"bay yon replik", doesn't replik mean "reply"? But in creole bay yon replik seems to mean to give a bad answer. why BAD ANSWER?

Bay yon replik → to talk back.

You might have heard bay yon replik as in to give a corresponding reply, or showing affront by talking back especially when it comes to children.


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

When can I expect the next set of audio ?

I am working on that.  Sorry for the delay.  The laptop that I use for editing broke (this laptop has my editing applications and the group of audio I was working on in the hard drive) - I brought it to the seller to be fixed, but they had to ship it out.....  Give it a couple more weeks :) 

Ps: This laptop is my favorite.  It's an HP which I named Henry Paul :)   It's got many many documents of mine which I did not save on a flash drive....sigh.

So... a couple of weeks :)

Kenbe la.

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I like sound of that....Please translate that, M

Unfortunately we cannot translate this literally:

You might say:
M renmen lide sa a.
M renmen sijesyon sa a.
M pa fin rayi l non.

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

sak "malfrendeng" lan vle di? Mwen pa kwe ke mwen te ekri mo a byen, mèsi!

malfrendeng (malfwendeng) -  good for nothing, shameless scumbag

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

what does tre prop mean

trè pwòp (Fr: Très propre - very clean

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

how would you say in hc "to seduce"

seduce - atire, sedui, tante

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

What is cuddle (v) in kreyol?

to cuddle - kajoler, miyonnen, dòlote

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

what does manke dega mean?

manke dega - to show lack of respect toward someone, to be rude to, to sass

1.  Ou pa respekte papa w.  W'ap manke l dega.
      You don't respect your father.  You're being rude to him.

2. W'ap manke m dega.
    You're being disrespectful to me.

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

Kote ou ye konsa? / Kote ou ye? / ki kote ou ye? are the same question?

Yes, they all mean the same thing.

Kote yo ye konsa? → So, where are they?
Kote yo ye menm*? → Where are they anyway?
Kote yo ye or Ki kote yo ye? → Where are they?
and also...
Kibò yo ye? → Where are they?

*Other ways to use MENM (which seems to mean ANYWAY)
Kijan ou ye menm? - How are you anyway?
Sa ou fè menm? - What's you been up to anyway?

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Madanm, when I heard the sentence (Nou pral ale Jacmel demen maten avek ou." The speaker actually says sound-wise, "prale" for "pral ale". I know this is a spoken contraction, but is not this confususing to the listener? Instead, I pronounced it "pral ale". Also, if one were to say in spoken context, "prale ale", would it sound all right or sound funny? Mesi.

No, It would not sound funny.
When using the verb "ale" and the future marker "pral" we tend to do that.
Most of the time we do say "prale"; but once in a while we'd say "pral ale"

You will hear it most often when someone is referring to some "event" that is going to be happening soon.
Mwen pral ale talè.
I'm going to be going soon.
I'm going to be leaving soon.

as opposed to:

Mwen prale talè.
I'm leaving soon.

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

kijan ou di 'immature', 'grow up' 'get your life together' ak 'welfare (like foodstamps)' an kreyol

immature → kannannan, krebete, anfanten
grow up (stop acting like a child) → sispann aji tankou yon timoun; sipann fè kannannan; sispann fè nayif; mete granmoun sou ou.
Get your life together (Get your act together?) → Òganize tèt ou; Ranje lavi w; Mete lòd nan lavi w; Ranmase kò w.

food stamps (welfare) → equivalent to èd leta, or sinistre
food stamps - foudstanp
welfare - wèlfè


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Is this a good translation for the song "Give Thanks"? I couldn't find it online so I made it myself, and my Creole is not very good. Thank you!

