. Waste, squandering: Doppu scialu, scuntintizza. Source: Traina, 899.; Eng. After squandering, dissatisfaction.

sciarri n.f. Fights, squabbles, quarrels.: Sciarri d'amuri crìscinu amuri.; Eng. Lovers' quarrels increase love.; Quannu li dui nun vonnu, li tri nun si sciarrianu.; Eng. When two don't want, the three won't quarrel.; Sciarri 'n famigghia su' focu di pagghia. Source: Bellantonio, II 232.; Eng. Family arguments flare up and quickly die.

sciddicari v.i. To slip, to slide.: Unni cci chiovi si sciddica.; Eng. Where it rains it gets slippery.; Megghiu sciddicari di pedi chi di lingua Source: Pitrè, III, 228.; Eng. Better slippery under foot than a slip of the lip.

scienza n.f. Science, knowledge.: Havi bonu mastru cu' havi la scienza.; Eng. He has a good teacher who has knowledge.; La scienza è pazzia, si nun si querenna cu lu bon giudiziu.; Eng. Science is madness if it's not partnered with good judgement.; L' omu chi di scienza è amaturi, cu lu so tempu si fa onuri.; Eng. The man who is a lover of knowledge wil do himself proud in his own time.

sciloccu n.m. Sirocco.: Nun c'è simana santa senza quinta nè quinta senza sciloccu.; Eng. There isn't a Holy Week without the fifty days, nor the fifty days without the Sirocco.; Sciloccu di 'nvernu, acqua a lu mumentu.; Eng. When the Sirocco blows in the winter, you can expect rain at any moment.; Cu sciloccu jetta simenza cu tramuntana no.; Eng. Sow with the Sirocco but not with the North Wind.

scinni v.t. 3rd p.sing. Descends.: Cui vinni, scinni; cu' accatta, acchiana.; Eng. Who sells, goes down; who buys, goes up. or: The seller discounts, the buyer pays.

scippari v.t. To uproot, extract, eradicate, pluck out.: Zicchi e dinari su' forti a scippari.; Eng. Ticks and money are difficult to pluck out.; Cu' havi spini si li scippa, A cui cci mancia la testa si l'arraspa.. Source: Bellantonio, II 141.; Eng. Who has splinters pulls them out, Who has an itchy head scratches it.

scogghiu n.m. Rock.: Arreri lu scôgghiu, bunazzu com'ogghiu. Source: Bellantonio, II 11.; Eng. The calm after the storm.; Lit. Behind the rock, tranquility is like oil.

scola n.f. School.: Quannu lu tò diavulu nascìu, lu miu java a la scola. Source: Bellantonio, II 131.; Eng. My devil was already in school before yours was born.

scornabeccu n.m. Turpentine tree, pistacia terebinthus.: Essiri comu la fastuca e lu scornabeccu.; Eng. Inseparable, like two peas in a pod. Lit. To be like the pistachio tree and the turpentine tree.

scravagghieddu n.m. Scarob, beetle, worm, insect, Curculio baccus.: Ogni scravagghieddu a so matri pari beddu.; Eng. Every offspring looks beautiful to its mother.

scrittu adj. Written.: Chiddu ch'è scrittu, lèggiri si voli.; Eng. That which is written, is meant to be read.; Zoccu è scrittu, lèggiri si voli.; Eng. That which is written, does not fade.

scrittura n.f. Writing, written.: Cu' nun sapi leggiri la sò scrittura è asinu di natura.; Eng. Who can't read his own writing is by nature a jackass.; L' anima di la casa è la scrittura.; Eng. The soul of the house is in its documents. Tr. note: Perhaps an old world, byzantine or bureaucratic view?; La vuci passa e la scrittura resta. Source: Pitrè, III, 282.; Eng. Words are fleeting but what is written remains.; Li paroli volanu e li scritti restanu. Source: Pitrè, III, 282.; Eng. Words fly away and writings remain.

scrùpulu n.m. Scruples, doubt, trifles.: Cui di nenti si fa scrùpulu, jetta manu a tutti cosi.; Eng. Who suffers over trifles, is easily overwhelmed.

scrusciu n.m. Scraping noise, rustle.: Scrusciu di carta senza cubbaita. Or, Scrusciu di carta e cubbaita nenti.; Eng. Appearance without substance. (lit. The rustle of the wrapper but no cubbaita, i.e. an almond paste and honey delicacy.

scumari v.t.. Foam.: Quannu la pignata scuma, lu focu troppo adduma. Source: Traina, 897.; Eng. When the pot foams, the fire is too hot.

scummigghiari v.t. Uncover, reveal.: Carciri, malatii e nicissitati scummogghianu lu cori di l'amici. Source: Bonner, 101.; Eng. Prison, illnesses and necessities reveal the hearts of friends.; Meaning: Adversity brings out the best in friends. Also you'll find out who your true friends are. Eng. trans. by Bonner.

scumunicatu adj. Excommunicative.: Megghiu scumunicatu, ca cumunicatu a la 'mprescia.; Eng. Better to say nothing than to speak in haste. Tr. note: With reference to a sick person, better to not have a hurried need for the viaticum.

scuncicari v.t. Prod, poke, provoke.: Nun scuncicari lu cani chi dormi. Source: Bonner, 86.; Eng. Don't bother a sleeping dog.; Meaning: Let sleeping dogs lie. Don't stir things up because they may have an outcome that you're not expecting. Eng. trans. by Bonner.

scuntintizza n.f. Discontent, dissatisfaction.: Pr'un jornu d'alligrizza milli di scuntintizza. Source: Pitrè, III. 95.; Eng. For one day of happiness, a thousand of dissatisfaction.

scunzari v.t. Spoil, clear, vitiate, currupt, undo.: Scunzari 'n' artaru pri cunzarinni 'n' autru.; Eng. Clearing one altar in order to set another.

scupa n.f. Broom.: Ogni scupa nova fa scrusciu.; Eng. A new broom sweeps clean. (Lit. Every new broom makes noise.); Scupa e ziti pri tri jorna sunnu boni.; Eng. Brooms and sweethearts are good for three days.; Scupa nova cupa megghiu, ma pocu dura. Source: Bellantonio, II, 108.; Eng. A new broom sweeps better, but doesn't last long.; Scupa nova pri tri jorna scrusci. Source: Bellantonio, II, 108.; Eng. Anew broom is noisy for three days.; Scupa nova, scupa la casa bona. Source: Bellantonio, ii, 108.; Eng. A new broom sweeps clean.; Scupa nova pri tri jorna stà a lu chiovu. Source: Bellantonio, II, 108.; Eng. A new broom stays on task for three days.

