GET THE FACTS in Creole

Get the facts.
Ranseye'w.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Is it proper to call someone "anraje"? What is the meaning exactly? Is the same as "crazy"?

A. Si yon moun anraje, ou di l'anraje.  Ou rele l sa li ye a.

B. To call someone "yon anraje", you're probably using it as a noun.  Is that right?
anraje (n.) → a nut case,  a lunatic, a person who acts crazy and/or foolish
example:
1. Ou se yon anraje monchè!
    You're a nut case man!

Or using it as an attribute
2. Ou anraje monchè!
    You're crazy man!

C. anraje, mande anraje, or fin anraje v. (also debòde or dechennen) → to become furious, to go bonkers, to lose it, to hit the roof
example:
3. Lè li te aprann ke bank lan pa t'ap ranbouse li lajan an, li te mande anraje.

    When he learned that the bank wouldn't give him a refund, he became furious.   

4.  Madanm nan te fin anraje lè li te aprann yo te bay pitit li a yon move medikaman nan lopital la.

     The woman was very furious when she learned that they had given the wrong medication to her child at the hospital.

D. anraje can also mean to run rampant, to ravage, to be out of control

example:

5. Grangou ak lanmizè fin anraje nan peyi a.

    Hunger and suffering are ravaging the country.

Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

mwen gen dwa pa vle di ou anyen men sa pa vle di ke mwen pa konprann ou.

Mwen gen dwa pa di anyen men sa pa vle di mwen pa konprann ou.
I may not say anything but that doesn't mean that I don't understand you.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Kijan ou di halloween nan Ayiti? kijan ou di trick or treat nan Ayiti?

Pa gen Halloween Ayiti.
Halloween se pa yon fèt yo selebre Ayiti, ni nou pa genyen yon ekivalan selebrasyon sa nan peyi Ayiti tou.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

What is "to take attendance" in Creole?

take attendance → fè apèl  or   fè lapèl
roll call → apèl, lapèl

The teacher takes atendance each morning.
Mèt la fè apèl chak maten.

Teacher is translated as pwofesè or mèt.  Mèt, literally, means master.  You'll find that students in Haiti always add the prefix Mèt in front of their teachers' name.  Mèt for males, and Matmwazèl or Madame for females.
Mèt Brinach → Mr. Brinach
Matmwazèl Françoise → Ms. Françoise

You know, I have kept in touch with some of my primary and secondary school teachers from Haiti.  And to this day, I still call them Mèt.

in the nick of time... (in creole). She made it to the hospital "in the nick of time".

In the nick of time.
atan

1. Li te rive lopital la atan.
2. Li te remèt mwen lajan m atan.
3. Yo te rive nan sal ijans lan atan.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Bonjou mandaly, how would you say "after all" or "in the long run"? mesi!

after all
in the long run
alafen
apretou
finalman
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

How do you say, "Are those your children", meaning, Are those (over there, in that photo) YOUR (lovely)children? ?Timoun sa you, se timoun ou / p'ou? Thank you!

You got it right.

Are those your children?
Eske sa yo se timoun ou / pitit ou?
Timoun sa yo se timoun ou?
Timoun sa yo se pou ou?

The lovely children in that photo, are they yours?
Bèl timoun yo nan foto sa se pitit ou?

Bèl timoun yo nan foto sa se pou ou?

Are the children in these photos yours?

Timoun nan foto sa yo se pitit ou?

Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

How do I say "that's good"

That's good. (It's ok... It looks good... It is swell?)
Li bon.
Sa bon.
Anfòm.

That's not good.
Li pa bon.
Sa pa bon.

That's good news.
Sa se bon nouvèl.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Hearts and minds (Creole)

Hearts and minds
kè ak lespri

Ex:
Open our hearts and minds so that we may love without prejudice.
Louvri kè ak lespri nou pou nou kapab renmen san prejije.


Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Mon cher cousin ....

Sa se Franse.  Se pa Kreyòl :)

Mon cher cousin
My dear cousin
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

my husband is a missionary to haiti, & we frequently make videos about his trips there. would it be possible for me to download and use the haitian creole alphabet song for one of the videos?

Here's a download link for this song:
Click here to download…
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

how to say, you can color these pictures?

You can color these pictures / illustrations/drawings.
Ou kapab kolore foto / ilistrasyon / desen sa yo
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

which haitian creole word is used to translate the verb toughen up?

It depends on what is being toughened up.
you can use the word andisi (to harden)
you can use vin rèd (to become stiff)
you can use mete gason sou or mete fanm sou (to be tough and strong)

Ou bezwen met gason sou ou.
or
Ou bezwen mete gason sou ou.
You need to toughen up. (if talking to a male)

Ou bezwen met fanm sou ou
or
Ou bezwen mete fanm sou ou.
You need to toughen up. (if talking to a female)
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

how do you say "we need to talk" in creole

We need to talk.
Fòk nou pale 

We need to talk about this.
We need to discuss this
Fòk nou pale sou sa.
Fòk nou diskite sa.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

fèt a kwaf? - Li fèt ak kwaf?

Fèt ak kwaf → to be lucky, to be born lucky

Li fèt ak kwaf.
He's lucky.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

N'ap manje yon pita pita?