"Bay gras avek kè kontan
Bay gras a Papa Bondye
Bay gras paske Li te bay Jezikri, piti Li
Bay gras avek kè kontan
Bay gras a Papa Bondye
Bay gras paske Li te bay Jezikri, piti Li
Epi se pou fèb la di “mwen fò”
Se pou pòv la di “Mwen rich”
Poutèt bagay Seyè te fè pou nou
Epi se pou fèb la di “mwen fò”
Se pou pòv la di “Mwen rich”
Poutèt bagay Seyè te fè pou nou ..."

I find it to be an great translation.

The only thing I would change is line 9 and 12.

I would translate it as: Pou bagay Seyè a fè pou nou.

So it would be POU instead of POUTÈT

Dakò :)

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

what does it mean to "remet demisyon"

to resign, to submit a resignation

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Yon lot keksyon anko souple - konsenan mo " vre " pafwa nou jwenn li ak accent : vrè e pafwa san accent eske w kapab eksplike nou pouki e komen aprann ki lè nou dwe sevi ak accent e ki lè accent pa nesesè ? Men kek egsanp kote nou pa konnen si se bon ou non. . .mesi anko pou ede nou nan translasyon n ap fè la. Yon ti reg nou jwenn (si se bon ou non ?) se lè yon nom vini aprè mo "vre" se ak accent nou sèvi men si se yon nom avan mo "vre" a se san accent - eske nou korek lè nou fè konsa?

Yon lot keksyon anko souple - konsenan mo " vre " pafwa nou jwenn li ak accent : vrè e pafwa san accent eske w kapab eksplike nou pouki e komen aprann ki lè nou dwe sevi ak accent e ki lè accent pa nesesè ?

 

Men kek egsanp kote nou pa konnen si se bon ou non. . .mesi anko pou ede nou nan translasyon n ap fè la.

Yon ti reg nou jwenn (si se bon ou non ?) se lè yon nom vini aprè mo "vre" se ak accent nou sèvi men si se yon nom avan mo "vre" a se san accent - eske nou korek lè nou fè konsa? 

Men kek egsanp kote nou pa konnen si se bon ou non. . .mesi anko pou ede nou nan translasyon n ap fè la.

Yon ti reg nou jwenn (si se bon ou non ?) se lè yon nom vini aprè mo "vre" se ak accent nou sèvi men si se yon nom avan mo "vre" a se san accent - eske nou korek lè nou fè konsa? 

 

 

Examples of Vre with or without accent

1 - Jezi te fèt kot yo bay bèt manje, Pou moutre  nou yon vrè imilite.

2 - Ann sede lavi pou swiv Li, Ak yon kè e chwa ki vrè.

3 - Poukisa ou pa te kriye E chache lapè vre

4 - Libète nou, Li te peye, Si nou repanti tou vre.

5 - “Vini swiv Mwen,” L’ap rele nou, “Mwen, sèl vrè chemen an;

6 - Plètil, koute pawòl Jezi, L’ap ba ou vre repo:

7 - E lavi m’,  san rezèv,  mwen te ba Li. Paske Jezi te renmen mwen vrè,

8 - Richès yo ki dire lontan, Jezi sèl ka bay sa vre.

ANSWER:


"Vrè" and "vre" have the same meaning.

"vrè" with the accent is imitating the French pronounciation "vrai".

"vrè" and "vre" are atributes. and they mean "TRUE" or "REAL"

example (from your #1 and #2 examples):

1. "...ak yon kè e chwa ki vrè." → with a heart and choice that is true

or

2. "...pou montre nou yon vrè imilite" → to show us true humility.

But we tend to use "vre" without the accent as an adverb too.

example (from your #3, #4,  and #8 examples)
3. Poukisa ou pa te kriye E chache lapè vre? → Why didn't you cry and truly seek peace?

4. "... Jezi sèl ka bay sa vre" → Only Jesu can truly give it

5. "...Si nou repanti tou bon vre." → I you truly repent

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Mandaly, after constructing a sentence in Kreyol "Enben, ou pa ka achte yon jilet aswe a.", I find out that I was not supposed to include "yon" in this sentence. By including "yon", does this not sound like good Kreyol? Or, does this not matter? Mesi anpil.

