Monday, December 31, 2012

"sòt ki bay, enbesil ki pa pran", is this about looting?

I'm not going to say that it is.
I think it's about watching for when an opportunity arises, and to not be ashamed to grab it and make the most of it.
"sòt ki bay, enbesil ki pa pran"
"It's the stupid that gives, it's the imbeciles who do not take" basically

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

sacred mother of god

Sacred mother of God
Manman sakre Kris la

But did you mean "lasent vyèj Mari"?
That's what people usually say.

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

☺ A pye Nou ye!

My late grandma never spoke English.  When we taught her to say "Happy New Year" in English, she kept saying the Creole phrase "A pye nou ye! " which actually means something like "we're walking" or "we're moving on foot".  And she kept the Haitian tradition of walking around to wish people in the neighborhood a happy new year.
So when she wished her English-speaking neighbors A pye nou ye!, they actually understood her and said "Happy new year to you too!"

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

Happy New year. (This is a re-post)....


Happy New Year / New year wishes in Haitian Creole

January First (in Creole)
Premye janvye
Joudlan

December 31st (New Year's Eve)
Lavèy joudlan
Tranteyen desanm 

New Year's Service
Sèvis tranteyen desanm

Happy New Year!
Bòn Ane!

Have a happy new year!
Pase yon bòn nouvèl ane!
A lot of Haitians say: Prosperite! Lonjevite!

May this new year bring you a heart full of love.
Se pou nouvèl ane sa pote yon kè plen ak lanmou pou ou.

I wish you good health, overflowing joy, and lots of happiness for this new year.
Mwen swete w bòn sante, yon jwa imans, ak anpil kè kontan pou nouvèl ane sa a.

Hope this year brings you lots of happiness.
Se pou ane sa pote anpil kè kontan pou ou.

Here's to a new year filled with health, propesrity, love and faith.
Pou yon nouvèl ane plen ak bòn sante, pwosperite, lanmou, ak lafwa.

May every beautiful day of this new year reminds you of God's love for you.
Se pou chak bèl jou nan nouvèl ane sa fè w panse ak lanmou Bondye pou ou.

Peace, love, and joy to you in this New year!
Lapè, lanmou, ak lajwa pou ou nan nouvèl ane sa a!

May all the charms of the New Year be yours!
Mwen swete w tout bote nouvèl ane a pote!


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

does kale have three definitions? tet kale - bald, se youn. kale, tankou wap SPANK timoun oubyen wap bat yo. epi, mwen tande moun ki di "fe kale" tankou anbrase ou HUG. eske li ekri kale oubyen kalenn? mesi!

Wi, kale, an Kreyòl, gen anpil definisyon.  E, yo itilize l nan anpil ekspresyon tou.

kale → beat up, spank, to strike s.o. with a whip
1. Lè m te piti, manman m te konn kale'm chak kou m bay yon manti.
2. Eske li pi bon lè ou kale pitit ou pase lè w pale avè l?

kale → to breed, to hatch
1. Ala madan m gen kouraj pou l kale sèt pitit!
2. Poul la kale yon panye ze chak maten.

kale → to peel off
1. Mwen te travay nan yon restoran.  Dyòb mwen se te pou m te kale pòmdetè.
2. Lè w achte kann nan lari, machann nan dwe kale l pou ou.
3. Lè pitit gason m nan te ale kay doktè, enfimyè a te mande l pou l kale tèt ti pijon li pou l ka enspekte l.

kale → defeat
1. Nan jwèt foutbòl 30 desanm 2012 la, Tampa Bay Buccaneers te kale Falcons 22 a 17.
2. Mwen kontan paske se ekip mwen an ki kale.

kale → shave
1. Depi ou antre nan lame, premye bagay yo fè se kale tèt ou.
2. Prezidan Ayisyen an kale tèt li nèt.  Li pa gen yon grenn cheve nan tèt li.

In expressions, you will hear:
1. Kale'm lajan m!
    Give me my money!

2. Kale je w non!
    Open your eyes!

3. Sispann kale kò'w. Abiye yon fason modès tanpri.
    Stop showing too much skin.  Dress modestly please.

I am not aware of "fè kale" which would mean "hug".  I have never come across it.

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

How does one translate "in town" and "out of town"? For example, he is out of town on vacation. Another example, the president is in town today.

in town (as in passing by?) → depasaj, bò isi, bò isit, anba isit, nan vil la, nan kanton an

1. Will you be in town on Friday?
     Eske w'ap bò isit Vandredi?

2. Mwen bò isit pou de jou sèlman. Apre sa mwen dwe tounen lakay mwen.
    I'm in town for only two days, After that I must return home.

3. "Bonjou vwazen, ou depasaj?"
     "Wi, m anba isit pou sezon fèt la."
     "Hello neighbor, you're in town?"
     "Yes, I'm in town for the holidays."

4. Prezidan an bò isit la jodi a.
    Prezidan an nan vil la jodi a.
    The president is in town today.

    
Out of town (away) → pa isi, pa la

5. Li pa isi. Li an vakans
    He's out of town on vacation.

6. Mwen p'ap isi vandredi, se sa'k fè m p'ap ka vin nan fèt ou a.
    I'll be out of town on Friday, that's why I can't come to your party.

7. Poukisa ou chwazi yon kolèj ki pa lokal?
    Why did you choose an out-of-town college?

FYI:
out of town visitors → etranje, moun ki depasaj

also,
sometimes you'll hear, "moun isi" or "moun bò isit" which can mean native

8. Eske se moun isi ou ye? 
   Are you from here?

9. Mwen se moun isi.
   I'm from here.

10. Mwen pa moun bò isi.
      I'm not from around here

11. Nou pa moun bò isi, nou se etranje.
     We're not from here, we are visitors.

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

Saturday, December 29, 2012

Sak gen konsa?

Sa'k gen konsa?
derived / contracted from the followings:
Kisa ki genyen konsa?
Sa ki genyen konsa?
Sa'k genyen konsa?
it means:
What's going on?
What's happening?
What's the deal?

Sa'w gen konsa?
Kisa ou genyen konsa?
What's wrong with you?

Sa'l gen konsa?
Kisa li genyen konsa?
What's up with him/her?

See link: What's wrong / What's going on?

1. M'ap eseye rele 'w depi yè, men mwen pa't tande w.  Sa'k gen konsa?
    I've been trying to call you since yesterday, but I didn't hear from you.  What's going on?