☺ Are you talking about a flat pita bread here?  That's the only way this sentence could be possible in Creole :)

N'ap manje yon pita pita :)
We'll eat a pita bread later.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

"Kèkal" as in Li rete kèkal?

kè kal (heart calm) - kè pòpòz - kè poze (heart rested)

Kèkal → calm.

Li rete kèkal.
He was calm.
He remained calm.

kè pòpòz - calm, serene, poised, composed

Li te kè pòpòz.
She was poised.

synonyms: kèkal, kè pòpòz, dousman, dousman trankil
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

"Hurry up, get a move on" (in Creole)

Hurry up!
Fè vit!
Prese!
Pa fè reta!
or 
Fè vit non!
Prese non!

Get a move on!
Leve pye!
Depeche w!
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

I need to clear up some issues with past tense: "I studied Creole 2 years ago." (suggesting I have not since then) "I have not studied Creole for 2 years." "I have been studying for 2 years."

I studied Creole 2 years ago. 
Mwen te etidye Kreyòl dezan pase.

I have not studied Creole for two years.
Mwen pa etidye Creole depi dezan.

I have been studying Creole for two years.
M'ap etidye Creole depi dezan.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

happy wedding anniversary my love forever. 8 years

wedding anniversary
anivèsè maryaj

Happy anniversary my love forever - 8 years
Bòn anivèsè maryaj lanmou mwen pou tout tan - uitan

Did you mean
Happy anniversary my everlasting love - for 8 wonderful years
Bòn anivèsè maryaj lanmou enfini mwen -  pou uit bèl ane.

Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

I am "8" years old

I am "8" years old.
Mwen gen "uitan".

I am thirty years old.
Mwen gen trantan.

I was twenty-seven when I got married.
Mwen te gen vennsetan lè'm te marye.

I will be forty in two weeks.
M pral gen karantan nan de semèn.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Se sa minm. mpa tande w nan peyi a minm frem. nap we si bondie vle.

Se sa menm!
That's right!
You got it!

M pa tande w nan peyi a menm frè m.  N'ap wè si Bondye vle.
I haven't heard from you at all on my end.  I'll see you God willing.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

How do you use the expression "pa mande Bondye"

Pa mande Bondye → God forbid!, Heaven forbid!

1. Pa mande Bondye yon bagay ta rive'w pandan ou sou siveyans mwen.  Papa'w pa ta janm padonnen m.
    God forbid that something should happen to you on my watch.  Your father would never forgive me.

2. Li panse li se chèf mwen. Pa mande Bondye m ta sòti san pèmisyon l,  li ta fin anraje!
    He thinks he owns me.  Heaven forbid if I go out without his permission, he would hit the roof!
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Si'm te konnen toujou dèyè ...(in English please)

Yes unfortunately.
Four little syllables I really hate to say.
Si'm te konnen (If I had known) ...
But when I always do my best, there's absolutely no need to say it.  I'll only understand that some things are just not meant to be.

Si'm te konnen toujou dèyè (H. Creole expression)
If I had known is always behind. (literally)
Regret always comes after the fact.
Regret always comes too late.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

What is the "bon jou" meaning in this sentence: "...si gen Bondye ak ki jou ki bon jou Bondye a."

bon jou (good day), here, seems to mean the Day Of The Lord or a day for worship
I am not sure which one the writer meant.

... ki jou ki bon jou Bondye a ...
... which day is the good day of the Lord (literally)
... which day is the day of the Lord 

Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

from Bèbè Golgota pg 54, "Malgre y ap pale ansanm, youn pa t sou bò lòt." What does "sou bò lòt" mean? Thank you!

sou bò (expression) → to be interested in, to hold one's attention

Mwen pa sou bò ou.
I am not interested in you.

Li pa menm sou bò ou.
He is not even interested in you.

Malgre y ap pale ansanm, youn pa't sou bò lòt.
Even though they were talking together , one was not interested in the other. (literally)
Though they were speaking to each other, one had no interest in the other.

Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

how do you say "i want to be a doctor"

I want to be a doctor.
Mwen vle vin yon doktè.

Please, see link: I want to be a
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

When the verbs lese-frape are put together what does it mean?

lese frape → pushing and shoving; usually happens in an excitable group of people at a gathering.  People use their body to push, shove, slam and bang on each other which inevitably can lead to a group fight. It can be used as verb or noun.

Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

What does 'nan kad' and 'an palan de' mean and how would you use them in a sentence?

Keep in mind that kad,  from French cadre,  means frame, enclosure, border

nan kad → in the category of, in association with, in the inner circle, about, in the subject of
mete nan kad → to classify, to categorize

1. Ou mete'm nan kad moun ki pa serye.
     You put me in the circle of people who are not serious.
     You associate me with people that are unreliable.

2. Mwen poko gen yon repons sou kesyon nan kad zafè finans lan.
     I don't yet have an answer for the questions regarding finances.

