SICILIAN PROVERBS

translated into English by Arthur V. Dieli
abbada v.i. To look after, to mind, to manage.
Cu fa assai e nun ci abbada, spenni assai e 'un cogghi biada.
Eng. If you invest a lot but don't manage it, you'll have spent a lot but gained little.
 
abbaia v.i. To bark, to shout inconsiderately, to ask for in vain.
Cani abbaia e voi pasci.
Eng. Dogs bark and oxen graze.
 
Cani di pagghiaru abbaia e sta luntanu.
Eng. A timid watch dog barks but stays far away.
 
A un povir' omu, ogni cani cci abbaja.
Eng. Every dog barks at a wretched man.
 
abballanu v.i. 3rd p.pl. Dance.
Quannu gatta nun c'é li surci abballanu.
Eng. When the cat's away the mice will play.
 
abbraciu n.m. A kind of coarse cloth.
'Ntra greci e greci nun si vinni abbraciu.
Eng. There's honor amongst the cunning.
 
accatta v.t. 3rd p.sing. Buy.
Cui accatta havi bisogna centu occhi, e cui vinni unu sulu.
Eng. Buyer beware. (lit. The buyer needs a hundred eyes, the seller only one.)
 
accattari v.t. To buy.
Accattari la gatta nta lu saccu.
Eng. Buying a pig in a poke. (lit. To buy a cat in a sack.)
 
acchiana v.t. 3rd p. sing. Climbs.
Cui acchiana troppu 'nnautu nun è sicuru.
Eng. Who climbs too high is not secure.
 
accidenti n.m. Accident, mishap, chance.
Sìggiri prestamenti, pagari tardamenti; cu' sa qualchi accidenti, non si ni paga nenti.
Eng. Collect promptly, pay slowly; who knows, in case of an accident, no payment will be needed.
 
accordu n.m. A musical chord, an agreement, an accord, a compromise.
Megliu accordu màghiru ca sintenza grassa.
Eng. A lean award is better than a fat judgement.
 
accumenza v.t. 3rd p.sing. Begins, starts, commences.
Cui multi cosi accumenza, nudda nni finisci.
Eng. Who starts many things, finishes nothing.
 
accuminzari v.tr. To begin, to start, to commence.
Cui vecchiu voli campari, a bon' ura voli accuminzari.
Eng. If you want to live to an old age, you need to start early.
 
acidduzzi n.m.pl. dim. Little birds.
Quannu l'acidduzzi 'un fannu dannu signu ca cuntrariu avisti l'annu.
Eng. When birds aren't making a mess it's a sign that it's been a bad year.
 
acqua n.f. Water, rain.
L'acqua fa mali e lu vinu fa cantari.
Eng. Water harms but wine makes you sing.
 
Acqua mali fàciri e vinu cunfurtibili.
Eng. Water harms and wine comforts.
 
Acqua di primintíu, allarga l'armu miu; acqua e suli 'ntra li simenzi, mi criscinu li spiranzi; acqua di maju e aprili, curru cu tutti li vili; poi boni matinati, ricchizza di li casi.
Eng. Timely rain cheers my soul; water and sun during seeding, inspires hope; the rains of April and May are late at night; then the good mornings, will be the wealth of the houses.
 
Acqua e suli fa lavuri, acqua e ventu fa frummentu.
Eng. Water and sun make work, water and wind make grain.
 
acquistatu v.t. past p. Acquired, transferred, received.
Pocu dura lu mal'acquistatu.
Eng. Wrongful acquisitions don't last long.
 
addimura n.f. Delay, hesitate, protest.
Sceccu ch'addimura torna càricu.
Eng. The jackass that delays returns laden.
 
Cani ch'addimura, porta caccia.
Eng. The dog that's late is bringing the catch.
 
addisìa v.tr. 3rd p.sing. Desires, wants, yearns.
Zoccu si schifia, veni tempu chi s'addisìa.
Eng. In time you'll want what you had scorned.
 
addisiari v.tr. To desire, to want, to yearn.
Megghiu muriri e lassari, chi campari e addisiari.
Eng. Better to die and have something to leave than to live wanting.
 
additta adv. Upright, land on your feet, in the right.
Cascari addita comu li gatti.
Eng. Come out of it standing on all four.
 
addivari v.tr. To rear, to bring up, to raise children.
L'addivari fa l'amuri.
Eng. Raising children engenders love.
 
addivintirai v.i. 2nd p.sing. To become.
Assai megghiu addivintirai si a la morti pinsirai.
Eng. You'll become a lot better if you think about your death.
 
