javiu

Sicilian

Alternative forms

gàuju

Etymology

Ioticized dialectal variant of an earlier gàuju (with the fricatization of the intermediate semiconsonants /ˈjaw.j(i).ʊ/ < /ˈja.vjʊ/), from an older unattested form *ga(u)j(i)u, from Latin gaudium (“joy”). Cognate with Portuguese goivo and Sardinian gaju.

Pronunciation

IPA^(key): /ˈja.vju/
Hyphenation: jà‧viu

Noun

javiu m

(Prevalent in Eastern Sicily) joy, delight
Synonyms: cuntintizza, filicità

Trìvulu 'n cumuni e menzu javiu.
Misery loves company.

Related terms