not much

pa anpil

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M couche. M'ap couche. M te couche. M t'ap couche. I know that some refer to lying down to sleep and some ... don't. How do I stay out of trouble with "couche"?

Kouche in Haitian Creole generally means to lie down. If you start using kouche avèk, then we might be talking about some grown-up stuff.
In some instances, the context is a good guide.

Examples:
M te al kouche a sizè yèswa.
I went to lie down at six last night.

Nou te tèlman fatige, n'al kouche bonè.
We were so tired, we went to bed early.

Tanpri, kouche bwat la atè a.
Please, lay the box on the floor.

M deja kouche.
I'm already in bed.

Mwen te kouche ak yon tèt fè mal.
I went to bed with a headache.

Li toujou kouche nan menm chanm ak timoun yo.
She usually sleeps in the same room as the kids.

Nou te kouche ansanm.
We slept together.

Mwen fache anpil paske li te kouche ak madanm mwen.
I'm outraged that he slept with my wife..

Li pa't janm kouche ak yon gason.
She had never slept with a man.

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Hi. What does mean: pale mwen mal tout tan ou kapab

Pale m mal tout tan w kapab,

Criticize me as long as you can.

Belittle me as long as you can.

or

Put me down as long as you can.
Pale mal → put down, slander, criticize

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Nou tout egal ego. Egal ego means equal, right?

Wi wi.

Egal ego is an expression about equality.

Other expressions similar to egal ego are: menmman parèyman, menm bagay la, menm penpenp lan, de gout dlo.

Anonymous said....

I don't understand how to use those properly (i.e. in place of egal alone). Please give some examples. Also, what is penpenp?
November 30, 2011 12:00 PM

Mandaly said....

Yes, you could use some of these expressions in place of the word "equal". The ones you can use are:
equal → egal, egal ego, menm or menm bagay, menmman parèyman.

Example:
These two cups are equal (the same).
De tas sa yo egal ego.

You and your dad have the same mannerism.
Ou menm ak papa w se menmman parèyman.

You and your sister look so much alike.
Ou menm ak sè w la tankou de gout dlo.

penpenp is anything, a concept, circumstance, or object.

Chak jou se menm penpenp lan.
Every day it's the same thing.
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I said "M pa t we pyès moun la" and was told that "pyès" is out-of-date, that only old people will understand it, and that "okenn" is way better. Is this true?

"pyès" is not outdated. How could it be?

What you will find is that people from a specific region of Haiti tend to use "pyès" more than others.

You are correct to say: M pa't wè pyès moun la.

Other synonyms for pyès moun are: okenn moun, pèsòn

So, you could also say:

M pa wè okenn moun la.

M pa wè pèsòn la.

Also Creole speakers will use pyès to mean none as in:

There will be none of that.

P'ap gen sa pyès.

I have no money on me.
M pa gen pyès lajan sou mwen.

She doesn't have any children in Haiti.
Li pa gen pyès timoun Ayiti.

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I can't get these straight. What are hug and kiss, both as nouns and verbs?

to hug (v.) → anbrase, makònen avèk, or kwoke

to kiss (v.) → bo, bobo, or anbrase

A hug (n) → anbrasad, akolad

A kiss (n) → bo, bobo, beze, bizou

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Each of us. (Each of us can help. He loves each of us.)

Each of us.

Nou chak

Chak grenn nan nou (each one of us)

You'll also hear: chaken de nou, but that's more French, less native.

Each of us can help.

Nou chak ka ede.

He loves each of us.

Li renmen nou chak.

____________________________

each day
chak jou

Each person can bring a book.
Chak moun ka pote yon liv. 

Each time I see you.
Chak fwa mwen wè w.

She takes it every morning.
Li pran li chak maten.

Each of us will get a turn.
Nou chak la va gen tou pa li.

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I don't know what to say, I don't know how to express myself

I don't know what to say.

Mwen pa konn sa pou m di.

I don't know how to espress myself.

Mwen pa konnen kijan pou m eksprime tèt mwen.

to know → konn, konnen

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Jesus knows

Jesus knows.
Jezi konnen.

God knows.
Bondye konnen.

God knows everything.
Bondye konnen tout bagay.

Who knows?
Kimoun ki konnen?
or
Kilès ki konnen?

I see that you have translated "as soon as" as "menm kote", is there another translation for it?

Yes.

As soon as → menm kote, menm lè, osito, sito, imedyatman, dèke

As soon as the rain stops, we'll leave.

Menm kote lapli a rete, n'ap kite.

As soon as the Holiday season's over, I'll come home.

Imedyatman sezon fèt la pase, m'ap vin lakay.

