comu si?
In Sicilian, 'how are you?' is said as comu si?
This phrase is used as a common greeting to ask someone about their current well-being.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase comu si? is composed of comu (how) and si (you are/are you).
Which one should you use?
You can also use comu va? to mean 'How's it going?' or comu stati? to ask how someone has been since the last time you saw them.
How does it change in a sentence?
The past tense form comu stati? can be used to ask how someone has been since you last saw them.
When do people say it?
To show genuine concern for someone's emotional state, it is common in Sicilian culture to ask Comu sta lu cori?, which translates to 'How's the heart?'
Did you know?
- Depending on the region of Sicily, the pronunciation of comu si? can shift significantly, reflecting the island's history of Greek, Arabic and Norman influences.
- In some Sicilian communities, the response to comu si? is often a reflexive expression of faith or gratitude rather than a literal report of health.
- The word comu is a cognate of the Latin 'quomodo', but its pronunciation and use in Sicilian greeting patterns differ sharply from standard Italian 'come'.
Examples in context
- Comu va? – Tuttu appostu. E tu?How's it going? – Everything's fine. And you?
- Ciao Maria, comu si?Hi Maria, how are you?
Example conversation
Maria and Antonio meet in the street.
- MariaCiao Antonio, comu si?Hi Antonio, how are you?
- AntonioTuttu beni, grazzi. E tu?Everything is good, thanks. And you?
- MariaPure iu sto beni.I am doing well too.
- AntonioMi ralleggiu di sapiri.I am glad to hear that.
