Becoming fluent in another language takes hard work, a little patience and a tough skin. You have to listen to the language. You have to speak the language. And it helps if you can live the language.

So if all of this is true … why, oh why is it so dang hard to learn Calabrese?

I hear it all of the time.

I think it is cute and clever.

And I already know a word or two.

Today, I’m gonna share it with you.

And just so you can be deep and philosophical like the Calabrians around me, here are three easy-to-remember Calabrese proverbs you can learn today.

photo credit: santafeegret

Calabrese Proverb: “L’arcu suca acqua.”

Italian Translation: “L’arcobaleno prepara la pioggia.”

Translation for the rest of us: “The rainbow prepares the rain.”

… and isn’t that a sweet thought?

photo credit: Ange Soleil ( a.k.a Tweng )

Calabrese Proverb: “Lavùru fattu, dinàri aspetta.”

Italian Translation: “Chi lavora deve essere pagato.”

Translation for the rest of us: “He who works, must be paid.”

and for the record, I couldn’t agree more.

photo credit: luis perez

Calabrese Proverb: “Si ‘un ti muovi ti mangianu i muschi.”

Italian Translation: “Se non ti muovi ti mangeranno le mosche.”

Translation for the rest of us: “If you don’t move, the flies will eat you.”

I’m speechless …

I hope you enjoy this three-minute Calabrese lesson and in bocca al lupo!