scupittati n.f. Shooting.: A la finuta di li scupittati,; Si vidinu li morti e li firuti. Source: Bellantonio, II 16.; Eng. You see the dead and the wounded,; When the shooting is over.

scurciari v.t. To peel, to skin.: Tantu 'nn' havi cu' scorcia, quantu cu' tira.; Eng. The instigator is as responsible as the doer.; Cu' nun sapi surciari guasta la peddi.; Eng. Who doesn't know how to do it, spoils the skin.; EnterSicilianText. Source: Pitrè, Vol, Page.; Eng. EnterEnglishText.; La cuda è la cchiù forti a scurciarisi. Source: Bellantonio, II 18.; Eng. Persevere until the work is done.; Lit. The tail is the hardest part to skin.

scuru n.m. Dark, darkness.: Poi di lu scuru veni la luci.; Eng. Discovery comes after the wrongdoing. Lit. After the darkness comes the light.

scusa n.f. Excuse.: Scusa nun richiesta è accusa manifesta. Ovvero: Cui si scusa senz' esseri accusatu, manifestu fa lu sò piccatu.; Eng. An unrequested excuse is a self accusation. Or: Who makes excuses without being accused, shows his guilt.

scusari v.t. To excuse, to explain, to offer a reason.: Cu' nun è dumannatu e si scusa iddu propriu s' accusa.; Eng. An unrequested excuse is a self accusation. Lit. One who offers an excuse without being asked accuses himself.; Cu' si scusa spissu s' accusa.; Eng. One who offers an excuse often accuses himself.

scuttari v.t. To discount.: Scùtta quannu isti a la taverna.; Eng. Paying up and feeling the pain of the consequence.

scutu n.m. Shield, defensive armament.: Lu megghiu scutu è chiddu chi certu ti nni fa annavanzari.; Eng. Offence is the best defence. Lit. The best shield is the one that surely leads to victory.

sdegnu n.m. Indignation, disdain, scorn.: Picciulu sdegnu rumpi granni amuri.; Eng. A little scorn can destroy a great love.; Cent' anni d' amuri un mumentu di sdegnu.; Eng. A hundred years of love, one moment of scorn.; Amuri si fabricau 'nta tant' anni, sdegnu 'nt' on fari di cruci allura vinni.; Eng. A love that grew over many years, one moment of scorn prompts making the sign of the cross.

sdignusa adj. Scornful, arrogant, disdainful.: La niura è caddusa, e la bianca è sdignusa. Source: Pitrè, I, 169.; Eng. The black haired woman is callous, and the pale skinned woman is scornful.

sdillèggiri v.t. Scorn, scoff at, deride.: Lu beni chi sdilleggi e nun riguardi, lu riconusci guannu tu lu perdi.; Eng. The good that you scoff at and ignore, you'll recognize when you lose it.

sdiri v.t. Retract.: Lu diri e lu sdiri è sapienza. Source: Pitrè, III, 185.; Eng. Saying and retracting is wisdom.

sdirri n.m. The last days of Carnival, last, at the end.: Tuttu l'annu cu ccu voi, ma li sdirri cu li toi. Source: Traina, 907.; Eng. All year with whomever you want but the last days of Carnival with your own.; Senti lu primu e parra lu sdirri. Source: Pitrè, III, 369.; Eng. Listen before you speak.

sdirrisira n.f. Shrove Tuesday evening.: Natali e Pasqua ccu cui vuoi, La Sdirrisira fàlla cu li toi. Source: Pitrè, III, 48.; Eng. Christmas and Easter with whomever, Shrove Tuesday evening with your own.

sdrucciulari v.i. To slip, to slide.: Megghiu sdrucciulari di pedi ca di lingua.; Eng. Slipping with your feet is better than a slip of the lip.

sè pers.pron. Its, her, him.: Cu' si guverna da sè stissu, spissu sgarra.; Eng. He who governs himself, often errs.

secunnu adj. Second.: Li dinari su' lu secunnu sangu. Source: Pitrè, III, 265.; Eng. Money runs thicker than water. Lit. Money is the second blood.

sècuta v.t. and v.i. 3rd p.sing. Follows, perseveres.: Cui cerca, trova; cui sècuta, vinci. Source: Alaimo, 7.; Eng. Who seeks, finds; who perseveres, wins.

sedda n.f. Saddle.: A cu' fu misa la sedda cci sarà misa la vardedda.; Eng. Once saddled, the pack saddle will follow.; A bon cavaddu nun cci manca sedda. Source: Pitrè, III, 188.; Eng. A saddle is always available for a good horse.

sèdiri v.i. To sit.: Cu' bonu sedi malu penza.; Eng. Idleness spawns trouble. Lit. Who sits well thinks evil.; Cu' sempri sedi nun strazza li scarpi; Eng. One who's always sitting won't wear out his shoes.; Sedi sedi, ca vintura ti veni.; Eng. Don't fret, your prince will come. Lit. Sit sit, good fortune will come to you.

segretu n.m. Secret.: Servu d'autru si fa cu' dici lu segretu chi sa.; Eng. You become another's servant if you tll them your secrets.; Cu' lu segretu a la sua donna fida, nni farà pubblica grida.; Eng. If you confide a secret to your woman, you'll make it public knowledge.; Li segreti mpurtanti nun sunnu pri li gnuranti.; Eng. Important secrets should not be confided to the ignorant.

sennu n.m. Judgement, good sense.: A testa bianca spissu lu sennu manca.; Eng. There's no fool like an old fool.; Lit. The white head often lacks good sense.; Lu focu nun ha sennu. Source: Bellantonio, II 13.; Eng. Fire has no judgement.; Vintura, Diu, chi pocu sennu abbasta. Source: Bellantonio, II 196.; Eng. O Lord, give me luck, a little good sense is more than enough.

sèntiri v.t. To sense, hear, smell, listen, feel.: Senti assai e para picca.; Eng. Listen a lot and speak little.

senza prep. Lacking, deprived of, without.: Omu senza dinari è mortu chi camina. Oppure: Omu senza dinari, menzu malati pari.; Eng. A man without money is like the walking dead.; Or: The man without money seems half sick.