3.  Ou pa nan kad moun sa yo.  Ou pi bon pase sa.
     You are not in the category of these people. ...
     Yon don't belong with these people.  You're better than that.
_________________

an palan de (anpalan de) → speaking of, speaking of which, concerning, by the way

4. Anpalan de Jackie, eske w te wè li?
    Speaking of Jackie, have you seen her?

5. Anpalan de lajan, eske w ka di m kilè m'ap touche?
    Speaking of money, can you tell me when I'll get paid?

   
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

How would you say 'way over there'? He is standing way over there.

way over there → jis laba a, jouk laba a

He is standing way over there.
Li kanpe jouk laba a.

Why did you go sit way over there?
Poukisa w'al chita jis laba a?
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

What does this mean? "sa l ye la menm" (Creole)

Sa l ye la menm?
Kisa li ye la menm? (uncontracted)
What is this there even? (literally)
What is this?
What the heck is this?
What the heck do you think this is?
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Mezon Moun Ki Mouri A (translation from Creole)

mezon moun ki mouri a
house of the dead person

or did you mean a haunted house (yon kay hante)?
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

What does the idiom 'mete dlo nan bouch li' mean?

mete dlo nan bouch → cautious, tactful and reserved in speech

Jenny pa yon moun ki mete dlo nan bouch li pou li pale.
Jenny is not someone who puts water in her mouth so she can talk (literally)
Jenny is an outspoken person.

Misye pa mete dlo nan bouch li pou'l pale.
The man does not put water in his mouth in order to speak. (literally)
He's not afraid to speak his mind.

Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

comment on dit en français : " Pi bonè se granm matin " ?

kreyòl: Pi bonè se granm maten.
Angle: The early birds catches the worm.
Franse: Le monde appartient à ceux qui se lèvent tòt.
Franse: L'avenir appartient à ceux qui se lèvent tòt.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Good to see you (in Creole)

Good to see you.
M kontan wè w.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

what does ou ka relem mean?

Ou ka rele m.
You may call me.
You can call me.

M'ap lakay mwen pita.  Ou ka rele'm si w vle.

Non m se Emmanuel, ou ka rele'm Manno.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

"Days of bread" in Creole?

Is it "Days of unleavened bread"?

Days of unleavened bread
Jou pen san leven yo
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

HAPPY BIRTHDAY IN CREOLE

Happy Birthday → Bòn Fèt, Bòn Anivèsè

See other posts with HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

A YEAR OLDER (in Creole)

a year older → yon ane anplis, ennan anplis

She is a year older than me.
Li gen ennan anplis mwen.
Li gen yon ane anplis mwen.

I am a year older than her.
Mwen gen yon ane anplis li.

That makes you a year older, right?
Sa fè w genyen yon ane anplis, pa vre?
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

kijan sa tradwi an angle:ou gen dwa di ou pa'p ede'm, men ou pa kapab di ou pa't konnen sa ap fini mal pou mwen.

You may say you won't help me, but you cannot say that you didn't know it was going to end badly for me.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Degaje is the first pronominal verb I have seen in Kreyòl? Are there others?

Yes, most definitely.  Here are some of them:

Absteni → to abstain from

Si nou absteni nou de moun sa yo, n’ap mennen yon lavi pezib.

If you abstain from these people, you'll live a peaceful life.

Adonnen → to devote self to

Apre mari l te mouri, li te adonnen li a timoun li yo.

After her husband died, she devoted herself to her kids.

Atann → to expect, to foresee

Mwen pa’t atann mwen a sa.

I wasn't expecting this.

Debouye → to manage

Apre li te jwenn travay la, li te debouye li ase byen.

After he found the job, he managed quite well.

Depeche → to hurry up

Si ou pa depeche ou, m’ap kite w dèyè.

If you don't hurry, I'll leave you behind

Kalme → to calm down, to take it easy, to maintain composure

Lè ti bebe a wè manman li, li te kalme l byen vit.

When the baby saw his mom, he quieted down quickly.

Konpòte → to behave

Li te konpòte li byen.

He behaved well.

Konfòme → to conform

Apre patwon an te ba li yon avètisman, li te konfòme li ak inifòm travay la

After the boss gave he a warning, she finally conformed to the work dress code.

Kontante → to be satisfied, to be gratified

Li pa’t gen premye pri a, men li te kontante li ak sa yo te ba li a.
He didn't win the first prize, but he was gratified with what they gave him.

Pèmèt → be bold enough, take a risk, dare

Apre sa li te fè a, li te pèmèt li vin pale avè’m.

After what she did, she had the nerve to come and talk to me.

Pran plezi → to enjoy self

Nou te pran plezi nou nan fèt la.

We enjoyed ourselves at the party.

Raple → to recall

Mwen pa raple mwen.

I don't recall.

Reziyen → to give in, to relinquish

Li sispann lite ak maladi a.  Li reziyen li pou l mouri.
She stopped fighting the disease.  She accepted that she will die.

Twonpe → to miscalculate,  to misjudge, to make a mistake
Mwen te panse ou te papa tifi a.  Mwen te twonpe m.
 I thought you were the girl's father.  I made a mistake.

Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Do you have the lyrics for Holiness Holiness is what I long for in Creole

I have found the Creole version (or one of the Creole versions) in the GSC (Groupe Soldats de Christ) songbook. It's #76 in the Volume 2 portion of the book.