It sounds correct with "...yon jilèt ..."
Actually, you can write it with or without "yon".
Whether you have "yon" or not, it will refer to a nonspecific "jilèt"... as opposed to "jilèt la"

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Tanpri,eske ou kapab di mwen si genyen yon diferans avek eskandalez ak wowoy?

Men wi m kapab di w :)
Yo toulede se menm bagay la.
Lè yo di eskandalèz, sa vle di yon fanm ki renmen fè eskandal, ki pa disiplinen, ki woywoy, ki toujou sou chòk.

Nan lang Angle a yo rele sa: ROWDY, LOUDMOUTHED

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Bonswa, nou gen yon keksyon ki sa ki pi bon: m ap osinon map ??? w ap osinon wap ??? Nan Diksyone par Bryant C Freeman li ekri map e wap men non nouvou Bib Kreyol La Nouvo Testaman par Bibles International yo ekri m ap e w ap. men paj isit ekri yo tankou m'ap e w'ap. Mwen te panse apostroph yo se pa sevi anko ? Mesi pou repons rapid.

Mwen panse "M ap" pi bon pase "Map" paske li elimine konfizyon.  Paske "M" se yon mo (MWEN) ki separe ak "ap" ki se yon modifier.  Donk lè yo separe, sa montre nou genyen de (2) mo diferan.

Gen moun ki ekri li avèk yon tirè - pa egzanp M-ap.
E
Gen moun ki ekri li ak yon apostwòf - pa egzanp M'ap.
E
Gen moun ki ekri li san anyen ditou - pa egzanp M ap.

Kounye a yo tout akseptab, men tirè yo ak apostwòf yo pa nesesè.
Nan nouvo òtograf Kreyòl la (Se li menm ou jwenn nan Bib la), Ayisyen yo koumanse alèz nèt lè yo ekri san tirè, ak san apostwòf la.  Mwen panse se sa ki va fiti lang Kreyòl la.

Dakò.



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Mandaly, I recently ordered a DVD of the Defense Language Institute's Haitian Language instruction. It contained five volumes of text with accompanying audio. However, the audio, which was originally recorded in the 1970's, has degraded and I have been unable to find a usable copy. The audio is free on line, but after the twelfth of fifty lessons, it becomes totally indecipherable and the early lessons are muddy. The Defense Language Institute tells me they do not sell the DVD and they no longer have the original materials, as tons of things were dumped to make room for new stuff in their warehouse. It's sad! Can you put out the word for me, I'm searching for a good copy of the audio portion. I already printed up the text of the five volumes - but it's much better for me to study with an audio component! THANKS, and regards, DORY DICKSON, Haitian Migrant Worker Outreach

The word is out Dory : )

I hope you can find a good copy of the audio.  I wish that someone had thought to preserve the recording digitally.
.......................
Dory wrote:

 Mandaly,  I recently ordered a DVD of the Defense Language 
Institute's Haitian Language instruction.  It contained five volumes of text 
with accompanying audio.  However, the audio, which was originally recorded in 
the 1970's, has degraded and I have been unable to find a usable copy.  The 
audio is free on line, but after the twelfth of fifty lessons, it becomes 
totally indecipherable and the early lessons are muddy.  The Defense Language 
Institute tells me they do not sell the DVD and they no longer have the original 
materials, as tons of things were dumped to make room for new stuff in their 
warehouse.  It's sad!  Can you put out the word for me, I'm searching for a good 
copy of the audio portion.  I already printed up the text of the five volumes - 
but it's much better for me to study with an audio component!  THANKS, and 
regards, DORY DICKSON, Haitian Migrant Worker Outreach

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

Can you explain the difference with rantre and retounen ? (kamsa hamnida)

RANTRE (sometimes used in place of ANTRE) → to come, to come in, to come back in, to return, to insert, to bring in, to retract (to draw back)

