Corsican proverbs

A

• A bacia t'hà l'anchi corti.
  • Translation:  Lies have twisted limbs.
  • Meaning: You can tell when someone is lying.

• À bocca chjusa, nè moschi nè bonbucconi.
  • Alternative: A bocca chjusa, nè pani nè bonbucconi.
  • Translation: A closed mouth catches neither flies nor food.
    • Alternative translation: A closed mouth gets neither bread nor victuals.

A casa piglia, a casa rendi. What goes around comes around. (Literally: The house takes, the house returns.)

A casa ind'eddu un ghjugni u soli Ci ghjugni u duttori. The doctor comes to the house where the sun can't reach.

À cavaddu dunatu, un fidià denti. Don't look a gift horse in the mouth.

À chì campa n'ha da veda. Anyone who lives will know trying times.

À chi dormi un piglia pesci. He who sleeps cannot catch fish.

A chì fussi induvinu, un saria mai mischinu. A fortune-teller would never be unhappy.

A chì l'attempa a perdi. He who puts off something will lose it.

A chì l'hà in culu l'ha in casa. When you've been had, you go home.

A chì mali vivi, mali mori. He who leads an immoral life dies an immoral death.

A chì mangna u pani di u preti, bisogna à dibbità lu. He who eats holy bread has to deserve it.

A chi mori, à chi s'allarga. Some die; others bloom.

A chi para fritu, para caldu. He who protects himself from cold also wards off heat.

A chi stanta, à chi scurnochja. Some work, others merely daydream.

A chì stughji un perdi tempu. He who studies does not waste his time.

A chì t'ha culu, tira peta. He who has an ass, farts. (This proverb's vulgarity is essential to its underlying meaning.)

A chì t'hà dui casi In una ci piovi. If you own two houses, it's raining in one of them.

A chì troppu si cala, u culu vi mostra. He who bends over too far shows his rear end.

A chi un arrisica Un arrùzzica. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

A chi un hè beddu di natura Un vali lavatura. If someone isn't handsome by nature, it's useless for them to wash over and over again.

A chì un ni hà, un ni mangna. Sé tu voli a farina Va à coglia a castagna. He who has nothing will not eat. If you want flour, go gather chestnuts. (Chestnut flour is a Corsican specialty.)

A chi un sa piantà, pianta di nuvembri. He who does not know how to plant will plant in November.

A chi va forti, va à la morti. He who lives fast goes straight to his death.

A còcciula di trè Un andò nè mali nè bè. Còcciula made by three is neither a failure nor a success. (Còcciula is a fried food, and three is unlucky.)

A cumpagnia porta l'omu à a forca. Company drags a man to the scaffold.

A donna faci l'omu. The woman makes the man. (Every good man has a good woman behind him.)

A fami faci escia u lubbu di a tana. Hunger drives the wolf from its den.

A festa d'Àmpaza passa. The festival of Àmpaza comes to pass.

A forza di tirà a corda strappa. Pulled too far, a rope ends up breaking.

A forza d'impittà S'impara à marchjà. Through falls and stumbles, one learns to walk.

A Frassetu e à Tavera, un dì "cuppa" sò muntoni. In Frassetu and Tavera, don’t say “cuppa,” because they’ll punch you in the face. ("Accupà" is Corsican for "knock out" -- cuppa is probably local slang meaning the same.)

A ghjara cresci ma a forza manca. La parole sort mais la force manque. The word goes out but the message is lost.

A ghjastema si rivolta. A curse turns against the one who uttered it.

A ghjastema volta e ghjira Volta in capu à chi la tira. A curse turns around and strikes the one who uttered it in the face.

A ghjatta magra, a donna grassa Sò a vargogna di a casa. A thin cat and a fat woman are the shame of a household.

A la fini di tanti guai Un lucchesi un manca mai. At the end of many disasters, there's always an Italian. (Probably in reference to Corsica's centuries-long history of conflict with Genoa.)

A lingua ossu un hà e ossu tronca. Alternative: A lingua un hà ossa ma i faci rompa. Words have no bones, but can break bones.

A lu lumu di la deda Cannavacciu pari tela. By firelight, an old rag looks like sturdy hemp fabric. (At night, everything looks better.)

A luna: in vintinovi ùn ferma è in trenta ùn va. Le cycle de la Lune est compris entre 29 et 30 jours.

A machja, ochji un ha ma ochji teni. The maquis has no eyes, but it sees all.

A misura ancu indi l'acqua. Il faut de la mesure, même lorsqu'on boit.

A pratica vinci a grammatica. Theory dominates practice.

A più bedda risa hè quidda chi esci da a bocca di l'addulurati. The most beautiful laughter comes from the mouth of a mourner. (Nervous laughs due to stress.)

A quandu Pasqua, à quandu tasca. As there is Easter, so there are meager times. (Feasts are followed by scarcity.)

A raghjoni hè a toia E a capra hè a meia. You're correct, but the goat is mine. (Literal translation: Reason is yours, and the goat is mine.)

A raghjoni hè verbali. Reason is only verbal.

A règula ci sta bè Ancu in casa di u rè. Even the king saves his money.

A rumbu d'impittà S'impara à viaghjà. (Var: À forza...) Through bumps, one learns to walk.

