Sicilian Phrases, Slang & Sayings
Sicilian isn't an accent, it's its own language with its own grammar — Greek, Arabic, Norman, and Spanish influences included. You don't need to speak it, but knowing what a few key words, slang terms and sayings actually mean helps a lot in understanding what's going on around you (and will definitely earn you a smile if you use them right).
One pronunciation note that covers half this list: the Sicilian -dd- in words like bedda and picciriddu isn't the Italian double d. It's a retroflex sound made with the tongue curled back toward the roof of the mouth — closer to an American English "rd" than to a plain "dd". Sicilians will know instantly whether you've got it, and will be delighted either way.
🗣️ Everyday words & exclamations
Amunì / Amuninni
pronounced ah-moo-NEE / ah-moo-NEEN-nee
meaning: "let's go"
Almost always paired with an energetic arm wave. The variants "Amuninni" or "Iamuninni" mean the same thing. The tone can range from "come on, let's go" to an impatient "let's move it," depending on the situation.
Bedda Matri
pronounced BED-da MAH-tree
meaning: an all-purpose exclamation (literally "beautiful mother")
An exclamation for surprise, admiration, or exhaustion. The central role of the mother figure in Sicilian culture explains why this one phrase has to cover so many different emotions. Fits almost anywhere: in front of an impressive Etna view just as well as after missing a train.
Talìa
pronounced tah-LEE-ah
"Look!" / "Watch out!"
With noticeably more force than the standard Italian "guarda." Can be encouraging ("Talìa chi bedda è!" — "Look how beautiful it is!") or a warning ("Talìa unni vai!" — "Watch where you're going!").
Camurria
pronounced kah-MOOR-ree-ah
nuisance, pain
"Chi camurria" translates roughly to "what a pain." The word originally derives from a venereal disease, but nobody thinks about that anymore — it's completely normal, everyday language, even for something as harmless as a delayed bus.
Minchia
pronounced MEEN-kya
meaning: all-purpose exclamation
Probably the single most-heard Sicilian word of all — originally vulgar, but used so relentlessly (for astonishment, enthusiasm, frustration, pretty much any strong emotion) that in everyday speech it barely registers as swearing anymore. Not necessarily one to copy yourself, but good to know since you'll hear it constantly.
Cabbasisi
pronounced kab-ba-SEE-see
meaning: nuisance, pain (mildly vulgar)
"Chi cabbasisi" is another way of saying "what a pain" — made internationally famous by the TV detective Montalbano, who uses it constantly. Mildly vulgar in origin, but heard in completely ordinary conversation.
Iettatura
pronounced yet-ta-TOO-ra
a curse, bad luck
From "gettare" (to cast/throw) — the old folk idea of bad luck deliberately cast on someone, close to the "evil eye" concept found across southern Italy. Still invoked half-jokingly today when something goes wrong for no clear reason.
Fitusu
pronounced fee-TOO-soo
disgusting, filthy
Used both literally (a genuinely dirty place) and as a harsher character judgment ("that was a fitusu thing to do"). Stronger than the Italian "sporco."
👋 Ways to address people
Picciotto / Picciotta
pronounced pee-CHOT-toh / pee-CHOT-tah
young man / young woman
But also used for adults considered "forever young" in spirit. Among locals it's usually a friendly, casual way to address someone, not a put-down.
Picciriddu / Picciridda
pronounced pee-chee-REED-doo / pee-chee-REED-dah
little kid
A specifically small child, distinct from "picciotto" — used the way "bambino" would be in standard Italian, but noticeably warmer.
Bedda
pronounced BED-dah
"beautiful," used as a form of address
Said directly to a woman, close to "sweetheart" or "love" in English — from a shopkeeper to a customer, or between friends, not necessarily romantic.
Cori
pronounced KOH-ree
"my heart," a term of endearment
Used the way "darling" or "love" would be in English — between family, close friends, or a grandmother greeting practically anyone younger than her.
🍽️ Food, family & everyday life
Nannu / Nanna
pronounced NAHN-noo / NAHN-nah
grandpa / grandma
The everyday dialect version of "nonno/nonna" — what you'll actually hear used at home, not just in textbooks.
Muzzicuni
pronounced moot-tsee-KOO-nee
a hearty bite
"Dari 'nu muzzicuni" — to take a real, substantial bite of something, not a nibble. You'll hear it around street food especially.
Sbafare
pronounced zba-FAH-reh
to eat greedily, or eat for free
Covers both "wolfing something down" and "getting a free meal off someone else" — context makes clear which one's meant.
Ammuccare
pronounced ahm-mook-KAH-reh
to swallow; to naively believe something
Literally "to swallow," but just as often used figuratively — "s'â muccau" means someone fell for a story hook, line and sinker.
💬 Sicilian sayings
These are proverbs, not single words — the kind of thing an older relative says once and you never forget. A few of the most genuinely well-known ones:
🗣️ Two practical phrases for getting around
These aren't dialect, just plain Italian — but they'll get you further in Sicily precisely because hardly any tourist uses them: "Unni sta...?" (Sicilian for "where is...?") and "Grazie assai" ("Thanks a lot" — a bit warmer than the plain "grazie mille").
Sicilian Phrases: Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'Amuninni' mean in Sicilian?
"Amuninni" (also "Amunì" or "Iamuninni") means "let's go" — almost always said with an energetic arm wave. Depending on tone, it ranges from a friendly "come on" to an impatient "let's move it."
What does 'Bedda Matri' mean?
Literally "beautiful mother," but in practice it's an all-purpose exclamation of surprise, admiration or exhaustion — used in front of an Etna view just as easily as after missing a train.
What does 'Minchia' mean?
Sicily's single most-heard exclamation — originally vulgar, but used so constantly for astonishment, enthusiasm or frustration that it barely registers as swearing anymore.
Is Sicilian a language or a dialect?
Linguistically, Sicilian is its own Romance language with its own grammar, not a dialect of Italian — shaped by Greek, Arabic, Norman and Spanish influences over centuries, which is why it sounds so different from standard Italian.
What are some famous Sicilian sayings?
"Cu nesci, arrinesci" ("who goes out, succeeds") is probably the most quoted — about the value of leaving home to make something of yourself. See the sayings section below for more, each with a literal translation and what it actually means in use.
What's Sicilian slang for "annoying"?
"Camurria" and "cabbasisi" both work — "chi camurria" and "chi cabbasisi" both translate roughly to "what a pain," used constantly for anything from a delayed bus to a genuinely bad day.
Heading to Sicily and want more than just the vocabulary? Start with our practical travel info guide, or see how locals actually eat, get around and plan a trip in the Ultimate Sicily Travel Guide.