Call me as soon as the books come in.

Rele m dèke liv yo vini.

The dogs started barking as soon as the door bell rang.

Chyen yo te koumanse jape sito pòt la te sonnen.

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Tell me what is wrong. What did I do wrong? and What is wrong? (in Creole please)

What's wrong?

Sa ki genyen? (non-contracted)

Sa'k genyen? (contracted)

Use either one

What did I do wrong?

Kisa mwen fè ki mal?

What did I do to you?

Kisa mwen fè w?

Did I hurt you?

Eske mwen atriste w?

Did I do something wrong?

Eske mwen fè yon bagay ki mal?

or

Eske mwen fè yon move bagay?

More one WHAT"S WRONG
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Lekol lage means School's out. But i've the feeling it means something else in this sentence "Le manman yo pa la, se lekol lage."

lage → to let out, to make free

Lekòl lage. → School's out.

School's out. Drive slowly.

Lekòl lage. Kondui dousman.

Who will pick up Rachel when school's out today?

Kilès ki pral chache Rachèl lè lekòl lage jodi a?

Lekòl lage is also an expression which means anything goes

When their mom's not home, it's a wild party.

Lè manman yo pa la, se lekòl lage.

As soon as the teacher stepped out of the class, the commotion started.

Menm kote pwofesè a kite klas la, lekòl lage.

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Mwen pral an Ayiti demen. What would you recommend I must see/eat while there?

Take a drive to the outskirts of the city.
Visit Basen Ble in Jacmel.
Swim in the ocean.
Visit a flea market on market day.
Eat spicy seafood (conch, fish and shrimps),
and drink lots of coconut juice.

Be safe.
Pase yon bon vwayaj.

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what does fle sezon mean?

Flè sezon → (literally) seasonal flower

But the expression is about "seasonal friends".

Someone is said to be a "flè sezon" if, even though you are good friends, they'd talk to you seasonally.  They might say a big hello to you today, stop talking to you for a whole month or so, and then out the blue reenter your life again.

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how old are you

How old are you?

Ki laj ou?

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'To pass' as in: to pass a car on the expressway (Creole)

to pass → double (pronounced doo-blay)

I was in such a hurry I passed all the cars on the road.
Mwen te tèlman prese mwen double tout machin yo sou wout la.

Should "reyalize" be used for both "to produce" and "to recognize", like its English cognate "to realize"?

Yes, it could be used for both.

example:

Can you recognize what went wrong here?

Eske ou reyalize sa ki pase la?

They worked hard to produce this performance.

Yo travay di pou yo reyalize spetak sa.

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Is "asistans" correctly translated as "help", as "attendance", or both?

more like: help, support, relief, sustenance, or even helping hand

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Crazy (Creole), anything other than fou?

Yeap.
Crazy →  dechennen, anraje, debòde, fou, pèdi fèy, bonèt (pronoun) chavire, pèdi tèt (pronoun)

Examples: (see where pronoun is placed for the last two translations.

He's gone beserk.
Li fou.
Li dechennen.
Li deraye. (English: to derail)
Li anraje
Li pèdi yon fèy
Bonèt li chavire
Li pèdi tèt li.

We thought you went crazy when you took the streets all naked.
Nou panse ou te fou lè w te pran lari a toutouni.
Nou panse ou te pèdi tèt ou lè w te pran lari a toutouni.
Nou panse bonèt ou te chavire lè w te pran lari a toutouni.

Crazy in love → use "fou"
I'm crazy for you.
Mwen fou pou ou.

I'm surprised.

I'm surprised (stunned, or shocked).
Mwen sezi.
Mwen etone.

I'm startled.
Mwen pantan.
Mwen sote.

Eske m 'fou paske mwen renmen ou anpil?

Eske m fou paske m renmen anpil? (you may contract the second "m" also)

Am I crazy because I love you so much?

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Is there a similar Creole expression for "to butt head"?

to butt head just like goats?

butt head (to disagree, to clash) → twoke kòn

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miss you alot love and kisses

Miss you a lot. (is it "I" or "we"?)

Nou / M sonje w anpil.

Love and kisses

Beze ak lanmou

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What is the difference between Eske and Èske?

They are the same word.
You've just managed to find out how to put the accent on the capital e.

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moute or monte?

Both.

moute, monte → go up, get in

Li moute do kay la.
He went up the roof of the house.

Monte machin nan.
Get in the car.

Li monte nechèl la e li te pè desann.
He went up the ladder and he was afraid to come down.

Kap la moute nèt jiskaske li disparèt.
The kite went up all the way until it disappeared.