A strada bedda un hè mai longa. An open path never seems long.

A tola e à lettu Alcunu rispettu. Have no respect at table and in bed.

A un bon' cani si dà un bon ossu. A good dog gets a good bone. (The workman's worthy of his hire.)

A u pocu e à l'aspissu si sbiota u boscu. Little by little the measure is filled.

A vigna dici à u patronu : fà mi pòvara e ti faraghju riccu. The vine says to the vintager: "Make me poor, and I will make you rich." (Grapevines must be pruned drastically in order to grow best.)

A vita hè una affaccata di balconu. Alternative: A vita hè una affaccata à u purtellu. Life is just as long as the time it takes for someone to pass by a window.

A volpi perdi u pelu ma micca u viziu. The fox can lose his fur but not his cunning.

Accantu u focu, a paglia ci stà mali. Alternative 1: Accantu u focu, a scopa ci stà mali. Alternative 2: Accantu u focu, a stoppa ci stà mali. Next to fire, straw isn't good. (Don't tempt the devil.)

Aceddu in cabbia S'eddu un canta d'amori Canta di rabbia. If a caged bird isn't singing for love, it's singing in a rage. Aghji fedi E Diu pruvvèdi.

Have faith and God will provide. Aiacciu, Aiacciu Un vi ni ghjungni Un vi ni caccia. Ajaccio, Ajaccio, if you don't go there, you won't lose your money.

Aiuta ti, Diu t'aiuta. Heaven helps those who help themselves. (Literal translation: Help yourself, God will help you.)

Alliscia a mamma par avè a figliola. Flatter the mother to get the girl.

Amori e signuria un vòlini cumpagnia. Lovers and lords want only to be alone together.

Ampaza, niccia niccia Par un soldu edda si piccia. Àmpaza, greedy greedy. She flies into a rage over a penny. (The people of Ampaza are reputedly greedy.)

Ancu a pulgia t'ha a tossa. Even fleas want to cough.

Ancu l'onori sò castighi. Even honors are punishments. (Everything has a flip side.)

Annata d'erba Annata di merda. Grassy year, shitty year.

Aostu seccu Castagna par ogni ceppu. Dry August, chestnuts at every step. (After a dry August, there are chestnuts everywhere.)

Aprili Desfa purcili. Alternative: Aprili spigni purcili. April: shuffle the pigsty.

Aqua corri e sangui strigni. L'eau est fluide ; le sang se caille. (On peut s'appuyer sur les parents) Blood is thicker than water.

Aqua d'aostu Oliu e mostu. Water in August: Oil and ferment. (Ferment used to make alcohol, such as wine and beer.)

Aqua di luddu Un faci bè à nudda. Water in July is good for nothing.

Aqua minuta Ghjugni à l'ossu E un hè criduta. Alternative: Aqua minuta Ghjugni à i carri E un hè criduta. A fine rain still soaks you to the bone, but no one takes it seriously.

Arca da mani Attigni i funtani Arca da sera Spanna li veli. The morning rainbow reaches the fountains; the evening rainbow fills the sails.

Azilonu Fiori di cantonu. Azilonu: the flower of the county.

Azilonu Pocu hè bonu. Azilonu: little is good. (I.e. it's no good.)

B

Babbi e mammi tonti, figlioli astuti. A crazy father and mother make sensible children.

C

Campa scùffia, chi barretta passa e veni. Long live the headdress, because hats come and go. (Headdresses are worn by women, and hats by men. In other words, it's better for a woman to live than a man.)

Carnivali in balconu Pasqua à u tizzonu. Carnival on the balcony, Easter by the fire.

Carti ghjòcani e ghjucadori si vanta. Cards play and gamblers brag.

Casi frà li casi e vigni frà li vigni. Homes among homes and grapevines among grapevines. (It's best to construct homes where there are already homes, and plant grapevines where others already grow.)

Cavaddu di trenta Mai piu ch'eddi ci n'entri. A horse aged thirty: don't add any more years. (At age thirty, you start to get old.)

Cavaddu vechju, zecchi e moschi. Once a horse is old, ticks and flies flock to it.

Ch'eddu durghi tantu u mal'vicinu Quant'edda dura a nevi marzulina. Alternative: Chè lu mal' vicinu Un durghi chè quant'è a nevi marzulina. May problems with neighbors last only as long as snow in March.

Chì campa spirendu Mori caghendu. He who lives on hope, dies on shit.

Chi càusa ha la gatta Si a patrona hè matta. What can a cat do if its master is crazy. (Said when children have crazy parents.)

Chì cerca trova. He who seeks, finds.

Chi ci hè di più neru chè a paredda. Nothing is blacker than the pan.

Chì cù la spada ferisci Per la spada perisci. He who injures with the sword will be finished by the sword.

Chi di ghjaddina nasci in terra ruspa. They who are born of chickens scratch the earth.

Chì di piombu Tomba Di piombu mori. He who kills with bullets will die by bullets.

Chì disprezza, compra. Alternative: Chì disprezza vol' cumprà. One who scorns is one who buys. (Referring to the scorning of merchandise. Alternative: He who scorns wants to buy.)

