Basic Words

1. Sì

   Yes

   Usage

   The shortest affirmative reply

   Grammar Note

   Sì is written with a grave accent; the unaccented si is a different word (if / reflexive pronoun)

2. No

   Usage

   The shortest negative reply

   Grammar Note

   To negate a verb use nun right before it (Nun capisciu), not no. No is used as a stand-alone answer

3. Pi favuri

   Please

   Usage

   Added before or after a request to make it polite

   Grammar Note

   Literally "for a favour". It can go before or after the request

4. Grazzii

   Thank you

   Usage

   The basic word of thanks, suitable for anyone

   Grammar Note

   Z is doubled inside the word (zz) and the word ends in ii. Grazzii assai means "thank you very much"; the reply is Di nenti (you are welcome)

5. Scusati

   Excuse me

   Usage

   Used to get someone's attention or to apologise lightly

   Grammar Note

   The ending -ati is the 2nd person plural imperative, which also serves as the polite form to one person

6. Mi dispiaci

   Sorry

   Usage

   Used both to apologise and to express regret

   Grammar Note

   Literally "it displeases me": the person who feels it is mi and the cause is the subject. The verb follows piaciri (3rd person piaci)

7. Va beni

   It's OK / I'm fine

   Usage

   Answers "that is fine" or "I am all right"

   Grammar Note

   Literally "it goes well". Jiri is irregular: vaju / vai / va / jemu / jiti / vannu in the present

8. Nun capisciu

   I don't understand

   Usage

   Say it when you cannot follow what was said

   Grammar Note

   The subject iu is normally dropped. Capiri is an -sci- verb: capisciu / capisci / capisci / capemu / capiti / capìsciunu. Negation is nun, not non

9. Capisciu

   I understand

   Usage

   Reply when you have followed what was said

   Grammar Note

   Capiri is an -sci- verb. Sicilian uses the present tense for "I get it"

10. Haiu finutu

    I'm finished / Done

    Usage

    Tells people you have finished a meal or a task

    Grammar Note

    The auxiliary is always aviri. Everyday speech also uses the simple past (finivi). Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

11. Aspittati, pi favuri

    Please wait

    Usage

    A polite way to ask someone to wait

    Grammar Note

    The ending -ati is the 2nd person plural imperative, also the polite form to one person; to a friend say Aspetta. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

12. Nu mumentu

    Just a moment

    Usage

    A short way to ask for a moment

    Grammar Note

    Unstressed vowels are written u, not o, as in mumentu

13. N'adultu, pi favuri

    One adult, please

    Usage

    Gives the number of tickets at a counter or entrance

    Grammar Note

    The masculine indefinite article is nu before a consonant and n' before a vowel. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

14. Nun haiu na prenotazzioni

    I don't have a reservation

    Usage

    Tells a hotel or restaurant that you have not booked

    Grammar Note

    The -zzioni ending is written with doubled z. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

15. Haiu na prenotazzioni

    I have a reservation

    Usage

    Tells a hotel or restaurant that you have booked

    Grammar Note

    Aviri in the present is haiu / hai / havi / avemu / aviti / hannu. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

16. Ajutàtimi, pi favuri

    Please help me

    Usage

    A polite way to ask for help when in trouble

    Grammar Note

    When the pronoun mi is attached after the imperative, the stress falls on the third syllable from the end, so the accent mark is written. The j writes a glide. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

17. N'autra vota, pi favuri

    Once more, please

    Usage

    Asks someone to say it again

    Grammar Note

    Autra is the feminine form, agreeing with the feminine noun vota. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

18. Parrati adaciu, pi favuri

    Please speak slowly

    Usage

    Asks a speaker to slow down

    Grammar Note

    The ending -ati is the 2nd person plural imperative, also the polite form to one person. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

19. Parru tanticchia di sicilianu

    I speak a little Sicilian

    Usage

    Tells people how much of the language you speak

    Grammar Note

    The name of a language is written in lower case, and the subject iu is dropped. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

20. Parrati nglisi?

    Do you speak English?

    Usage

    Asks whether the other person speaks English

    Grammar Note

    A question keeps the statement word order; only the intonation rises. The 2nd person plural is also the polite form to one person. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

21. Chistu

    This

    Usage

    Points to something close to you

    Grammar Note

    The demonstratives are chistu (near) and chiḍḍu (far); the feminine forms are chista / chiḍḍa

22. Chiḍḍu

    That

    Usage

    Points to something farther away

    Grammar Note

    The feminine form is chiḍḍa. The letter ḍḍ is the dedicated spelling of the retroflex sound

23. Ccà

    Here

    Usage

    Refers to the place where you are

    Grammar Note

    The initial cc is a fixed spelling. The opposite is ḍḍà (there)

24. Ḍḍà

    There

    Usage

    Refers to a place away from you

    Grammar Note

    The accent on à tells it apart from the demonstrative ḍḍa (that)

25. Iu

    I / me

    Usage

    The pronoun for yourself; usually dropped and used for emphasis

    Grammar Note

    The verb ending shows the person, so iu is said only for contrast or emphasis

26. Vossìa

    You (polite)

    Usage

    A respectful way to address elders and strangers

    Grammar Note

    The verb takes the 3rd person singular (Vossìa parra). Many speakers today switch to Italian Lei for polite address

27. Nzèmmula

    Together

    Usage

    Used when doing something with other people

    Grammar Note

    The stress is on the third syllable from the end, so the accent mark is written

28. Sùbbitu

    Right away

    Usage

    Used when you want something at once

    Grammar Note

    The stress is on the third syllable from the end, so the accent mark is written

29. Una pirsuna

    One person

    Usage

    Gives a head count, for example at a restaurant

    Grammar Note

    Pirsuna is feminine, so the numeral is una; the plural is pirsuni. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

30. Dui pirsuni

    Two people

    Usage

    Gives a head count, for example at a restaurant

    Grammar Note

    The noun after a numeral is plural. Dui can also become du' before a noun. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

31. Tri pirsuni

    Three people

    Usage

    Gives a head count, for example at a restaurant

    Grammar Note

    The tr of tri is pronounced retroflex. The noun is plural. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

Browse all TravelPhrases languages