Flower (Creole)

flower - flè

You are like a beautiful flower.
Ou tankou yon bèl flè.

Against all odds

Against all odds
Malgre tout difikilte
Malgre tout peripesi

She's / He's all mouth.

She's / He's all mouth.
Se bouch ase l genyen.

Covet all, lose all (Creole)

Covet all, lose all.
Vle tout, pèdi tout.
Renmen tout, pèdi tout.

When is "le" in creole. And time is also "le". So, 'when the time comes' is translated 'le le la vini'?

When the time comes...

Lè lè a rive...

Kou lè a rive...

or

Lè tan an rive...

When the time comes, will you be ready?

Lè lè a rive, eske w'ap pre?

When the time comes we'll tell her about it.

Kou lè a rive na di l sa.

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I love you so much/ very much... twòp?

very much → anpil
so much → tèlman, anpil

I love you very much.
Mwen renmen ou anpil.

I love you so much I gave up my seat for you.
Mwen tèlman renmen w mwen kite plas mwen pou ou.

I love them so much I can't choose.
Mwen tèlman renmen yo mwen pa ka chwazi.

He's so tired he can't even walk.
Li tèlman bouke li pa menm ka mache.

Is "anmède" an appropriate word in nice company?

Sure.

There's nothing vulgar about it.

It does have a slight similarity to "nan mèd" which is a vulgar expression.

The pronunciation is different too.

anmède (v.) → to bother, to inconvenience, to irritate, to badger

anmèdan (n.) → bully, teaser, jokester, pain in the neck

Poukisa w'ap anmède m konsa?

Why are you giving me such a headache?

Mwen pat vle travay pandan sezon fèt la, men patwon mwen anmède m jiskaske mwen asepte.

I didn't want to work during the holidays, but my boss nagged me until I said yes.

Pa pran li oserye. Li se yon anmèdan.

Don't take him seriously. He's a teaser.

Other Creole synonyms for anmède (v.) are:  annniye, trakase, anbete, takinen, fann nan kò, pèsekite

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Ala de koze!

Ala de koze!
What a parody!
What a farce!

Same as:
Ala de tenten!
Ala de grimas!
What a joke!
What absurdity!

Ala de foli!
What foolishness!

Ala de pwoblèm!
Ala de tèt chaje!
What a headache!

Ala de kaka! (vulgar)
What absurdity!

Ala de wont!   or
Ala wont!
What a shame!

Wap voye compa Mandalie!

Mè wi, se sa!
M'ap voye konpa san gade dèyè :-)

You must know that it's all about the rythm, its beauty, and illusion.

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Kisa yon 'tetsanko' ye?

Tètsankò → (literally tèt-san-kò head-without-body)

This expression is said of people that are undernourished, look skinny, and are unable to gain healthy weight.
Even though they may eat a lot, it seems that their mouths are not connected to their body. Thus, tètsankò.

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"a lot" can also be translated as "packet"? Like 'yon packet kay'?

Yes. "pakèt" will then be written in Creole.

You will also see the following synonyms for "pakèt" in Haitian Creole:

anpil, bann, kolonn, pil, dal

example:

He has a lot of houses.

Li gen yon pakèt kay.

There were many books on the floor.

Te gen yon dal liv atè a.

There were so many people at the party.

Te gen yon bann moun nan fèt la.

The lady came in with a lot of kids.

Madanm nan te vini ak yon kolonn timoun.

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Eske ou janm...? → Have you ever...? (in Haitian Creole)

Click here to download…

Audio for the following Creole sentences using ESKE OU JANM Have you ever

 

Eske ou janm... → Have you ever...

1. Eske ou janm bwè diven jiskaske ou sou?
    Have you ever drunk wine until you were intoxicated?

2. Eske ou janm kenbe yon sekrè ki pi fò pase w?
    Have you ever held  a secret that was stronger than you?

3. Eske ou janm pran lapenn pou yon moun ki koupab?
    Have you ever felt sorry for someone who was guilty?

4. Eske ou janm priye pou Bondye modi yon moun?
    Have you ever prayed for God's curse on someone?

5. Eske ou janm vòlè nan men yon rich pou bay yon pòv?
    Have you ever stolen from the rich in order to give to the poor?

6.  Eske ou janm wè solèy leve oubyen solèy kouche?
     Have you ever seen the sunrise o rthe sunset?

7.  Eske ou janm vwayaje sou motosiklèt? 
     Have you ever travelled by motocycle?

8.  Eske ou janm te nan yon aksidan?
    Have you ever been in an accident?

9.  Eske ou janm fè kònmsi ou se yon lòt moun?
    Have you ever pretended to be someone else?

10. Eske ou janm pale Kreyòl Ayisyen nan telefòn?
      Have you ever spoken Haitian Creole on the phone?

Se tout.  Mèsi anpil e orevwa:)
That's all.  Thank you very  much and goodbye.

