SICILIAN PROVERBS

translated into English by Arthur V. Dieli

simenza n.f. Seed.: Cu sciloccu jetta simenza, cu tramuntana no.; Eng. Sow with the Sirocco but not with the North Wind.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.)

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.

sonnu n.m. Sleep, dream.: Lu sonnu di la notti cunsigghia l'omu.; Eng. There's nothing like a good night's sleep. (Lit. Nighttime sleep counsels the man.)

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.; Eng. It takes good luck and good fortune together to fry eggs.; 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.

spaddi 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 shoulders of a donkey.

sparagna v.t. 3rd p. sing. To conserve, to save.: 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.)

sparagnari v.t. To conserve, to 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.

sparti v.t. 3rd p. sing. Separates, distributes.: Cui sparti, n'havi la megghiu parti.; Eng. The distributor ends up with the best portion.

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

spassa v.r. 3rd p. sing. to entertain oneself.: Cui si spassa picciottu, rèpita vecchiu.; Eng. Who lives foolishly as a youth, wails in old age.

spassu n.m. Entertainment, enjoyment, happyness.: 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.

spata n.f. Sabre, sword.: Cchiù nn'ammazza la gula chi la spata.; Eng. Gluttony kills more people than die by the sword.

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).

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.

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

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.

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.

spirienza n.f. Experience.: Cui nun havi spirienza, nun havi scienza.; Eng. There is no knowledge without experience.

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.

spizziali n.m. inv. engTrans: A spizziali nun tastari, a firraru nun tuccari.; Eng. At the pharmacy don't taste, at the smithy don't touch.; Cosi chi mancu nn' hannu li spiziali 'ntra li burnii.; Eng. Things so unusual that not even the pharmacy has them in its jars.; Medicu vecchiu e spizziali novu.; Eng. Choose an old doctor and a new pharmacist.

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.

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

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

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.; 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.

stenta n.m. Distress, privation, need, pain.: Sempri stenta cu' mai cuntenta.; Eng. One who is never satisfied is always in need.

stentu n.m. Distress, privation, need, pain.: Amuri senza stentu 'un trova locu.; Eng. Love without pain is not to be found anywhere.

stiddi n.f. Stars.: Su' stiddi 'n terra li medici dotti.; Eng. Learned doctors are stars on earth.

stima v.t. To esteem, admire, regard, value.: Cui cavarca 'nta la china, o nun è sua la vèstia o nun la stima.; Eng. Whoever rides into the flood, either does not own the animal or doesn't value it.; Cui stima, nun accatta.; Eng. Who openly admires, will not buy.; Cu' havi dinari ed amicizia, pocu stima la giustizia.; Eng. People with money and friends don't esteem justice.

stira v.t. Iron.: Mentri lu ferru è càudu si stira.; Eng. Strike while the iron is hot. (Lit. The time for ironing is while the iron is hot.)

stizza n.f. A drop of any liquid, a rain drop.: Pri santa Chiara, 12 agosto, ogni stizza 'na quartara.; Eng. On the feast of St. Clare, August 12, each raindrop is enough to fill a jug.; Quattru stizzi chi mèttinu focu.; Eng. A rain shower that's followed by a hot sun.

stizzera n.f. A leak, a drip.: Quannu è cuntinua la stizzera junci a pirciari la petra cchiù dura.; Eng. When the dripping is continueous it succeeds in piercing the hardest stone.; La stizzera inchi la isterna, e li còccia fannu lu mustu.; Eng. Drop by drop the cistern will be filled and grape by grape the wine is made.

stizzi n.f. Drops, drips.: Livarisi di li stizzi e mittirisi a li canali.; Eng. From the frying pan into the fire. (Lit. Getting rid of the dripping and ending up in the canal.)

stolu n.m. Multitude, crowd.: Unni cc'è oru, cc'è stolu.; Eng. Gold attracts a crowd.

stranu adj. foreigner, stranger, new, unknown.: L'amuri di lu stranu è comu l'acqua 'ntra lu panaru.; Eng. The love of a stranger is like water in a basket.

