Architecture & Buildings

Tap a card to read the description

• Dràiu-uè

  Driveway

  Tap to read more

  Dràiu-uè

  /DRAI-oo-weh/

  Noun[Era 1 & 2]

  The driveway, where the family car lives and every Saturday someone washes it for three hours. Technically a road, emotionally a porch. Where’s the car?

  Don't say

  "The car is in the driveway."

  Say

  "U carru è ntô dràiu-uè."

  ← Tap to flip back

• Òllu

  Hall

  Tap to read more

  Òllu

  /OH-loo/

  Noun[Era 1 & 2]

  The hall: the narrow stretch between the front door and the kitchen where coats, shoes and conversations pile up. Everybody ends up there anyway. Just arrived?

  "Lassa i scarpi ntô òllu."

  "Leave your shoes in the hall."

  ← Tap to flip back

• Sellu

  Cellar

  Tap to read more

  Sellu

  /SEL-loo/

  Noun[Era 1 & 2]

  The cellar: where the wine, the jarred tomatoes and the second fridge live. Cooler than the house and holier than the church. Where’s the wine?

  "U vinu è ntô sellu."

  "The wine is in the cellar."

  ← Tap to flip back

• Bassamentu

  Basement

  Tap to read more

  Bassamentu

  /bah-sah-MEN-too/

  Noun[Era 1 & 2]

  The basement: the real kitchen, where the good stove is off-limits to guests and the pasta machine comes out on Sundays. Where does the real cooking happen?

  "Cuciniamu ntô bassamentu."

  "We cook in the basement."

  ← Tap to flip back

• Baccausa

  Back House

  Tap to read more

  Baccausa

  /bah-KOW-sah/

  Noun[Era 1 & 2]

  The back house: the small house behind the big house, built so the family could fit one more aunt, cousin or nonna. Space is relative; family isn’t. Who’s sleeping out back?

  "Zia Rosa dormi ntâ baccausa."

  "Aunt Rosa sleeps in the back house."

  ← Tap to flip back

• Grossiera

  Grocery Store

  Tap to read more

  Grossiera

  /gros-see-EH-rah/

  Noun[Era 1 & 2]

  The grocery store: the corner shop where the owner knew your name, your mother’s name and what you were hiding. Credit by memory. Heading out to shop?

  Don't say

  "I’m going to the grocery store."

  Say

  "Vaiu â grossiera."

  ← Tap to flip back

• Marachetta

  Market

  Tap to read more

  Marachetta

  /mah-rah-KET-tah/

  Noun[Era 1 & 2]

  The market: where tomatoes get squeezed, prices get shouted and every purchase needs a small speech first. Haggling is a love language. Going shopping?

  "Jamu â marachetta a accattari u pani."

  "We’re going to the market to buy bread."

  ← Tap to flip back

• Bildingu

  Building

  Tap to read more

  Bildingu

  /BEEL-deen-goo/

  Noun[Era 1 & 2]

  The building: the tall brick house that held ten families, one stairwell and a hundred opinions. Everyone knew everyone’s dinner. Where do you live?

  Don't say

  "I live in that building."

  Say

  "Abbitu nta chiddu bildingu."

  ← Tap to flip back

• Ausa

  House

  Tap to read more

  Ausa

  /OW-sah/

  Noun[Era 1 & 2]

  The house: not just walls, a promise. Bought with double shifts, painted by cousins and never left without feeding somebody. Where are you headed?

  "Veni a ausa mia, c’è u mangiari."

  "Come to my house, there’s food."

  ← Tap to flip back

• Concritu

  Concrete

  Tap to read more

  Concritu

  /kon-KREE-too/

  Noun[Era 1 & 2]

  Concrete: the new world’s favorite material, poured by Sicilian hands into sidewalks, steps and every stubborn wall of the city. Hard as the work behind it. Building something that lasts?

  "Ci voli u concritu pi stu scaluni."

  "You need concrete for this step."

  ← Tap to flip back