chi
The Sicilian word for 'what' is chi.
chi is an interrogative pronoun used to ask 'what'.
Meaning: what? (interrogative pronoun) (pron)
Did you know?
- In many Sicilian dialects, the word chi is used for both 'what' and 'who', making the context essential for understanding the speaker.
- In rapid speech, Sicilian speakers may shorten the sound of chi so much that it sounds like a mere glottal stop or a brief 'k' sound.
- When asking 'what' in a way that expresses shock or disbelief, a Sicilian speaker might stretch the vowel into a long, drawn-out sound.
Examples in context
- Chi avemu a fari stasira?What do we have to do this evening?This sentence is useful for asking about plans for the evening using chi.Tatoeba #9188264 by ErykWdowiak, translation #9188274 by ErykWdowiak
- Chi dici?What are you saying?
- Chi voli?What do you want?
Example conversation
Calogero and Maria are talking in the kitchen.
- CalogeroMaria, chi manjamu?Maria, what are we eating?
- MariaPasta cu i vargi.Pasta with eggplant.
- CalogeroChi buni!How good!
- MariaSì, è a mia ricetta.Yes, it is my recipe.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “what” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