2. Ou pa vin vizite'm depi twa semèn.  Sa'k genyen konsa?
    You have not come to visit me in three weeks. What's going on?

3. Ou pa pale avè'm depi maten.  Sa'k gen konsa?
    You haven't talked to me since this morning. What's the deal?

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

Lavi a kout.

Enben, si lavi a kout, ou dwe pwofite anvan l twò ta.  Se pa chita ap pale non.  Se aksyon ki konte.

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

reyalite lavi a chita ayiti

Se sa yo di.
Sanble tout reyalite lavi sa a chita nan tout kote ki gen tèt chaje ak soufrans.

Kote ki gen bonè, jwisans, ak kè kontan, tout moun panse se nan rèv yo ye. ...Yon rèv ki dous kote ou bliye tout reyalite.

Men kou maladi tonbe, grangou nan vant, malè pase, tèt chaje mete pye, lanmò ateri, rayisman di "Men mwen!"; tout moun pran reflechi sou lavi a.  Se lè sa a yo koumanse di "lavi a dwòl", "lavi a pa jis", "lavi a kout", etc...
Li ta sanble ke soufrans, traka, ak tèt chaje se reyalite lavi a....  E, piske peyi Ayiti se peyi kote ou jwenn peripesi sa yo agogo, anpil moun konvenk ke reyalite lavi a chita Ayiti.

Men, nou byen konnen ke kote ki gen soufrans, gen tèt ansanm.  Kote ki gen malè, gen anpil kouraj.  Kote ki gen tèt chaje, gen detèminasyon. E kote ki gen grangou, gen lespwa.  E se tout fòs pozitif sa yo ki defini reyalite lavi nan peyi Ayiti.

Chapo byen ba!


That's what they say.

It seems that the realities of this life is seated in places that are afflicted with lots of troubles and suffering.

Where there's happiness, bliss, and cheerfulness, people think they're in a dream... a sweet dreams where all realities are forgotten.

But when disease befalls us, our stomach is starving , misfortune steps in , trouble ensues, death is at our door, and hatred says, "Here I am!"; everyone starts to reflect on life.  That's when they start to say "Life is unpredictable", "Life is not fair", "Life is short".

It would seem that suffering, misery, and troubles are the realities of life.... And since Haiti is a place where adversity abounds, many people are convinced that the realities of life dwell in Haiti

But, we know very well that where there's suffering there's togetherness.  Where there's misfortune, there's courage.  Where there's troubles, there's determination.  And where there's hunger, there's hope.  And it is these positive forces that define the realities of life in Haiti

Hats real low


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

What is "pari", as in "Mwen genyen pari a"

Pari (oubyen paryaj) → a bet
parye (v.) → to bet

Mwen genyen pari a.
I won the bet.

Mwen te parye lajan ke ekip Brezil la t'ap genyen.
I bet my money that Brazil's team would win.

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

What is attribute? when i look it up, i see several definition. but i can't quite get them. after giving definition of attribute, write attribute in a sentence.

Are you talking about part of speech?
Attributes, like adjectives, describe a noun.  They modify, specify, or give details about a noun.
I had learned about attributes when I was in  elementary school in Haiti.  I think in the US they call them adjectives.

1. Li se yon moun ki pasyan.  ("pasyan" is an attribute of "moun")
2. Pèp la fatige.  ("fatige" is an attribute of "pèp)
3. Ala gason timid. ("timid" is an attribute of "gason")

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

Kite m mele m / Sa pa gade m?

Ki te mele m  
Sa pa gade m
I don't care.

They also say:
Kite mele m avè w! (I don't  give a danm about you)
or
Kite mele bouda m see link

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

How do you say "my son"?

Is this Darth Vader talking?

my son
piti gason mwen
or
pitit gason mwen an
or
pitit gason m nan

I am your father, and you are my son.
Mwen se papa w e ou se pitit gason mwen

Everyone!  Come! Let's celebrate! My son was lost and now he's found.
Tout moun! Vini!  An'n selebre! Pitit gason m nan te pèdi e kounye a mwen jwenn li.

The force IS with you :)

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

koman non ou rele?

Absoliman ... Sa vle di What's your name called? oubyen What's your name?

Ayisyen genyen plizyè fason pou yo mande w non w:
Kouman ou rele?
Kouman yo rele'w?
ki non w?
Kouman non w rele?
Kisa ki non w?
Ban m non w.
or better yet, "Ban m non w fout!"  (lol! just kidding! :)

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

Bonjou sot nan Kansas! (Bonjou ?from Kansas?). Men kesyon p'am. Si m vle di "How are you this morning?" m ta di "Kouman ye maten an?" non? PA "maten sa a." Eske m pa ta janm sèvi ak "maten sa a," "midi sa a" elatriye?

Ah!  W'ap vwayaje?  Ou lakay ou pou sezon fèt la?  M'espere w'a pase yon bon sejou.  Anmize w byen.

Wi, Bonjou sot nan Kansas,  onswa Bonjou, soti Kansas byen di.

E, konsènan maten an / maten sa a, ou kapab di toulede:  Kouman ou ye maten an? onswa Kouman ou ye maten sa a?
Anpil Ayisyen itilize ekspresyon  maten sa a.  Ou kapab tande l anpil lè y'ap pale an piblik, onswa lè y'ap lapriyè.  Ou va tande yo di pa egzanp:

" ....Se yon privilèj pou m salye nou maten sa a, mesyedam ....."
onswa
"...Gran maten sa a, ou gentan  ap pale anpil nan zòrèy mwen.  Ban m lapè m!..." ☺
onswa
"... Jounen jodi sa a, nou reyini ansanm pou nou kapab onore ...."
onswa
"....Senyè Jezi, nou vini kote w maten sa a...."

E, se menm bagay la pou a midi sa a tou.

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

kisa sansawonnen ve di nan keryol?

Anverite, zanmi, mwen pako janm wè mo sa nan egzistans mwen.
Mwen pa konn kote l soti, ni m pa konn sa l vle di tou.

dezole :)

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

Is there another way to say YOU ARE THE ONE in Creole other than "OU SE ..." - How could i say You are the one that I praise (NOT mwen ba ou lwanj), You are the one that I love (Not, Mwen renmen ou)? mesi

Try:
Se ou ki ...
Se ou menm...
Se ou menm ki...
Se ou...