Chi muta Muga. Celui qui fait des changements, blesse. He who changes, suffers.

Chi nasci Pasci. Alternative: Ci voli à nascia Par pascia. You have to come into the world in order to enjoy the world. (More literal translation: You have to be born in order to pasture.)

Chi posa Mal pensa. An idle man is up to no good.

Chi si chjina incu i ziteddi s'arrizza camisgimerdosu. Alternative 1: Chi si chjina incu i ziteddi s'arrizza u culu merdosu. Alternative 2: Chi si chjina cu i ziteddi s'arrizza culimerdosa. Those who sleep with children wake up with shit on their asses.

Chi t'hà solda e amicizia Torci u nasu à a ghjustizia. He who has money and friends, turns his nose at justice.

Chì un invechja Hè pena di vita. He who does not grow old is deprived of life.

Chi va e volta, bon' viaghju faci. He who leaves and then returns, had a good trip.

Chi va pianu va sanu E chi va sanu va luntanu. He who goes slowly, goes surely; and he who goes surely, goes far.

Chì vadagna in prima mani Si ni va à calzi in mani. He who wins the first hand, leaves with only his pants in hand.

Chi vo fà anguìdia à u so vicinu Si chinghi prestu e s'arrizza matina. To make your neighbor jealous, go to bed early and get up early.

Chì voli l'armi e i so bisogni, i porta di cuntìnuu. He who wants to have arms and necessities can take them himself.

Ci voli à lacà u fusu À chi n'ha l'usu. Leave the spool to the artisan. (To each his own.)

Ciò ch'edda faci a mani dritta, un devi veda a mani manca. Let not your left hand see what your right hand does. (Bible, Matthew 6:3)

Ciò chi hè scrittu in celi segui in terra. That which is written in Heaven, comes to pass on Earth.

Ciò chi un tomba ingrassa. What doesn't kill you, makes you stronger. (Literally, makes you fatter.)

Ciò chi teni À luna vecchja Ciò chi sfronda À luna tonda. What keeps its leaves, to the waning moon. What loses its leaves, to the new moon.

Ciriola, Ciriola S'eddu venta o s'eddu piovi Di l'invernu semu fora. E s'edd' hè beddu tempu Par trenta semu drentu. Candlemas, Candlemas, whether windy or rainy, winter has ended. And if the weather is good, winter will last another thirty days.

Com'hè corcia a panca Indù un ci posa barba bianca. Alternative: Tinta quidda panca Dund'un ci posa barba bianca. What a sad bench it is that has never been sat upon by a grey beard.

Com'hè corcia quidda sporta Chi nun faci arrega e porta. What a sad basket, leaving and returning empty.

Corciu à chi un ha à nimu. Unhappy, he who has no one.

Cosa fatta, loda la ! When something happens, praise it!

Cristu un paga micca tutti i vènnari sera. Christ doesn't pay every Friday evening.

Cunsigliu di topa e dannu di farina. Rats plotting: problems with flour. (Rats get into flour; people who meet in secret are preparing something underhanded.)

D

Da dì à fà Hè com'è da tonda à filà. The difference between saying and doing is the same as between shaving and spinning. (Referring to shaving a sheep for its wool and spinning the thread from it.)

Da parè ad essa Hè com'è da orda à tessa. The difference between appearances and truth is the same as between warping and weaving. (Threading a loom with warp threads and weaving fabric.)

Di dà ciò ch'un s'hà Hè sempri carità. Giving what one does not possess is always a sign of charity.

Di fà ciò chi hè fattu Un hè piccatu. Doing that which has been done to us is not a sin.

Di u cateddu tontu, a volpi si ni sfaci. A fox distances itself from a crazy pup.

Di u tempu e di u guvernu, un ti n'accupà. Don't worry about the weather or the government.

Diu ti vardi di un bon' ghjinnaghju. May God save us from good weather in January.

Donna chi posa mal'pensa. An idle woman is up to no good.

Donna, dannu. Women, problems.

F

Fà à parera e tèniti à tè. Get advice, then make your own decision.

Fasgiulini fini fini, poma d'oru e schiassulà. Superfine green beans, tomatoes and Chasselas grapes.

Fatti di notti, risi di ghjornu. What was done at night, is laughed about during the day.

Figlioli chjughi, pinseri chjughi. Figlioli maiori, pinseri maiori. Little children, little problems; big children, big problems!

Fiori di mintucciu Più dicu torra da Più mi s'incuccia. Mint flower: the more you say "go away", the closer it comes. (Probably referring to the fact that as mint gets closer to harvest time, its scent becomes increasingly strong, getting everywhere.)

Focu d'alzu Focu falsu. Alder fire, false fire. (Fires made with alder don't burn hot.)

Fora u denti Fora a pena. When you pull the tooth, it will stop hurting.

Frivaghju Un lacà di fà u to viaghju. In February, don't postpone a trip. (You can't trust the weather in February.)

Frivaghju, t'hà setti barretti. February has seven hats. (Its weather is always changing.)

Furciolu, forca. Furciolu, forked. (The devil holds a forked staff, and the village of Furciolu has a forked shape.)

G

Ghjaddina ch'un becca biccattu hà. A chicken who isn't pecking has already eaten.