Some examples:
1. Lè lapli a te koumanse tonbe, tou moun te rantre anndan. (to come)

2. Avyon an rantre kawoutyou yo lè li te pran vòl. (to retract)

3. Kilè w'ap rantre? (to come back)

4. Koulèv la te rantre nan yon twou. (go inside)

5. M'ap rantre lakay ta aswè a, ou pa bezwen tann mwen. (to return)

6. Nou toude ansanm rantre apeprè $1500.00 pa mwan nan kay la. (to bring in)

7. Mezanmi! Pitit la rantre yon gwo kiyè nan bouch li.  Bouch lan chire yan! (to insert)



RETOUNEN (or TOUNEN) - to return, to come back, to bring back

Some examples:
8. Li retounen vin jwenn mwen.
   She came back to me.

9. Pote monnen an retounen ban mwen tande.
    Bring me back the change you hear.





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what does the phrase " pa enkyetew" mean in hc, thanks!

Pa enkyete w - Don't worry.

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Mandaly, this is like second message with same content...I don't want to be impolite or anything like that, so please don't be offended...I just wanna your subtle help in writing some witty or normal birthday greeting card for one year old boy, but in kreyol fashion.... Mesi davans, bel Manda

Happy birthday - bòn fèt

Today you turn one, I wish you many more birthdays.
Jodi a ou gen ennan, mwen swete ou anpil lòt anivèsè ankò.

I hope you had a good year.
M'espere premye ane ou te anfòm.

First birthday is always the best, but you'll never remember it.
Premye anivèsè nesans yo toujou pi bon, men ou p'ap janm sonje l.


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what does grigole and kalou mean?

Sounds like "rigole (to joke around)" and "kalalou (okra)"..... Is it?
I do not recognize the ones that you wrote ...without a context.

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Is there a rule for when to use "w" and when to use "ou" for you? I notice that "w" is used sometimes even when the sound is still "ou," like: "M renmen w." Are they completely interchangeable?

w is the contracted form of ou (as a pronoun and possessive adj)
For many foreigners the difference between the two (when you listen to them) is very subtle.  But if you listen to the H. Creole language long enough you'll soon be able to distinguish between the two sounds.

Yes there are rules.
When used as an object pronoun or possessive adjective, it follows the vowels not the consonants.
example:
you can say:
Mwen renmen w. ("w" follows nasal vowel "en" in "renmen")
Nou sonje w. ("w" follows vwayèl-bouch "e" in "sonje")
Papa w pa pè. ("w" follows vwayèl-bouch "a" in "papa")

But you cannot say:
M'ap tann w. ("w" cannot follow the consonant "n" in "tann")
Li bat w. ("w" cannot follow the consonant "t" in "bat")
Nou fè lwanj w chaj jou. ("w" cannot follow the consonant "j" in "lwanj")
Eske sa se kay w? ("w" cannot follow the consonant "y" in kay)

We'll say instead:
M'ap tann ou.
Li bat ou.
Nou fè lwanj ou chak jou.
Eske sa se kay ou?

When in doubt, you can always use "ou".

FYI:  In Northern Haiti, however, this rule goes out the window.  The "w" will sounds like "a ou" or "aww"
The Northerner will say:
Nou fè lwanj w chak jou.
And it will sound like:
Nou fè lwanj aww chak jou.

Check out these posts:  OU and W

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What is mizik angaje?

It's a voudou-type of music, it can be political with voudou terms and much complaints, denouncements and insinuations.

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what is koutlang? can be used as verb?

kout lang - malicious gossip or backbiting
bay kout lang - to badmouth, to backstab

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how would you say "from...to...". I want to say "from here to there" and also give a time frame (from 7 to 8). Can I say "de la a la"? I hear that sometimes.

Yes, people sometimes do say de isit la a laba a, or de setè a twazè, de Miami a New York.

From ... to... → depi .... jouk/jiska...