You are the one that I praise.
Se ou menm m'ap bay lwanj.

You are the one that I want 
Se ou mwen vle

You are the one that I love.
Se ou m renmen.

You are the light of my night
Se ou ki limyè nuit mwen

You are the center of my life
Se ou ki esans lavi m

You are the one for me
Se ou ki pa'm nan.

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

Friday, December 28, 2012

hello how are you?

Kijan m ye?
Enben, mwen la, m'ap boule, m'ap byen mennen, ...m'ap degaje m ase byen.
Nan yon mo, m'anfòm :)

Hello, how are you?
Bonjou kouman w ye?

I'm doing well
M'ap boule
m'ap byen mennen
m'anfòm
m'ap degaje m ase byen

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

what's the deal?

What's the deal?  (as in what's happening?)
Sa'k gen konsa?
Sa k'ap regle?
Sa'k genyen?
Kijan bagay la ye menm?

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

I've seen the number one spelled "youn" and "en". What's the difference?

Yeah, you have en, youn, and yon
The only one you can most comfortably use before a noun (modifying a noun) is YON.
example:
Yo gen yon pititThey have one child.
Ou gen sèlman yon chansYou only have one chance.

You use "EN" when counting
example:
en - de- twa
one-two-three

"YOUN" does not usually modify a noun.
for example, we don't say YOUN liv, we say YON liv (one book)
We use YOUN instead of YON at the end of sentences, and as an object pronoun.
example:
Mwen rete youn.
I have one left.
You cannot say Mwen rete YON or Mwen rete EN.

Mwen va chwazi youn ladan yo.
I will choose one of them.
so, you cannot use EN or YON here.

So, you'll say:
Ban m youn.
Give me one.
or 
Ban m yon pòm.
Give me an/one apple.

YOUN is also used in the expressions:
Youn apre lòt → one after the another
Youn dèyè lòt → one after the other
youn sou lòt → one on top of the other
youn pa youn → one by one
youn ou lòt → one or the other
youn lòt → one another
youn di lòt → one tell the other
youn te ede lòt → one helped the other, they helped each other
etc...

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

what would be the most typical way to say "mind your own business"? Maybe another way to say it would be "take care of (handle) your business".

Mind your own business
Okipe zafè w.
Okipe zafè pa w.

Why don't you mind your own business?
Poukisa w pa okipe zafè pa w?

Take care of your business.
Regle zafè w.

M pral desann lavil paske mwen gen kèk zafè pou m regle.
I'm going downtown because I have to take care of some business.

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

Can high-water pants be "pantalon twaka" e "pantalon wo dlo". Which is more popular to use? Mesi.

Pantalon twaka, of course.
I'm familiar with pantalon twaka.  I have not heard of the other one.
The Haitian actor Theodore Beaubrun who plays the role of Languichatte and other movies was famous for wearing pantalon twaka.  That's all he wore on the show Languichatte.

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

What is bwase?

bwase is to stir
bwase ren means to move your hips (especially when dancing)

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

Do you view Kreyol as a Romance language or a West African language? I have seen linguists divided on this issue. I view it more West African. What is your opinion? Mesi.

Well, the Haitian Creole mix certainly contains contribution from many parent languages.  Part of its grammar may be West African, but the majority of its vocabulary is not.
Why does it have to be a romance or West African language?  Why don't we simply see it as a language of survival and resilience, which brought people of different origins together for one common objective: freedom?  That's only my opinion :)

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

Can "choset la" mean just one sock, or does it mean a pair? If it means a pair, then "yon choset" would be "a sock"? Pa vre? Mesi

I guess it can.
Usually Haitians say yon grenn chosèt when they want to say one sock.
Egzanp:
Poukisa w'ap mache ak yon sèl grenn chosèt nan pye w?
Why are you walking around with just one sock?

The same thing goes for shoes - yon grenn soulye (one shoe)

by the same token, they don't need to say chosèt yo, to indicate that it's plural.  Socks and shoes come in "sets", no?
example:
Kote chosèt ou?
Where are your socks?

Al met chosèt nan pye w.
Go put your socks on.

Lakay mwen se mozayik ki genyen, se sa'k fè m toujou gen chosèt nan pye'm.
I have tiles floor at my house, that's why I always have socks on.

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

So, It´s not so bad!!! :)a small tattoo in the back... but, I like your tip...Let´s see what do... thanks for help me! Carol Ferri

No, it's not too bad... "Creole spoken, Creole always understood" Creole people will definitively get the message on your tattoo.

Keep it up and Chapo ba!

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

Thursday, December 27, 2012

What is lapcloth in Creole?

Is it one that serves as a napkin? yon napon
or one that serves as an apron? yon tabliye

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

I have heard my mom use this verb "mandjangwe"; she says it means "mele" "to mix" in English but I am not sure. This word sounds great. So,what does this word really mean? What is all its definitions?

Where, in Haiti, is your mom from?
I've only heard this word once (or twice) from a guy who loved to write poems, songs, and stories in Creole. I think he was from Jeremie (I don't remember).  This guy loved to quote famous Haitian writers.  And sometimes he could spend hours speaking like if he came out of a Haitian-tale book.
Anyways, madjangwe, in Mr. Marcelin's book, meant sakaje, bay move soukous, depafini, filange, tchake.  In English that's to rattle, to agitate, to consume, to gnaw 

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

Good ideas! Actually I maked my tattoo yesterday... I´m sad because I wrote wrong! "Jezi, renmen ou pouvwa pou chase tout pè"... I hope that not insult this people or their culture. I don´t want to be misinterpret. In Portuguese make sense. Thanks a lot.

Oh man! I don't know what to say....
But don't be sad about it. It is not insulting at all.  It's just sounds like a kind of "Creole baby talk"
Now if you can do damage control, ... Are you able to turn the word "POU" between "POUVWA" and "CHASE" into an image or something?  ... an image like a heart, a cross, a face, or anything at all.
That way, it will read: "Jezi, renmen ou pouvwa ♥chase tout pè."

If you're able to do that, you would save the tattoo.
The sentence will actually mean "Jesus, you love can chase all fears" with the word pouvwa (from the French pouvoir meaning to have the power/ability) translating "can".

If not, I guess it's still alright...

NOW MY NEXT QUESTION TO YOU IS: Where is that tattoo?  With all these words, I am thinking a large area like your back, belly, or ....butt?

