Italian and Sicilian Phrases for Travelers — Speak Like a Local
🗣️ Overview
Learning a handful of Italian expressions helps travelers navigate daily life, order food, and ask for directions confidently. In Sicily, you might also hear words or phrases from the Sicilian dialect, a language with roots in Latin, Greek, Arabic, and Norman French — a reflection of the island’s diverse history.
Below are useful phrases grouped by context, with their Italian and Sicilian equivalents.
👋 1. Basic Greetings
| English |
Italian |
Sicilian |
| Hello / Hi |
Ciao |
Ciau |
| Good morning |
Buongiorno |
Bon jornu |
| Good evening |
Buonasera |
Bona sira |
| Goodbye |
Arrivederci |
Addiu |
| Please |
Per favore |
Pi favuri |
| Thank you very much |
Grazie mille |
Grazzi assai |
| You’re welcome |
Prego |
Di nenti |
| Yes / No |
Sì / No |
Sì / No |
| Excuse me / Sorry |
Mi scusi |
Scusati |
☕ 2. At a Café or Restaurant
| English |
Italian |
Sicilian |
| A coffee, please |
Un caffè, per favore |
Un cafè, pi favuri |
| With milk |
Con latte |
Cu latti |
| The bill, please |
Il conto, per favore |
U cuntu, pi favuri |
| Delicious! |
Delizioso! |
Squisitu! |
| I’m vegetarian |
Sono vegetariano/a |
Sugnu vegetarianu/a |
| I’d like water |
Vorrei dell’acqua |
Vogghiu acqua |
| A glass of wine |
Un bicchiere di vino |
Nu bicchieri di vinu |
| Cheers! |
Salute! |
Saluti! |
🧭 3. Getting Around
| English |
Italian |
Sicilian |
| Where is the station? |
Dov’è la stazione? |
Unni è a stazioni? |
| How much does it cost? |
Quanto costa? |
Quantu costa? |
| I’d like a ticket to Palermo |
Vorrei un biglietto per Palermo |
Vogghiu nu bigliettu pi Palermu |
| Left / Right / Straight ahead |
Sinistra / Destra / Dritto |
Mancina / Dritta / Drittu |
| Is it far? |
È lontano? |
È luntanu? |
🏖️ 4. At the Beach or Market
| English |
Italian |
Sicilian |
| I’d like to rent an umbrella |
Vorrei noleggiare un ombrellone |
Vogghiu pigghiari n’ombrelloni |
| How much per day? |
Quanto al giorno? |
Quantu o jornu? |
| Fresh fruit |
Frutta fresca |
Frutta frisca |
| This one, please |
Questo, per favore |
Chistu, pi favuri |
| Beautiful! |
Bellissimo! |
Beddu assai! |
🏨 5. At a Hotel or Apartment
| English |
Italian |
Sicilian |
| I have a reservation |
Ho una prenotazione |
Aiu na prenotazioni |
| What time is breakfast? |
A che ora è la colazione? |
A chi ura è a colazioni? |
| Can I have the key, please? |
Posso avere la chiave, per favore? |
Mi poi dari a chiavi, pi favuri? |
| Where is the bathroom? |
Dov’è il bagno? |
Unni è u bagghiu? |
💬 6. Friendly Expressions
| English |
Italian |
Sicilian |
| How are you? |
Come stai? |
Comu stai? |
| I’m fine, thanks |
Sto bene, grazie |
Staju bonu, grazzi |
| What’s your name? |
Come ti chiami? |
Comu ti chiami? |
| My name is… |
Mi chiamo… |
Mi chiamu… |
| Nice to meet you |
Piacere di conoscerti |
Piaciri di canusciti |
| Have a nice day! |
Buona giornata! |
Bona jurnata! |
🎭 7. Common Sicilian Words You Might Hear
- Bedda / Beddu: beautiful (used affectionately, e.g., ciao bedda!)
- Amunì! — Let’s go! (from andiamo)
- Assa’! — A lot / very much.
- Picciotto / Picciotta: young man / young woman.
- Trinacria: the ancient name and symbol of Sicily (three-legged figure on the flag).
💡 Tips for Using Italian in Sicily
- Sicilians love when visitors try to speak Italian — even a few words earn instant warmth.
- Smile, speak slowly, and use gestures — it’s part of the communication style.
- In rural areas, older locals might use more Sicilian dialect than standard Italian.
- Don’t worry about mistakes — enthusiasm matters more than grammar!
🧭 Summary
Learning a few Italian and Sicilian phrases transforms your trip from sightseeing into real connection. Whether ordering granita, asking for directions, or greeting your host, each word bridges cultures. In Sicily, language isn’t just communication — it’s an act of friendship, warmth, and belonging.