strata n.f. Street, road.: Cui simìna a cantu la strata, stracca li voi e perdi la simenza.; Eng. Whoever sows alongside the road, tires the oxen and wastes seed.; Tutt' i strati nèsciun' a marina.; Eng. All roads lead to Rome.; Cu càngia a strata vecchja ccu la nova, cchiù tinta a trova; cu lassa a strata vecchja ppi la nova chiddru c'un cerca trova.; Eng. The new way is worse than the old way you changed from; leaving the old for the new you find what you wern't looking for.

stuppa n.f. Course or waste flax prepared for spinning, tow, oakum.: Quannu ti cridi d'aviri ventu 'n puppa, tannu ti trovi la varva di stuppa.; Eng. When you think you have the wind at your back, that's when you'll be disappointed.; Lu scravagghiu 'ntra la stuppa, cchiù chi si spidugghia, cchiù cci 'ncappa.; Eng. The cockroach inside the oakum, the more it tries to free itself, the more it's caught.

sturcìu v.t. past p. Twisted: Lu Signiuruzzu li cosi, li fici dritti, vinni lu diavulu e li sturcìu.; Eng. God made things straight, the devil came and twisted them.

suda v.i. 3rd p. sing. Sweat, perspire.: A santu chi nun suda, nun ti cci addinucchiari.; Eng. Don't kneel in front of a saint who doesn't perspire.

suffriri v.t. and v.i. To beaqr, to endure, to suffer.: Bisogna suffriri lu statu prisenti, pri nun aviri lu mali avviniri.; Eng. Put up with your present condition to avoid a bad future.; Megghiu muriri ca suffriri.; Eng. Better to die than to suffer.

sularu n.m. Attic, loft.: Pruvulazzu di jinnaru càrrica lu sularu.; Eng. Threshing dust of January means a filled loft.

suli n.m. Sun.: Suli càuru cu assai ventu, vaju a casa e su' cuntentu.; Eng. A hot sun with a lot of wind, I go home and I am happy.; Natali cu lu suli e Pasqua cu lu tizzuni: chissa è la vera staciuni.; Eng. The best of all worlds: A sunny Christmas and a log fire on Easter.

sullicitudini n.f. Solicitude, concern.: La sullicitudini è capu di la ricchizza.; Eng. Concern is the beginning of wealth.

sulu adj. Alone.: Pigghiala sula e pìgghiala nuda.; Eng. Take her by herself and take her with nothing.; Li canali su misi a facci a buccuni, pi li mariti e mugghieri stari suli.; Eng. Terra cotta roof tiles are positioned interlaced so that husbands and wives can be left alone.; Maritati e muli, làssali suli.; Eng. Married people and mules, leave them alone.

sumeri n.m. Donkey, jackass, dunce.: 'Ntra maritu e 'ntra mugghieri cui si 'mmisca è un gran sumeri.; Eng. Whoever interferes between husband and wife is a big jackass.

suprafari v.t. Prevail, win, overwhelm.: Diu lassa fari, ma no suprafari.; Eng. God allows but doesn't overwhelm.

surci n.m. Mouse, mice.: Gattu di fàuda 'un pigghia surci.; Eng. A coddled cat doesn't catch mice.

surdatu n.m. Soldier.: Amuri di surdatu pocu dura; in tuccari tammùru; Addiu, Signura!; Eng. The love of a soldier doesn't last long; when the drum rolls; Goodbye, dear lady!

surdu adj. and n.m. Deaf.: Lu veru surdu è chiddu chi nun voli sèntiri.; Eng. The truly deaf is the one who doesn't want to hear.; Cui predica a li surdi, appizza lu sermuni.; Eng. Who preaches to the deaf, wastes the sermon.; A ciumi surdi nun cci iri a piscari.; Eng. Don't deal with a person who is uncommunicative. Or: Don't fish in a river that's silent.

susìu v.t. refl. 3rd p. sing. of sùsiri Got up.: Cui si susìu, locu pirdìu; cui s'assittau, locu truvau.; Eng. Stay put and get organized. (Lit. Who got up, lost his place, who sat down, found it.)

tadduni n.m. Stalk, trunk.: Pensa, tadduni, quann' eri sarmentu.; Eng. Think back, old trunk, to when you were a sprout.

talentu n.m. aptitude, gift, talent.: A marzu m'arrifazzu, 'ntr'aprili mi veni a vidiri, e si vidi ca nun ti talentu, ti vinni li voi e accatti lu frummentu.; Eng. In March I catch up, during April come to see me, and if you see that I'm not paying attention to you, then sell your oxen and buy grain. ( Tr. note: This is a plot of ground talking.)

tardu adv. Late.: Tardu vinutu, pri nenti è tinutu.; Eng. The latecomer is valued as nothing.; Megghiu tardu ca mai.; Eng. Better late than never.