Ghjàgaru abbaghja e boiu pasci. Dogs bark and cows chew grass.

Ghjiru monti, ghjiru castedda Trovu maritu, ma un trovu frateddu. I can get another husband but never another brother. A more literal - and poetic - translation: I've climbed mountains and searched promontories; while I find many husbands, I no longer find my brother.

Ghjumenti pudditrata un bii mai aqua linda. A mare who has had a foal will never again drink pure water.

Ghjuntu u timpurali i ghjàcari facini a so casa. When storms roll in, dogs make beds.

Guargualè, Guargualè; Ghjàrgala era e ghjàrgala hè. Alternative: Vargualè, Vargualè Ghjàrgala era e ghjàrgala hè. Guargualè, Guargualè: it was rapids and remains rapids.

H

Hè com'e i sgiò di la Rocca, mori fumu e pocu arrostu. He's like the rulers of la Rocca: a lot of smoke and no meat. (A lot of smoke and no fire.)

Hè l'ochji di u patronu chì ingrassa u cavaddu. The owner's eye fattens the horse.

Hè megliu à cumprà mali chè à venda bè. A good buy is better than a good sale. (It's better to keep one's possessions.)

Hè megliu à stà accantu un cacadori Cà accantu un zuccadori. Better to sit next to someone taking a shit rather than someone carving stone.

Hè mègliu ad essa solu cà mali accumpagnatu. Alternative 1: Mègliu solu ché mali accumpagnatu. It's better to be alone than to have bad companions.

Hè megliu ghjenti Ca arghjentu. Friends and family are worth more than money.

Hè megliu pocu chè micca. Better to have little than nothing.

I

I corbi cù i corbi e i currachji cù i currachji. Les corbeaux avec les corbeaux, et les corneilles avec les corneilles.

I funi longhi diventani sarpi. Ropes that are too long become snakes.

I guai di a pignatta Un i sà cà u cuchjaronu. (Variante : ... Un i cunnosci cà a cuchjara.) Alternative 1: I guai di a pignatta Un i cunnosci chè a cuchjara. Only the spoon knows the pot's sorrows.

I morti incu i morti e i vivi incu i vivi. The dead with the dead, and the living with the living.

I parenti Sò i denti. Parents are teeth.

I nostri pruverbi so santi è ghusti. Our proverbs are sacred and correct.

I più beddi peri i màngnani i porchi. The best pears are eaten by the pigs.

I porchi si bàsgiani Annata di ghjandi. Pigs are kissing: a year of acorns.

I solda sò tondi e capùlani. Coins are round and come and go.

I solda un vènini micca cantendu. Money doesn't come from singing. (Money doesn't grow on trees.)

In bucca chjusa un n'entri musca. He who keeps his mouth shut doesn't get any flies to eat. (He who asks for nothing, receives nothing.)

In cumpagnia, u frati presi moglia. In good companionship, the monk took a wife.

In ghjesgia grandi un crepa preti. In a large church no priest dies.

In ogni lettu, ci hè pulgi. Every bed has lice.

In i Pinticosti Chì un l'affesta li costa. At Pentecost, he who does not celebrate lives to regret it.

In terra chè tù vai, fà usu chè tù trovi.

In u pratu un cacà, In u boscu un parlà. Don't poop in a field and don't talk in a forest. (You're always seen or heard.)

Innanzi chè micca, maritu vechju. Better to take an old husband than none.

Ind' eddu un ci n'hè, Diu purveddi. Where money is lacking, God provides.

Ind' eddu un ci n'hè un ci n'entri. Where money is lacking, none enters.

Indù l'àsinu mori, u pelu ci resta. In the place a donkey dies, fur remains. (The donkey is one of Corsica's emblematic animals.)

Intrutu ghjinnaghju Porta u boiu à u scupaghju. At the beginning of January, take the bull to fields of heather.

Isciuta vindèmia, appicca a sporta. Once grape gathering has finished, you have to hang up the basket.

L

L'aqua va à u mare. Water ends up in the sea. (Money ends up in the hands of the wealthy.)

Làcrima di donna hè funtana di malizia. Women's tears are fountains of malice.

Laga u buddenti E succorri l'appartenti. Set aside emergencies and help a woman giving birth.

L'amori hè cecu. Love is blind.

L'ànima à Diu, e a ropa à chi si devi. The soul belongs to God, and possessions to their owners.

L'ànima à Diu, u corpu à a terra. The soul to God, and the body to the Earth.

L'aqua sfonda i ricci. Water erodes slopes. (Said by drunkards.)

L’acqua fa fanga, u vinu fa bon sangue. Water makes mud, wine cleans the blood.

L'aqua va à u mari. Alternative: I vadini vani à u mari. Water ends up at the sea.

L'arti di Micalassu: mangnà, bia e andà à spassu. Work in Micalassu: eating, drinking and strolling. (Said about someone who never does anything.)

L'imbroglii sò in a sacchetta. Problems are in the bag.

L'omu pruponi E Diu disponi. Man proposes, God disposes.