From here to there → depi isit jouk laba a
From 7 to 8 → depi setè jouk uitè
From sunrise to sunset → depi solè leve jouk solèy kouche

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Can you tell me how you would translate "kina yo." I know it is hard to answer this without knowing the context. In context it sounds something like "the locals." But can you perhaps elaborate or be any more precise for me about its meanings and connotations? I am doing a translation of an oral history of an elderly Haitian from 1987. Thanks!

You will hear this type  of expression in Northern Haiti.

1. kina yo (kinan yo) - theirs, or it can be their family

   Sa se kinan m - This is mine; This is my race, my family

    Sa se kinan nou - This is ours


2. Northerners tend to "an" or "a" before their possessive adj.
    for example:
   We usually say:
Liv mwen.
OR
Sa se liv mwen.
   A person from the North might say:
Liv an mwen.
OR
Sa se liv an mwen.

3. Here's another example:
    We usually say:
Sa se papa li.
    But the Northerner might say:
Sa se papa a li.

4. And one more example:
   We usually say:
Ayiti se peyi nou.
   The Northerner might say:
Ayiti se peyi an nou.

So, when you see "kin an yo" or "kin an mwen", it's as if they were saying:  kin an yo → their kin (their own) or kin an mwen → my kin (my own)

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Is there any place I can find some good info on Haitian culture? More than just the stuff about conservative, women do housework, etc...?

Kansas University, Haitian studies website is a good source.
If you have a chance,  do visit some Haitian bookstores in person or online (educavision.com)
And if your area offers it, check the cultural centers or public libraries for upcoming exhibits of 'Haitian Folklife' so rich in tradition and history.

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what is an "aksivil" , thank you hun!

aksivil  (ak sivil) - (from acte civil) a non religious wedding (usually done in court to obtain a marriage certificate)
pase aksivil - to get a marriage certificate

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Hello Mandaly! Thank you for ALL your responses to my many questions! I really really appreciate your help! Here's another... It seems that a final "t" is pronounced differently in Creole than it would be in English. For example, when you say "hot" in English, the "t" sound is made by a little air passing between your teeth. (At least that's my amateur's way of putting it.) But when I hear words like malet, let, ponyet, tet, etc, I think the "t" sound is actually stopped by the tongue touching the back of the top teeth. Does this sound correct to you? And if so, is it true of all Creole words ending in "t?"

Your observations are correct.
Here is a link about a similar question: Sorry for the repeat -- I have a Q about the 't' sound in words like 'timoun' and 'piti'. It sounds a little "cute" to me in recordings, perhaps the proper word is "palatalized"? It reminds me of the way "tse tse fly" is pronounced. Is this normal?

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How can you say in haitian creole: the hurricane hit off the coast of Haiti? Thank you.

Siklòn nan pase bò zòn lakòt Ayiti.

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Does komik in "Ou komik." translate as funny or silly? I'd rather not be silly.

Ou komik - you are funny (amusing)

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Is tot the same as totot?

No.

tòt (adv.) - firm, solid, unyielding
1. Li kenbe pye manmna l tòt.
    She stayed close to her mother.

tòtòt - as a verb to suck; as a noun it can be a nipple or anything you suck on.
egzanp:
2. L'ap fè tòtòt ak mango a.
    He's sucking on the mango. (in Haiti we often suck on a ripe mango to draw the juice out before we eat it)

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What is the difference between 'nèke' and 'dèke'? (I put the accents this time yay! :)

nèke - adv: only, just, merely, barely, once, as soon as
egzanp:

1. Moun yo tèlman pè mesye a, li nèke pale yo tout pran tranble.
    People are so afraid of the man, he barely speaks and they all start trembling.

2.  Nèg la nèke manyen bra fanm nan, e fanm nan di misye ba l yon kout pwen.
     The man barely touched the woman's arm and she said he punched her.

