Discover the Sicilian Language: The Beautiful Language of Sicily

Sicilian is more than just a dialect it's a living language that reflects the depth and complexity of Sicily’s rich history. Spoken by around five million people both on the island and in Sicilian communities abroad, the language reveals the many cultures that have influenced Sicily over the centuries.

A Language Forged by History

Sicily’s strategic location in the Mediterranean made it a crossroads of civilizations, and the Sicilian language is the result of centuries of cultural blending. Greeks, Romans, Arabs, Normans, Spanish, and others ruled the island over time—each leaving a lasting impact on the local language.

Arabic

During Arab rule between the 9th and 11th centuries, numerous Arabic words entered Sicilian, especially in the areas of agriculture, science, and everyday life. Many terms related to irrigation, farming, and mathematics are of Arabic origin.

Spanish and Catalan

Centuries of Spanish dominance left a strong Iberian imprint on the language. Words related to government, cuisine, and daily life still echo this influence today.

Norman French, Greek, and Latin

These languages contributed significantly to the Sicilian vocabulary. Latin introduced formal and scholarly terms, Greek added religious and philosophical words, and Norman French enriched the language with administrative and military vocabulary.

A Mosaic of Varieties

Sicilian is far from uniform. From Palermo to Catania, and from Trapani to Messina, every region—and often every town—has its own variation. Some dialects are so distinct that people from opposite ends of the island might struggle to understand each other completely.
This linguistic diversity is one of the things that makes Sicilian so fascinating: it’s not just one voice, but many.

A fun example of this diversity is the famous rice ball dish known as arancino. In Catania and much of eastern Sicily, it’s masculine and ends in -o (arancino), while in Palermo and western Sicily, it’s feminine and ends in -a (arancina).

Everyday Sicilian: Expressions & Words

Want to sound like a local? Here are some commonly used Sicilian expressions and words you might hear in daily conversation:

Pi favuri

The Sicilian equivalent of please, similar to per favore in Italian.

Amunì!

A lively expression meaning Let’s go! often used among friends.

Amunì a cuccàre

Let’s go to sleep

Picciriddu

A sweet term for a child, similar to little one.”

Compa

Short for compare, a word for a close friend or trusted companion.

Ciau

The Sicilian version of ciao, used informally to say hello or goodbye.

Comu stai?

How are you? a common friendly greeting.

Staju bonu, grazzi

I’m good, thanks. A typical reply to Comu stai?

Nun lu sacciu

I don’t know. A straightforward and frequently used phrase.

Picciotto / Carusu

Both words refer to a young boy or a guy.

Di unni si?

Where are you from? a friendly question to get to know someone.

Sugnu di…

I’m from… used to share where you're from.

Assai

Means a lot or very much. For example: Mi piaci assai! (I like it a lot!). This word is also found in standard Italian.

Minchia!

A strong expression used to convey surprise, frustration, or amazement. Common in speech but can be considered vulgar depending on the context.

Mia

Means mine. Often used to assert ownership or personal connection in conversation.

Final Thoughts

Sicilian isn’t just a dialect it’s a language in its own right, with a distinct grammar, vocabulary, and cultural depth. Learning even a handful of Sicilian words opens a door to a vibrant and expressive world. Whether you're visiting Sicily or exploring your heritage, every word brings you closer to the island’s soul.