L'ottu d'aprili U cuccu si devi sentire S'eddu un si senti Hè mortu o per murire. Alternative 1: L'ottu d'aprili U cuccu devi venire S'eddu un veni lu diciottu U cuccu hè mutu o hè mortu. Alternative 2: U cuccu S'ellu un canta lu diciottu O ellu hè persu o ellu hè mortu. On April 8th, the cuckoo's call must be heard. If it isn't, either the cuckoo is dead or is going to die. (Alternative 1: On April 8th, the cuckoo must arrive. If it doesn't arrive by the 18th, the cuckoo is mute or dead. Alternative 2: If the cuckoo doesn't sing on the 18th, it's either lost or dead.)

M

Mamma scagna E ghjatta mangna. Mother sets aside and the cat eats.

Mariteddu tamant'è un ditu Ièddu voli essa rivaritu. A husband must be respected, even if he's very short.

Marzu, Catarzu, figliolu di mangnonu M'ha presu tutti i me agneddi e un m'ha lacatu cà un agnonu. - O Aprì, u me frateddu, dà mi ni dui chì un l'aghju da par mè. Alternative: Marzu, Catarzu, figliolu di mangnonu M'ha presu tutti i me agneddi e i mè agnona. - O Aprì, lu me frateddu, presta mi ni dui chì aghju da fà penta u falsu picuraghju. March, mean, son of an ogre! You've taken all my suckling lambs and left only one weaned lamb. - Oh April, my brother, give me two days, because alone, I don't have them. (Alternative: March, mean, son of an ogre! You've taken all my suckling lambs and weaned lambs. - Oh April, my brother, give me two days and I'll make the false shepherd regret it.)

Marzu siccu Par u bugnu e par u beccu. Dry March, good for beehives and rams.

Marzu piuviosu Bugnu varmicosu E bèccu muccicosu. Rainy March, beehives full of worms, and rams with colds.

Matinati di maghju E sirintini di ghjinnaghju. Beautiful May mornings and beautiful January evenings.

Matrimonii e viduvali So dal celi distinati. Weddings and widowings are by the hand of destiny.

Matrimoniu sittimbrinu O vèduvu o mischinu. Wedded in September, widow or sorrow.

Mi tagli, mi puti. Mi brusgi, mi suvi. Cut me, prune me. Burn me, compost me. (If you cut me, prune me. If you burn me, turn me into compost.)

Miseria e puvertà Son dui sureddi E scuncertina hè la cucin' carnà. Misery and poverty are two sisters; discord is their first cousin.

Morghi chi morghi Cantà vogliu eiu. Quand'e morgu eiu Canti chi vogli. No matter who has died, I want to sing. But when I die, anyone can sing.

Mori più capretti chè capri vechji. Alternative: Mori più agnedda ca muntona. More kids are dying than old goats. (Alternative: More lambs are dying than sheep.)

Mortu pinzutu, appinza ti ni un antru. When a blade has dulled, sharpen another. (No one is irreplacable.)

Mortu u Cristu, spintu u lumu. When Christ disappears, light goes out.

Mossu la verra Bucia quant'é terra. In war, lies are as abundant as dirt.

N

Nanzi ghjunta la so ora Nè si nasci nè si mori. No one is born and no one dies before their time.

Natali à u balconu Pasqua à u fuconu. Christmas on the balcony, Easter by the fire.

Natali à u ghjocu Pasqua à u focu. A Christmas of games, an Easter by the fire.

Natu a parsona, natu u distinu. At birth your fate is written.

Nè essa nè fà si E quant'e à ghjittà si. Not behaving and not organizing are as good as throwing yourself away. (Always aim to do good.)

Nè in vènnari nè in luni Un dà principiu à a to funi. Alternative: Nè vènnari nè luni Un cumincià a to funi. Don't start braiding your rope on a Monday or a Friday. (Don't start things on Mondays or Fridays.)

Nè ziteddi nè cateddi Un avvizzà à u to scudeddu. Don't let children or pups get accustomed to your soup bowl.

O

O ben' tusu o mal' tusatu In quattru ghjorna hè appariatu. Whether well-shaven or not, it looks the same after a few days.

O Signori Feti ci pastori In a branata E purcaghji in invirnata. Lord, make us shepherds in spring and swineherds in winter.

Oghji eiu, dumani tù. Me today, you tomorrow.

Ogni cecu piegni i so ochji. Every blind man weeps for his eyes.

Ogni ghjatta t'hà a so coda. Ghjatta ci hè ma coda un n'hà. Every cat has a proper tail. Over there is a cat with no tail. (There's something fishy going on.)

Ogni sèculi e centunari L'aqua volta à li so canali. Every century, water finds its riverbed. (People always return to their birthplace/place of origin.)

Ogni tontu t'hà u so filu. Every fool follows their idea.

Ognunu bii incu a so bocca. Everyone drinks with their mouth.

Ognun' chì piscia arrittu à u muru Hà lu ficu par sicuru. A person peeing right against a wall most certainly has an Adam's apple.

Ognunu piegni incu i so ochji. Everyone cries with their eyes.

Ognunu sa ciò chi boddi in a so pignatta. Everyone knows what's cooking in their pot.

Omu dormi e carta veghja. Alternative: Verbi volen, scritti manen. Men die, but writing remains. (Alternative: Words fly away, writing remains. -When a contract is signed, what's written remains.)