addumanna v.tr. 3rd p.sing. Ask for, demand, request.
A cui ti pò pigghiari chiddu chi hai, dacci chiddu chi t'addumanna.
Eng. If someone can take whatever you have, give them whatever they ask for.
 
affannatu adv. Anguish, distress, trouble, affliction, pain.
Vôi fari parrari lu mutu? Lèvacci lu sò affannatu.
Eng. Do you want to make the mute speak? Get rid of his affliction.
 
affetu n.m. Affection.
Lu maritu senza affetu comu la casa senza tettu.
Eng. The husband who lacks affection is like a house that lacks a roof.
 
affliggi v.tr. 3rd p.sing. Afflicts.
Diu affliggi, ma nun abbanduna.
Eng. God afflicts, but does not abandon.
 
agghiorna v.i. 3rd p.sing. of agghiurnari. Keep up to date, to clear up, to enlighten.
Fa' chi t'agghiorna e no chi ti scura.
Eng. Keep up with the times, don't stay in the dark.
 
agustu n.m. August.
Sparàgnami d'agustu chi in ottubri ti dugnu gustu.
Eng. Spare the ox in August so that it's ready to work in October.
 
Acqua d'agustu, ogghiu, meli e mustu.
Eng. August rain brings oil, honey and must.
 
Ad agustu s'ammàzzanu l'agneddi.
Eng. In August the lambs are slaughtered.
 
aiutari v.tr. To help.
Quannu Diu ti voli aiutari, sinu a la casa ti veni a truvari.
Eng. When God wants to help you, he comes all the way to your house.
 
ajutarisi v.t. refl. To help oneself.
Ajutarisi cu li manu e cu li pedi.
Eng. Help yourself with everything you've got. (Lit. Help yourself with your hands and with your feet.)
 
alàcci n.f. ichth. Anchovy.
Alàcci, leva li spini e rèstanu li 'mpacci.
Eng. Anchovy, remove the bones and be left with the bother.
 
allarga v.t. 2nd p.sing.imp. Enlarge, widen, let out (a garment).
Unni monaci vidi allarga passu, e di parrini sntinni la missa.
Eng. Give monks a wide berth, and as for priests just attend Mass.
 
alligrizza n.f. Happiness, joy.
La saluti veni di l'alligrizza di lu cori.
Eng. Health flows from the happiness of the heart.
 
allisci v.t. 3rd p.sing To pet, to flatter, to polish.
La fimmina é comu lu gattu: cchiù chi l'allisci, cchiù la cuda crisci.
Eng. A woman is like a cat: the more you pet her the better she feels.
 
alluntanari v.t. To separate, to move away from, to distance.
Asini, donni e voi, nun t'alluntanari di li toi.
Eng. Don't let yourself get far away from your jackasses, women, and oxen.
 
amari v.t. To love, to prefer (of plants).
Amari e disamari nun sta a cui lu voli fari.
Eng. You don't choose whom to love and not love.
 
Amari la sò vicina è gran vantaggiu: spissu si vidi e nun si fa viaggiu.
Eng. It's a great advantage to love someone in your neighborhood: you see each other often and you don't have to travel.
 
amaru adj. Bitter.
Cosi amari, tènili cari; cosi duci, tènili 'nchiusi.
Eng. Bitter things, hold them dear; sweet things, keep them enclosed.
 
amaru n.m. Love.
È sempri cu l'amaru 'mmiscatu l'amur tirrenu.
Eng. Love is always bittersweet. (Lit. Love land is always mixed with bitterness.)
 
amati v.t. past part. Loved.
Vô essiri amati di li petri? Prima amari a Diu, poi mamma e patri.
Eng. If you want to be loved by all, first love God, then your mother and father.
 
Nuddu pò sapiri di cui è amatu, quannu si trova 'ntra filici statu.
Eng. You won't know who your friends are until you need them.
 
amici n.m. Friend.
Quantu amici si pèrdinu, tanti scaluna si scìnninu.
Eng. When you lose friends, you go down many steps.
 
Cu' havi dinari, campa filici, e cui nun n'havi, perdi l'amici.
Eng. When you have money you live happily, when you don't you lose your friends
 
amicizia n.f. Friendship
Nun tèniri amicizia cu li sbirri ca cci perdi lu vinu e li sicarri.
Eng. Don't maintain a friendship with cops because you'll lose your wine and your cigars.
 
Patti chiari, amicizia longa.
Eng. Clear pacts, long friendship.
 
Unni cc'è radicata la malizia, allignari 'un ci pò mai l'amicizia.
Eng. Where malice has taken root, friendship can never be formed.
 
amicu n.m. friend
Pri canusciri un amicu reali, si cci havi a manciari 'na sarma di sali.
Eng. To recognize a real friend, you have to together have eaten three bushels of salt.
 