serenità n.f. Serenity, tranquility.: A tri cosi creditu nun dati; serenità d'invernu e nuvuli di stati, amuri di donna, e carità di frati, l'unu e l'autru nun sunnu custanti.; Eng. There are three things you can't count on; tranquility of winter and clouds of summer, the love of women, and the caring of friars.

sepurtura n.f. Grave.: Cu' havi cchiù anni, è cchiù vicinu a la sepurtura. Source: Bellantonio, II, 209.; Eng. The older one is closer to the grave.

serpi n.f. Snake, serpent.: Li cosi longhi addiventanu serpi.; Eng. A stitch in time saves nine.; Lit. Long things become snakes.); Cu' nutrica lu serpi 'n senu, è pagatu di vilenu.; Eng. Who nurses a snake is paid in venom.

serviri v.t. and v.i. To serve, to be useful.: Nun servi a lu zoppu diri: curri.; Eng. It's useless to tell the lame to run.; Cu' servi beni e taci, assai dumanna.; Eng. Who serves well and discretely, demands much.; Cu' servi lu cumuni nun havi salariu di nisciunu.; Eng. Who serves the common interest is paid by no one.; Cu' servi prestu e fidili murirà a lu spitali.; Eng. Who serves with promptness and faithfullness will die in the hospital.; Quann' hai l'occasioni servitinni. Source: Pitrè, III, 373.; Eng. When you're given an advantage, take it.

servitù n.f. Servitude.: È megghiu la servitù in paci ca la libbertà in guerra.; Eng. Slavery in peace is better than liberty in war.; Note. Not the way Patrick Henry looked at it.

servu n.m. Indentured servant, slave.: Lu patruni resta tusatu, si lu servu è trascuratu.; Eng. The owner suffers if the servant is careless.; Quannu a lu servu nun ci inchi lu ventri di pani, nun t'addumanna furmaggiu.; Eng. When you don't fill the servant's stomach with bread, he won't ask you for cheese.; Quali è lu servu, tali è lu patruni.; Eng. Like owner, like servant.; Li servi su' nemici salariati.; Eng. Servants are salaried enemies.

settembri n.m. September.: Un settembri caudu o asciuttu, maturari fa ogni fruttu.; Eng. If September is hot or dry, all the fruit will mature.; Quannu in settembri cauru e asciuttu domina, la terra si prepara pri la semina.; Eng. When September is hot and dry, prepare the soil for seeding.

sfacciatu adj. Brazen, impudent, saucy.: Ad un sfacciatu dumannari, un sfacciatu nigari. Source: Pitrè, III, 313.; Eng. To a brazen demand, a brazen refusal.

sfardatu v.t. past p. Torn up, bedraggled, ragged.: Lu cani mùzzica a lu sfardatu.; Eng. The dog bites the bedraggled.

sfari v.t. To undo, to waste, to kill.: Lu patri fa e lu figghiu sfa.; Eng. The father earns it and the son wastes it.; Si sapi cui fa la robba, ma nun si sapi cui la sfà. Source: Bellantonio, II, 109.; Eng. It's known who makes the thing, but not it's known who undoes it.; Cui li fa, nun li sfà li dinari. Source: Bellantonio, II, 109.; Eng. The one who makes the money is not the one who spends it.

sfasciari v.t. Unbind, dismantle, destroy.: Scupetta ch' 'un spara allura, sfàsciala. Source: Pitrè, III, 388.; Eng. If the gun doesn't shoot then, destroy it.

sfatta adj. Unkempt, messy.: Casa fatta e vigna sfatta.; Eng. A neat house and a messy vineyard.

sfazzari v.t. To suffer.: Cu' pri figghi e niputi si sfazza, pozza essiri pigghiatu cu 'na mazza.; Eng. Who suffers for children and grandchildren, can be taken with a club.

sfermari v.t. Open.: Chiavi d'oru sferma tutti banni. Source: Pitrè, III, 254.; Eng. A gold key opens everywhere.

sfilazza n.f. A draft from a crack in a wall, window, or door.: Megghiu friscu di chiazza ca friscu di sfilazza.; Eng. Better the fresh air from the square than the draft from a crack.; Megghiu vastuniatu ccu na mazza ca ventu di sfilazza.; Eng. Better a beating with a mallet than a draft through a crack.

sfilòcchi n.m. Unravelling threads.: Diu nni scanza di divirtirinni cu li sfilòcchi di la cutra e cu la lana di li chiumazza.. Source: Pitrè, Vol, Page.; Eng. Lord save us from entertaining ourselves with unravelling blanket threads and pillow wool.

sfincia n.f. Fritter.: La quadàra chi ha fattu li sfinci pò diri a la padedda. Source: Bellantonio, II 129.; Eng. The pot that made the fritters can tell the frying pan.

sfragaru n.m. Wastrel, squanderer.: Doppu l'avaru veni lu sfragaru.; Eng. After the miser comes the wastrel.

sfrazziari v.t. To show off.: Megghiu muriri sfrazziannu, chi campari addisiannu.; Eng. It's better to die showing off, than to live a life of want.

sfruttari v.t. Exploit, abuse, take advantage.: Cui leva e nun metti, passannu pochi anni sfrutta lu tirrenu ed havi li malanni.; Eng. If you continually harvest without fertilizing, the land will be abused and you'll have bad years.

sfuiri v.t. To avoid, to escape.: Nuddu pò sfuiri la manu di Diu.; Eng. No one can escape the hand of God.

sfunnatu adj. Bottomless.: La casa di lu poviru è puzza sfunnatu. Source: Pitrè, III, 262.; Eng. The house of the poor man is a bottomless pit. Lit. The house of the poor man is a bottomless well.

sfurtunatu adj. Unlucky.: A stu munnu cui nasci sfurtunatu,; Ccà è 'mpisu e ddà è marturiatu. Source: Bellantonio, II 191.; Eng. In this world, who is born unlucky,; Here he's hanged and there he's tortured.; Cui sfurtunatu nasci, accussì mori. Source: Bellantonio, II 192.; Eng. Who's born inlucky, dies unlucky.

sgarbu n.m. Offense, rudeness, discourtesy.: Siddu un sgarbu t' è fattu troppu duru, làssulu, amicu, a lu tempu futuru.; Eng. If an offense has hurt you too deeply, leave him, a friend, for a future time.