Sentete, sentete se sa m'ap chèche
Sentete, sentete, se sa mwen vle
Sentet, se sa ou vle nan mwen

Pran lavi'm e chanje'm
Pran kè mwen e fòme'm
Pran volonte'm, transfòme'm
Nan ou, pou ou Senyè
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Glad to see this blog. My children grandmother speaks Creole and trying to teach them some basic. Where should I start?

Glad to meet you :)

How old are the kids?  Do they spend a lot of time with their grandmother?  Does their grandmother speak mostly Creole and some English?  Does she speak Creole to them? Perhaps you may reinforce (in your home) the Creole phrases that they learn at their grandmother's by repeating it to them at the dinner table,in the car on the way to school, or as you say good night at bedtime.  You may also post on the door of your fridge, each week, a couple of Creole words or sentences you want them to master for that particular week. Also there are some great children's books at the Haitian bookstores (educavision.com).  A Haitian Creole bedtime story would be awesome (even if they hear the same story every night :)
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

please translate.. ap gen anpil blan kap la wap tou jwen youn tou destin manje trop baz

The last four words don't make sense

Ap gen           | anpil  |   blan               | k'ap            | la.
There will be | many | white people  | that will be | there.
There will be many whites there.

W'ap      |  tou                 | jwenn | youn | tou
You will | conveniently | find    | one   | also
You will conveniently find one too.

destin   | manje  | twòp         | baz
destiny  | eat      | too much  | base
does not make sense to me :-\

Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

What is Sa k te fe mean? I'm trying not to translate word for word, but I always have trouble with these. To me, it says that had happened, or it had happened. Is this correct?

You almost got it.... :)
Usually when you see the "SA" used like that in an interrogative sentence, chances are it is a contracted form of  H.Creole interrogative pronoun KISA (what).

Just like these examples:
Sa k pase?
Which is contracted from
Kisa ki pase?
What's happening?

another example:
Sa w vle?
Which is contracted from:
Kisa ou vle?
What do you want?

One more example:
Sa sa ye?
which is contracted from:
Kisa sa ye?
What this is? (literally)
What is this?

So
Sa k te fèt?
is contracted from
Kisa ki te fèt?
What had happened?
What happened?

or, if not used in question form, may be translated as that which (what):

Sa k te fèt lopital la se te yon mirak.
Sa ki te fèt lopital la se te yon mirak.
That which happened at the hospital was a miracle.
What happened at the hospital was a miracle.


Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

...people with an excellent spirit (in Creole)

What is an "excellent" spirit?

people with an excellent spirit
moun de konfyans ki gen bon jan ak bon mannyè  (earnest people with good manners)
moun serye ki frengan (earnest and highly spirited people)
moun frengan (highly spirited people)

I wonder what you're using this phrase for?
ex:
We're looking for people with an excellent spirit.
N'ap chache moun de konfyans ki gen bon jan ak bon mannyè.


Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

No question, but I am so excited to have found your blog, and I am happy that it is still active. I listened to a couple of lessons last week, but will start digging in this week. Good luck to you.

Mèsi anpil.
I hope the blog wlll be useful to you.

Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Sometimes I hear "senyè" or "le senyè", Is "le senyè" written as one or two words?

Lesenyè will be written as one word.

Mwen te deside pou m suiv Lesenyè.
I had decided to follow the Lord.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

The love of my life and I

Lanmou lavi'm ak mwen menm.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Will using asosi help to clean my urine for a drug test?

Oh man! If asosi could do that, it would be a wonder drug.
Some Haitians swear that asosi removes toxic substances from your blood, but I haven't met a doktè fèy who can confirm this.
If you want to give a "clean" urine sample for a drug test, and you do have illegal drugs in your system, you probably would have wait up to 30 days to do that.  In the mean time, exercise, drinks lots of water and  behave :)

Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

what's the creole word "anvanlè" or "anvanlè l"? mesi

anvan lè (anvan-lè - before-time) → prematurely, before one's time
anvan lè l → prematurely, before his/her time ("L" is a possessive adj. here)

Li te mouri anvan lè l.
He died before his time.
He died prematurely.

Si w kontinye ap viv nan enpridans, w'ap mouri anvan lè'w.
If you continue to live recklessly, you'll die before your time.

Si ou retire lajan an anvan lè l, bank lan ap enpoze w yon frè.
If you  withdraw the money  too early the bank will charge you a fee.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Can you provide an audio of John 3:16 in Haitian Creole? We are doing an eye ministry outreach later this year and that is what we use as part of the eye chart. Thank you

Awesome :)

Jan 3:16 - Paske Bondye sitèlman renmen lèzòm, li bay sèl Pitit li a pou yo.  Tout moun ki va mete konfyans yo nan li p'ap pèdi lavi yo, men yo va gen lavi ki p'ap janm fini an.

 
Click here to download…

another slightly different version

Jan 3:16 - Paske Bondye tèlman renmen lemonn, li bay yon sèl Pitit li a, pou nenpòt moun ki kwè nan li pa peri, men pou li genyen lavi ki pap janm fini an.

 

Click here to download…

Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Mwen anfom e ou menm?

Mwen anfòm e ou menm?
also written as
M'anfòm e ou menm?
I am doing well, how about you?

Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Where exactly does haitian language come from?

You seem to be asking for a more in-depth answer, which is more than I can answer at this time.
Here are some links on the net:
The National Language of Haiti by Albert Valdman
Istwa lang Kreyòl la
Haitians - Their History and Culture
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

I really enjoy your page. I have moved away from my family and I have lost a lot of my Kreyol. I never could write because I only learned to write in french so it also helps to see what I say. Great Blog page.

Mèsi anpil wi :)
I am glad you're getting reacquainted with Creole again.
Kenbe la.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Does "li" refer to a male or female?

It refers to both.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Twòp lapriyè fè jenou kwochi (meaning) - mèsi!

idiom: Twòp lapriyè fè jenou kwochi. (Too much prayer makes the knee crooked)
is synonymous with
idiom: Chita pa bay. (Sitting around doesn't give)

Both these idioms means laziness is not productive
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Can you explain "Je pete klere"? thanks

je      |  pete        |  klere
eyes |  ruptured  |  open wide
blind eyes open wide
illiterate

je pete klere → illiterate, birdbrain
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

"Are you near....?" as in Are you near somerville? ....(In Creole)

Are you near?
Eske ou pre?
Eske ou tou pre?

Are you near Somerville?
Eske ou tou pre Somerville?

Are you almost there?
Eske ou preske rive?

How far are you?
Ki distans ou ye?

How far are you from Somerville?
How far are you out of Somerville?
Ki distans ou ye sot Somerville?
Ki distans ou ye soti Somerville?

Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

C vre wi ....?

C vre wi.
or
Se vre wi.
or
Se tout bon wi.
It's true.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

jesus rescue me (in Creole)

Jesus, rescue me.
Jezi, sove'm.
Jezi, pote'm sekou

or is it:
Jesus rescued me.
Jezi te sove'm.
Jezi te pote'm sekou.

or is it :)
Jesus, you rescued me.
Jezi, ou te sove'm.
Jezi, ou te pote'm sekou.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

"mwen degage mwen nan kreyol" sa sa vle di epi sa vle di mo degage? Mesi anpil, Mandaly btw, how to say thank you in advance or my warmest regards or you have been very helpful

degaje (pronominal verb) → to get by, to do fairly well

Mwen degaje mwen nan Kreyòl.
I get by in Creole.

Mwen wè ou degaje'w ase byen.
I see that you get by quite well.

Nou degaje nou trè byen pou kont nou.
We get by very well on our own.

Frè m nan te degaje li trè byen depi li te rive New York.
My brother did fairly well since he arrived in New York.

Thank you in advance :)
Mèsi davans 

My warmest regards.
Salitasyon
or
koudjay
or
Chapo ba

You have been very helpful.
Ou te ede'm anpil.
or
Ou te ban'm anpil èd.

Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Si ou ka tradwi: Kò imen: esplike fenomèn kwasans lakay moun. Human body: explain the phenomenon of human growth? What is "lakay" doing there?

Kò imen (from French corps humain) → human body
In Creole sometimes, you will also see imèn which also comes from the French humaine which itself is the feminine of French word humain.

lakay, in Creole, does not only mean house or home; it also means deep within ourselves or within

You will hear Creole speakers say:
Li gen yon gwo defo lakay li.
He has a big fault/vice in him.

You will often hear preachers say:
Fòk nou retire vye abitid sa yo lakay nou.
You must remove these bad habits from within yourselves.

Or you might hear:
Ou gen twòp rankin lakay ou.
You have too much resentment within yourself.
You are very resentful.

SO,
kwasans lakay moun
maturation within people.
growth within the human body.

Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Regarding previous post about "lavichè", is there another way to say "hardship"?

hardship (as in poverty?) → povrete, lavi di, zafè pa bon, boukannen dlo, bat dlo pou fè bè

We fell into hardship. (Is that correct in English :-\ ?)
Nou te tonbe nan povrete.
Nou te tonbe nan boukannen dlo.
Nou te tonbe nan lavi di.
Nou te tonbe nan zafè pa bon.
etc...


hardship (as in distress, suffering, trials) → zeprèv, difikilte, peripesi, tribilasyon, tray, traka

We will get through the hardships and trials in our lives.
Nou va andire difikilte ak zeprèv yo nan lavi nou.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Kisa vle di 'lavichè'? Li pral bat grangu epi lavichè.

lavichè (lavi chè), literally means life expensive
If it is one word, lavichè, it means hardship, hard times, suffering,  inflation, bad economic times
If it is two words, lavi chè, then it is a sentence, Life is expensive.

These are the two translations that might work based on what you have:

as one word:
Li pral bat grangou epi lavichè. (Could it be: Li pral bat grangou ak lavichè?)
He / She will endure famine and bad economic times.

as two words:
Li pral pat grangou epi lavi chè.
He/she will brave hunger, and life is expensive.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

I remember you?

Yeap... it's the same translation as "I miss you"

I remember you.
Mwen sonje w.

I remember who you are.
Mwen sonje ki moun ou ye.

I remember how we used to play together.
Mwen sonje jan nou te konn jwe ansanm.

I remember how we used to be.
M sonje kouman nou te ye.