Ora vivu ora mortu. Alive one hour, dead another.

P

Pàghani i chjughi par i maiori. The young pay for the old.

Pani e parnici : Affari di casa un si ni dici. Bread and bird: we don't discuss house business.

Par cunnoscia la ghjenti, ci voli à mangnà una somma di sali insemu. To get to know people, you have to eat a full donkey's cargo of salt together.

Par maghju o par maghjonu Un ti caccià u to pilonu. Whether May is warm or not, don't take off your coat.

Par un colpu un casca l'àrburi. It takes more than one blow to fell a tree.

Par via di u patronu si rispeta u ghjàgaru. Alternative 1: Par via di u patronu si rispeta u cavaddu. By the owner, the dog is respected. (Alternative: By the owner, the horse is respected.)

Par viaghju s'acconcia a somma. While travelling, the load settles in place.

Amicizia e macarona Più sò caldi più sò boni. Friendship and macaroni, the hotter the better.

Pècura nera e pècura bianca A chi mori mori, à chi campa campa. Black ewe and white ewe: they who die, die, and those who live, live.

Piglia muglieri, chì affrinarè. Prends une femme et tu te modèreras.

Prima sò eiu, eppo dopu u me figliolu. First me, then my son.

Più hè parenti E più ghjentri. The closer a relation, the more it hits home.

Piu pècuri, piu mocci. More ewes, more flus.

Più si campa e più si n'impara. (Variante : ... più si ni vedi.) The more one lives the more one learns.

Poni in terra e spera in Diu. Put it in the ground and trust in God.

Prigheti par i beddi ch'è i mali a si stàntani. Pray for those who are born into good families, for those born into bad families always manage to succeed. (Those born into diffculty have more success in life.)

Q

Quand'è Pisa fù brusgiata, piuvì trè notti e trè ghjorni. When Pisa burned, it rained three nights and three days. (Said about people who are always late.)

Quand'è tù credi d'essa à cavaddu un sè mancu à pedi. If you think you've reached the top, watch out, you can fall just as quickly.

Quandu a pràscula fiurisci e matura I ghjorni e i notti sò d'una misura. Alternative: Quandu a presca fiurisci e matura Da li notti à li ghjorna sò d'una misura. When peaches flower and ripen, days and nights have the same length.

Quandu canta la cigala Lu purcaghju piègni e para. Quandu canta la ranochja Lu purcaghju si spidochja. When cicadas sing, the swineherd weeps and works. When frogs sing, the swineherd yawns.

Quandu da la forza à la raghjoni cuntrasta, vinci la forza e la raghjoni ùn basta. When force and reason are in conflict, force of reason prevails and being reasonable isn't enough. (It's not enough to be right.)

Quandu ellu canta lu cuccu Muta pèlu lu singhjari E la gallina faci l'ovu Senza mancu nidicali. E lu beccu inchjirchja i corra Chi ni pari un ginirali. When the cuckoo sings, the wild boar loses its old coat, and the hen lays an egg without a false nest. And the ram's horns round out - he looks like a general.

Quandu ellu piovi e faci lu soli Tandu la vulpi faci l'amori. When it rains and the sun comes out, foxes make love.

Quandu u ghjàcaru invechja, a volpi li piscia addossu. When a dog ages, the fox pees on it.

Quandu u porcu hè tecchju si volta a trova. When a pig has eaten its full, it pushes over its trough.

Quandu u soli hè in Azilonu Mangna puri u to bucconu. When the sun is on Azilonu, it's meal time.

Quandu u soli tramonta U pultronu s'appronta. When the sun sets, lazy people prepare.

Quandu veni u mesi di maghju A la donna li cresci lu pèlu E lu cazzu pidda curaghju. When the month of May arrives, women's hair grows and penises become strong. (Literally, become courageous.)

R

Ronchi samirini un còddani in celi. Alternative: Ronchi samirini un ni codda in celi.

The braying of donkeys doesn't reach heaven. Ropa chi un hè vista, un po essa stimata. Unseen merchandise cannot be evaluated.

Russura à la marina Bon' tempu la matina. Russura à la muntagna Aqua e ventu à li calcagna. Red sea: good morning weather. Red mountains: water and wind.

S

Saccu biotu un pò stà rittu. Alternative: Saccu biotu un teni rittu.

An empty purse can't stand alone. Saccu biotu un pò stà rittu, troppu pienu un si pò torcia. An empty purse can't stand alone and a full purse can't bend.

Saccu pienu un pò piigà. Alternative: Saccu piènu un si pò torcia. A full purse cannot bend. (Alternative: A full purse cannot flex.)

Sameri chi grogna Un ti fà vargogna. A grunting donkey is nothing to be ashamed of.

Santa Maria, Sichè A chi un hè latru un ci stà bè. Alternative: Sichè, Santa Maria A chi un hè latru un ci stia. Santa Maria, Sichè: if you're not a thief you won't be happy there.

Sapiutu la trè Sapiutu lu rè. Known by three; Known by the king. (A secret known by three people is known by all.)

Roba di Scolca, roba di forca. Les gens de Scolca sont bons pour la potence.