Epi and Epitou

Epi / Epitou  (enpitou)/ E → and, and then, also, as well as

She speaks English and she speaks Creole.
Li pale Angle epi li pale Kreyòl.
You are smart, beautiful, and considerate.
Ou bèl, intelijan, epi ou janti.

This computer is advanced, small, light, and it's cheap.
Odinatè sa avanse, piti, lejè, epitou li bon mache.

He rescued me from a hell hole, from a dangerous situation, that was killing me.
Li sove m anba yon lanfè, nan yon sitiyasyon ki danjere, epi ki t'ap touye m.

Can you give me the definition of each sentence in kreole. 'do you wear glasses?' 'I am wearing perfume.' 'He always wears a smile.' The carpet has been badly worn.' Notice the verb 'wear' in each sentence.

Do you wear glasses?

Eske ou pote linèt?

I am wearing perfume.

Mwen mete pafen. or

Mwen gen pafen sou mwen.

He always wears a smile.

Li toujou gen yon souri.

The carpet has been badly worn.

Kapèt la abime anpil.

Yes, the verb "to wear" is translated differently in each sentence to specifically describe its action in the Haitian Creole language.  Thanks! for bringing that out :)

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zamii

You mean "zanmi" for "friend?

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What does Mwen ta swete sou yon etwal mean

I would wish upon a star.

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remember to talk with God everyday

Sonje pale ak Bondye chak jou.

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bare (creole): to catch?

Bare (pronounced bah-ray) → to take unawares, to capture, to catch, to trap, to block, to enclose

Bare as in to catch or capture

They caught a burglar at the market.
Yo bare yon vòlè nan mache a.

He was caught stealing mangos.
Yo bare l ap vòlè mango.

She caught him in bed with another woman.
Li bare l nan kabann ak yon lòt fi.



Bare as in: to block, to enclose

The police officers barricaded the road because of the accident.
Polis yo bare wout la akoz aksidan an.

They blocked the school entrance with a yellow ribbon.
Yo te bare antre lekòl la ak yon riban jòn.

Why did they block the road?
Poukisa yo bare wout la?

The man in front of me is blocking my view.  I can't see anything.
Mesye ki devan mwen an bare m.  Mwen pa ka wè anyen.

How do you say "cooking spoons" in Haitian Creole?

The spoon that Haitians cooked with is called kiyè bwa.

It is a wooden spoon especially used when cooking maize (cornmeal).

There's also the soup or gravy ladle called louch.

Used for soups ans stews.

ti kiyè → teaspoon

gran kiyè → tablespoon

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happy birthday

Bòn Fèt.

Happy Birthday!

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nouvèl (Creole)

Nouvèl → information, news, bulletin

Ban m nouvèl ou.

How have you been?

Ban m nouvèl manman w.

How's your mom?

Eske ou te tande nouvèl la?

Have you heard the news?

Mwen pote bon nouvèl.

I bring good news.

Mwen fe nouvèl chak maten. or

Mwen koute nouvèl chak maten.

I listen to the news every morning.

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imajine

imajine → to think of, to imagine, to fantasize, to conceive

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do you like me?

Do you like me?

Eske ou renmen m?

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tired and bored

fatige e anniye

I'm tired and bored.

Mwen fatige e anniye.

I'm tired and weak.
Mwen fatige e fèb.

You are too restless
Ou fatige tèt ou twòp.

Another way to say tired in Creole is bouke.

I am tired of working hard.

Mwen bouke travay di.

I'm tired of being tired.

Mwen bouke fatige tèt mwen.

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bored and boring

bored → anniye

boring → raz, san plezi, pa enteresan

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Would you say "here I come":"isit mwen vini", "isit la m vini" or "la m vini"?I am kinda confused about the usage of here when it is not referring to a specific place.

You're right. It can get confusing.

We might not be able to translate the next examples word for word.

Place the Haitian Creole word "men" before the subject when making these kind of sentences with "Here" or "there".

Here I come.
Men mwen.

Here she comes.

Men li.

Here they come.

Men yo.

Here we are.

Men nou.

Here is the book you wanted.

Men liv ou te vle a.

Here I am Lord.

Men mwen Senyè.

When you call on a Creole speaker, he or she will come to you and most often say:

Men mwen.  Ou te rele m?

Here I am.  Did you call me?

You will also hear:  Men mwen wi! (Here i am!)

There it is.

Men li.
Men ni.