Taurmina place name Taormina.: A Taurmina quantu su' li muntati su' li pinnina.; Eng. At Taormina every climb has its descent.

tàvula n.f. Dining table.: A tàvula cci voli facci di mònacu.; Eng. At the dining table you should eat without restraint. (Lit. At the table you need the face of a monk.); A tavulu si scordanu li trìvuli.; Eng. You forget your troubles at the dining table.; Quantu si dici in tavula, divi arristari 'ntra la tuvagghia.; Eng. What's said at the dinner table should be left with the tablecloth.

tempu n.m. Time.: Bonu tempu e malu tempu nun dura tuttu tempu.; Eng. Good time and bad time doesn't last for all time.; Lu tempu è preziusu.; Eng. Time is money.; Missa 'un leva tempu.; Eng. There's always time for Mass.; Lu tempu assicuta lu tempu.; Eng. Time marches on.; Cogghi lu tempu comu megghiu pôi, tinennu pronti l'aratu e li voi.; Eng. Use your time as best you can, keeping the hoe and oxen at hand.; Cui tempu aspetta, tempu perdi.; Eng. Wait for time and lose time.

teni v.t. 3rd p. sing. Keeps, holds.: Cui picca havi, caru teni.; Eng. Meager possessions are highly valued.

tenta v.t. 3rd p. sing. Tempts.: Fimmina di trenta, lu dimoniu nun la tenta.; Eng. A woman of thirty is not tempted by the devil.

terra n.f. Earth, ground, country, land.: Assai terra, poca terra: poca terra, assai terra.; Eng. The results from your land depend on how you cultivate. (Lit. A lot of land, a little land a little land, a lot of land.)

testa n.f. Head, intellect, good sense.: A cu' nun havi testa cci vonnu boni gammi.; Eng. Think ahead or suffer the consequences. (Lit. Those who don't think will need strong legs.); Pri cunsirvari la saluti nun ti lavari mai la testa, spissu li manu e raru li pedi.; Eng. For good health never wash your head, wash your hands often and your feet rarely.

tila n.f. Cloth.: A lustru di cannila, né fimmini né tila.; Eng. By candle light, neither women nor cloth.; Fimmina e tila 'un si nn'accàttanu di sira.; Eng. Women and cloth should not be bought in the evening.; La tila di la vicina pari megghiu.; Eng. The neighbor's cloth looks better.; Lu linu è curtu e fa la tila longa.; Eng. The raw linen is short yet it makes a long cloth.

timogna n.f. Pile, stack.: Tutti li spichi nun vannu a timogna.; Eng. Not all the spikes of wheat make it to the wheat pile.; Finu a Santa Margarita u frummentu crisci nna timogna.; Eng. The grain keeps piling up until Saint Margaret's Day.

timpesta n.f. Storm, tempest: Bunazza nun c'è mai senza timpesta.; Eng. There is never a calm sea without a following storm.

tinciriti v.t. To swindle, cheat, deceive.: Fimmina chi t'abbrazza e strinci, o t'ha tinciuto o cerca di tinciriti.; Eng. A woman who hugs and squeezes you has deceived you or is seeking to deceive you.

tintu adj. Painted, not good, bad, inept, corrupt.: Tantu sta la robba tinta 'n chiazza, sina chi veni lu tintu e si l' accatta.; Eng. Bad goods will remain in the stall, until a bad shopper buys it all. (Lit. Poor goods will stay in the square until an inept shopper comes and buys it.); Li fimmini sempri si tennu a lu tintu.; Eng. Women always tend to the bad.; Frivareddu è curtuliddu, ma nun c'è cchiù tintu d'iddu.; Eng. February may be short but there's none worse to report.

