When do you say Kisa vs Kisa ki?

What - Kisa
When “what” acts as a subject pronoun, we add “ki” after it.

1. What is in the car?

Kisa ki nan machin nan?

2. What makes you happy?

    Kisa ki fè ou kontan?

3. What’s in your pocket?

    Kisa ki nan pòch ou?

4. What is happening?

    Kisa ki pase?

5. What is going on?

    Kisa ki genyen?

6. What is inside that box?
    Kisa ki nan bwat la?

When “what” acts more as an interrogative pronoun, it may be used on its own.

7. What do you think?
    Kisa ou panse?

8. What did he say to you?

    Kisa li te di ou?

9. What can you do?

    Kisa ou ka fè?

10. What will you wear?

     Kisa ou pral mete?

11. What would you do with a million dollars?

      Kisa ou ta fè avèk yon milyon dola?

FYI:  It is important to know that "Kisa" is very often contracted to "sa".  So you may hear:

What do you want?

Kisa ou vle? or

Sa ou vle?

I know what you want.

mwen konnen kisa ou vle.  or

Mwen konnen sa ou vle.

FYI:  It is important to know that "Kisa ki" is very often contracted to "Sa k".  So you may hear:

What's up?

Kisa ki pase? or

Sa k pase?

What's going on?

Kisa ki genyen? or

Sa k genyen?

I know what happened.

Mwen konnen kisa ki pase.  or

Mwen konnen sa k pase.

Ask me anything