cchiù
The Sicilian word for "more" is cchiù.
You can also use the phrase mancu cchiù to express the meaning "no more" or "no longer".
How does it change in a sentence?
When you use cchiù to make a comparison, such as saying "more than", you must add the particle di immediately after it (e.g., cchiù di).
Did you know?
- The word cchiù is actually a 'clipped' version of the original Latin word plus, which has been shortened over centuries of spoken Sicilian.
- The phrase mancu cchiù can be used as a sharp retort in an argument to signal that a person has reached their absolute limit of patience.
- While cchiù means 'more', the Sicilian expression u cchiù is often used to denote the 'most' or 'best' of something, effectively acting as a superlative without needing a separate word.
Examples in context
- Nni servìa cchiù tempu.We needed more time.
- Non n'havi cchiù.There is no more (of it).
Example conversation
Calogero and Maria are eating dinner together.
- CalogeroVogghiu cchiù vinu u nfuso.I want more of the poured wine.
- MariaSì sicuru? N'hai già bbitutu assai.Are you sure? You have already drunk a lot.
- CalogeroSì, cchiù vinu renderi u manu.Yes, more wine makes the hand light.
- MariaVa bene, t'u servo ora.All right, I'll serve it to you now.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cchiù, CC BY-SA 4.0.