Remind me ...
Fè'm sonje...

Remind me to take out the trash.
Fè'm sonje pou m mete fatra yo deyò.

Can you remind me of who you are again?
Eske ou ka fè'm sonje kilès ou ye ankò?

This reminded me of you.
Sa te fè'm sonje w.
Sa te fè panse a ou.


Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

"...aktivite w" (Ki aktivite'w?)

Someone might say that if they want to know what you've been up to?

Ki aktivite'w?
What have you been doing?
What have been up to?

Kijan ou ye?  M gen kèk tan m pa wè'w.  Ki aktivite'w?
How are you?  I have seen you in a while.  What have you been up to?
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Hi pls can u tell me what does ' no do ' means ?

I am not even sure of that's Creole.
Is the spelling correct?
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

These are just getting worse and worse ... (in Creole)

These are just getting worse
Sa yo ap vin pi mal nèt.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Can you translate this in English? "apa mwen ou banm vag m rezim "

The Creole spelling will make it hard to translate this on Google Translate.
I am not sure what the last word is, but this sentence should have been written this way..

Apa m wè ou ban m vag...
I see that you're giving me the cold-shoulder..

Try it with the correct spelling on Google Translate and see what you get :)
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Ca va?

Wi, ça va, kòm toujou :)
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Hi I was wondering can you do the song Yves et Yvan: Danse Danse lyrics please?

Twa lame pral atake Jida

Za-ka-syèl ranpli ak lespri

Li di Jozafa Letènèl pale

Pandan w’ap louwe m’ap ba ou viktwa

Se konsa m’danse

Se konsa m’louwe

Se konsa m’danse pou Bondye m nan

Se konsa sa ye

M sonje David an Izrayèl

Ki te wè lach la t’ap retounen

Li retire manto li, Michal fache

Se premye fwa li te wè ‘on wa k’ap danse

Chak moun g‘on jan yo danse

Chak moun g‘on jan yo louwe

Chak moun g‘on jan yo danse pou Bondye

Se konsa sa ye

M pa ka bliye ki kote ou  te jwenn mwen

Se sa’k fè lè’m rantre nan tanp lan

Gen de moun ki pa ka konprann mwen

Jan yo wè’m kanpe m’ap danse

Chak moun g‘on jan yo danse

Chak moun g‘on jan yo louwe

Chak moun g‘on jan yo danse pou Bondye

Se konsa sa ye

Ad lib…

Danse’l non

Leve de men w tande!

Louwe’l non, se pa mwen li ye

Leve de men’w legliz!

Chak moun g‘on jan yo danse

Chak moun g‘on jan yo louwe

Chak moun g‘on jan yo danse pou Bondye

Se konsa sa ye

G‘on onksyon ki fè men’m anlè toujou

G‘on onksyon ki fè sa

G‘on onksyon ki fè m’ap louwe l toujou

G’on onksyon ki fè sa

G‘on onksyon ki fè m’a chante l toujou

G‘on onksyon ki fè sa

S’on onksyon k’ fè m pa ka chita lè’m nan tanp lan

S’on onksyon ki fè sa

Lè m’ap danse, ou pa konprann mwen, s’on onksyon k’ andan m

S'on onksyon ki fè sa

S’on onksyon k’ andanm ki fè m’ap louwe jan’w wè m nan

Son onksyon ki fè sa

Pou kote m soti a, pou kote l mete’m, m’ap louwe’l

G’on onksyon ki fè sa

L retire nan fatra, L retire nan labou, fò’m louwe’l

G’on onksyon ki fè sa

Mwen di s’on oksyon k’andan m ki fè men’m anlè

S’on onksyon ki fè sa

S’on onksyon k’andan’m m ki fè’m pèdi tèt mwen lakay

G’on onksyon ki fè sa

S’on onksyon ki fè’m leve pou jwa’m anlè

G’on onksyon ki fè sa

S’on onksyon ki fè m’ap danse toujou

G’on onksyon ki fè sa

G’on onksyon, wi, ki fè m’ap louwe’l toujou

S’on onksyon ki fè sa

Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

David tiye roi Goliat avek yon fistibal (chante David ak Goliat?)

I wonder if this is the song...

David ak Golyat yo te nan konba
Tout moun panse David te fou
Yon ti fistibal te nan men David
Golyat gen tout materyèl
David apiye sou Bondye
Golyat sou zam li
Sa se travay Bondye
David ranpòte laviktwa
Konfye ou nan Bondye
Paske L p'ap janm pèdi batay.

Kè
Bondye ban'm lapriyè kòm gwo zam
Pou m dechouke Satan
Pa gen anyen ki kab kanpe devan zam sa
Moun ki nan lapriyè, Satan koube devan yo
Mwen p'ap janm abandone zam sa
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

how would you say to "take after" in Creole, as in to behave or look like someone? ex - She takes after her father.

to take after → pran kot
(Creole kot / kote which means where or location, here translates the prep from)

She takes after her father.
Li pran kot papa'l.
or
Kot papa'l li pran.

Where did you get this bad atitude?
Kot kimoun ou pran move atitid sa?