Quannu si voli sèrviri l'amicu, si lassa jiri la robba a lu focu.
Eng. When you want to serve your friend, you can't worry about your belongings.
 
Quantu va 'n'amicu 'n chiazza, 'un ce va cent'unzi 'n cascia.
Eng. A trusted friend is a priceless treasure.
 
amistati n.f. friendship
Spissu cuntu, longa amistati.
Eng. A frequent accounting, a long friendship.
 
Cu monaci e surdati nun cògghiri amistati.
Eng. Don't make friends with monks and soldiers.
 
ammatula adv. Useless.
Ammatula si pisca si a l'amu non c'è l'isca.
Eng. It's useless to fish with an unbaited hook.
 
ammenna v.t. Reproach, correct, scold.
Cui pecca e poi s'ammenna, a Diu si raccumanna.
Eng. Who sins and then makes amends, trusts in God.
 
ammuccia v.t. 3rd p.sing. Hides, conceals.
Cu' ammuccia zoccu fa, è signu chi mali fa.
Eng. A secretive person is up to some mischief.
 
ammucciari v.t. To hide, to conceal, to secrete.
Amuri, biddizzi e dinari su' tri cosi ch' 'un si ponnu ammucciari.
Eng. Love, beauty and money are three things that can't be hidden.
 
amuri n.m. Love.
Amuri è amaru, ma ricría lu cori.
Eng. Love is bitter, but it comforts the heart.
 
Amuri è dintra e nun vi nn'addunati: lu vuliti cacciari e nun putiti.
Eng. Love entered and you didn't realize it: you wanted to drive it out but you couldn't.
 
Amuri e gilusia su' sempri 'n cumpagnia.
Eng. Love and jealousy always keep company.
 
Amuri e signuria nun vonnu cumpagnia.
Eng. Love and arrogance don't go together.
 
Amuri novu caccia amuri vecchiu.
Eng. New love throws out old love.
 
Amuri nun senti cunsigghi.
Eng. Love doesn't listen to advice.
 
Amuri tannu è beddu, quannu è un pocu stizzateddu.
Eng. Love is the more beautiful when it is a little irritated.
 
Amuri, tussi e fumu nun si ponnu tèniri cilati.
Eng. Love, coughing, and smoke can't be kept concealed.
 
Amuri, tutti dìcinu ch'è amaru, e ognunu voli pruvari siddu è veru.
Eng. Love, everyone says it's bitter, but everyone wants to see for themselves if it's true.
 
Benchì l'amuri novu trova locu, scurdari nun si pò l'amuri anticu.
Eng. Although there's a new love, the old love can't be forgotten.
 
ancilina loc. adv. left fallen
L'oliva lassata all'ancilina, nun jinchi né visazza né sacchettina.
Eng. Uncollected olives, left to the elements, fill neither the saddle bag nor the waist pack
 
annu n.m. Year.
Pani d'un jornu e vinu d'un annu.
Eng. Eat yesterday's bread and last year's wine.
 
apa n.f. Bee.
Apa di giugnu, oj ti viji e dumani sdugnu.
Eng. The June bee portends lots of honey.
 
appigghia v.t. 3rd p.sing. Burns
Lu veru amuri 'ntra lu cori appigghia, megghiu di la linazza e di la pagghia.
Eng. True love burns within the heart, better than flax and straw.
 
appoja v.t. 3rd p.sing. of appuiari. Support.
Si la dota nun l'appoja, nun la voli mancu lu boja.
Eng. If the dowry doesn't support her, even the executioner is disinterested.
 
Cui mali s'appoja, prestu cadi.
Eng. Who poorly supports himself, soon falls.
 
apprenni v.t. 3rd p.sing. To learn
Cui sta a mastru e nun apprenni, o è asinu o si finci.
Eng. Who stays at the master's and learns not his art, is either a jackass or playing the part.
 
aprili n.m. April.
Patruni gintili, dammi pagghia pri tuttu aprili.
Eng. Kind master, give me hay for all of April.
 
Acqua d'aprili lu porcu ocidi, lu voi 'ngrassa e la pècura ridi.
Eng. During April rainfalls the pig gets butchered, the oxen gets fattened and the sheep laughs.
 
Aprili fa li ciuri e le biddizzi, l'onuri l'havi lu misi di maju.
Eng. April makes the flowers and the beauty, but May gets all the credit.
 
