If you have ever spent more than three days in Sicily, or grew up in a household where dinner was loud, everyone yelled with love, and nobody used the front door, you have probably heard a Sicilian word that made you stop and think:
“Wait… did they just insult me, invite me to dinner, or both?”
Welcome to Siciliano. Not just a dialect, but a personality. A mood. A way of life. It is sharper than Italian, older than your aunt’s cookware, and often more poetic than it gets credit for. It is also very funny.
Recently, I was grabbing pizza in Costa Mesa, California and walked into Trenta Pizza, run by a Sicilian pizzaiolo who clearly brought the real heat with him. Dough? On point. But what really hit me?
A wood sign on the wall, a word-cloud of Sicilian sayings that instantly transported me to Palermo and Catania. Words like Futtitinni, Mbare, and Spacchiusu, written loud and proud. It reminded me that no matter where you are, Sicily finds a way to speak.
So here is your Aaroncino style field guide to iconic Sicilian words and expressions, complete with pronunciation, cultural context, and a wink from someone who knows the vibe:
Sicilian Survival Guide: 10 Words You Need to Know
1. Futtitinni (FOO-tee-TEE-nee)
Forget about it. Let it go. Screw it.
“Your cousin wrecked the car and blamed your uncle? Futtitinni. Eat a brioche.”
2. Mbare (MM-BAR-eh)
Bro. Guy. Homie.
“Ehh Mbare, two espressi and a shot of dignity.”
3. Minchia (MEEN-kya)
Male anatomy. All-purpose expletive.
“Minchia, that pistachio gelato is no joke.”
4. Spacchiusu (spah-KEW-zoo)
Show-off. Someone who thinks they are God’s gift.
“Did he really roll up in white linen and no socks? Classic spacchiusu.”
5. Beddu / Bedda (BEH-doo / BEH-da)
Handsome / Beautiful.
“Ciao, bedda! Have you eaten yet?”
6. U pisci fete ra testa (oo PEE-shee FEH-teh rah TEST-ah)
The fish stinks from the head.
Translation: Blame the boss.
“The office is chaos.” “Well, u pisci fete ra testa…”
7. Picciriddu / Picciridda (pee-chee-REE-doo / pee-chee-REE-da)
Little boy / girl. Basically anyone under 40.
8. Zibbibbu (zee-BEE-boo)
Local Sicilian grape. Sweet, aromatic. Also, a good excuse to drink wine before noon.
9. Sugnu Sicilianu (SOO-new see-chee-lee-AH-noo)
I am Sicilian. Translation: I do things my way.
10. Si ‘na camurria (see nah kah-MOOR-ree-ah)
You are a pain in the ass. Said with affection or exasperation.
“You brought me another bottle of wine? Si ‘na camurria. Come in.”
Why It Matters
Sicilian is not just a dialect. It is the soul of a people who have seen everything and lived to talk loudly about it. These words are not delicate. They are durable, like volcanic rock or a tupperware full of arancini.
That wall at Trenta Pizza in Costa Mesa is not just décor. It is a cultural monument in a pizza joint. Proof that Sicily travels with its people, whether in Palermo or Orange County. It made me smile, made me hungry, and made me proud to know just enough Sicilian to get myself into trouble and charm my way back out of it.
If you are in Costa Mesa, go to Trenta Pizza. Order the pizza. Thank the owner. Snap a pic of that wall and tag #aaroncino.
2 comments
Hmm itt seems like your site ate my first comment (it was super long)
so I guess I’ll just sum it up what I submitted annd say,
I’m thorokughly enjoying your blog. I as well am an aspiring blog writer butt I’m stiull neww tto the
whole thing. Do you have any helpful hints for inexperienced blog writers?
I’d really appreciate it.
HI – your compliments are very kind. Thank you. Sorry i didn’t see your note until just now. Advice? No, not really, i don’t think I’m in a position to do that. Maybe just one thing to say. Just do it.