Language/Sicilian/Vocabulary/How-to-Say-Hello-and-Greetings

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🤗 Sicilian Greetings for Everyday Life

Hello to all the aspiring Sicilian language learners out there! 😃

Sicilian, which is part of the Romance language group, is a fascinating language spoken in Sicily, a beautiful Italian island in the Mediterranean. Although it has multiple dialects, it's still a very expressive and emotive language.

Greeting someone in Sicilian is a crucial aspect of communication, allowing you to connect with others on a personal level. If you are planning to visit Sicily or have an interest in learning Sicilian, it's essential to know some of the most commonly used greetings.

So, get ready to dive into the world of Sicilian greetings and discover how to make a good impression on the locals. Let's begin!

Cultural Insights[edit | edit source]

Sicilian greetings hold significant cultural value and reflect the warm and hospitable nature of the Sicilian people. It's common to greet others with a smile and a warm embrace, whether it's a family member or a stranger. Unlike many other languages, Sicilian greetings are usually accompanied by physical contact, such as a kiss on the cheek or a handshake. Additionally, Sicilian greetings vary depending on the time of day, and it's considered polite to use the appropriate greeting. For example, "bona jurnata" (good day) is used in the morning, "bona vespra" (good afternoon) in the afternoon, and "bona sira" (good evening) in the early evening. By using the right greeting at the right time, you can demonstrate your knowledge and respect for Sicilian culture, making a positive impression on locals.

Greetings[edit | edit source]

English	Sicilian
general greeting	Ciau Salutamu Assa binidica Sabbinidica
morning greeting	Bon giornu
afternoon greeting	Bona vespra
evening greeting	Bona sira
nighttime greeting	Bona notti
how are you?	Comu sta / stai? Comu si / ti senti? Comu semu? Comu va? Comu jamu?
reply to Comu sta and Comu si senti	Bonu, grazii
Reply to 'How are you?'	Bonu! Ca bonu! Bonu staju, grazij, e tu? / e lei? / e vossia?
morning greeting in the Eastern Nonmetafonetica dialect	Bonjonnu
afternoon greeting in the Eastern Nonmetafonetica dialect	Bonpunmiriggiu
evening greeting in the Eastern Nonmetafonetica dialect	Bonasira
nighttime greeting in the Eastern Nonmetafonetica dialect	Bonanotti
welcome greeting	Benvinutu Bon vinutu Bon vinuta Bon vinuti Bon juntu Bon junta Bon junti
Long time no see	Assai avi ca nun ni videmu
Pleased to meet you	Piaciri di canuscìriti Piaciri di canùsciti Piaciri di canuscilla Piaciri di canuscìrivi Piaciri di canùscivi
Goodbye	Ciau Nni videmu Salutamu A biatu
Good luck!	Bona furtuna Bona sorti Bon prudi
Have a nice day	Bona jurnata
Christmas greetings	Bon Natali Boni festi
New Year greetings	Bon annu novu
Easter greetings	Bona Pasqua
Birthday greetings	Agurij

Dialogue[edit | edit source]

Use the vocabulary above in context by studying this dialogue.

Person 1: Ciau! Comu va?
Person 2: Bonu staju, grazii. E tu?
Person 1: Ca bonu! Bona jurnata.
Person 2: Grazii, bona jurnata ancu a tia.
Person 1: Assai avi ca nun ni videmu. Piaciri di canuscìriti.
Person 2: Piaciri di canuscìrivi. Bonasira!
Person 1: Bonasira! Bonpunmiriggiu!
Person 2: Ah, bonpunmiriggiu! Bonu Natali, bon annu novu, e bona Pasqua!
Person 1: Boni festi a tia! A biatu.
Person 2: A biatu! Bona furtuna!
Person 1: Grazii, bona sorti a tia anche!
Person 2: Prego! Bon vinutu, comu semu?
Person 1: Comu semu? Bonu, grazii. E tu?
Person 2: Ca bonu! Bonjonnu, comu stai sta matina?
Person 1: Sta matina staju bonu, grazii. Bonjonnu a tia!
Person 2: Bonjonnu ancu a tia! Agurij, oggi è lu tia cumpleanni?
Person 1: Sì, grazii! Agurij a mia!
Person 2: Tanti auguri, tanti anni di vita!
Person 1: Grazii mille!

Translation in English[edit | edit source]

Person 1: Hi! How are you?
Person 2: I'm good, thank you. And you?
Person 1: I'm doing well! Have a nice day.
Person 2: Thank you, you too.
Person 1: It's been a long time since we last saw each other. Nice to meet you.
Person 2: Nice to meet you too. Good evening!
Person 1: Good evening! Good afternoon!
Person 2: Ah, good afternoon! Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and Happy Easter!
Person 1: Happy holidays to you! Goodbye.
Person 2: Goodbye! Good luck!
Person 1: Thank you, good luck to you too!
Person 2: You're welcome! Welcome, how are you?
Person 1: How are you? I'm good, thank you. And you?
Person 2: I'm doing well! Good morning, how are you this morning?
Person 1: I'm doing well this morning, thank you. Good morning to you!
Person 2: Good morning to you too! Congratulations, is today your birthday?
Person 1: Yes, thank you! Happy birthday to me!
Person 2: Many congratulations, many years of life!
Person 1: Thank you so much!