Aragona n.f. Aragona. (about 15 km North of Agrigento.)
Pri mènnuli muddisi a l'Aragona, e pri picciotti beddi a la Favara.
Eng. For tender almonds go to Aragona, to see beautiful young girls go to Favara.
 
aranciu n.m. Orange, orange tree.
A sant'Annirìa l'aranciu giarnia.
Eng. By St. Andrea Day the orange ripens.
 
arcu n.m. Rainbow, bow, arch.
Arcu siritìnu fa bon tempu a lu matinu, arcu matinali jinchi pùzzura e funtani.
Eng. An evening rainbow means good weather in the morning, a rainbow in the morning fills wells and fountains.
 
arìganu n.m. Oregano, marjoram.
Arìganu e puleju, s'unu è tintu, l'àutru è peju.
Eng. Oregano and wild mint, if one does poorly, the other is worse.
 
arma n.f. Soul.
Un' arma avemu; si la pirdému, comu facemu?
Eng. We have one soul; if we lose it, how will we manage? Or, We have but one soul to lose.
 
Biatu cui pri l'arma si prucura.
Eng. Blessed is the one who cares for his soul.
 
armatura n.f. Weaponry, armor, armament.
Contra la morti nun vali armatura.
Eng. Weapons are useless against death.
 
armisanti n.f. excl. Holy souls. Also a bread roll made in a special form to be given in charity.
Armisanti! Arricogghi unu e màncianu tanti.
Eng. Holy souls! One of them gathers and many eat.
 
arrassu adv and prep. Far away, far from.
Quannu vidi cchiù cani supra un ossu, la megghiu cosa è faritilla arrassu.
Eng. When you see many dogs at a bone, it's best to make yourself scarce.
 
Cavaleri, parrinu e malu passu, dinni beni e stanni arrassu.
Eng. Cavaliers, priests, and dangerous places, speak nicely about them but keep your distance.
 
arresta v.i. 3rd p.sing. of arristari. Remains, stops, stays, lasts.
Mogghi onesta, tisoru ch'arresta, mogghi trista è peju di la pesta.
Eng. An honest wife is a treasure that lasts, a sad wife is worse than the plague.
 
arricogghi v.t. 3rd p.sing. Harvests.
Cui bonu simìna, megghiu arricogghi.
Eng. Seed well and harvest better.
 
arrinesci v.t. 3rd p.sing. Succeeds, brings to a good end.
Cui nesci, arrinesci.
Eng. Who ventures forth, succeeds.
 
arrivi v.i. 2nd p.sing. Arrive, catch up with, reach, succeed.
Si cacci lu sceccu, tardu arrivi; si camina tardu, prestu arrivi.
Eng. If you urge the donkey on, you'll arrive late, if you let the donkey amble, you'll arrive early.
 
àrvulu n.m. Tree.
Àrvulu 'mmenzu li strati, di tutti su' cutulati.
Eng. The tree in the middle of the road is shaken by everyone.
 
Àrvulu ch'un fa fruttu, tàgghialu di pedi.
Eng. If the tree doesn't bear fruit, cut it off at the base.
 
Àrvulu tagliatu è menzu pigghiatu.
Eng. The tree that's cut down is half taken.
 
asciutti v.t. 2nd p.sing. Dry.
Asciutti li pedi, càuda la testa e di lu restu campa di bestia.
Eng. Dry your feet and warm your head, and don't worry about the rest.
 
ascuta v.t. 3rd p.sing. Listens.
Cui nun pò dari ajutu, 'nvanu ascuta.
Eng. Who can't help, listens in vain.
 
ascutari v.t. To listen.
Cui voli giudicari, li parti voli ascutari.
Eng. Who wants to judge needs to listen to the parties.
 
aspetta v.t. 3rd p.sing. Awaits, expects.
Sirviziu fattu mircedi aspetta.
Eng. The service is rendered, the goods awaited.
 
assai adv. A lot, much more.
Addimanna sempri assai, chi a calari cci sarrai.
Eng. Always ask a higher price, because you can always lower it.
 
Cui servi beni e taci, assai dumanna.
Eng. Who serves well and quietly, expects a lot.
 