sgarra v.t. 3rd p.sing. Err, go astray, mistake, miss.: Cu' sgarra la strata torna 'nn arreri.; Eng. If you miss the turn, go back.; Sgarrannu s'impara.; Eng. We learn from our mistakes.; Cu' la sgarra la paga.; Eng. We pay for our mistakes.; Ammatti a lu curriri sgarri la strata.; Eng. Haste makes waste. lit. If it occurs while you're running you'll miss the street.; Sgarratura nun paga pena.; Eng. The mistake isn't worth the pain.; Sgarrannu sgarrannu, si 'mpara. Source: Bellantonio, II 131.; Eng. Making mistakes, we learn.

sghinfingnusu adj. Squeamish, finicky.: Cavaddu sghinfingnusu mori magru. Source: Pitrè, III, 315.; Eng. The squeamish horse dies skinny.; Note. Also spelled schinfingnusu.

sgraccu n.m. Catarrhous spittle.: Unni vidi lu morbu cci jetta lu sgraccu.; Eng. Where you see a sick person, spit on him. Tr. note: This certainly would encourage sick persons to stay indoors.; Megghiu pugna all' occhi ca sgracchi a lu capizzu.; Eng. Better a punch in the eyes than spittle on the pillow. Tr. note: These two proverbs give some insight into the fear of respiratory problems of old age.

si conj. If.: Si vuliti l'osservanza, dàtinni la pitanza.; Eng. If you want the observance, make an offering.

sì adv. Yes.: Lu sì t'attacca, lu no ti sciogghi. Source: Traina, 926.; Eng. Saying yes obligates you, saying no frees you.; Lit. Yes binds you, no unties you.

si refl.pron. (Verb's action is reflected back on the subject.): Nuddu si lamenta si nun si doli. Source: Pitrè, II. 181.; Eng. No one laments if they're not hurting.

siari v.i. Be, being, existence.: Mentri avemu, semu vuluti;; Quannu 'un avemu, addiu siati. Source: Pitrè, III, 272.; Eng. While we have we are welcomed;; When we don't have, we cease to exist.; Lit. When we have, we are wanted;; When we don't have, good bye existence.

sicca adj. Arid, dry.: Sicca annata 'un è affamata.; Eng. A dry year is not a famine.; Cui camina licca, cui sta dintra sicca. Source: Pitrè, III, 115.; Eng. Travel is broadening. Lit. Who walks enjoys, who stays in shrivels.

sicchiu n.m. Pail, bucket.: Nun va lu sicchiu senza la corda.; Eng. Where there's smoke there's a fire. Lit. The bucket doesn't go without the cord.

Sicilia place name Sicily.: Pri sùrfaru, frummentu, vini e lani, viniti di Sicilia a li paisi.; Eng. For sulphur, wheat, wine, and wool, come to the towns and villages of Sicily.

sicilianu adj. Sicilian.: Cavaddu sicilianu: curtu e nanu.; Eng. The Sicilian horse: short and dwarfish.

sicutari v.t. Follow, continue, proceed.: Sgarrari è di l'omini, lu sicutari è di li bestii. Source: Pitrè, III, 185.; Eng. To err is human, to follow is beastly.

siddiari v.t. Scorch, desiccate, annoy, bother, torment.: Tanti muschi siddianu un cavaddu. Source: Bellantonio, II, 110.; Eng. Many flies bother a horse.

siggillu n.m. Symbol, seal, impression: Lu siggillu di l'omu dabbeni è la parola. Source: Pitrè, III, 283.; Eng. The sign of a man's decency is his word.

siggituri n.m. Collector.: Lu malu siggituri fa lu malu pagaturi.; Eng. The bad collector makes the bad payer. The collector who fails to take care of his clients encourages reciprocity.

Signuri n.m. Lord, God.: Lu Signuri joca gravusu, ma è sempri patri misiricurdiusu.; Eng. God plays seriously, but He's a merciful father.

signuri n.m. Lord, gentleman, boss, master, owner.: Servi a signuri e vidirai chi è duluri.; Eng. Serve the Lord and you'll see what pain is.; Li Signuri hannu li vrazza longhi.; Eng. The masters have a long reach.; A gran signuri picciulu prisenti.; Eng. A small gift suffices for a powerful master.; Cu' servi a signuri mori 'ntra la pagghia.; Eng. Serving a master is ruinous. Lit. Who serves a master dies in the hay.; Li piccati di li signuri li chiancinu li vassalli.; Eng. The servants pay for the sins of their masters.

signurìa n.f. Nobility, elegance, power, arrogance.: Amuri e signurìa nun vonnu cumpagnia.; Eng. Love and arrogance don't go together.

silenziu n.m. Silence.: Lu silenziu è l'arma di lu nigoziu. Source: Pitrè, I, 321.; Eng. Silence is the soul of negotiation.

simenza n.f. Seed.: Cu sciloccu jetta simenza, cu tramuntana no.; Eng. Sow with the Sirocco but not with the North Wind.; S. Luca simenza minuta.; Eng. On St. Luke's Day seed the little vegetable garden. Tr. note: October 18.; La simenza di lu figghiolu, pri S. Marcu si metti 'n cauru.; Eng. Do the planting of seedlings in the warmth of St. Mark's Day. Tr. note: April 25.; Simenza rara, nun fa virgogna all'aria, Or, La simenza un pocu spana duna spichi a la viddana.; Eng. There's no shame seeding sparsely through the air, Or, Seeding a bit sparsely gives a yield to the peasant.

simìna v.t. and v.i. to plant seed, to sow.: Ammaìsa cu li voi, simìna cu li vacchi a tempu sò.; Eng. Plow with the oxen and sow with the cows at their own pace.; Appressu la mal'annata simìna.; Eng. Sow after a bad year.; Simìna terra abbintata, ma no terra vantata.; Eng. Seed ground that has been fallow, not ground that has just yielded fruitfully.