tirannia n.f. Tyranny.: 'Un amari a cu' t'ama è tirannia.; Eng. Not loving the one who loves you is tyranny.

tistimonìu n.m. Testimony, witness.: Vali cchiù un tistimonìu di visu, chi centu d'oricchia.; Eng. The testimony of one eyewitness is worth more than the hearsay of a hundred.; Li testimoni fannu 'mpenniri l'omini; Eng. Without witnesses there can be no justice. (Lit. Witnesses make men be hanged.)

tocca v.t. 3rd p. sing. Draw near, devolve, rightfully have.: L'arma a Diu, lu corpu a la terra e la robba a cu' tocca.; Eng. The soul goes to God, the body to the earth, and the goods to whom they belong.; Tocca a tìa difinnìrimi.; Eng. It devolves on you to defend me.

tradutturi n.m. Translators.: Tradutturi, tradituri.; Eng. Translators, traitors.

tramuntana n.f. North Wind.: Sciloccu chiaru e tramuntana scura, mèttiti a mari senza paura.; Eng. With a clear Sirocco and a dark North Wind, go to sea without concern.

Trapani place name Trapani.: Trapani, russi curaddi, lu Munti li picciotti beddi.; Eng. Trapani, red coral, Monte San Giuliano, beautiful children.

trappitu n.m. The olive press.: Lupa ppi santu Vitu, puoi chiudiri 'u trappitu.; Eng. A dense fog on the feast of St. Vitus and you can close the olive press.

trattu n.m. Distance, space.: Di lu dittu a lu fattu cc'è un gran trattu.; Eng. It's a long way from the said to the done.

travagghiu n.m. Labor, activity, work.: Di lu picciottu lu travagghiu, di lu vecchiu lu cunsigghiu.; Eng. Get work from the young and advice from the old.

trenta adj. Thirty.: Cui di vinti nun sa, di trenta nun fà, di quaranta nun ha, né mai sapirà, né mai farà, né mai avrà.; Eng. If you don't know by age twenty, don't do by age thrity, don't have by age forty, you will never know, never do, and never have.; Cui giudiziu mai ha avutu e di trenta poi nun'nn'ha, certu appressu mai 'nn'avrà.; Eng. Who has never had good sense, and by age thirty still doesn't, certainly will never have it after that.

trintina n.f. Thirties.: Fimmina trintina, jèttala a la marina.; Eng. A woman in her thirties, throw her in the sea.

trippía v.i. 3rd p. sing. Hops.: Quannu la gatta trippía, malu tempu.; Eng. When the cat hops around, bad weather is on the way.

trista adj. Unhappy, sad.: Girgenti, bona terra, trista genti.; Eng. Agrigento is a good land with sad people.

trivuliari v.i. To be troubled, to worry.: Megliu cu picca gòdiri ca cu assai trivuliari.; Eng. Better with too few pleasures than with many troubles.

trivulu n.m. Tribulation.: Lu trivulu e lu beni, cu' l'havi si lu teni.; Eng. Tribulations and blessings, if you have them, keep them.; Vui sapitu lu vostru trivulu, e io sacciu lu mio.; Eng. You know your trouble and I know mine.; Truvulu cumuni è menzu gàudiu; Eng. A common problem is more easily borne.

trizziatu v.t. past p. Teased.: Vecchiu 'nnamuratu, di tutti è trizziatu.; Eng. When an old man falls in love he is teased by everyone.

tuppulìa v.i. 3rd p. sing. Knocks.: Quannu amuri tuppulìa, 'un lu lassari 'nmenzu la via.; Eng. When loves knocks, be sure to answer.

ugualità n.f. Equality.: Si 'ntra l'amici nun cc'è ugualità, perfetta amuri nun cci sarrà.; Eng. If between friends there is not equality, there won't be perfect love.

ura n.f. Hour.: 'Ntra un'ura Diu lavura.; Eng. God would make short work of it.; Quannu è junta l'ura nun cc'è medicu nè vintura.; Eng. When it's time to die there are no remedies.