Cu' assai prumetti pocu attenni.
Eng. More words than action. (Lit. Who promises a lot accomplishes little.)
 
assicura v.t. 3rd p.sing. Protects, assures.
Cani ch'abbaia, t'assicura.
Eng. Barking of the dogs, protects you.
 
assicutari v.t. To chase, to run after, to pursue.
Cui du' lebbri voli assicutari, né l'unu né l'àutru pò pigghiari.
Eng. If you try to chase both rabbits, you'll catch neither one.
 
assicutatu v.t. past p. Pursued.
L'assicutatu curri cu quattru pedi, l'assicutaturi cu dui.
Eng. The pursued runs on four feet, the pursuer on two.
 
assimigghia v.i. 3rd p.sing. Resembles, looks like, is like.
Nuddu ti pigghia s'un t'assimigghia.
Eng. No one will choose you if they're not like you.
 
astutu adj. Astute.
Lu riccu è dottu e lu riccuni è astutu.
Eng. A rich man is a learned man, a very rich man is astute.
 
attacca v.t. 3rd p.sing. Tie.
Attacca l'asinu unni voli lu patruni; vegna lu lupu e si lu pozza manciari.
Eng. Tie the donkey where the owner wants, and let the wolf come to devour him.
 
auguru n.m. Good wishes.
Cui simìna terri forti, havi certi auguru e sorti.
Eng. Whoever sows on hard ground, needs good wishes and luck.
 
ausa v.i. 3rd p. sing. Ventures, dares, lifts, leaves.
Cu' ausa trova.
Eng. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. (Lit. Who ventures finds.)
 
àutru pron. Someone else, some other.
Cui si vesti di la robba d'àutru, prestu si spogghia.
Eng. Who dresses in some other's clothes, will soon undress.
 
autunnu n.m. Autumn.
L'autunnu duci fa cutugna e zorbi.
Eng. You can't tell a book by its cover. (Lit. A sweet autumn makes quince and sorb-apples.)
 
avantau v.t. past part of avantari. boasted
Mai nuddu s'avantau chi caru 'un ci custau.
Eng. No one ever boasted without paying dearly.
 
avanti prep. Beforehand, prior to.
Cui paga li grana avanti, mancia pisci fitenti.
Eng. Who pays in advance eats stinking fish.
 
aviri v.i. To have.
Nun aviri cunti cu monaci e parrini.
Eng. Have no dealings with monks and priests.
 
aviri v.t. To own, as property, wealth.
Tristu è l'aviri chi lu patruni 'un vidi.
Eng. Unfortunate is the property that the owner doesn't oversee.
 
Riccu si pò diri cui campa cu lu so' aviri.
Eng. One who lives within his means can be said to be rich.
 
azzalori n.fp. bot. Loquat, medlar.
Li cutugna pri l'èrrami ziti, l'azzalori (nèspulu) pri l'omini boni.
Eng. The quince is for quarreling fiancees, the loquat for good people.
 
azzappa v.t. 3rd p.sing. Hoe.
Cu azzappa, azzappa a la sò vigna.
Eng. The hoer hoes in his own vineyard.
 
babbaluci n.m. Snail.
Babbaluci di timpa e acquazzina di vadduni.
Eng. You find snails on the slopes with the dew from the ravines.
 
badagghiu n.m. Yawn.
Lu badagghiu 'un pò mintíri: o voli manciari o voli durmiri.
Eng. The yawn doesn't lie: it wants you to eat or sleep.
 
banni f.pl. of banna Side, part, place.
Un bonu gaddu canta a tutti banni.
Eng. A good rooster crows everywhere.
 
Cui nun senti a li cchiù granni, appenni li vèrtuli a mali banni.
Eng. Who fails to listen to his elders, will be hanging his knapsack in the wrong places.
 
bella adj. Beautiful, pretty, pleasing.
Di lu voscu 'na bella faciana, di lu mari 'na bella murina; di lu ciumi 'n'ancidda di tana, di la gaggia 'na bella gaddina.
Eng. From the woods a beautiful pheasant, from the sea a beautiful moray eel, from the river a den eel, from the coop a beautiful chicken.
 
beni n.m. Good.
Ogni beni di Diu veni.
Eng. Every good thing comes from God.
 
è cchiù caru chiddu beni chi ddoppu di lu mali veni.
Eng. The good that follows evil is more appreciated.
 
Fa' beni e scordatillo, fa' mali e pènsaci.
Eng. Do good and forget it, do bad and think about it.
 
Lu beni chi lassi di fari, mai cchiù l'aspittari.
Eng. The good that you fail to do is gone forever.
 
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.
 
Beni di furtuna pàssanu comu la luna.
Eng. Easy come, easy go.
 