siminari v.t. To sow, to seed, to inseminate.: Chiddu chi si simina s'arricogghi.; Eng. You reap what you sow.; Siminari a lu ventu.; Eng. Sowing into the wind.; Simina lu tirrenu si ti dici l'annata.; Eng. Sow the field if it tells you it's a good year.; Cu' simina 'tra la vigna, nè meti nè vinnigna.; Eng. Who seeds between the grape vines wil harvest neither crop nor grapes.; Cu' simina guai (o carduna, o chiova, o spini) ricogghi malanni.; Eng. He who sows troubles (or cardoons, or nails, or thorns) will harvest troubles.; Cu' nun simina nun arricogghi, o cu' nun simina nè moddu nè duru, veni l'estati e si gratta lu culu.; Eng. Who fails to sow fails to reap, or who sows neither in soft nor in hard ground, will be scratching his derrier in the summer.; Cu' mali ha siminatu, resta poviru e gabbatu.; Eng. Who has sown poorly, remains impoverished and shorted.; Cu' simina pri Santa Lucia nun porta frumentu pri la via.; Eng. Who fails to sow by St. Lucy's Day won't be transporting any grain. Trans. note: December 13.; A Sant' Andria lu bonu massaru siminatu avia.; Eng. The good steward has planted by St. Andrew's Day. Trans. note: November 30.

siminati v.i. past p. Sown.: S'aviti primintü li siminati, unu 'ntra centu certu nni sgarrati; ma siddu tardu li vuliti fari, unu 'ntra centu si nni pò 'nzirtari.; Eng. If you've sown before a heavy rain, one out of one hundred will surely be out of line, but if you want to do it later, one out of one hundred will take.

siminatu v.i. past p. Sown.: Cui mali ha siminatu, resta poviru e gabbatu.; Eng. You only fool yourself and invite poverty when you've sown badly.

singaliatu adj. Disfigured, marked.: Ci dissi lu Signuri a S. Giuvanni, di li singaliati guardatinni.; Eng. The Lord said to St. John, beware of the disfigured. Note by Antonino Traina that this is one of many bestial prejudices.

sinnacu n.m. Mayor.: Lu Sinnacu cci dissi a li bagasci: Pigghiàtivi 'u tempu comu veni. Source: Pitrè, III, 246.; Eng. The mayor said to the prostitutes: You need to accept the times as they are.; Note: Pitrè explains that this proverb came from a new law that was passed limiting the activity of prostitutes and requiring them to wear a yellow ribbon in their hair. About twenty of them went to the mayor to have him ask the king to repeal the new law. He told them he couldn't do that. He said they should go to the king themselves. They said if they went to the king, he would kill them. And the mayor answered that they need to accept the times as they are.

sintenzi n.f. Pass judgements, sentences.: Cu' havi dinari, sputa sintenzi.; Eng. Who has money, spouts morality.

sintimentu n.m. Sentiment, feeling, tact, respect.: Quantu va lu sintimentu nun ci vannu li dinari.; Eng. Money can't buy sentiment.

siquitari v.t.i. To follow, to continue, to pursue.: Cu' seguita vinci.; Eng. He wins who stays the course.

Siragusa place name Syracuse.: Siragusa, terra amurusa, cu cincu grana si mancia, vivi e campa la carusa.; Eng. Syracuse is a lovely place, with five bucks you can eat, drink, and get by.

sirenu, risena n.f. Dew.: Sirenu nun jinchi jisterni.; Eng. Dew doesn't fill the cisterns.

siritina n.f. Evening, night.: Quannu la siritina è mala,; Pigghia pri la retina la mula. Source: Pitrè, III, 296.; Eng. When the night is bad,; Take the mule by the bridle.

sirrata adj. Closed, locked.: A porta sirrata, opira ammigghiurata. Source: Pitrè, III, 192.; Eng. A locked door, improved work.

sirvimentu n.m. Service.: Amuri di mama, sirvimentu di mugghieri e carizzi di 'nnamurata. Source: Bellantonio, II 139.; Eng. A mother's love, a wife's service, and a fiancee's caress.

sirvizziu n.m. Service.: Gran sirviziu veni spissu pagatu d' ingratitutini.; Eng. A great service is often paid with ingratitude.; Fa' sirvizziu a la mandra, ca mancirai quagghiata.; Eng. Work with the flock and expect to eat milk curd.; Sirvizziu fattu, mircedi aspetta.; Eng. Service rendered, payment awaited.

siti n.f. Thirst.: Passannu la frevi, passa la siti.; Eng. When the fever is gone, the thirst is gone.

sittembri n.m. September.: Ghianna ed oliva, a sittembri si vidi.; Eng. September brings acorns and olives.

sittèmmiru n.m. September.: Agustu cucina e sittèmmiru minestra.; Eng. The fruit is cooks in August and is mature in September. (Tr. note: August in Sicily is normally extremely hot and dry.)

sita n.f. Silk.: Si nun pòi purtari la sita porta la lana. Source: Piccitto, II, 429.; Eng. Try to make the best of a difficult situation. Lit. If you can't bring silk, bring wool.

smanciari v.t. Corrode, consume little by little, reduce.: Cui lu picca ti lu smancia, l'assai ti l'arroba. Source: Bellantonio, II 199.; Eng. One who pilfers a little, will rob you of a lot.

smizzigghjari v.t. To spoil, coddle excessively.: Figghiu di cattiva, smizzighiatu. Source: Bellantonio, II 148.; Eng. Son of a widow, spoiled.; Figghiu smizzighiatu è malu criatu. Source: Bellantonio, II 148.; Eng. A spoiled son is ill prepared for life.

so poss.pron. His, hers, its.: Cu' jetta lu so cu li so manu, poi cerca chiddu d' autru cu li pedi.; Eng. Who discards his belongings with his own hands, then looks for that of others with his feet.; Ognunu cu li soi.; Eng. Each with his own.

sòffriri v.t. To bear, sustain, manage, suffer.: Cui nun sapi sòffriri, nun vinci. Source: Bellantonio, II 17.; Eng. Who can't bear, can't win.; Cui sa sòffriri, sa vinciri. Source: Bellantonio, II 17.; Eng. Who knows how to manage, knows how to win.

sòggira n.f. Mother-in-law.: La sòggira nun è mancu bona di zuccaru; Eng. To the mother-in-law it isn't even worth adding sugar.; Qual'è chidda nora chi voli beniri la sòggira.; Eng. Show me the daughter-in-law who likes her motheer-in-law.

sona v.t. 3rd p.sing. of sunari. Plays.: Lu picciottu sona lu flautu, l'omu di menza aità sona lu cìmmalu e lu vecchiu sona l'organu.; Eng. The young man plays the flute, the middle aged man plays the harpsichord, the old man plays the organ.; Iri cantannu appressu di cu sona.; Eng. Go and sing with whoever is playing. (Tr. note: Follow whoever is positioned to dole out benefits.)