uri n.f. Hours.: Tri uri dorminu li santi, cincu li mircanti, setti li cumuni e novi li putruni.; Eng. Saints sleep three hours, merchants sleep five, ordinary people seven and the lazy sleep nine.

urtima adj. Last.: La prima a tutti li Santi e l'urtima a sant' Andria.; Eng. The first seeding on the feast of All Saints and the last on the feast of Saint Andrew.

usura n.f. Usury.: Guadagnu fattu cu usura pocu dura.; Eng. Earnings from usury don't last.

vacci v.i. 2nd p. sing. of iri Go.: A la vigna vacci, a la putía stacci, dicía Maguni lu cartaginisi.; Eng. As Maguni the Carthaginian used to say: work the vineyard, mind the store.

vai v.i. 2nd p. sing. of iri Go, go for, your value.: Tantu vai, pri quantu hai.; Eng. Your value is set by your worth.

valanza n.f. Scales, balance.: Unn'è lu pisu, abbucca la valanza.; Eng. The scales tip where the weight is.; La valanza nun canusci diffirenza tra l'oru e lu chiummu.; Eng. The scale doesn't know the difference between gold and lead.; Lu celu la teni giusta la valanza e lu beni e lu mali lu cumpenza.; Eng. Heaven holds the scales level and rewards the good and the bad.

valìa n.f. Value.: Amuri pri forza nun havi valìa.; Eng. Involuntary love is worthless.; Li cosi pri forza nun hannu valì, o cosa pri forza nun vali 'na scorza.; Eng. Things that are forced have no value, or a thing that is forced isn't worth a peel.

vana adj. Vain.: Fimmina vana, non va cincu grana.; Eng. A vain woman is not worth two bits.

vanga v.t. 3rd p. sing. Digs.: Cu' vanga nun s' inganna.; Eng. Working with a shovel is not dishonorable.

vanga n.f. Shovel, spade.: Vanga e zappuni, nun vannu dijuni.; Eng. You can't dig or hoe on an empty stomach.; L' aratru havi la pounta di ferro, e d'oru l'havi la vanga.; Eng. The plough's point is from steel mold, the spade's is made of gold.

varca n.f. Boat, ship, bark.: La varca è di cu' la cravacca.; Eng. The boat belongs to the one who takes charge.

varcocu n.m. Apricot tree.: Quannu lu varcocu è grossu è armatu d'ossu.; Eng. When the apricot tree is bountiful it is believed that all the other fruit trees will also be.

varduni n.f. aug. Pack-saddle.: A la livata di lu varduni comparìscinu li crustani.; Eng. When you remove the pack-saddle you'll see the sores.

vecchi n.m. Old people, seniors.: A la prisenza di li vecchi si parra pocu.; Eng. Speak little in the company of the old.; A li picciotti li puma, a li vecchi lu libbru.; Eng. Give an apple to the little ones, a book to the old.; A li vecchi cci màncanu li forzi e cci crìscinu li pititti.; Eng. In old age your strength decreases and your appetite increases.; A santi vecchi 'un si cci addùmanu lampi.; Eng. You don't light candles to old saints.; Ascuta a li vecchi cà 'un ci la sgarri.; Eng. Listen to the old and you won't be mistaken.; Cu li vecchi nun c'è nuddu guadagnu, si cci appizza lu ramu cu lu stagnu.; Eng. You're wasting your time trying to interest the old in new endeavors.

vecchia n.f. Old lady, old woman.: La vecchia 'un voli jocu, voli pani, vinu e focu.; Eng. The old woman doesn't want fun, she wants bread, wine, and fire.

vecchiu n.m. Old, venerable.: Lassa fari a Diu ch'è santu vecchiu.; Eng. Let God handle it, He's a venerable saint.

ventu n.m. Wind.: Mentri hai bon ventu nàvica, cursaru.; Eng. Corsair, sail while you have a good wind.

vespa n.f. Wasp.: San Paulu fici la vespa e san Paulu l'addummà.; Eng. St. Paul made the wasp and only St. Paul will control it.

vesta n.f. Dress, suit, garment.: Vesta longa fa la donna.; Eng. A long dress makes a lady.; La vesti fa l'omu.; Eng. Dress indicates social position and wealth.