Quannu lu poviru veni a beni, nun c'è terra chi lu teni.
Eng. When a poor man gets lucky, nothing can contain him.
 
beni adv. Well.
Cui ti voli beni, 'n casa ti veni.
Eng. Who likes you well, will come to your house.
 
benifiziu n.m. Reward, advantage, benefit.
Longu sirviziu aspetta benifiziu.
Eng. Long service awaits rewards.
 
biata adj. Blessed or blest.
Biata dda casa ch'havi 'na cricchia rasa.
Eng. Blessed is the house that has a son who is a cleric.
 
billizza n.f. Beauty.
Gèniu fa billizza e no billizza amuri.
Eng. Congeniality makes beauty and not beauty love.
 
bisesta adj. Leap year.
Annata bisesta, biatu cu' cci resta!
Eng. You're blessed if you're here on leap year.
 
bisognu n.m. Need, necessity.
Poviru è cu' havi di bisognu.
Eng. The poor are the needy.
 
bonu adj. Good.
Megghiu vecchiu bonu chi giùvini tintu.
Eng. A good old man is better than a bad young man.
 
botta n.f. Tap, hit, blow.
'Na botta a la vutti e 'n'àutra a lu timpagnu.
Eng. One tap on the keg and another on the spout.
 
brivatura n.f. Water trough.
Cuverna a manciatura e abbivìra a brivatura.
Eng. Govern the feed trough and water the animals at the drinking trough.
 
burrasca n.f. Tempest, thunder storm.
Burrasca furiusa prestu passa. Oppure: Forti burrasca pocu dura.
Eng. A furious storm passes quickly. Also: A strong storm lasts briefly.
 
busi n.f. Empty, parched stalks, bushes in arid location.
Busi di sciloccu e grana di tramuntana.
Eng. Empty stalks from the Sirocco and full spikes of wheat with the North Wind.
 
buttunedda n.m. Bud.
Si l'olivuzza sbuccia 'ntr'aprili, basta pri cògghila cu li varrilli; s'a maju affàccianu li buttunedda, basta pri jìnchiri 'na misuredda; ma si poi tàrdanu pri sin'a giugnu, jirrai cugghiènnula a pugnu a pugnu.
Eng. If the olive trees blossom in April, you'll have enough to collect them with barrels; if they bud in May, you'll have enough to fill a small measure; but if as late as June, you'll only be collecting handfuls.
 
caccia n.f. Hunt.
Quannu la caccia nun ti dici, vattinni ad accampari babbaluci.
Eng. When the hunt is not successful, go find snails.
 
caccia v.t. 2rd p.sing.imp. Drive, urge on, hurry.
Cu lu vastuni si caccia lu sceccu, cu lu punturu lu voi e lu mulu, cu la virga e cu lu spruni lu cavaddu.
Eng. You drive a donkey with a stick, an ox and a mule with a prod, and the horse with a whip and spurs.
 
cacciaturi n.m. Hunter.
L'omu è cacciaturi.
Eng. Man is a hunter.
 
Lu cani cacciaturi, quannu abbaja è signu chi la caccia havi vicina.
Eng. When the hunting dog barks it's a signal that the prey is near.
 
caciu n.m. Cheese.
Né di caciu varca, né di pani Bartulumeu.
Eng. It's not polite to eat just the center of the cheese and just the crust of the bread.
 
cadi v.t. 3rd p.sing. Falls.
Quannu cadi lu vecchiu, nun ti rìdiri, ha successu a lu giuvini càdiri.
Eng. When the old man falls, don't laugh, the young have also fallen.
 
cadutu v.t. past part. of càdiri. Felled.
Ad àrvulu cadutu ognunu curri e fa ligna.
Eng. Everyone runs to cut wood from the felled tree.
 
cafè n.m. Coffee.
Lu cafè santiannu e lu cicculatti ripusannu.
Eng. Drink coffee while it's hot enough to make you swear but let the chocolate cool.
 
caiccu n.m. Caique. (A small narrow boat.)
Cc'è sempri lu locu pi lu caiccu.
Eng. There's always a place for a caique.
 
càlia n.f. roasted chick peas.
Sosizza di Mazzarinu, càlia di Cartagiruni e pasta di Vizzini.
Eng. Sausage from Mazzarino, càlia from Caltagirone, and pasta from Vizzini.
 
calici n.m. Chalice.
Lu parrinu cummogghia lu calici e nui nn'avemu a cummigghiari l'unu cu l'àutru.
Eng. The priest covers the chalice and we must cover each other.
 
camina v.t. 3rd p.sing. Walks.
Cui camina licca, cui sedi sicca.
Eng. Who walks gains, who sits withers.
 
La donna e la gaddina si perdi si troppu camina.
Eng. The woman like the hen, gets lost if she walks too far.
 
campa v.i. 3rd p.sing. Lives.
Cui cchiù campa, cchiù 'mpinatisci.
Eng. The longer you live the more you suffer.
 
campani n.f. Bells.
Pri campaniari li campani nichi, primu hannu a campaniari li campani granni.
Eng. The big bells have to ring, in order for the little bells to ring.
 
campari v.i. To live, to be alive.
Si mancia pri campari, nun si campa pri manciari.
Eng. Eat to live, and not live to eat.
 