Best of luck to you, my friend.  Stay positive :)

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

Mandaly, I was not able to listen to zabèlbòk from the formspring link. Do you have in the acrobat file?

This is a lot of material....
You should be able to download it from youtube.
Some Haitian music store have it also.

 
Here's a sort of a written dialogue for it. (you won't find this written part anywhere else :)
Link: Zabèlbòk, written dialogue

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

sinonim pou kras

Kras gen anpil definition.

Kras (scum, impurities) → kras, salte, tach, pousyè
kras (stingy) → kripya, kolokent, peng, chich. chichadò
kras (tiny amt.) → tizing, ti kal, ti kras, enpe

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

Do you ever hear or read that Kreyol is really a non-language or a pidgin language? I am sick and tired of this claptrap. From where I am sitting, Kreyol is harder for me because of the Africanized word order of sentences. cont... If any language is a non-language, it would have to be english. It is one of the most horrible languages to express yourself in. english culture cannot stand side by side with any other culture without trying to dominate or destroy it.

Onè ak Respè pou lang Angle a!
Chapo ba pou lang Kreyòl la!
M panse tout lang merite respè.  Chak lang gen orijinalite pa yo.  Si'm vle yon moun respekte lang Kreyòl pa mwen, fò m kapab respekte lang pa yo.  Moun fè lanmou nan tout lang, ki pi gran prèv ak evidans egzistans yon lang ou ta bezwen ankò?!
Kreyòl pale, Keryòl konprann ...or can I say English spoken, English understood :)

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

yo di ayisyen renmen bwase ren li

M pa konn sa sa vle di, men si okazyon an prezante nou dwe onore l.  Kelkeswa se yon tanbou k'ap frape oubyen bon jan konpa k'ap fè lanbyans. M pa menm bezwen di w ki sa n'a fè si nou jwenn grenn fanm ak gason ki gen bon jan nannan sou yo - se lè sa a nou fèk koumanse bwase ren nou (...ak men anlè silvouplè) ....Lavi a kout, pa gen ase tan ti cheri a :)
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Wednesday, December 26, 2012

This might be a hard one, but is there an object, or a fictional being that is considered "beautiful and naked" in Haitian folklore?

Beautiful and naked?   ...the name Adelina comes to mind.  And, she is a bottle. (from tale telling or devinèt)
If my answer is correct, then it'll make sense to you.

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

Thanks! Can I say: Jezi, renmen ou pouvwa pou chase tout pè. ? I thinking in: Jesus, your love casts out fear... this is possible? I want make a tattoo... God bless you... thanks

It seems that you really want to use the word renmen ou instead lanmou ou to say your love.
And it seems you really want to use the word "pouvwa", I suppose, as a noun, right?
And it seems that you really want to use the word "" instead of laperèz or enkyetid, right?

Now, your original Creole sentence above is missing a verb, so it does not sounds quite right.
Here are some suggestions:

Jezi, renmen ou chase laperèz. (Jesus, your love casts out fear)
Jezi, renmen ou chase tout pè. (Jesus, your love casts out all fear)
Jezi, renmen ou gen pouvwa pou chase tout pè. (Jesus, your love has the power to cast out all fear)
Jezi, lanmou ou kapab chase tout pè. (Jesus, your love can cast away all fear)
Jezi lanmou w ka chase tout pè. (a shorter version of the above)


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


Thanks, but, I wrote: Jezi, renmen ou pouvwa pou chase tout pè. Is it correct? I thinked in: Jesus, your love casts out all fear..

No it's not correct.  There needs to be a verb between the subject "RENMEN OU" and the object "POUVWA".  OR you could omit "POUVWA POU".  So, you'll either have:
1. Jezi, renmen ou gen pouvwa pou chase tout pè.
or
2. Jezi, renmen ou chase tout pè.

and here are a few more suggestions:

3. Jezi, lanmou ou gen pouvwa pou chase tout laperèz. (that would be my #1 choice)
or
4. Jezi, renmen ou chase tout laperèz
or.
5. Jezi, lanmou ou chase tout enkyetid.
or
6. Jezi, renmen ou se pouvwa pou chase tout laperèz.

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

what does he want of you?

What does he want of you? 
Kisa l vle nan men w?
Kisa l bezwen nan men w?
Kisa l'ap chache nan men w?

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

Can cowboy mean toxic in Creole?

In Creole, a "kòbòy" situation is an environment where there are lots of guns.
There's an expression in Creole that says:
Bagay la tounen an kòbòy.
The situation have turned sour/hostile.

I'm not sure about toxic.

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

twisted in Creole?

twisted (all tied up, crooked?) → makònnen, kwochi, mawonnen, konplike, dejwente
twisted (perverted?) → pèvès

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

what does gwo kok mean?

Well, it depends :-\
If it can cock-a-doodle do, then it's large rooster.
But if it can't sing, I'm afraid it means big dick.
While the word kòk is not a bad word in Creole, and you'll even find some Haitians nicknamed ti kòk, I don't think gwo kòk is an appropriate term in non-vulgar society :)

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

How would you express "I've fallen behind" as in I've fallen behind in my emails

to fall behind → trennen pye, fè reta, fè parese, rete dèyè, pran twòp tan, pran twòp reta

I've fallen behind in my emails 
Mwen pran twòp reta pou'm tcheke imèl mwen
or
Mwen pran twòp reta pou'm imèl ou.

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

Is it correct say: Jezi, ou renmen pouvwa pou chase tout pè. ?

This sentence is grammatically correct, but I think you meant to write:

Jezi, ou genyen pouvwa pou chase tout laperèz.
Jesu, you have the power to chase away all fear.
instead of:
Jezi, ou renmen pouvwa pou chase tout pè. 
Jesus, you love the power to chase all fear.

As far as the last word in your snetence, "", is concerned;  you would want to avoid confusion.  "" could mean "peace" or "fear".  So, use laperèz or enkyetid if you mean to say FEAR.  And use lapè, trankilite, or kè poze if you mean to say PEACE.

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

thank you and you also

Thank you and to you too
Mèsi e a ou menm tou

Thank you and you too.
Mèsi e ou menm tou

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

HOW DO YOU SAY CHEERS IN CREOLE?


Cheers! (To your health!)
Ochan!
Sante!
Onè Respè!