vèstiti v.t. 2nd p. pl. Dress, dress up, put on clothing.: Vèstiti 'na vota l'annu, e vèstiti di pannu.; Eng. Dress up once a year, and dress up in cloth.; 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.)

vicchiareddu n.m. dim. Little old man.: A latu di lu picciutteddu è sempri bonu lu vicchiareddu.; Eng. It's always good to have an old man at a little boy's side.

vicchizzi n.f. Old age.: A li vicchizzi valori?; Eng. How can you get smallpox in old age?

vicina n.f. Neighbor.: La mamma fa la figlia e la vicina la marita.; Eng. The mother bears the daughter and the neighbor marries her off.

vicini n.pl. Neighbors.: Frati, ciumi e parrini, su' tri mali vicini.; Eng. Brothers, rivers and priests are three bad neighbors.

vicinu n.m. Neighbor.: Quannu s'ardi lu tò vicinu, lu tò mali è vicinu.; Eng. When your neighbor burns down, your hurt is near.; Quannu si' pri caminu, nun diri mali di lu tò vicinu.; Eng. When you're around about, don't speak poorly of your neighbor.

viddanu n.m. peasant, hired hand, sharecropper, tenant farmer.: Lu viddanu è comu lu mònacu.; Eng. The peasant is like the monk in many ways.; Du' cosi num potti addizzari lu Signuri: cucuzzi longhi e testa di viddanu.; Eng. Two things the good Lord could not straighten out: bald heads and the brain of the peasant.; Lu viddanu sempri e riccu l' annu chi veni.; Eng. Wait 'til next year. (Lit. The peasant is always rich in the coming year.); A lu viddanu nun ci dari bacchetta 'm manu.; Eng. Never give authority to a churlish or unqualified person.

Vidua n.f. Widow: La vidua è mecciu astutatu chi fuma.; Eng. A widow is a snuffed out wick that is still smoking.

vigghia v.i. 3rd p. sing. Awake.: Cu' vigghia, la pigghia.; Eng. The early bird catches the worm. (Lit. Who's awake, gets it.); Quannu lu jornu 'n peni si travagghia, pri li pinseri la notti si vigghia.; Eng. When you work with anxiety during the day, you'll sit up at night with your thoughts.

viggilanti adj. Vigilant, watchful, alert.: Cui viggilanti sta, chiddu la vinci.; Eng. Who stays vigilant, will win.

vigna n.f. Vineyard.: Vigna accattata, vigna arrubbata.; Eng. A purchased vineyard is tantamount to a stolen vineyard.; Casa fatta e vigna posta nun si sapi quantu costa.; Eng. The cost for a finished house and a healthy vineyard is unknowable.; Casa fatta e vigna sfatta.; Eng. Buy a house that's finished and a vineyard that's overgrown.; Accatta vigna di cu' nu' 'nn'havi chiantata, accatta casa di cu' nu' nn'ha fabbricatu.; Eng. Buy a vineyard from the one who didn't plant it and a house form the one who didn't build it.; Cu' havi una bona vigna, havi pani, vinu e ligna.; Eng. A good vineyard provides bread, wine, and firewood.; Megghiu tigna chi locu e vigna.; Eng. It's better to have ringworm than a farm and vineyard.; Olivari di tò nannu, cèusi di tò patri, vigna tò.; Eng. The olive grove of your grandfather, the cherry trees of your father, and your grape vines.

vilenu n.m. Poison.: Latti e vinu, vilenu finu.; Eng. Milk and wine together make an excellent poison.; Lu peju vilenu è chiddu di la lingua.; Eng. Tongue is the most poisonous cut of meat. Or: The spoken word is the strongest poison.

vincituri n.m. Victor, winner.: Di forti acquista fama cui resta vincituri.; Eng. The name of the winner is remembered.

vinnica v.t. 3rd p. sing. Vindicates, avenges.: Si fai beni a lu riccu, otteni nenti, d'un tortu si nni vinnica a l'istanti.; Eng. If you show a rich man kindness, you gain nothing, but when you wrong him he avenges himself instantly.