Si vô' campari assai, fatti 'na suppitedda ora e 'n'autra poi.
Eng. To lengthen thy life, lessen thy meals.
 
Si vôi campari l'anni di la cucca, sfarda stivali assai, linzola picca.
Eng. It's healthier to wear out many boots and few bed sheets.
 
càncari n.m. Cancers, troubles, hinges.
Lassatimi stari pri li càncari mei.
Eng. Let me deal with my troubles myself.
 
Ogni porta havi li so' càncari.
Eng. Every door has its own hinges.
 
canci v.t. 3rd p.sing. var. Changes, trades, barters, transforms, alters.
Cui canci, si leva li crozzi e tinci.
Eng. Whoever exchanges gets rid of the coarse and the bad.
 
cància v.t. 3rd p.sing. Changes, trades, barters, transforms, alters.
Nun si cància la facci pri dinari.
Eng. Don't compromise your beliefs for money.
 
Fimmina e ventu, cància ogni mumentu.
Eng. A woman and the wind change every moment.
 
Cui cància lardu pri lardu, l'unu o l'àutru è ràncitu.
Eng. Whoever exchanges some lard for some other lard, one or the other must be rancid.
 
càncianu v.t. 3rd p.pl. Change.
Fuj li cosi tinti, ama li boni, cà 'ntra un mumentu càncianu li sceni.
Eng. Avoid the bad, love the good, because things change in a moment.
 
cani n.m. Dog.
Nun tràsiri cani dintra, cà ti pòrtanu l'ossa fora.
Eng. Beware of false friends with wagging tongues.
 
Cui va a caccia senza cani, veni a casa senza lebbru.
Eng. Who goes hunting without dogs, comes home without rabbits.
 
canigghia n.f. Skin, peel, grain chaff.
Sparagnari la canigghia e sfragari la farina.
Eng. Penny wise and pound foolish. (Lit. Sparing the chaff and squandering the flour.)
 
canna n.f. Cane, stick.
L'omu spertu a la sò donna 'n ci hav'a ddari tanta canna.
Eng. A smart man doesn't need to beat his woman very much.
 
cannileri n.m. Candlestick.
A san Micheli, l'omu a lu cunseri e la fimmina a lu cannileri.
Eng. On St. Michael's the man attends to the harness and the woman to the candlestick.
 
canta v.t. 3rd p.sing. Sings.
Cu' havi mugghieri bedda sempri canta, cu' havi dinari picca sempri cunta.
Eng. The man with a beautiful wife is always singing, the one with little money is always counting.
 
Tinta dda casa unni cci canta la gaddina.
Eng. Cursed is the home where the hen does the crowing.
 
S'è gadduzzu, canta canta, s'è puddastra si mùzzica l'anca.
Eng. If it's a cock it will crow and crow, if it's a chicken it will peck its hip.
 
canti v.t. 2nd p.sing. Sing.
Comu mi canti ti sonu.
Eng. I'll play the song that you sing to me.
 
cantunera n.f. Cornerstone.
Petra disprizzata, cantunera di muro.
Eng. The rejected stone will become the cornerstone of the wall.
 
canuscirai v.t. 2nd p.sing.fut. You will recognize, understand, realize.
Tannu l'amicu, lu canuscirai, quannu lu perdi e nun lu vidi cchiui.
Eng. You'll realize he was a friend when you lose him and see him no more.
 
canuzzu n.m.dim. Little dog, lap dog.
Cani grossu nun s'appetta cu canuzzu di fàuda.
Eng. A big dog is not to be compared with a lap dog.
 
capiddu n.m. Hair.
Tira cchiù un capiddu di fimmina chi 'na corda di bastimentu.
Eng. One hair from the head of a woman pulls more than a ship's hauser.
 
cappeddu n.m. Hat.
Né cappeddu fa galantomu né birritta fa viddanu.
Eng. The hat does not make the gentleman nor the cap a lout.
 
carduna n.m. Cardoon, thistle, (like artichoke).
Avanti la costa manci carduna, ca a lu casteddu manci picciuna.
Eng. In the countryside eat cardoon, because at the castle you'll eat pigeon.
 
carduni n.m. Cardoon or perhaps artichoke.
Dicìa lu lavuraturi: nun c'è megliu di lu carduni. Rispusi lu zingareddu; tutti cosi su' munnizza; nun c'è paru di la sosizza.
Eng. The laborer said: there's nothing better than cardoons. The gypsy answered; that's garbage; nothing compares to sausage.
 