Cheers! (congratulations!)
Kout chapo!
Chapo ba!
Gwo kout chapo!
Konpliman!
Aplodisman!
Bravo!

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

Mwen te voye yon ti (swadizan) istwa pa'm bay yon zanmi ayisyen, epi li reponn avèk mesaj anba a. Eske ou ka esplike primye frazla? "Lew gen jan de (di?) istwa sa yo se anba jouk poul pou ka ale di yo souple, se yon sendenden ou ye!! Sanzave, vakabon!!!"

Zanmi mwen, mwen dezole anpil.  Kòm ou dwe byen imajine, se pa yon bon repons moun nan ba ou ditou :-(
"anba jouk poul" (under a chicken's shelter) means a place that doesn't belong in society, a place for worthless people
"jan de istwa sa yo" (from French genre de histoire) → those types of stories

"Lè'w gen jan de istwa sa yo se anba jouk poul pou ka ale di yo souple, se yon sendenden ou ye!! Sanzave, vakabon!!!"
"When you have those types of stories, do not go tell them in public please, you are insignificant! Tramp, vagabond!" 

That's pretty harsh.  Is that all because of the story?  Or, could there be more? (I'm sorry to butt in :)

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

Kisa ki bòs mazèt?

Bòs mazèt se menmman parèyman ak bòs machòkèt, tèt mato, amatè, oubyen yon ti apranti.  Mo sa yo dekri yon bòs ki poko fin maton nèt nan pwofesyon li.
Pa egzanp:
Si ou bezwen yon travay pwofesyonèl, pa bay yon bòs mazèt fè'l pou ou.  Ou ka byen regrèt sa :)

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

My name is VS Mwen rele?

My name is ...
Non mwen se ....

I am called ....
Mwen rele ....

They call me ...
Yo rele m ...

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

What is the Haitian proverb equivalent to "Too many chiefs and not enough Indians"? Meaning, there are too many leaders and not enough followers

Kabrit ki gen dis mèt mouri nan solèy.
The goat with ten masters dies in the sun.
or
Kabrit de mèt mouri nan poto
The goat with two masters dies tied to its post.
or
Chwal ki gen twòp mèt mouri nan poto.
The horse with too many masters dies tied to a post.

Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words
Yon priyè Nwèl...

Bondye ki renmen nou an, nou pote remèsiman ba ou pou sakrifis w'ap fè pou nou toulejou.
Nan okazyon fèt Nwèl la, nou di mèsi espesyalman pou kado pitit gason ou an.  Nou resevwa li ak anpil gratitid, e  nou va pataje kado sa a avèk chak moun nou rankontre sou chimen nou, pou yo kapab goute lanmou'w tou.
Moutre nou kouman pou nou fè kè'n tounen yon kay pèmanan pou pitit gason ou abite. Konsa, n'a mentni yon lespri ki va pwomote la pè sou tè a jouk tan rèy ou tounen ankò.

Jwaye Nwèl.

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

Monday, December 24, 2012

Bonjou zanmi'm! Mwen te vle remesye'w pou fet blog sa-a. Mwen se Ayisiyen. Mwen abite nan Teksas, se sa'k fe mwen pa jam ka antrene kreyol ak okenn moun (sof fanmi'm). Blog pa'w ede'm e mwen tougou aprann nouvo bagay. Mesi anpil

Mèsi pou ti nòt ou.  Mwen kontan tande w'ap aprann anpil nouvo bagay avèk blog la.  Mwen espere ou va aprann plis toujou e ou va jwenn zanmi lokal ki kapab ede w pratike lang nan chak jou Bondye mete.

Pase yon bon sezon fèt :)

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

what does paske mwen renmen w lan wap fe still sou mwen means?

"fè still"? (fè estil, instead) means almost the same as fè banda, fè chèlbè → to show off, to be pompous
"Paske mwen renmen w lan wap fe still sou mwen."
sounds like:
"Because I love you, you're turning on the charm (or even playing hard to get)" 

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

Bonswa koman no ye Eske w ka di m tanpri kijan yo di sa an kreyol: Challenge Eating another’s bread Whistling Waving the hand (threateningly) against someone Wearing sackcloth Handshaking and striking the palms Mesi anpil pou ede m ak sa

Challenge Eating another’s bread (as in to confront those who are stealing?)
Pa kite yon moun manje pen k pa pou li

Whistling 
soufle ak bouch ou

Waving the hand (threateningly) against someone 
lonje dwèt nan figi yon moun
menase moun ak men w

Wearing sackcloth 
mete rad ki fèt ak twal sak

Handshaking 
bay lanmen

and striking the palms (as in a palm strike against someone)
tape 

and striking the palms (as in shooing someone/something away?)
Bat men dèyè yon moun

or, is it....

clap hands
bat men

"Challenge Eating another’s bread Whistling Waving the hand (threateningly) against someone Wearing sackcloth Handshaking and striking the palms" 
Konteste moun k'ap manje pen ki pa pou li, pa soufle ak bouch ou, lonje dwèt nan figi moun, mete rad ki fèt ak twal sak, bay lanmen ak bat men w.


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

How long have you lived in Haiti?

How long have you lived in Haiti?
Pou konbyen tan ou te abite Ayiti?
or
Konbyen tan ou genyen depi ou abite Ayiti?

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

How do you say I love you son

I love you son.
Mwen renmen w pitit gason.

I love you my son.
Mwen renmen w pitit gason mwen

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

What does etandone mean in creole?

etandone, etandone ke (piske) → since, considering, in view of the fact that
Egzanp:
1. Etandone ke pa gen moun ki pa vin nan reyinyon an, n'ap ranvwaye l pou pwochèn fwa.
2. Etandone nou pa't gen lajan sou nou, nou te oblije pran daso sou kamyonèt la.
3. Enben, etandone ou te pran daso sou kamyonèt la, m'ap oblije arete'w.

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

What does chouchoute mean in creole?

chouchoute (from French chouchouter) → to pamper, to baby, to shower with attention and love

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

I attended a well inauguration ceremony in the central plateau and the group sang a song that had words like: Ka se ka se ka se mai ka se ma i ya jan m' vle. Something about corn and something about "we want it". I'm looking for the lyrics. Ideas?