sonni n.m. Sleep, dream.: Cui sta a spiranza di disigni e sonni, tempu perdi, pigghia muschi e malanni.; Eng. Who waits hoping in plans and dreams, loses time, and collects flies and troubles.; Nun cridiri a sonni ca t' inganni.; Eng. You'll be fooled if you believe in dreams.

sonnu n.m. Sleep, dream.: Lu sonnu di la notti cunsigghia l'omu.; Eng. There's nothing like a good night's sleep. (Lit. The sleep of night counsels man.); Zoccu la vecchia vulia 'n sonnu cci vinia.; Eng. What the old woman desired, came in her dreams.

sonu n.m. Sound, tone, music.: A lu sonu si cansci la compana.; Eng. The bell is recognized by its sound.; Soni e canzuni su' cosi si ventu.; Eng. Sounds and songs are fleeting. Lit. Sounds and songs are things of the wind.; Ad ogni sonu nun si trasi in ballu.; Eng. Not all music is an invitation to dance.

sorfa n.f. Solfeggio, chorus, blow.: Sapirinni quantu un' asinu di sorfa.; Eng. Knowing as much as a jackass that's struck.

sorti n.f. Fortune, luck, fate.: La sorti, la reggi Diu.; Eng. God arranges luck.; Cci voli sorti, cci voli furtuna; Sinu a lu stissu frìjiri l'ova. Source: Bellantonio, II 192.; Eng. It takes good luck and good fortune; Eng. Together to fry eggs.; Cci voli sorti macàri a frijri l'ova. Source: Bellantonio, II 192.; Eng. You even need luck to fry an egg.; Cori forti cunsuma cattiva sorti.; Eng. Bad luck wears out even the stout-hearted.; Morti e mala sorti, unni vai ti la porti.; Eng. You take death and bad luck with you wherever you go.; Dammi sorti e jettami a mari.; Eng. Give me luck and throw me in the sea.; Sorti o Morti.; Eng. Give me luck or give me death.; Megghiu nun avissi natu cu' nun havi sorti. Source: Bellantonio, II 194.; Eng. If he has no luck, it's better that he had not been born.; A tutti cosi cci voli la sorti. Source: Bellantonio, II 191.; Eng. You need luck for everything.; Megghiu un' unza di sorti, chi milli di sapiri. Source: Bellantonio, II 194.; Eng. Better an ounce of luck that a thousand of knowledge.; Sorti manna Diu, cà lu sapiri servi a nenti. Source: Bellantonio, II 194.; Eng. God sends luck, for knowledge is for naught.; S'hai bona sorti, ti nni veni. Source: Bellantonio, II 195.; Eng. If you have good luck it will come to you.; S'hai bona sorti, tenitilla forti,; E canta si ti cantanu li carti. Source: Bellantonio, II 195.; Eng. If you have good luck, hold it tight,; And rejoice if the cards fall in your favor.; Dammi sorti, e jèttami a mari. Source: Bellantonio, II 195.; Eng. Give me luck, and throw me to the wolves.; Lit. Give me luck, and throw me out to sea.; Cu' havi bona sorti,; Si la teni forti. Source: Pitrè, III, 373.; Eng. The one with good luck,; Holds it tightly.; Hai bona sorti? tènila forti. Source: Pitrè, III, 373.; Eng. If you have good luck, hang on to it.

sosizza n.f. Sausage.: Cchiù sosizza e mancu addauru.; Eng. Give me more substance and less show. Lit. More sausage and less of in that case.

spadda n.f. Shoulder, back.: Mussu di purceddu, oricchi di mircanti e spaddi d'asineddu.; Eng. Look into everything, believe nothing, bear any burden. (Lit. The snout of a piglet, the ears of a merchant, and the back of a donkey.; Supra li spaddi d'autru si tagghiu largu.; Eng. One can see farther while standing on the shoulders of giants. Lit. On the shoulders of others you can cut big.; Li megghiu parenti su li spaddi. Source: Bellantonio, II 154.; Eng. Self help is your best relative. Lit: Our best relatives are our shoulders.

spagghiari v.t. Winnow.: Mannari a spagghiari l'acqua.; Eng. To send on a fool's errand. Lit. to send to winnow water.; Si 'ntra l'aria nun stai mentri si spagghia, si nun stai supra di cu' l'api tagghia, sarrai prestu riduttu a pani ed agghia.; Eng. To effectively supervise, you must be there. Lit. If you're not out there during the winnowing, if you don't stay over the one who's harvesting the honey, you'll be reduced to bread and garlic.

spanu adj. Sparse, thin.: Diu nni scanzi d' omu spanu e di fimmina varvuta.; Eng. Lord spare us from men with thin beards and bearded women.

sparagna v.t. Conserves, saves.: Cui si sparagna picciottu, travagghia vecchiu.; Eng. If you don't earn in your youth you'll have to earn in your old age.; Lit. Who works sparingly while young, works when old.; Cui si sparagna giuvini, travagghia vecchiu. Source: Bellantonio, II, 211.; Eng. If you don't earn in your youth you'll have to earn in your old age.; Lit. Who works sparingly while young, works when old.; Cui sparagna li carni d'àutru, li soi si li tagghia. Source: Bellantonio, II 26.; Eng. Who conserves the meat of someone else, will end up using his own.; Sparagna la farina, mentri la càscia è china. Source: Bellantonio, II, 109.; Eng. Use the flour sparingly, while the coffer is full.

sparagnari v.t. Conserve, save.: Sparagnari la canigghia e sfragari la farina.; Eng. Penny wise and pound foolish. (Lit. Saving the chaff and squandering the flour.); In giuvintù bisogna sparagnari zoccu pri la vicchiaia pò arrivari.; Eng. In youth we need to save for what old age may bring.; Ivi pi sparagnari e fici detti.; Eng. I went there to save and ended up in debt.

sparagnu n.m. Saving, savings.: A tutti sapi bonu lu sparagnu.; Eng. Everyone knows that it's good to save.; Di lu sparagnu accumenza lu guadagnu. Or. Lu sparagnu è lu primu guadagnu.; Eng. Saving is the beginning of earning. Or. Saving is the first earning.; Cu' pri sparagnu vesti tintu pannu, si vesti dui voti l'annu.; Eng. Who would save by dressing poorly, dresses up twice a year.; Eng. Tr. note: Perhaps for Easter and Christmas.

sparari v.t. Shoot.: Spara a cu' vitti e 'nzerta a cu' nun vitti.; Eng. Shoot at who was seen and hit the unseen.