Vôi sdivacari tutta la cannata? Carduni amaru e favuzza caliata.
Eng. Do you want to experience real thirst? Then try eating bitter cardoons and roasted fava beans.
 
A tempu di carduni lu cuteddu servi a lu patruni.
Eng. Don't lend out something that you're going to soon need. lit. At cardoon time the owner needs his knife. trans. note: In California it is possible to get a second crop of artichokes if you cut the plant down one inch from the ground soon after the first harvest.
 
caritati n.f. Charity.
Unni nun c'è amuri, nun c'è caritati.
Eng. Where there is no love there is no charity.
 
carnalivari n.m. Carnival, Mardi gras, Shrove Tuesday.
Pasqua e Natali cu cu' vôi Carnalivari cu li toi.
Eng. Spend Easter and Christmas with whomever you want, but celebrate Mardi gras with your own.
 
carni n.f. Meat.
A pocu carni, pigghiati l'ossu.
Eng. When there's little meat, take the bone.
 
carrettu n.m. Cart.
Cavaddu di carrettu pocu dura.
Eng. A cart horse doesn't last long.
 
carricari v.t. To carry.
Megghiu nasciri patedda 'ntra lu mari, ca sceccu a carricari.
Eng. Better to be born a limpet in the sea, than a load bearing donkey.
 
carrinu n.m. A carlin, a silver coin during the Bourbon reign worth two centesimi, two hundredths of a lira.
A frummentu ed a linu, nun ci sparagnari carrinu.
Eng. Don't spare expense on the wheat and the flax.
 
carru n.m. Wagon, cart.
Nun mèttiri lu carru davanti li voi.
Eng. Don't put the cart before the horse.
 
Cartagiruni a city in the province of Catania. Caltagirone.
A Cartagiruni cuscenzi pilusi e cruni di quinnici posti.
Eng. At Caltagirone a hairy conscience and a crown with fifteen places.
 
carteddi n.m. Baskets.
Cui fa carteddi, nni fa làidi e nni fa beddi.
Eng. The basket maker, makes some ugly and some beautiful.
 
caru adj. Dear, expensive.
Cui voli vìnniri caru, guadagna pocu dinaru.
Eng. If you want to sell at a high price you'll earn little.
 
Lu prezzu caru riforma la gula.
Eng. A high price moderates desire.
 
casa n.f. House.
L'omu fa la casa e no la dota.
Eng. The man makes the house and not the dowry.
 
Nun accattari casi vicinu a cunventi né lochi vicini a batii.
Eng. Don't buy houses near convents nor dwellings near abbeys.
 
Castedduvitranu a city in the province of Trapani. Castelvetrano.
Castedduvitranu, riccu di milinciani e vinu bonu.
Eng. Castedduvitranu, Castelvetrano, rich in eggplants and good wine.
 
castratu v.t. past part. Castrated.
Carni di castratu, unni pigghi pigghi si' gabbatu.
Eng. The meat from the castrated, from wherever you take it you're foiled.
 
Catania capitol city of the province. Catania.
Catania, giammerghi di sita.
Eng. Go to Catania for beautiful silk jackets.
 
càuciu n.m. Kick
Càuci di jimenta nun fici mali a lu stadduni.
Eng. The mare's kick didn't hurt the stallion. (tr note: Stadduni can also refer to a beloved husband.)
 
càudu adj. Hot.
Batti lu ferru mentri è càudu.
Eng. Strike while the iron is hot.
 
càusa n.f. Litigation, reason, cause.
Cu' è càusa di lu so dannu chiancia sè stessu.
Eng. Who harms himself cries by himself.
 
cavaddu n.m. Horse.
A cavaddu datu nun circari sedda. o Cavaddu datu nun si guarda 'n mucca.
Eng. Don't look a gift horse in the mouth.
 
Brigghia e bacchetta fannu bon cavaddu.
Eng. Reins and a whip make a good horse.
 
Cavaddu a la catina, jumenta a la frattina.
Eng. The horse chained to the feeding trough and the mare in the thicket.
 
Si vôi mali ad unu, dùnacci un cavaddu, e si lu vôi mali cchiùi, dunaccìnni dui.
Eng. If you wish someone evil, give him a horse, and if you wish him more evil, give him two horses.
 
Cu' nun havi cavaddu sempri lu curri.
Eng. Someone without something who thinks he would make better use of it than the present owner.
 
Cu' havi cavaddu va unni voli.
Eng. On horseback you can go wherever you want.
 
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Last updated 1/16/08