dormi bonu
The English phrase 'sleep well' is translated into Sicilian as dormi bonu.
This phrase is used to wish someone a good night's rest.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the verb dormi (sleep) and the adverb bonu (well/good).
How does it change in a sentence?
dormi bonu uses the singular imperative, used when speaking to one person you know well. In a more colloquial style, you may also use dormiti bonu, which adds the reflexive pronoun -ti to the verb.
Did you know?
- In some regions of Sicily, people use beddu instead of bonu to wish someone a 'beautiful sleep' rather than just a 'good' one.
- In Sicilian, the word bonu can describe a person who is kind-hearted or easy-going, shifting the meaning from a skill to a personality trait.
- The word bonu shares the same Latin root as the English word 'bonus', meaning both words stem from the idea of something being 'good'.
Examples in context
- Dormi bonu, picciotta.Sleep well, girl.
- Bonu sognu e dormi bonu.Sweet dreams and sleep well.
Example conversation
Giulia and Salvatore are saying goodnight before going to their separate rooms.
- GiuliaÈ tardi, io vado a letto.It is late, I am going to bed.
- SalvatoreVa benu, dormi bonu, Giulia.Alright, sleep well, Giulia.
- GiuliaGrazie, dormi bonu macari tu, Salvatore.Thank you, sleep well also, Salvatore.
- SalvatoreBonu sognu.Sweet dreams.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bonu, CC BY-SA 4.0.