vinnigna n.f. Grape harvest.: Cui scippa vigna e chianta vigna, mai vinnigna.; Eng. Who uproots vines and plants vines, will never harvest the grapes.; Cui simìna 'ntra la vigna, nun meti né vinnigna; Eng. Whoever sows within the vineyard, neither reaps a crop nor harvests grapes.; Prima di la vinnigna, cunzati la vutti!; Eng. Prepare the barrel before the grape harvest.

vintottu adj. Twenty-eight.: Cui di trenta, cui di trentunu, di vintottu cci nn'è unu.; Eng. There are some with thirty, some with thirty-one, with twenty-eight there is but one.; Chiantarissi cu vintottu.; Eng. To pretend to not know, understand, or be aware of something and therefore forego commenting.

vintu v.t. past part. Won.: Cui di paroli è vintu, nun è sempri di virità cunvintu.; Eng. Who is defeated by words is not always really convinced.

vintura n.f. Luck, chance, risk, destiny.: Quantu cchiù granni è la vintura, tantu cchiù mancu è sicura.; Eng. The bigger the risk, the less the security.; Vintura bona ch'un'era aspittata, junci cchiù grata.; Eng. Unexpected good fortune, gets more appreciation.; Sedi, sedi, figlia, sedi, cà megghiu vintura veni.; Eng. Sit, sit, daughter, sit, because good fortune is coming.; Cui di vecchi si 'nnamura, si la pila vintura.; Eng. Whoever falls in love with an old person laments their fortune.; Cci voli la vintura di Giufà.; Eng. The luck of Giufà is needed. (Tr. note: Giufà is an idiot savant kind of character in the history of Sicilian literature and folklore.)

vinu n.m. Wine.: Carni fa carni, pani fa panza, vinu fa danza.; Eng. Meat makes meat, bread makes a paunch, and wine makes you dance.; Lu vinu a lu sapuri, lu pani a lu culuri.; Eng. Judge wine by its taste, and bread by its color.; Lu vinu è meli e diventa feli.; Eng. Wine is as sweet as honey but it can be abused.; Lu vinu avi ad essiri turcu.; Eng. Wine should not be watered.; Timpirateddu ti vivi lu vinu, ca to manteni lu stòmacu 'n tonu.; Eng. Wine in moderation promotes good stomach tone.

virminusa adj. Wormy.: Lu medicu piatusu fa la chiaja virminusa.; Eng. Too compassionate the doctor, too inadequate the treatment.

virrutu adj. Angry, furious, aggressive.: Fatti virrutu ca sarai timutu.; Eng. Act aggressive and you will be feared.

virtù n.f. Virtue.: Mentri si' 'n giuventù acquístati virtù.; Eng. Acquire virtue while you're young.

virtuusa adj. Virtuous.: Donna uziusa mai sarà virtuusa.; Eng. A lazy woman is never virtuous.

viscuvati n.m. Bishopric.: Matrimonii e viscuvati, di lu celu su' distinati.; Eng. Marriages and bishoprics are predestined in heaven.

visitata v.t. past p. Visited.: Casa ca di lu suli 'un è viduta, di lu medicu spissu è visitata.; Eng. A house that is not seen by the sun, is visited often by the doctor.

vista n.f. Sight, view.: Unni cc'è vista, nun c'è bisognu di prova.; Eng. Seeing is believing. (Lit. Where there's a view, there's no need for proof.)

vistissi v.t. 3rd p. sing subj. past Dressed.: Quannu lu puvireddu s'arripezza, pari ca di novu si vistissi.; Eng. When the poor man patches himself up, he seems newly dressed.

vita n.f. Life.: La robba e la vita sta 'n putiri di Diu.; Eng. God has dominion over your possessions and your life.; Carne e pisci, la vita ti crisci.; Eng. Eat meat and fish and live longer.

viti n.f. Grapevine.: Dici la viti fammi poviru ca ti fazzu riccu.; Eng. The vine says, make me poor and I'll make you rich.

