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 Brief Overview of Sicilian

Like all Italian local languages, Sicilian is spoken more in everyday life than in formal contexts, and it is used more in rural areas than in urban centers. It is considered one of the languages most different from standard Italian, making it one of the most difficult to understand.

Sicilian also has its own grammar, with distinct verb conjugations and tenses.

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. First came the Greeks, who founded many cities on the island. Then came the Romans, who brought Latin, the base of both Sicilian and standard Italian. Later, the Arabs, Normans, and Aragonese also left their mark.

For example, one Sicilian word for island, gisira, is derived from the Arabic word jazira, which has the same meaning.

Other examples include the typical Sicilian word carusu (boy or guy), which derives from the Greek kóros, meaning the same thing. Or the word for yesterday, ajeri, which comes from the Spanish ayer.

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 fully understand each other.

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).

Greetings and Everyday Expressions

Want to sound like a local? Here are some of the most common Sicilian greetings and expressions:

Pi favuri

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

Ciau

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

Buongiornu

This means good day, very similar to the Italian buongiorno.

Comu stai?

How are you? A common friendly greeting.

Staju bonu, grazzi

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

Vivu a Palermu, e tu?

I live in Palermo, and you?”

Nun lu sacciu

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

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.

Famous Sicilian Words

Here is a list of words that became popular outside Sicily and are often heard even in standard Italian:

Amunì!

A lively expression meaning Let’s go! or Come on! Often used among friends. It can encourage someone to move or take action.

Amunì a cuccàre (Let’s go to sleep)

Picciriddu

A sweet term for a child or boy. It literally means small one. There is also a feminine version, picciridda, used for girls.

Compa

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

Picciotto / Carusu

Both words refer to a young boy or guy. You might have heard them in Il Padrino (The Godfather) or other mafia movies.

Assai

Means a lot or very much. For example: Mi piaci assai! (I like it a lot!).

Minchia!

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