sparrari v.t. Speak ill of somebody.: Lu veru amicu è chiddu chi nun ti sparra. Source: Bonner, 86.; Eng. The true friend is one who doesn't speak poorly about you. Eng. trans. by Bonner.

sparti v.t. Separates, distributes.: Cui sparti, n'havi la megghiu parti. Source: Bellantonio, II 26.; Eng. The distributor ends up with the best portion.; Cui sparti, havi la mala parti. Source: Bellantonio, II 26.; Eng. The distributor ends up with the worse part.

sparti adv. Besides, also, moreover.: Ma figghiu studia e sparti travagghia.; Eng. My son studies and also works.

spartiri v.t. To divide, to apportion.: Cu' sparti n' havi la megghiu parti.; Eng. Who does the apportioning has the best part.

spassari v.i. to entertain oneself.: Cui si spassa picciottu, rèpita vecchiu. Source: Bellantonio, II, 210.; Eng. Who lives foolishly as a youth, wails in old age.

spassu n.m. Entertainment, enjoyment, happiness.: Ama a cui t'ama, si vôi aviri spassu: cà amari a cui nun t'ama, è tempu persu.; Eng. If you want to be happy, love the one who loves you, it's a waste of time to love someone who doesn't love you.; Lu spassu di li vecchji su lli ficu, lu spassu di li giuvani è lu iòcu. Source: Piccitto, V, 144.; Eng. Old men pass the time with figs, the young with games.

spata n.f. Sabre, sword.: Cchiù nn'ammazza la gula chi la spata. Source: Pitrè, IV, 4.; Eng. Gluttony kills more people than die by the sword.; Note. Pitrè quotes Cicero, Plures enim videmus gula quam gladio cadere.; La spata nun si pigghia pri la punta. Source: Traina, 948.; Eng. A sabre is not handled by its point.; Nun tutti cosi s'hannu a pigghiari a puntu di spata. Source: Traina, 948.; Eng. You don't have to do everything.

speddiri v.i.t. To cease, to finish.: Cu' speddi prima ajuta lu cumpagnu.; Eng. The one who finishes first helps his companion.; Si vaju a lu voscu, spèddinu li ligna. Source: Bellantonio, II 190.; Eng. If I go to the forest, the wood would all be gone.; Note. A complaint by someone with bad luck.

spenni v.t. 2nd p.sing. Spend.: Rizzi, pateddi, e granci, spenni assai e nenti manci.; Eng. Sea urchins, limpets, and crabs you spend a lot and eat next to nothing.

spenni v.t. 3nd p.sing. Spends.: Cu' cchiù spenni menu spenni (o mancu sfarda).; Eng. Who spends more spends less (or wears out less).

spènniri v.t. To spend.: Cu' cchiù spenni menu spenni.; Eng. Who buys quality spends less.; Quannu cc' è di spenniri nun t'assiccari.; Eng. When you have to spend don't exhaust your funds.; Cu' suverchiu spenni diventa poviru, ovvero cu' guadagna quattru e spenni setti, 'un ha bisogna di vurzi nè vurzetti.; Eng. Who spends in excess becomes poor. Or. Who earns four and spends seven, has no need for a wallet or a change purse.

spera v.t. 3rd p. sing of spirari To hope, hopes.: Cui spera nna lu monacu, spera ricògghiri lu ventu 'ntra la riti.; Eng. Putting hope in a monk, is like hoping to catch the wind in a net.

sperdiri v.i. To lose, to scatter, to disperse.: Si sai natari, mai cchiù ti lu sperdi.Source: Pitrè, II.; Eng. If you know how to swim, you'll lose it nevermore.

sperti adj. Clever, cunning.: Cu' havi chi fari cu sperti, stassi cu l'occhi aperti.; Eng. Beware when you deal with sharpies.

spezziu n.m. Pepper, spices.: Tuttu spezziu e nenti ardi.; Eng. All smoke but no fire.; All' urtimu su' li spezzii.; Eng. The best is at the end.; A lu funnu su' li spezii. Source: Bellantonio, II 17.; Eng. The goodies are on the bottom.; È un pipi spezziu.; Eng. He's a hot pepper. Tr. note: Said of someone who is vavacious, lively, or quick.

spïari v.t. Ask.: Spiannu si va a Roma. Source: Traina, 951.; Eng. In Rome every language is understood.; A li fimmini 'un si cci spija: quant'anni aviti? Source: Pitrè, III, 314.; Eng. You shouldn't ask a woman's age.

spica n.f. Husk.: Nun tutti li spicchi vannu all' aria.; Eng. Not everything goes as planned. Lit. Not all the grain is winnowed.; A jazzu di troja cci vo' trovari spichi?; Eng. Do you expect to find honesty in a den of thieves? Lit. Do you want to find husks in the straw bedding of the sow?; Nun lassa spicchi nn' arreri.; Eng. Said of one who gets into everything.

spiccicari v.t. Untangle, peel off, separate.: Quannu la carne è cotta, si spiccicanu l'ossa. Source: Pitrè, III, 368.; Eng. When the meat is cooked, the bones separate.

spiculari v.t.i. Speculate.: Cui voli spiculari pr'arricchiri, Perdi tempu, saluti e dinari.. Source: Pitrè, III, 200.; Eng. Who wants to speculate to get rich, Loses time, good health, and money.

spinciri v.t. Poke, propel, push, press.: Cui ti fa beni, e in àutu ti spinci,; Siicci gratu, e pri nuddu lu canci. Source: Pitrè, III, 319.; Eng. Who helps you, and pushes you higher,; Be grateful, and don't replace him.

spini n.f. Thorns.: Nun vaja scàusu cui simìna spini, ca poi si punci a la sdiminticata.; Eng. He that scatters thorns, let him not go barefoot.; Cu' simina spini nun pò ricogghiri rosi.; Eng. Who scatters thorns can't gather roses.; Di la spina nni nasci la rosa, e di la rosa nni nasci la spina. Source: Bellantonio, II 146.; Eng. The rose springs from the thorn and the thorn springs from the rose.

spiranza n.f. Hope.: Amaru cu sta ca spiranza d' autru.; Eng. You're in trouble if you depend solely on the help of others.; Cu' campa di spiranza dispiratu mori.; Eng. Who lives with hope dies dispairing.; La spiranza è l'ultima chi mori.; Eng. Hope is the last to die.; Lu pani di li mischini è la spiranza.; Eng. Hope is the bread of the wretched.

spirienza n.f. Experience.: Cui nun havi spirienza, nun havi scienza.; Eng. There is no knowledge without experience.; La spirienza è matri di li cosi. Source: Bellantonio, II 129.; Eng. Necessity is the mother of invention. Lit. Experience is the mother of things.

