Best Sicilian Expressions About Life That We Love

It is believed that in many remote villages of Sicily, many residents still speak the Sicilian language. Now, it is important to note that we are talking about the Sicilian language aka sicilianu, not the Sicilian accent. In fact, sicilianu actually preceded the Italian language and it even has elements of Greek, French, Catalan, Spanish, and Arabic. For example, the word “ceriso” (cherry) comes from Greek and the word “zibbibbu” (a type of grape) comes from Arabic.

Another thing that’s very special about this language is its abundance of proverbs. These Sicilian sayings offer wise advice on a variety of topics, including life, love, relationships, and the weather. Read on and be the judge!

• Unni cc'è oru, cc'è stolu
  Translation: gold attracts the crowd
  Meaning: wealth can be blindly attractive and make you forget more valuable things
• Cu' vigghia, la pigghia
  Translation: the early bird catches the worm
  Meaning: the person who arrives early has the highest chance of success
• Pesci fet d'a testa
  Translation: the fish stinks from the head
  Meaning: corruption begins from the top
• Bòn tièmpu e màlu tièmpu nun nùra tutu u tièmpu
  Translation: neither good nor bad weather lasts forever
  Meaning: change is constant in life and everything is temporary
• Se nun si’ Re, nun fari liggi nova
  Translation: if you’re not a king, don’t make the laws
  Meaning: don’t try to act as if you have more power than you actually do; stay humble
• L’ amuri è come a tussi…nun si po ammucciari
  Translation: love is like a cough… impossible to hide
  Meaning: you cannot hide your love and feelings for someone
• Quannu amuri tuppulìa, ‘un lu lassari ‘nmenzu la via
  Translation: when love knocks, be sure to answer it
  Meaning: when you find love, don’t give up on it so easily
• Non c’è megghiu sarsa di la fami
  Translation: hunger is the best sauce
  Meaning: everything tastes better when hungry
• A petra ufferta di n'amicu e comu un pumu
  Translation: a rock offered by a friend is like an apple
  Meaning: a gift from a friend is always priceless
• Ogni mali nun veni pri nòciri
  Translation: not every pain comes to harm you
  Meaning: with every bad thing comes something good