Here is the money I borrowed from you.

Men lajan ou te prete m nan.

Here is the computer I saw in the ad.

Men òdinatè mwen te wè nan reklam nan.

Sometimes Creole speakers will use the verb "vini" along with "men"
example:
Here she comes.
Men l'ap vini.

Here they come with the baby.
Men y'ap vini ak bebe a.

Here I come with the cake.
Men m'ap vini avèk gato a.

So, "Here I come" can either be:
Men mwen.
or
Men m'ap vini.

See more examples with similar sentences here: http://sweetcoconuts.blogspot.com/2011/11/here-it-is-there-it-goes-creole.html

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What is "moun pa"

Moun pa → favorite person, close friend, pal, bosom buddy

He's my buddy.
Se moun pa mwen.(non-contracted)
Se moun pa m. (contracted)
Watch for contractions.  And do not confuse this "pa" with the negative indicator "pa" : )

-Do you know this lady?
  Eske ou konnen madanm sa a?

-Yes I know her.  She's a close friend.
  Wi mwen konnen l. Li se moun pa m.

-If I knew she was your pal I would have been nice to her.
  Si m te konnen li te moun pa w, mwen ta byen aji avè l.

Moun pa is an expression that could mean favoritism.
Ou nan moun pa.
You're playing favorite.

Moun pa se dra.
Good friends are like sheets. (Good friends are a shelter)

He would not have gotten the job if he didn't have someone on the inside.
Li pa ta jwenn travay la si li pa't gen moun pa anndan an.

You must have someone on the inside to get ahead in this country.
Fòk ou gen moun pa pou w avanse nan peyi sa.

See some other Haitian Creole words for "favoritism"

I have another question when Telling time. For example if you say to someone I'll come pick you up at uite mwennka, you mean 7:45.

Yes. You got it :-)

7:45 is uitè mwennka.

I'll come pick you up at 7:45.

M'ap vin chache w a uitè mwennka.

or

M'ap vin chache w a setè karannsenk.

Telling time 1
Telling time

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haiti

Ayiti

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I have a question with Telling time.For example if you say to someone, I"ll come pick you up at 'nuit heures twaka. you mean 8:45.

yeap, that's it.

Wi, se sa.

eight forty-five

uitè karannsenk (eight forty-five)

or

uitè twaka (eight and three quarters)

or

nevè mwennka (fifteen minutes to nine)

Telling Time 1
Telling Time

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how do you say i dont know

Mwen pa konnen

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First thing I'm going to do is...Second thing " "..... Third thing " " Fourth thing " " trust me we're not going to leave you hungry.

First thing I'm going to do is...

Premye bagay m'ap fè se ...

Second thing ...

Dezyèm bagay ...

See the link for Ordinal Numbers: http://sweetcoconuts.blogspot.com/2011/10/ordinal-numbers-from-1-10.html

Trust me, we will not leave you hungry.  (Is "you" plural?

Kwè m si ou vle, nou p'ap kite nou san manje. (nou - plural)

There are other ways to translate this sentence, but the above is my first choice:

Kwè mwen, nou pap kite nou grangou.

Kwè mwen, nou pap kite nou ak grangou nan vant.

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HELLO MY FRIEND

Hello my friend!

Bonjou zanmi mwen!
Bèl bonjou zanmi mwen!

Kout chapo zanmi mwen!

Sali zanmi mwen!

Onè respè zanmi mwen!
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How about "Happy Holidays" in Creole?

Happy Holidays.
Pase yon bon sezon fèt.
(Literally: Have a good holiday season)

More Haitian Creole Holiday greetings

How to say "Merry Christmas" in Creole. And also "May the Son of God bring peace into the heart of every man". Great blog!

Merry Christmas!

Jwaye Nwèl!

May the Son of God bring peace into the heart of every man.

Se pou Pitit Bondye a pote lapè nan kè tout moun.

More Haitian Creole Christmas and Holiday greetings

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Then if someone says "thank you" in Creole, I will answer how?

You're welcome. or Don't mention it.
De ryen.
Padekwa.

My pleasure
Se te tout plèzi mwen.

Forget it.
Pa okipe w.

No problem
Pa gen pwoblèm.

It was nothing.
Se pa't anyen.

It was nothing at all.
Se pa't anyen ditou.

Thank you very much - mèsi anpil?

Yeap, you got it!

thank you
mèsi

thank you very much
thanks a lot
mèsi anpil

I thank you.
mwen remèsye ou.

I appreciate it.
Mwen apresye sa.
M apresye sa. (contracted)

I am very thankful.
Mwen gen anpil gratitid.