Sé Bastèlica t'avia u portu Aiacciu saria l'ortu. Alternative: Sé Bastèlica avia un portu Aiacciu accantu era un ortu. If Bastelica had a port, Ajaccio would be its garden. (Alternative: If Bastelica had a port, Ajaccio would be a garden in comparison.)

S'eddu suniteghja in Capu di Staghju Lascia puri u granu in arghja. S'eddu suniteghja in Capu di Muru Mettilu à u sicuru. If there's thunder at Capu di Staghju, leave the wheat outside. If there's thunder at Capu di Muru, put it in a safe place.

Sè i guai si mittiani à u soli Ognunu si ripigliaria i soi. If everyone's misfortunes were seen by all in broad daylight, in the end people would take back their own.

Sè u ghjòvanu vulissi e u vechju pudissi. If youth had the volition and if old age had the ability.

Sè u mari fussi vinu, quantu ci saria briaconi. If the sea were made of wine, how many drunkards there would be. Si sbaglia ancu u preti à l'altari. Mistakes are made even by priests at the altar. (To err is human.)

Sia mali o sia bè Cristu un dici par quistu hè. Whether bad or good, Christ doesn't say why it happens. (Don't worry about figuring out whether something is a reward or a punishment.)

Soldu di pòvaru omu e cuglia di ghjàcaru, un si ni poti mai piattà. Money from poor men and balls from dogs, impossible to hide.

Spezza u tempu in San' Bartolu. The weather worsens on Saint Bartholomew's Day. (August 24.)

Sparti ricchezza e torra puvertà. Share riches and poverty returns. (The more you share, the less there is to go around.)

Sproni mei e cavaddu di l'altri. My spurs and another's horse.

T

Tal calzu, tal magliolu Tal babbu, tal figliolu. Like grape, like bud. Like father, like son.

Tantu ch'eddu ci hè vita, ci hè speranza. As long as there is life, there is hope.

Tantu da casa meia cà da casa toia. It's as far from my house as from yours.

Tempu scuru, puzza l'ugliata. Humid weather, smelly air.

Tigliolu, ti vogliu. Linden, I want you. (Linden is an aphrodisiac.)

Tintu à chi l'hà a so cena à u fiumu. Woe is he whose meal is in the river. (Woe is he who has to fish to eat.)

Tira più un pelu di muzza in cuddata Cà dui paghji di boia in falata. Alternative: Tira più un pelu di muzza in cuddata Cà un paghju di boia in falata. The pubic hair of a woman mounting is stronger than two pairs of ox descending.

Tocca e lecca ó Antò chi hè festa Sempri tocca e mai n'arresta. Receive and rejoice, Antonio, it's your celebration; always receive and never restrain.

Tràmula di ghjugnu Alivi in pugnu. Olive flowers in June, olives in the hand. (There will be plenty of olives.)

Tutti i ghjorna si n'impara. You learn something every day.

Tuttu lacatu hè persu. Every opportunity passed is lost.

U

U bè di l'avaru u si magna u furfanti. A greedy man's possession is eaten by a pirate.

U bè di luntanu si ferma par istrada. Merchandise from afar is lost en route.

U boiu chi un vo bia Hè un gattivu zifulà. Alternative: U sameri chi un vo bia hè un gattivu zifulà. There's no point in whistling at an ox who doesn't want to drink. (Alternative: donkey instead of ox.)

U candidatu prummetti piu casgiu chè pani. A candidate promises more cheese than bread.

U cavaddu ghjastimatu, u pelu li luci. Alternative: A u cavaddu ghjastimatu, li luci u pelu. A cursed horse has a shining coat.

U celi à volta di pani S'eddu un piovi oghji, piovi dumani. When the sky looks like a hot oven, if no rain today, rain tomorrow.

U corbu dici chi u più beddu piulaconu hè u soiu. The crow says the ugliest runt is his own. (A crow's chick is ugly, but everyone thinks their own children are the most attractive.)

U discorsu porta l'omu à a forca. Vain speeches lead a man to the gallows.

U duttore passa e vene, à chì ha u male u si tene. The doctor can come and go, but he who is sick remains so.

U fretu di marzu ghjentri in u corru di u boiu. March cold reaches even bull's horns.

U ghjacaru chi suvita, un ha bisognu di dà li u bucconu. There is no need to feed the dog that follows. (Meaning that there's no need to reward those who simply follow others.)

U lucchesu un hè sicuru Ca incu u so uncinu à u culu. An Italian only feels safe with his hook in his belt.

U mari accoglii i vadini. The sea embraces streams. (Small streams grow into big rivers.)

U megliu oru hè quiddu chi piega. The best gold is supple. (A flexible person has more success in life.)

U mittiticciu va da a porta à u balconu. Superficiality goes from the door to the balcony. (Superficial knowledge doesn't last.)

U mondu hè fattu à scala A chi codda e à chi fala. The world is like a ladder: some go up and some go down.

U peghju calciu hè quiddu di u cavaddu mansu. The worst kick is from a trained horse.

U piu beddu ceppu, teni lu à maghju. Alternative: U piu beddu ceppu, teni lu par maghju. Keep the best log for May. (Literal translation: The best log, keep it for May.)

U Signori à qual' eddu ama, tocca. The Lord tests those he loves.