Sounds like a vodou, angaje, or konbit song.
There are a couple of books on amazon.com which might have this song.  You will be able to search the words to this song without buying the book.
Click on the book on the amazon.com website, search the key words KASE MAYI and you might have some of these books come up. Click on one of these books, click on the SEARCH INSIDE arrow and you can type in some of the words in the search box and you'll see a whole list of songs with the words "KASE MAYI".
My friends tell me that you might have better luck searching for the conga rhythm Kase (on MP3s) , or the type of dance called kase.
There's also the cd Rhythms of rapture It has a "Mayi" rhythm.
I'll keep my ears and eyes open :)

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

mwen bezwen chan ki di noe noe ouvri pot la pou mwen

Ah, m chache chante sila tankou yon moun fou, men m poko jwenn ni.  Mwen konn tande l sou yon cd, men m pa ka sonje kilès ladan yo.  Pandanstan m'ap chache a, fè'm sonje tanpri.

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

Mandy, kisa ou pral fè pou christmas la? e ki kado ou espere jwenn?

Mwen toujou fete lavèy. E, jou Nwèl la mwen dòmi nèt ale.
Pafwa, mwen pran yon ti diven wouj pou chofe kè'm.  Petèt se pousa mwen dòmi anpil konsa. :)
Kanta pou kado, mwen sensèman pa janm espere resevwa anyen.  Lè mwen te piti mwen te konn tann Tonton Nwèl pote yon poupe ak yon sabo, men Tonton Nwèl pa't janm vini.  Konsa mwen aprann pou m pa atann mwen a anyen. Men, Nwèl mwen toujou bèl grasadye... anpil lanmou, anpil lespwa, anpil diven, anpil bonbon, e sitou anpil mistletoe :)
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

This is the next step in the oxford learning series.

This is the next step in the oxford learning series. 
Sa a se etap ki swiv seri etid Oxford yo.

learning, here, can also be translated as fòmasyon, ansèyman, aprantisaj

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

I just wanted to say that the song "Krisifiksyon" an Kreyol nan kou se absoliman bel!!!!! It brought tears to my eyes especially in Kreyol. Mesi anpil, Kreyol Lwiziyen

Yes, it is an absolutely beautiful song.   Pierre Gardy Fontaine brings it to life.
I see you want to use it as a farewell song one day.  I'll be sure to tell Mr. Fontaine :)
Pase yon bon jounen Kreyòl Lwiziyen.
E si nou pa pale ankò, pase yon bon sezon fèt Nwèl e yon bòn ane 2013.

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

When was the last time? (Kilè te dènye fwa a?)

Pa toutafè ti cheri a (not quite darling :)
Use Ki dènye fwa? or Ki dènye lè (When was the last time?)

For example:

1. Ki dènye fwa ou te danse kanaval?
    When was the last time you dance at a carnival?

2. Ki dènye fwa ou te bwè dlo nan yon kwi?

    When was the last time you drank water from a calabash gourd?

3. Ki dènye lè ou te dòmi nan yon kay pay?

    When was the last time you slept inside a hut?

4. Ki dènye fwa ou te koute lapli k'ap tonbe anba yon kay fèy tòl?

     When was the last time you listened to the rain fall from inside a tin roof house?

5. Ki dènye fwa ou te panse ak premye beze w?

    When was the last time you thought about your first kiss?


6. Ki dènye fim ou te wè?

     What was the last movie you saw?

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

How do you say......you are late / It's late

1. You are late.
    Ou anreta.

2. Sorry, I'm late.
     Sorry for being late
    Eskize m deske m anreta.

3. It's late.
    Li ta.

4. It's too late.
    Li twò ta.

5. It's getting late.
    L'ap fin ta.

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

I tried to translate Manno Charlemagne's Organizasyon Mondyal from the video, but much of it didn't make sense. Could you translate it for me? Barry


Òganizasyon mondyal yo
World organization
pa pou nou yo ye.
are not for us.
Sa la pou ede volè yo piye, devore
It's there to help the crooks pillage and devour
lè pèp ki nan di, "pran fizi!"  yo
when the people who say, "take your weapon!"
konnen yo bouke
know that they are burned out
lamedsin entènasyonal sa met kò l sou kote
International medicine organizations bow out

yo fè reyinyon
they have meetings
yo pale, yo ranse
they talk, they babble
devan vè chanpay, bon dive k enpòte,
with champagne glasses, good imported wine,
se la sa rete
it doesn't go farther than that
Lè pèp anba zam
when the people are under siege
tout peyi, tout kote
all country, everywhere
mwen renmen tande zòt k ap analize
i just love to hear others put in their ideas
lè l pa konsène
when they're not concerned

tout sa moun pa vle tande se verite li ye
Everything that people don't want hear is truth
reyaksyonè sou-devlope yo, sa pi danjere
amateurish revolutionists are more dangerous
lè enterè yo menase
when their interest is threatened
se yo k toujou rele
it's them that call
Tout fòs entèvansyonis yo
all the opposing strengths
pou pèp ki soulve
for a people that have risen

laklas dominant entèlijan ke l ye
the dominating class, smart as they are
an prensip, konnen ke l anminorite
know very well that they are the minority
L konn kijan pou l jwe
they know how to play the game
pozisyon de klas di se sa ki konte
social status says that's what counts
L a fè l enposib, l a kraze,  l a brize
they'd make impossible, they'll destroy, they'll demolish
pou l elimine
to eliminate
timoun ki nan ze
kids that are hatching in eggs

N ap goumen jouk mayi mi
we'll fight until corn is ripe (jouk mayi mi = forever)
jouk tan nou libere
until we're free
pran konfyans nan lit lòt pèp yo
take strentgh in the perseverance of the others
ki pa pè tonbe
who are not afraid to perish
delivrans yo se jefò yo nan san ki ap koule
their deliverance is their effort in the blood that spills
grenn doktè ta vle preskri yo
the pills that doctors want to prescribe to them
voye sa jete
They ditch it 

N ap voye yon sali
we send a salute
pou tout pèp k ap lite
for all people who are fighting
anpil konpliman pou tout moun ki tonbe
hats down to all who have fallen
pou koz libète
for the cause of freedom
pou chyen Ayisyen k ap di yo kiltive
And, for the Haiitan dogs who say they are cultivated,
k ape fè komès ak mizè refijye
who's making a business of the misfortune of refugees
nan inivèsite,
at universities,
nou voye yon plòt krache
we send a ball of spit

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

what you will do today, what plans do you have to make your afternoon interesting or to spend interesting afternoon? do you plan to go out or just stay at home?