She inherited that attitude from her father.
Li pran atitid sa kot papa'l.
Kot papa 'l li pran atitid sa.

Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

how to translate" in the month of october", in creole

in the month of October
nan mwa oktòb la.

in october
nan mwa oktòb
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

pa condanem pou ignorance mwen la, mwen te act stupid. can this be translated to english?

This Creole sentence is trying to say: Do not condemn my ignorance, I acted imprudently.  
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

if you have a relationship with god, everything else will work itself out

I you have a relationship with God, everything else will work itself out.

Si ou gen yon relasyon ak Bondye, tout rès bagay yo va tonbe nan plas yo.

Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

kisa sa vle di an kreyol: be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind.

My translation would be: Rete jan ou ye a enpi di sa ki nan kè'w, paske moun k'ap bay objeksyon pa konsekan e moun ki konsekan pa'p bay objeksyon
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

How do you translate the word 'anyway' in the sentence: 'I am going to do it anyway.'

anyway → kanmenm

I'm going to do it anyway.
M pral fè l kanmenm.
M'ap fè'l kanmenm.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Is there an idiom in Kreyòl that means the same as 'what comes around goes around'?

What comes around goes around (in Creole)
Sa'w simen se sa'w rekòlte.
Jan'w trete pwochen w se konsa yo va trete'w.
Baton ki bat chen nwa, la bat chen blan an tou.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

It appears "sot nan" can be used as "from" like "Limye eklate sot nan syèl la." Can I say "M anbake sot nan mache a," or "M resevwa sa sot nan men Jan." Can I use this without "nan?"

1. Limyè eklate sot nan syèl la.
2. M anbake sot nan mache.
3. M resevwa sa sot nan men Jan.

These three sentences are absolutely correct the way you have them.  I wouldn't change a thing.
The preposition nan is necessary in all three.  Although #3 can also be correct without sot.

Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

How do you translate either/or and neither/nor statements?

either... or → swa ... swa/onswa/oubyen, onswa ...onswa/oubyen, oubyen... oubyen

examples:
1. When you get to the party tonight, don't have any beer. You will either drink water or coffee.
     Lè'w rive nan fèt la aswè a, pa pran okenn byè.  Ou va onswa bwè dlo oubyen kafe.

2. You don't have a choice, either you come with me or you stay home.
     Ou pa gen lechwa, onswa ou vin avè'm onswa ou rete lakay

3. I believe either the boy or his father was admitted to the hospital.
    Mwen kwè swa ti gason an oubyen papa'l te entène lopital.

neither.. nor → ni ... ni (used with the negative PA)
4. At church today, neither the pastor nor his wife showed up.
    Nan legliz la jodia, ni pastè a ni madanm li pa't vini.

5. Joe and Zette are two peas in a pod.  I don't trust either of them. (I don't trust neither one nor the other)
    Joe ak Zette se menm moun yo.  Mwen pa fye ni youn ni lòt.

6.  I have decided to leave.  Neither you nor my mom can make change my mind.
     Mwen te deside pou'm kite.  Ni ou ni manman'm pa ka fè'm chanje lide'm.



neither → nonpli, nonplis, nonplis tou, nonplistou

7. She doesn't trust me.  I don't trust her either.
    Li pa fè'm konfyans.  Mwen pa fè'l konfyans nonplis.

8. We're going to Haiti next month.  I don't speak Creole, and neither does my husband.
     Nou prale Ayiti mwa pwochen.  M pa pale Kreyòl, e mari'm nonplis.

Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

not me... (as an answer to a question in Creole?)

not me → pa mwen menm
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Very much so... (in Creole)

very much so
anpil
or
anpil anpil
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

how to sya cramps in creole

What type of cramp?
Cramps → lakranp
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Do you use the to be verb in front of prepositions? For example, how would you say, 'I am at home' or 'he is under the car"?

It depends.
Prepositions at and under, in Creole, are used differently.

I am at home.
Mwen lakay mwen.
or 
Mwen lakay.

He's under the car.
Li anba machin nan.

Check out the posts on some prepositions.  Scroll down the list to the right side of your computer screen and find some posts on the prepositions at, in, on, to, from, etc...
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

tout moun se moun sou late beni men selman yo pa gen menm chans nan la vi-a.

Sa se gwo laverite.
Men, ou kwè nou ta sipoze rele sa chans?
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

how to say my family means the world to me / or i love my family in creole

My family means the world to me.
Fanmi m se tout mwen.

I love my family.
Mwen renmen fanmi m.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

se nan chimen jennen yo kenbe chwal malen

Chak chwal malen genyen yon chimen jennen sou wout yo.  Chwal la te mèt galope jan li vle, bay payèt jan li vle, yon jou li va kwense nan chimen jennen.

Se nan chimen jennen yo kenbe chwal malen.
It is on a narrow path that they'll capture the wild horse
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

N'ap kenbe fo

Natirèlman :)
Nan lavi sa, pa gen plas pou moun ki fenyan. Se moun ki kenbe fò ki reyisi.

N'ap kenbe fò.
We're holding strong.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

I would like to be there with you all

I would like to be there with you all.
Mwen ta renmen la avèk nou tout.
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How do you say: Happy Birthday! Hope your heart is filled with the beauty for then it will be filled with many blessings!"