3.  Nou te gen chans yè, nou nèke rive nan estasyon bis la epi li vini.  Dabitid, bis la toujou anreta
      We were lucky yesterday, as soon as we arrived at the bus station it came.  Usually the bus is always late. 

dèke - as soon as, once
egzanp

4. Dèke ou peye kontravansyon an yo va retabli pèmi kondui ou.
    Once you pay the fine they will reinstate you driver's license.

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what does the word "dekabes" mean I hear it a lot in Haiti, thanks!

Dekabès (in game of dominoes) - you got a winning hand.

See this post: DEKABEST

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how would you translate "trouve ke " in English? Thanks

twouve ke - it's so happens that

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I was searching for the most common translation for "so" as in--I couldn't sleep last night so I finished reading my book. I know you can use donk, but I think kifè is more common at least around here. Does kifè seem right in this context?

kifè (or kifè la a) does translate so, therefore, ...
It is as commonly used as donk.
And yes it works well in that sentence.

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to say 'to live a life' - do you say 'viv yon vi' ORR 'viv yon lavi'?

Toulede bon.
Ou kapab di toude si w vle.
Ou kapab di tou, 'mennen yon lavi'.

kèk egzanp
1. L'ap viv yon movèz vi.
2. Mwen vle w viv yon lavi ki san repwòch devan lèzòm ak devan Bondye.

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Kafe msye koule ak tout ma???

O O!  Msye nan tout sa ki ba bon.  Li nan ka.
He's in trouble.

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Mandaly, I was wondering if the African board game "Mancala / Mankala" is played extensively in the Haitian Creole culture? It is a staple of board games in my family. Mesi.

Yes it is.  The wari board game is very much loved in Haiti.  If they don't have a carved wooden game, kids may dig a holes in the ground to play it. Haitians call it jwèt kay.

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I am trying to find a proverb related to people who pretend to be something they're not. Or people who are hypocrites or an apostate (someone who renounces their religion or faith). You have any ideas? I remember one about "Fey Mapou vs Fey Manyok", but it escapes me. Thanks Mandaly

Fèy mapou sanble ak fèy manyòk.
The oak leaf looks like the manioc leaf (Only their product will tell the difference between them... according to the proverb)

Joumou pa donnen kalbas.
Squash tree does not yield 'Calebasse' (gourd)

Ti Jezi nan po krab
Someone who pretends to be what he/she is not.
How to use this expression:
Mesye a mete l dou tankou ti Jezi nan po krab pou li ka vin zanmi nou.
The man pretended to be humble and meek in order to gain our friendship.


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I'm am trying to figure out what this phrase means: "Kado (yon?) koze." (It sounded like "Kado on koze" but I assumed it was a yon in the middle.

It's Gade yon koze! or contracted Gad 'on koze! literally meaning look at a thing (look at this thing)
It's an interjection (indicating a range of emotion from mild surprise to disbelief or impatience), that can mean Oh dear look at this!, or Would you look at this! or What is this!

Sometimes we say Tande yon koze! or Tand'on koze! too which means almost the same as Gad' on koze and it literally say Listen to this thing!

Examples:
1. Gad on koze!  Apa ou la toujou?
    What is this!  How come you're still here?

2. Gad on koze!  Poukisa w'ap anniye m konsa?
    What is this!  Why are you bugging me?

3.  Tand 'on koze!  Ti pitit la fèk sot joure m. 
      Would you listen to this!  The kid just cursed at me.

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What is gyobe? to burp?

gyobe (dyobe?) - to work, to perform work

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Could you also give us the lyrics and translation to this children's song? It goes something like this: "Ti sourit?, pletil., kote ou ale?, lekòl, ...aprann?, A, B, C, D, E, F, G..." -

“Ti sourit!”

 “Plètil!”

“Sa w ap manje?”

“Grenn pwa!”

“Ban m ti kal!”

“Jamè!”

“Fè sèman!”

“Vyèj pete kouraj mwen, doupendoup!”

"Ti sourit!"