What you will do today?
Kisa w pral fè jodi a?
Ki aktivite w jodi a?

What plans do you have to make your afternoon interesting?
Ki bagay enteresan w pral apremidi a?
Ki aktivite enteresan ou gen pou apremidi a?

Do you plan to go out or just stay at home?
Eske w'ap soti onswa jis rete lakay ou?

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

SI youn moun byen mennen, that s good right?

Men wi, that's good :)
Si yon moun ap byen mennen, sa vle di tout bagay ap mache byen.  Pa gen danje, ni grangou, ni tèt chaje.
Men si yon moun ap mal mennen, sa vle di y'ap viv nan lamizè, onswa yo pa gen siksè nan lavi a.

Gendefwa ou ka di konsa, "Mari m ak malmennen avè m" onswa "Mari m ak malmennen'm nan kay la.".  Sa vle di Mari a ap maltrete w onswa li pa byen viv avè w.
Konsa tou, ou ka di, "Yannick gen chans paske li jwenn yon mari ki byen mennen avè l.".  Sa vle di, Yannick jwen yon nèg ki byen boule avè l, yon nèg ki trete l  e pran swen l byen.

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

haitian creole common slang phrases?

It's too early for me in this Creole journey to determine what's slang, what's Creole rèk, what's Creole lontan, what's Creole fransize, etc....
What you might consider as slang in Creole, others might see it as poetry, or a variant, or a cache of treasure in this well of Creole language heritage that might lead us to understand how our ancestors communicated.
But if you know of some H. Creole slang phrases, please share them with me ...

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

'press' (this button to take the picture); 'touch here to turn it on or off'. Mesi.

press → peze, touche
press this button → peze bouton sa a, or touche bouton sa a
press this button to that the picture → peze bouton sa a pou pran foto a
touch here to turn it on → peze la pou limen li or  peze la pou ouvri li
touch here to turn it off → peze la pou etenn li or peze la pou fèmen li

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

Bonjou Mandalay! Can you please translate the following Bible verse for me? As you teach... Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms,Continued: hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:16-17 Thank you! ~Wendy

Awesome :)

Pandan n'ap anseye... Se pou n kite pawòl Kris la ak tout richès li yo demere nan nou pandan n'ap egzòte youn lòt ak lasajès, e pandan n'ap chante sòm, kantik ak lòt chante Sentespri a ban nou pou nou remèsye Bondye ak tout kè nou.  E kèlkeswa sa nou fè, an pawòl e annaksyon, fè li nan non Senyè Jezi a,  san n pa manke bay Bondye Papa a remèsiman nan Li.  Kolosyen 3:16 a 17.

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

This gift is from your mother and father

This gift is from your mother and father 
Kado sa a se manman ak papa w ki ba ou li.

Here's a little gift from your mom and dad.
Men yon ti kado manman ak papa w ba ou.

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

Eske ou gen kek fraz Kreyol pou montre kouman itilize mo PARE? I get it when people say ESKE NOU PARE. I think I get PARE KO OU or PARE BOUDA OU, but can you still use them in a sentence TANPRI? Mesi!

In sentences #1 & #2, pare men means to ready your hand, to extend your hand in order to receive something.
examples:
1. Lè yo rive bò kot tiyo a, yo pa't gen gode, men yo te pare men yo pou pran yon ti dlo pou bwè.
2. Lè touris la te met men nan pòch li, tout pòv nan lari a te gentan pare men yo.  Yo te panse li ta pral ba yo lajan.

In sentence #3, pare lapli means to wait the rain out, to take shelter from the rain.
examples:
3. Mwen p'ap gentan rive nan estasyon bis la, se sa'k fè m'ap pare lapli a kay zanmi m nan.

In sentences #4, #5, #6, & #7, pare means to ready, to get ready, to get your act together, to make arrangement
4. Mezanmi, ekonomi peyi pa bon. N'ap viv nan tan difisil. Pare kò nou pou sa k'ap vini.
5. Lè bis la te rive nan estasyon an, tout moun te pare lajan yo depi anvan yo te monte.
6. Medam, pral gen anpil bèl mizik nan fèt la aswè a, pare kò nou pou n danse jouk solèy leve.
7. Lè Fanfan te kraze bèl po flè manman l la, li te konnen l'antrave.  Se pousa li te pare bouda l pou l pran baton.

In sentences #8 & #9, pare kou means to block a punch or a strike.
8. Boksè a te pare chak kout pwen oponan l nan te voye.
9. Si w pa konn pare kou, ou pa konn goumen.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Is "okenn" always used in sentence with "pa"? Would not this be a double negative as in French?

Most of the times "okenn" is comfortably paired with "pato translate none, no, any
You know, Kreyòl se Kreyòl e Franse se Franse.
So, you'll always find sentences like these:

1. M pa gen okenn konpasyon pou li.
    I don't have any compassion for him.

2. Li  pa'tokenn moun nan kay la.
    She saw no one in the house.

3. Pa gen okenn bagay ki ka fè'm pè kounye a.
    There's nothing can scare me now.
 
But, there are many instances where "okenn" is used without "pa" in a sentence.
Some examples:

4. Anvan ou marye okenn fanm, ou dwe chache konnen fanmi l.
    Before you marry any woman, you must seek to know her family.
   
5. San okenn esperyans, mwen pa wè kouman ou pral jwenn dyòb sa a.
    With no experience, I don't see how you will get this job.

6. Eske gen okenn moun ki konnen ki jou jodi a ye?
    Does anyone know what today is?


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

I tend to write "ki jan" (two words) instead of "kijan". The same with "w ap", instead of "wap". I tend to keep words apart versus combining them. Am I wrong? Mesi.

I believe that one day there will be guidelines about whether to combine these words or not, but since the Creole language is a work in progress we only find suggestions and recommendations (usually from Creole linguists, interpreters, and educators like Yves Dejean, J. C Bernard, Roger Savain, etc....)
One word may have one or two different spellings because of the variation in the Creole spoken in different regions.  For example, you'll find many ways to say the next day in Creole thanks to these variants: "lelandemen, lelandmen, nan landmen, nan demen".  And there are many instances where all of the different terms for one word are very popular.  Some examples:

bonmache or bon mache to translate cheap
lindemyèl or lin de myèl for honeymoon
larezon or rezon for good judgment
zanj, lanj, anj, lezanj, zany for angel
tenb or tenm for postage stamp
zwazo or zwezo for bird
chimen or chemen for path
ponko, ponkò, poko, pako for not yet

Both "kijan" and "ki jan"  are acceptable.  Some of our most respected Haitian writers write "wap", some "w'ap" or "w-ap", an others write "w ap".