Happy Birthday! Hope your heart is filled with "the" beauty, for then it'll be filled with many blessings.
Bòn Fèt!  M'espere kè ou plen ak bote "a", paske se lè sa li va konble ak anpil benediksyon.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

How do you say "some kind of" as in "there's been some kind of progress"

you could say yon sòt de (some sort of)
yon can also say kèk or yon ti

There' been some kind of progress.
Genyen yon sòt de pwogrè ki fèt.
Gen yon ti pwogrè ki fèt
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

"Moun Fou"

I hope someone didn't call you that :)
Moun fou → a lunatic, psycho, or screwball :-\
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How do you say castle in Creole?

castle - chato
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Hey how you doing I would like to ask you something

Ale, mande mwen non.  M'ap koute
Go ahead and ask me. I'm listening.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Mandaly, Re: the verb "sanble ak - to look like", where to place preposition "AK" when you ask the question WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE? Kisa li sanble ak...?

Verbs with prepositions: sanble ak (to look like), fèt ak (to be made of), mete nan (to put in), ale ak (to go with).], etc...
When asking questions, these Haitian Creole prepositions are usually place at the beginning of the question.

Ak kisa li sanble?
What does it look like?

Ak kisa li fèt?
What is it made of?

Nan kisa ou te mete l?
What did you put it in?

Ak kilès ou prale?
Who will you go with?

Pou kilès machin sa a ye?
Who is this car for?
WHo does this car belong to?
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

It would be cool if you could get a chat room feature on your blog as well for people to practice their creole live. :-) blan zanmi ou philip :-)

Yes it would.  I have tried it on a couple of occasions, it was hard to integrate on Blogger's platform.  I will try again ...
Mèsi Philip.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Pi wo pran pi gwo so

Men wi, Se yon fenomèn natirèl non?
Plis ou pi wo, plis distans ant ou menm avèk sòl la agrandi.
Si ou panse gen yon posiblite pou tonbe, pito ou byen boure kò w.

Pi wo pran pi gwo so. (Idiom)
The bigger you are, the harder you fall.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

You made me smile (Creole)

☺You made me smile. → Ou te fè'm souri.
Pa gen anyen ki pi bèl pase yon souri.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

manipulative

These Haitian Creole words may all translate manipulative (adj.):  manipilatif, mètdam (crafty), rize or rizyèz (clever), malen (cunning)
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

When using the word 'renmen,' how do you distinguish between love and like? Is there a better way to make this distinction?

The answer is, you don't.  Renmen translates both love and like
You can say:
Mwen renmen'w amò.
I love you to death.
or
Mwen renmen jan kay sa bati a.
I like the way this house is built.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

how do you say there goes my baby?

☺ Is it a real baby?

There goes my baby!
Men bebe'm nan!
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nothing much (in Creole)

Nothing much / Nothing at all 
anyen, anyen ditou, anyen menm

Also, 

Not at all → DITOU DITOU or just DITOU

1.  Mwen pa ka dòmi ditou ditou.
     I can't sleep at all.

2. Mwen pa santi m byen ditou ditou.
    I don't feel well at all.

3.  Mwen pa ka fè anyen ditou.
     I can't do anything at all.

Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

How do you say "light skin guys vs light skin girls"

What you call a light skin African American male here in the US is known as grimo or milat in H. Creole.
And the female is called grimèl or milatrès.
The milat or milatrès (mulatto) usually would have silky hair.
The grimo or grimèl would have afro-textured hair.

Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

what food do you like to cook? (in Creole)

What food do you like to cook?
Ki manje ou renmen fè?

I'd love to have the recipe.
Mwen ta renmen gen resèt la.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

How do you say: Many things in Haiti are important, but for me the tuba is most important

An Ayiti gen anpil bagay ki enpòtan, men sa ki pi enpòtan pou mwen se touba a.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

How do you say "fundraising" and "raise funds" in Creole? Mesi

fundraising → koleksyon fon, koleksyon lajan
raise funds → ranmase fon,  kolekte fon, fè lakolèt


Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

mandaly eske w pa janm ale okay? m te tande ke se yon bel kote. gen moun ki di Okay te sipoze kapital la

Wi, m'ale Okay plizyè fwa.  Premye bagay ki va atire atansyon ou lè ou rive Okay se ansyen bilding kolonyal yo.  Lè w'ap antre nan lavil Okay la, touswit ou deja genyen yon lide kouman lavi te ye nan tan lontan.  Avèk bon reparasyon, Okay ta kapab vin bèl vre. Pou kounye a si gen yon lokasyon, an Ayiti, ki kapab vòlè tit kapital la, mwen panse se Jakmèl.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

ki sa wap fe nan la vi?

Kisa w'ap fè nan lavi?
Sa se yon gwo kesyon.  Gen moun ki pran lavi twò oserye.  Gen moun ki pa respekte lavi Bondye ba yo a.  E gen moun ki ta vann tout sa yo posede pou yo kapab achte yon moso lavi. Kisa w'ap fè nan lavi? Repons la nan pla men w.

Kisa w'ap fè nan lavi?
What will you do in life / of life?
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words