U Signori dà a ropa à chi un ha denti. The Lord gives to he who has no teeth.

U Signori dà u biscottu à quiddu chi t'hà i denti. The Lord gives biscuits to he who has teeth.

U Signori dà u fretu sicondu i panni. The Lord gives cold according to one's clothes.

U sole, ind'ellu un luce un scalda. There is no warmth where the sun doesn't shine. (When you don't see someone, warm affection can't develop.)

U soli marzulinu Di i donni fà strascinu. Alternative: U soli marzulinu Di i beddi donni ni faci u strascinu. March sun ages women. (Alternative: March sun gives wrinkles to women's faces.)

U soli sorti par tutti. The sun shines for everyone.

U tassu Durgu trè centu anni Trè verdi, siccu e passu. The yew tree exists three hundred years: first green, then dry, then gone.

U techju un credi u famitu. Full stomachs don't believe empty ones.

U troppu bè s'arrivolta. Too much good causes revolts. (If you do too much for people, you end up causing problems.)

U troppu stroppia. Too much is too much.

Un babbu e una mamma addèvani deci figlioli. E deci figlioli un poni tena un babbu e una mamma. A father and mother can raise ten children. But ten children aren't enough to keep a father and a mother.

Un chjameti povar'omu A chi t'hà un chjosu in Valgonu. Don't call a man who has a field in Valgonu "poor".

Un ci hè sàbatu senza soli Comu donna senza amori. There isn't a Saturday without sun, nor a woman without love.

Un disòrdini Faci un òrdini. Disorder brings about order.

Un fà mali chi hè piccatu. Ma un fà bè chi hè ghjittatu. Alternative: ...chi hè mancatu. Do no evil, it's a sin. Do no good, it's no use.

Un ghjudicà a to vita Fin à l'òpara finita. Don't judge your life before it has ended.

Un hè bella quella sporta Chi arrega e nun porta. This basket that leaves and returns unfilled is not nice.

Un hè bellu quel' chi hè bellu, quantu hè bellu quel' chi piaci. Beautiful things are never as beautiful as those that are pleasing.

Un hè micca tutti i ghjorni festa. Not every day is a celebration.

Un hè micca sempri festa in Àmpaza. Ce n'est pas tous les jours la fête à Àmpaza. Not every day is a celebration in Àmpaza.

Un si mori chè una volta. You only die once.

Un si po dì "prruci" senza labbri. Alternative: Un si po fà "prrù" senza labbri. You can't say "prruci" without lips.

Un si po fà u passu più longu chè l'infurcatura. Alternative: Un si po fà u passu più largu chè a ghjamba. You can't take a step that's longer than your legs. (Biting off more than you can chew.)

Un si po tena i dui pedi in u scarpu. Alternative: Un si po stà di dui pedi in un' scarpu. You can't put both feet in one shoe. Un ti fidà di u pidochju rifattu. Alternative: Un ti fidà di u viddanu rifattu. Don't trust a trained louse. (Alternative: Don't trust a wild chestnut tree that has been improved. -This type of chestnut tree rarely gives good chestnuts.)

Un ti rida di u mè dolu Quandu u meiu hè vechju, u toiu hè novu. Don't scoff at my mourning - mine is old and yours is recent.

Un trema una foglia Chi Diu nun voglia. No leaf shudders outside the will of God.

Una casa, si sa qual'hè chi a faci ; un si sa quiddu chi l'ha da goda. Alternative: Una casa, si sa qual'hè chi a faci ; un si sa qual'hè chi a godi. A house: you can know who built it, but not who is enjoying it.

Una donna faci e sfaci una casa. A woman builds and destroys a house.

Una lingua si cheta, un populu si more. A language silenced is a people who die.

Una mani lava l'altra e tremindù làvani u visu. Alternative: Una mani lava l'altra e i dui làvani a faccia.

One hand washes the other, both hands wash the face.

V

Vali più un tontu à fattu soiu cà centu astuti à quiddi di l'altri. A fool doing what he knows is better than a hundred wise men doing what they don't know.

Vesti un bastonu Pari un baronu. Vesti una tama Pari una dama. Dress up a rod, it looks like a baron. Dress up a stick of heather, it looks like a lady. (Bastonu/baronu, rod/baron, and tama/dama, heather/lady, rhyme in Corsican.)

Vistu l'omu Vistu a raghjoni. Seeing a man is seeing his character. (You can tell the type of person by their appearance.)

Z

Zigliara Focu e fiara. Zigliara, fire and flame.

Zoza di mala furtuna Chi d'inguernu un vidi soli E d'istati un vidi luna. The bad fortune of Zoza: in winter it sees not the sun and in summer it sees not the moon.

References

• Antone Mattei, Pruverbii, detti è massime corse, 1867
• Paul Dalmas-Alfonsi, Pruverbii è detti corsi, Rivages, 2004
• Martinu Appinzapalu, A Corsica in pruverbi è detti : 1100 pruverbi è detti, 1996
• Paul Arrighi, Le livre des dictons corses, 1993
• Jean-Guy Talamoni, Dictionnaire commenté des proverbes corses, DCL, 2006
• Arnestu Papi, Pruverbii di Corsica è d'altrò, Ed. Clementine, 2008