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

This make sense: “Poze la monkonpè, si ou pa vle yon tanpèt jouman manman ou farine tout vwazinay la. M gen yon pwoblem serye la.”

It doesn't?
“Poze la monkonpè, si ou pa vle yon tanpèt jouman manman ou farine tout vwazinay la. M gen yon pwoblem serye la.”
Literally, it says "Rest there my friend, if you don't want a tempest of insult of your mother to sprinkle the neighborhood. I have a serious problem."
It seems that this is coming from a preoccupied mother of a boy, and I would translate it as:
"If you don't want your mom to sprinkle the neighborhood with a storm of profanities, you'd better simmer down.  I'm dealing with a dilemma here."
or
"If you don't want your mom to shake up the whole neighborhood with a storm of profanities, you'd better simmer down.  I'm dealing with a dilemma here."

Which words threw you off? Was it "tanpèt jouman manman w"?

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

What does 'chirepit' mean?

chirepit also (hinghang, chen manje chen, kerèl) quarrel, dissension, discord, argument

egzanp:
"Tout lajounen moun sa yo nan yon chire pit.  Yo viv tankou chen."

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

your translator was in a car accident and she is running late

Not a serious accident it seems?

your translator was in a car accident and she is running late 

Tradiktè ou a te fè yon ti aksidan machin, li anreta.


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

MNCHE ANTOUKA NS PAP OKIPE YO PAM

Sounds like:
Monchè antouka, nou p'ap okipe yo menm.
In any case, we won't even worry about them.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

kijan mwen ka di sa an kreole: he looked human except for crimson hair and maroon eyes.

He looked human except for crimson hair and maroon eyes. 
Sof pou cheve kramwazi ak zye maron-wouj li yo, li te sanble ak yon èt imen.

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


Wednesday, December 19, 2012

what does vremanvre mean in creole?

Vreman vre → for real, really, undeniably, honestly, absolutely

1. Lè m te wè se vrèman vre li t'ap kriye, mwen te sispann pase l nan betiz.
    When I saw it's truly true she was crying, I stopped making fun of her.
    When I saw that she was crying for real, I stopped making fun of her.

2. Si vreman vre ou vle vin yon komedyen, nanpwen anyen ki ka rete w.
    If you honestly want to become a comedian, nothing can stop you.

Sometimes you'll find vreman vre at the beginning of a sentence,  and it might translate the expression truth be told
3. Vrèman vre, lè'm rive lakay mwen lapolis te la ap tann mwen.
    Truth be told, when I got home the police was there waiting for me.

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

le m gade syel la bel

Something else comes after that?

lè m gade ... syèl la bèl...
when I look .... the sky is beautiful
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Ou se pi plis pase akeyi

Are you trying to say You are more than welcome?

You are more than welcome to stay here? (Make yourself at home?)
Mete w lakay ou.
Fè kòm si ou te lakay ou.

You are more than welcome (you're welcome from a "Thank you!")
Se te tout plezi m
Padekwa

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

who started christmas in Haiti?

Probably Christian missionaries that came to teach Haitians about religion, marriage and other things like that.

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

what is premye miatan?

Do you mean premye mitan?

premye mitan is first half of a game (Soccer?)
dezyèm mitan is second half of a game
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

weird question for you, how can i keep my plantains from turning yellow when I buy it? I don't like the sweet fried plantians.

Fried ripe plantains can be delicious with a cream cheese sauce.
But if you rather have the crispy green fried plantains, you must first buy crispy and fresh green plantains.  If you keep them in the produce section of your fridge, they might stay green and crisp a while longer.  You leave them on the kitchen counter and they ripen and turn soft and yellow.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

what does wap byen mennin

Byen mennen (also mennen)
to be doing well
going strong
to thrive

W'ap byen mennen.
W'ap mennen.
You're doing well.

Se ekip mwen an k'ap mennen.
It is my team that's leading

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

How do you say; God is with you, God bless you, Praise Jesus and Jesus loves you? Thanks!

God is with you
Bondye avèk ou.
Bondye avè w.
or
Bondye ak ou.

 God bless you
Bondye beni w.

 Praise Jesus
Glwa a Jezi

May the name of Jeus be praised.
Se pou non Jezi glorifye.

Jesus loves you?
Jezi renmen w.

His grace is enough.
Gras li sifi.

His grace covers me
Gras li kouvri mwen.



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

Ki diferans ki gen ant 'pran kabann' ak 'monte kabann'? mwen pa ta panse yo vle di menm bagay, non?

Non yo pa vle di menm bagay la.
Si moun nan pran kabann, sa vle di li malad anpil, li fè yon maladi ki ka grav.
Si moun nan moute kabann, tankou poul yo fè, sa vle di dòmi nan je l, l'al kouche pou repoze tèt li.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Is there a Christian haitian song that is very easy to play on recorder? I need words and tune

I suppose that there is.  But I am not sure what would make a song easy to play on a recorder.
Some pretty well known Christian songs that come to mind are:

Ala m kontan Jezi renmen mwen
I'm so glad Jesus lifted me
Ala m kontan Jezi renmen mwen
Ala m kontan Jezi renmen mwen
Ala m kontan Jezi renmen mwen
Glwa Alelouya! Jezi renmen mwen

Sote ponpe! Jezi renmen mwen
Sote ponpe! Jezi renmen mwen
Sote ponpe! Jezi renmen mwen
Glwa Alelouya! Jezi renmen mwen

Sa pa fè m anyen si, satan rayi mwen
Sa pa fè m anyen si, satan rayi mwen
Sa pa fè m anyen si, satan rayi mwen
Glwa Alelouya! Jezi renmen mwen


or

Non pa mwen menm
Non pa mwen menm  (bis)
Men pa lespri di Lesenyè
Montay yo va deplase (3 fwa)
Men pa lespri di Lesenyè

or

Chak pwomès nan labib se pou mwen
Every promise in the book.
Chak pwomès nan labib se pou mwen
Chak chapit, chak vèsè e chaj liy
Tout byenfè li se lanmou diven
Chak pwomè nan labib se pou mwen

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