vivi v.t. 3rd p. sing. Drink.: Cui mancia e nun vivi, mai sàturu si cridi.; Eng. Who eats without drinking, will never feel full.; Mancia càudu e vivi friddu.; Eng. Eat hot and drink cold.; Mancia di sanu e vivi di malatu.; Eng. Eat with gusto but drink in moderation.; Cui vivi la notti, s'accatta la morti; cui vivi 'ntra lu lettu, s'accatta lu catalettu.; Eng. Who drinks at night, buys himself death, who drinks in bed, buys himself a coffin.

voi n.m. Ox.: Carne di voi, màncianni quantu pôi.; Eng. Eat as much beef as you can.

vonnu v.t. 3rd p. pl. Want.: Li ricchi cchiù chi nn'hannu, cchiù nni vonnu.; Eng. The more they have, the more they want.

vopi n.f. A bony edible fish of the perch type.: Quannu nun trovi pisci pigghi vopi.; Eng. When you can't do what you want, do what you can.; Cci dissi lu patruni a lu criatu: quann'àutru 'un c'è, tu pigghi vopi.; Eng. The boss said to the servant, when there isn't what you want, eat what there is.

vrazzu n.m. Arm.: Vrazzu di giuvini e testa di vecchiu.; Eng. The arm of the young and the head of the old.; Lu servu pagatu avanti tempu avi lu vrazzu ruttu.; Eng. The servant paid ahead of time has a broken arm.; Si ad ogni cani chi abbàia cci vòi tirari na petra, nun ti rèstanu vrazza.; Eng. If you want to throw a rock at every dog that barks, you won't have any arms left.

vriogna n.f. Shame, disgrace, insult.: Lu fùjiri è vriogna, ma è sarvamentu di vita.; Eng. Fleeing is shameful but it preserves life.

vuccuni n.m. Mouthful.: Vuccuni arrubbatu cchiù duci e 'nzuccaratu.; Eng. Things acquired with effort are more appreciated.

vugghi v.i. 3rd p. sing Boils: Dissi lu su'Nicola: si nun vugghi la pignata, nun si cala.; Eng. Sister Nicola said: Don't lower the basket until the water is boiling.

vulinteri adv. Willingly.: Ricotta e meli, màncianni vulinteri.; Eng. Ricotta and honey, eat them willingly.

vulissi v.t. 3rd p. sing. Wanted.: Si lu giuvini vulissi e lu vecchiu putissi, nun ci sarrìa cosa chi nun si facissi.; Eng. If the young had the motivation and the old had the strength, there'd be nothing that couldn't be accomplished.

vurza n.f. Purse, pouch, bag.: Tardu di vurza e pronto di cappeddu.; Eng. Be slow to reach for your purse and quick to tip your hat.

vutti n.f. Cask, barrel.: Puta a la luna di jinnaru si vô' jinchiri li vutti.; Eng. Prune the vines on the January moon if you want to fill the casks.

vutu n.m. Vow.: Vutu nun sidisfattu è comu nun s'avissi fattu.; Eng. An unfullfilled vow is as if it had not been made.

zappudda n.f. Hoe: Acqua e zappudda fannu cipudda.; Eng. Rain and the hoe make onions.

zita n.f. Fiancée, sweetheart, bride.: Quannu lu zitu e la zita si vonnu, li parenti accurdari a forza si hannu.; Eng. When sweethearts want each other, the parents must inevitably accede.; Cu' va a la zita senza invitatu, si pigghia lu vancu e s' assetta 'n terra.; Eng. Who enters without an invitation finds the bench removed and sits on the ground.; Prigavamu la zita chi ballassi, e ora la prigamu chi stancassi.; Eng. We wished that she would dance and now we ask her to stay at home.

zoppa n.f Lame: Benchì la pena é zoppa, puru arriva.; Eng. Though trouble be lame, it will arrive.

zoppu n.m. Lame.: Quannu ti vôi fari gabbu di lu zoppu, bisogna chi tu fusi drittu.; Eng. Men in glass houses should not throw stones. (Lit. Before you make fun of the lame, you yourself need to be upright.); Cui pratica cu lu zoppu, all'annu zuppìa.; Eng. Who practices with the lame will be able to limp within a year.

zuccaru n.m. Sugar, sweets, sweetness.: Zuccaru nun guasta bevanna.; Eng. Sugar doesn't spoil the drink.

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