"Plètil!"
"Kote ou prale?"
"lekòl!"
"lakay kimoun?"
"Madan Aman."

"Sa w pral aprann?"
"A B  C  D  E  F G..."

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Can you write out and translate the lyrics to a children's song that we hear? It's something like this: "Maria nan soley, ti poul, ti poul. Ti poul la, kanpe, leve." Thanks so much!

 Mayi a nan solèy: Chi poul! Chi poul! (The corn is in the sun.  Shoo chicken!  Shoo chicken!)

Mayi a nan solèy: Chi poul! Chi poul!

Ay! De men anlè! (both hands up)

De men sou kote! (both hands on the side)

Tonbe, leve, chita! (Fall, get up, stand up)

Ay! tonbe, leve, chita!

Bay piyay!

Bay piyay!

Piyay! manman piyay!

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Goosebumps - chèdepoul

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Is there a rule that some verbs need pou in front of them while nothin other cases. Like tan pou ale but mwen vle fe yon bagay? James

usually "pou" after a verb will translate "to" or "in order to", "so that "....

1. Nou manje anpil pou n ka grandi.
    We eat a lot so that we can grow.

2.  Mwen pote li pou ou pou w ka wè ak de je w.
    I brought it to you so that you can see with your own eyes.

3. Mwen vle pou w ale kounye a.
    I need you to go now.

but "tan pou" → instead of

4. Tan pou w ale anba lapli a, poukisa ou pa ret tann.
     Instead of leaving under the rain, why don't you wait a while.

5. Joann sou anba tafya. Tan pou m ta monte machin avè l, m pito mache.
    Joann is drunk.  I rather walk than drive in a car with her.

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It seems that sèvi by itself means serve. Like "Nap sèvi Bondye." But sèvi ak means use. Like "Pa sèvi ak bik sa." Is that correct? Do you have to use ak to make sèvi mean use? Also how would you translate sèvi in this verse: "Mwen menm, mwen sèten m'a viv pou m' wè jan Bondye sèvi byen ak pèp li a."

Yes.
Sèvi - to serve, to worship, to serve as
egzanp:

1. N'ap sèvi Bondye.
    We worship God.
or
2. Ou pa ka sèvi de Bondye alafwa.
    You can't serve two masters at once.

sèvi or sèvi kòm or sèvi pou - to serve as, to use as

3.  Li pran m sèvi bòn li.
     He used me as his maid.

4.  Mwen pa t janm di sa.  Ou kapab sèvi m temwen.
     I never said that.  You can serve as my witness.

5. Li pran chemiz nèf mwen sèvi tòchon.
    Li pran chemiz nèf mwen sèvi kòm tòchon.
    He took my new shirt and used it as rag.

sèvi ak - to use, to make use of, to have to do with
egzanp:
6. Nou pa sèvi ak kiyè nan kay sa a.
   We do not use spoons in this house.

in your example:
sèvi byen ak → to treat well

7. "Mwen menm, mwen sèten m'a viv pou m wè jan Bondye sèvi byen ak pèp li a."
   "As for me, I'm sure I'll live to see how God treat his people well.:

other similar examples:

8. Li sèvi byen ak mwen.
   He treated me well.

9. Mwen va toujou gen madan Janot rekonesans.  Lè pitit mwen yo te rete lakay li, li te sèvi byen ak yo.
   I'll always be grateful to Mrs Janot.  When my kids stayed over at her house, she treated them well.


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I heard this phase today: Sa pa enterese nou menm. It seems like it would literally mean, "This doesn't interest us." But I think it meant, "We don't care." Is enterese used that way? Thanks!

Your literal translation is correct.
And yes it can be used in a way where it means "Sa pa enterese nou" - "We don't care about it (that)", "We're not concerned about it (that)"

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I heard this today (if I heard correctly!): "Chache yon atann ave li." It was in the context of reconciling with people after having a relationship problem. What does atann mean?

antann (antant or antannman) - understanding, agreement, compromise

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