Thank God for you.
Mwen remèsye Bondye pou ou.

To thank or To say thanks
remèsye
or
di mèsi

I wanted to say thank you.
Mwen te vle di w mèsi.
or
Mwen te vle remèsye w.

How could I ever thank you?
Kòman pou'm ta remèsye w?

Se konsa...kijan ou ye? or Kidonk...kijan ou ye? Can you use Se Konsa and Kidonk interchangeably when you start a sentence with "So..."

Kidonk, kijan ou ye? sounds better.

or

Konsa, kijan ou ye?

you could even say:

Konsa menm, kijan ou ye?

Se konsa... would not sound right.

Se konsa → in this manner, that's how...

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city

vil, lavil

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Sweet hello, Manda!Right now I am reading one simple and very nice book about carnival in Jacmel, written by Edwidge Danticat. Carnival has special palce in every caribbean society...what are your experiences with carnivals? Btw, how have you been?

Bèl bonjou zanmi m!

Ah! Carnival time in Haiti, where both men and women may take to the streets, with as little as a straw skirt, to dance the night away.

Kanaval se tan plezi

Tan kè kontan

Tan tout moun abiye tout koulè

Pou ale danse kole kole

Se tan bèl mizik tou

Gen moun k’ ap danse Konpa

Gen moun k’ap danse Rara

Si ou te Ayiti, zanmi m

Mwen panse ou ta danse Zouk :)

Anpil chalè

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visyè

Do you mean visye → greedy ?

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laundry

lesiv

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I'm happy for this day because it is thanksgiving and I am thankful for you in my life. (in Creole please)

Mwen kontan pou jou sa a, paske se Thanksgiving. E M'ap bay remèsiman paske ou nan lavi m.

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appetite (Creole)

Enjoy your meal!

Bon apeti!

Manje vant deboutonnen!

My Greek friend would say OPA! :-)
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Thankful

Give thanks → Bay remèsiman.

I'm thankful for...
M'ap bay remèsiman pou...

I'm thankful for the life you gave us.
M'ap bay remèsiman pou lavi ou ban nou.

I'm thankful for my family.
M'ap bay remèsiman pou fanmi m.

A thankful heart is a happy heart.
Yon kè plen ak gratitid, se yon kè ki kontan.

Love is so complicated (Creole)

Sometimes it is.
Sometimes it's not.
What's so complicated about loving a puppy?  YOU love IT, and IT loves YOU back.

Love is so complicated.
Lanmou si tèlman konplike.

is there a rule for when i should abbreviate the pronoun after a noun and when not to? For example, my friend corrects me and says that I should say lakay MWEN, not lakay m.

Yes, there's a rule.

Contractions don't follow consonants.

They only come after vowels (nasal and non nasal → a, an, e, è, en, i, o, ò, ou)

Follow this link about CONTRACTIONS: http://sweetcoconuts.blogspot.com/2011/11/contractions-contracting-haitian-creole.html

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What is 'puppet' in Creole

puppet - panten, ti panten, ti poupe twal, maryonèt

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Travel safe.

Have a safe trip.

Pase bon vwayaj.

Travel safe.

Vwayaje sen e sof.

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relationship

Relationship → Relasyon, koneksyon, afilyasyon

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hi, can you tell me the difference of these two? men M gen yon bel santiman. men M gen w bel santiman.

The first one is grammatically correct.
The second one does not make much sense.
The first one says: But I have a beautiful feeling.
The second one says: But I have you a beautiful feeling.

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how do you say don't give her water

Don't give her water.

Pa ba li dlo.

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Merry Christmas? (in Creole)

Merry Christmas.

Jwaye Nwèl.

 

Merry Christmas in Creole

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how do you say in creole you make me feel so good

define "feel so good".

That's probably a general term for "happy". Is that what you mean?

You make me feel so good.

Ou fè m santi m kontan.

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Merite pa mande.

Not always true.

I've never lived by that rule.

Men sa m panse:
Merite pa mande.

Merite pa ka apresye.

Mande apresye plis :)

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How is everything?

How's everything?

Kijan tout bagay ye?

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Moin gin yoin rum m, map rale de tan an tan nan gorge moin chaque soir, li fe m, pa ka dormi

To be grammatically correct in Creole, you should write this as:

Mwen gen yon rim m'ap rale nan gòj mwen detanzantan chak swa. Li fè m paka dòmi.

I get increased nasal secretions continually creeping up my throat at night. It keeps me from getting any sleep.

Ou sanble gripe.

Chache wout kay doktè tande!