Spirlinga place name Sperlinga.: Spirlinga sula nigàu.; Eng. Only Sperlinga said no.

spiruna n.m. Spurs.: A cavaddi tristi e boni nun lassari li spiruna.; Eng. Always use spurs with a horse, whether it's mean or gentle.

spiruni n.m. Spurs.: Cavaddu senza spiruni è comu la navi senza timuni.; Eng. A horse without spurs is like a ship without a rudder.; Né asini senza vastuni né cavaddi senza spiruni.; Eng. You can't drive donkeys without a stick, nor horses without spurs.

spirunïari v.t.i. Spur on, resist, be arrogant, freeload.: Lu spirunïari fa arrubbari. Source: Pitrè, III, 379.; Eng. Refusing to work leads to robbing.

spitu n.m. Spit, grill.: A la gatta chi licca lu spitu; Nun cci fidari la carni arrustuta. Source: Bellantonio, II 197.; Eng. Don't entrust the roast; To the cat that savors the spit.

spizziali n.m. inv. Pharmacy.: A spizziali nun tastari, a firraru nun tuccari.; Eng. At the pharmacy don't taste, at the smithy don't touch.; Megghiu lu furnaru ca lu spizziali.; Eng. Better the baker than the pharmacist.; Medicu vecchiu, spizziali riccu.; Eng. Choose an old doctor and a rich pharmacist. Traina says the old doctor offers experience and the rich pharmacist is more honest.

spogghia v.t. and v.i. 3rd p.sing. Disrobe, undress.: Cu' si vesti di robbi d'autru prestu si nni spogghia.; Eng. Sooner or later the thief will be punished.; Lit. Who dresses in the clothes of another will soon be disrobed.; Lu munnu nun pò vèstiti ad unu, si nun spogghia a n'àutru. Source: Pitrè, III, 97.; Eng. The world can't dress one if it doesn't undress another.; Si nun si spogghia lu patri, nun si pò vèstiri lu figghiu. Source: Pitrè, III, 97.; Eng. The father needs to provide for his son.; Lit. If the father doesn't undress, the sun can't dress.

sprèmiri v.t. To squeeze, to wring.: Nun putiri spremiri la petra.; Eng. You can't squeeze blood out of a stone. Lit. You can't wring a stone.

spriveri n.m. Sparrowhawk.: Cci sunnu cchiù spriveri ca quagghi. Source: Bellantonio, II 25.; Eng. There are more sparrowhawks than quails.

spruvistu adj. Bereft, unprovided for.: Megghiu spruvistu chi bastardu. Source: Bellantonio, II 158.; Eng. Better bereft than a bastard.

spugghiari v.t. Undress, disrobe.: Vistemu 'u Bamminu e spugghiamu 'a Maronna. Source: Copani, 242.; Eng. Robbing Peter to pay Paul. Lit. Dressing the Child and undressing the Madonna.

spumpata v.t.i. spumpari. To show off, to display.: Chidda chi va spumpata, Di tutti veni sparrata. Source: Pitrè, 1, 163. -->; Eng. The lady that shows off, is ridiculed by all.

spunta v.t. and v.i. 3rd p.sing. Sprouts, appears, is born.: Lu veru giudiziu spunta cu li capiddi bianchi.; Eng. True wisdom is born with white hair.

spuntatu adj. Blunt, bevelled, sprouted, worn out, torn.: Cui pigghia punti, resta spuntatu. Source: Pitrè, III, 317.; Eng. Who fixates on a word or an act, will remain frustrated.; Lit. Who picks on points, will be [de-pointed] blunted.

spurtari v.i. Live comfortably, develop precociously.: Li dinari fannu spurtari. Source: Pitrè, III, 264.; Eng. Money lets you live comfortably. -- or --; Money lets you develop precociously.

spusari v.t. To wed, to marry.: Quannu la donna di novu si spusa, la Sant'Armuuza va casa casa.; Eng. When the widow marries, the holy soul spends all day going from house to house.

squagghiata n.f. Melting.: A la squagghiata di la nivi si vidinu li pirtusa. Source: Bellantonio, II 16.; Eng. With the melting of the snow you see the potholes.

squatru n.m.. Square.: D'un lignu stortu nun si fa lu squatru. Source: Traina, 966.; Eng. You don't make a carpenter's square from crooked wood.

staffa n.f. Stirrup.: Stari cu lu pedi alla staffa.; Eng. To be ready. (Lit. To be with your feet in the stirrups.)

staggiuni n.f. Season.: Ogni fruttu voli la so staggiuni.; Eng. Each fruit has its own season.; Bona staggiuni, Natali a lu suli e Pasqua a lu fucuni.; Eng. Good seasons are Christmas in the sun and Easter at the outdoor oven. Tr. note: Outdoor picnics are the traditional Easter monday celebrations with artichokes roasted on the ground and varied barbecues.

stanchizza n.f. Fatigue, weariness.: Lu guadagnu fa passari la stanchizza.; Eng. Progress make weariness pass.

stanga n.f. Cross-bar, beam.: Supra li spaddi d'àutru, 'na stanga di porta;; Supra li spaddi nostri, un filu di jina. Source: Bellantonio, II 22.; Eng. On the shoulders of another, a bar across the door;; But on our own, use a string of straw.

stari v.i. To live, to be, to stay, to persevere.: Cchiù chi mancu semu, megghiu stamu.; Eng. The fewer we are, the bigger our share. Lit. The fewer we are, the better off we are.; Chiddu è lu bonu stari, unni è lu bonu campari.; Eng. It's better for him to stay where he can make a good living.

statia adj. Summery.: Si lu 'nvernu nun 'nvirnia, si la stati nun statia, nun va a versu la massaria.; Eng. If the winter isn't wintry, and the summer isn't summery, the farmstead will not stay on course.

statu n.m. State, status, condition, being.: Invanu tenta lu statu mutari, cu nun ha la fortuna in sò favuri.; Eng. It's useless to try to better your status if fortune isn't in your favor.; Cu' muta statu, muta di condizioni.; Eng. When you change your status the rules change.

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