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Christian artists Christian artists

atis kretyen

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MWEN RENMEN MADANN MWEN SE LI KI SEL FANM MWEN LANMOU SA PAP JANM FINI MWEN RENMEN JUJU M BABY SE POW W

Okay.... I like that :)

Your wife must be very special.

Mwen renmen madanm mwen. Se li sèl fanm mwen.

I love my wife. She's the only woman for me.

Lanmou sa p'ap janm fini.

This love will never end.

Mwen renmen Joujou. Bebe m se pa w.

I love Juju. Baby I am yours.

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all my .... (creole)

All my... → Tout ... mwen

all my friends  → tout zanmi mwen yo
All my friends have come to see me.
Tout zanmi mwen yo vin wè mwen.
Tout zanmi m yo vin wè m. (contracted form)

all my hope → tout espwa mwen
All my hope is in you.
Tout espwa mwen se nan ou.
Tout espwa m se nan ou. (contracted form)

all my life → tout lavi mwen
All my life I've been waiting.
Tout lavi mwen mwen t'ap tann.
Tout lavi m mwen t'ap tann. (contracted form)

all my needs → tout bezwen mwen yo
All my needs are taken care of.
Tout bezwen mwen yo regle.
Tout bezwen m yo regle. (contracted form follows nasal vowel "en")

all my dreams → tout rèv mwen yo
All my dreams have become reality.
Tout rèv mwen yo vini reyalite.
cannot contract "mwen" because it follows a consonant "v".

all your efforts → tout zefò ou yo
All your efforts were not in vain.
Tout zefò ou yo pa't anven.
Tout zefò w yo pa't anven.

all his children → tout pitit li yo
All his children have left him.
Tout pitit li yo kite l.
cannot contract "li" because it follows consonant "t".

all our children → tout pitit nou yo
All our children are married.
Tout pitit nou yo marye.
cannot contract "nou" because it follows consonant "t".

How shameless, how rude! (help in translating that) is it "kijan wont!"?

Generally, you would say:

How shameless and/or rude!
Ala moun sanwont!
What shameless people!

Ala moun san prestij!
What reckless and foolish people!

Ala moun san zedikasyon!
What uneducated people!

Ala moun malelve!
Ala moun malonèt!
How rude!

If you're specifically talking about a man, you would say:
Ala nèg sanwont!
Ala nèg san zedikasyon!
etc...

Or if you're specifically talking about a woman!
Ala fanm sanwont!
Ala fanm malelve!
etc...

You could replace moun, nèg, or fanm with a pronoun. 
Example:
Ala w sanwont!  (You have no shame!)
Ala li malelve! (He's so rude!)
Ala yo san zedikasyon! (How uneducated they are!) 

I know we had a good time inside the train.....

This.... via email

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"Manage" - I managed to get out safely. (Mwen manaje soti siman)?

Manage (to succeed in) → rive or arive,  resi or reyisi (to finally suceed)
To succeed → reyisi
Safely → an sekirite, sen e sof

I managed to get out safely.
Mwen te rive sòti sen e sof.

She managed to fit into the dress with no problems.
Li te resi antre nan rad la san pwoblèm.

How did you manage to quit smoking?
Kijan ou te resi kite fimen?

When will you speak to .... about resolving our problem? (Best way to say)

When will you speak to ... about resolving our problem?
Kilè w'ap pale ak ... sou zafè règleman pwoblèm nou an?

It was a pleasure to meet you yesterday (and still is) -- m kontan te fe konesans w? M te kontan fe konesans w.

Both versions are right actually.
I have heard both.
Can't use contraction after "konesans"

Don't forget your accented characters.

It was a pleasure to meet you.

M te kontan fè konesans ou.

It was a pleasure to meet you yesterday.

M te kontan fè konesans ou yè.

About Contractions

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Open January through March

Ouvè depi Janvye jiska Mas
or
Ouvè de Janvye a Mas

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precious

precious → presye, gen valè, chè

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Bèl bagay wap fè sèlman

You're doing great things

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It's about time... (expression in Creole)

It's about time...
Li te lè li te tan...
Li te lè l te tan... (you will mostly hear this contracted variant)

It's about time they left.
Li te lè l te tan pou yo te ale.

It was about time for a miracle.
Li te lè l te tan pou yon mirak.

It's about time you took care of that.
Li te lè l te tan pou w regle sa.

It's about time he proposed to you.
Li te lè l te tan pou li mande w maryaj.

how do say house in creole

house, home → kay or lakay

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What does ou komik wi mean

Ou komik wi.

You're funny.

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Seek, and ye shall find

Seek, and ye shall find.
Chache, e wa jwenn.

"Grand opening for Winter Farmers' Market, January 8." "(corner of Washington & Norfolk Streets)"'Farm Fresh Produce!"

Gran inogirasyon pou Winter Farmers' Market,
8 Janvye
(Nan kafou riyèl Washington ak Norfolk)
"Vejetab ak fwi tou fre, ki fèt keyi!"

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Overnight, as in: Success doesn't happen overnight.

Overnight (suddenly) → sibitman, toudenkou, nan yon jou
Success → siksè, reyisit, pwogrè

Success doesn't happen overnight.
Pwogrè pa fèt nan yon jou.
Reyisit pa fèt toudenkou.

He became rich overnight.
Li vin rich toudenkou.

She became another person overnight.
Li vin chanje sibitman.

Whether you're this or that, etc... (Creole)

Whether you're this or that
Ke w te sa, ke w pat sa
Kit ou te sa, kit ou pat sa
Li mèt te sesi, li mèt te sela

whether you rich or poor
Ke w te rich, ke w te pòv
Kit ou te rich, kit ou te pòv
Ou mèt rich oubyen ou mèt pòv

whether you're black or white
Kit ou te nwa, kit ou te blan
Ke w te nwa, ke w te blan
Ou mèt nwa, oubyen ou mèt blan.

Whether they were native or foreigners
Ke yo te moun peyi, ke yo te etranje
Kit yo te moun peyi, kit yo te etranje
Ou mèt te moun peyi, oubyen ou mèt te etranje

Can you use the Creole "pwochèn" to call out "Next in line!"?

Haitians say:
Suivan!, lesuivan!, or ki moun ki apre!

NEXT and NEXT TO

what does fout mean? (I hope it is not a very bad word, I am sorry if it is)

Yeap it is. :( Grrrrrr...Follow this link: http://sweetcoconuts.blogspot.com/2011/07/fout.html

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Batay la se pou L'eternel

Ah!... I get it :)

This is the Lord's fight.

Batay la se pou Letènèl.

Literally this says: The fight is the Lord's.

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battle for God

Is it like a "fight for God" ? or a "battle that belongs to God"

battle for God

konba pou Bondye

God's fight

Konba Bondye a

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more than... as in:more than anything

more than... → plis pase...


More than anything → plis pase tout bagay

I love you more than anything
Mwen renmen w plis pase tout bagay.


more than ever
plis pase janmè


more than that
plis pase sa

more than you
plis pase w 
plis pase ou menm

more than I can say
plis pase sa m ka di

more than me
plis pase m

King David had more than one wife
Wa David te gen plis pase yon madanm.

Holiday Greetings (Creole)

Mwen swete nou tout yon bèl Nwèl.E mwen swete nou yon nouvèl ane
plen ak lanmou, lajwa, e bòn sante

 Are you making your Holiday Greeting cards in Haitian Creole this year?

Holiday Greetings Creole Vocabulary



When do you use 'ase' instead of 'kont' ?

"ase" is a synonym of "kont"You could use "ase" instead of "kont" as you please.

It's enough.

Li ase

or

Li kont.

I have enough problems.

Mwen gen ase pwoblèm.

or

Mwen gen pwoblèm mwen.

Is it enough?

Eske li ase?

or

Eske li kont?

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And you? E ou menm? Why is 'menm' there? Why not E ou?

You could say "E ou" if you want.

"Ou menm" is the expression for "yourself".

"E ou menm?" means "and yourself?" or "How about you?" or "How about yourself?"

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translate 'Sak Pase?' in different tenses

Present tense: Kisa ki pase?
Kisa  |  ki                       |  pase? 
Sa      |  k                       |  pase? contracted
what  | that/which/ who| happen
What's happened?
What's going on?

Also:
Past tense: Kisa ki te pase? 
Kisa ki te pase la?
Sa'k te pase la? (contracted)
What happened there?

Future tense: kisa ki va pase? or kisa ki pral pase?
Kisa ki va pase lè ou rive lakay ou?
Sa k va pase lè w rive lakay ou? (contracted)
What will happen when you arrive home.

and also:
Present Progressive: Kisa ki ap pase?
Kisa ki ap pase Ayiti kounye a?
Sa k'ap pase Ayiti kounye a? (contracted)
What's happening in Haiti now?

and
Past progressive: Kisa ki te ap pase?
Kisa ki te ap pase nan lekòl ou a yè?
Sa k t'ap pase nan lekòl ou a yè? (contracted)
What was happening at your school yesterday?

Other ways to say What's going on / What's happening in Creole.
Kisa ki genyen?
or 
Sa'k genyen? (contracted)

Kisa ki ap fèt?
or
Sa k'ap fèt? (contracted)

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