Haitian Creole

Resource and Learning site for those who are learning to speak Haitian Creole.

Sunday, January 7, 2024

https://souvni.etsy.com

Tuesday, January 2, 2024

Did Somebody say Valentine's Day?!

Pi Bonè se Gran Maten. Buy early for Valentine's Day. Thanks for your support! https://www.etsy.com/listing/1635196590/unisex-heavy-cott...

Monday, December 18, 2023

Finishing a good strong year! Don't forget to visit the shop that supports the blog!

You can log into the SOUVNI Etsy shop here: https://souvni.etsy.com And here are some of the T-shirts designs that you will find: And my abs...

Tuesday, November 28, 2023

Bonjou! kisa blofè, blanchisè, sousèdsan yo vle di?

Blofè - someone who is deceiving, telling bluffs and such Blanchisè - avaricious, extortionist Sousèdsan - someone who exploits other peo...

Sunday, November 19, 2023

I wanted to ask this question in Creole, 'couman Haitian celebrate Thanksgiving?' How do they celebrate this holiday in Haitian

It's not a Haitian holiday. Haitian living in the US celebrate it just the same way Americans do. There's usually some side dishes f...

Monday, November 13, 2023

Have you been having any pain?

Have you been having any pain? Èske ou konn gen doulè? Do you have Pain? Èske ou gen doulè? Èske w gen doulè? What's hurting you? Sa k...

Friday, August 7, 2020

How do you say "we broke up" in a dating relationship. I've used we're not together, but wondering if there is a better way to say it?

People say: Nou kite . (We broke up) Also: Nou pa renmen ankò (We're not in love anymore) Nou pa ansa...

Is foskouch the correct term for a miscarriage? I am volunteering at a birthcenter and wondering what term is most appropriate? Before 20 weeks saying "your baby died" doesn't seem correct as the women don't seem to see it as a baby yet. "Lost pregnancy" doesn't seem right either. Thanks for all the work you put into this webpage...it's an amazing resource! Mesi anpil!

Hello, sorry for the late reply. Yes 'foskouch' is the correct term for a miscarriage. Thanks Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Lo...

At this site, you wrote a construction that I am having trouble understanding........

At this site, you wrote a construction that I am having trouble understanding: http://sweetcoconuts.blogspot.com/2015/09/wap-twouble-sante-...

Sunday, June 7, 2020

Hi Mandaly! I have two phrases that I wanted to know the meaning of: "Nan kad lit" and "espas an Plennè"............

Hi Mandaly! I have two phrases that I wanted to know the meaning of: "Nan kad lit" and "espas an Plennè". It is from th...

Wednesday, June 3, 2020

Hi! thanks for all the content, its really helpfull. Im trying to find some novels or books in Creole to practice, but i cant find any. Do you know where i can find any books?

Have you tried Educavision.com Sometimes if there is a specific book you need, they may be able to order it for you. Thanks Haitian Creo...

Tuesday, June 2, 2020

Is there a creole word for a "player" or "womanizer". Like a guy who has a lot of women ect.

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

could you explain the uses for the word "ladan"? I've been told it means "in it," but it doesn't seem to be the case all the time

ladan / ladann - in it (yes!), in there, in that, sometimes expression for not being involved Kèlkeswa sa k ap pase ant de (2) moun sa y...

Monday, May 18, 2020

Hi! I hope you and your family are safe. I have 2 things I would like to know. What does the expression means "zombi mandé gouté, li pa mandé rété". And what does "abolotcho" means? Have a good one!!! Thanks

Thanks. You be safe too. " Zonbi goute sèl li pa mande rete " - Once you get a taste of something good, you can't stop doing...

How to say in haitian creole "about to" as we say: "I'm about to go buy something" and also "I was about to go buy something".

This can be expressed with 'pare', 'pral' or 'te pral' / 't ap pral' I'm about to go buy something -...

Sunday, May 10, 2020

Hi Mandaly, How do you say that someone is "shacking up" a term that means you're living with someone you're in a relationship with, but you're not married

We say plase , is you really want to be technical. Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

What is the meaning of Myan-Myan?

What is the context? Thanks Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Hi! This might be a weird question: I'm writing this thing, and at some point, a haitian character gets asked if he is a mutant. What is the right term for Mutant in Haitian Creole? Google translate said it was tortu mutan, but I don't trust it very much. Thank you for the attention.

Haitians have used devye, zonbi, debousole, mite, mitan Slaughter has left a new comment on your post " Hi! This might be a weird ...

I understand the words but not the meaning of "tout bèt tiyab, manjab"

Literally: If you can kill it, you should be able to eat it. Don't ask me to explain it...ha ha! Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference,...

Will someone please translate a most beautiful song from Haitian Creole to English. It is 'Ou Leve Mwen' by Jackson Chery and Bridging the Gap. I have the words written in the language, but I want to know what the soloists are saying

Will someone please translate a most beautiful song from Haitian Creole to English. It is 'Ou Leve Mwen' by Jackson Chery and Brid...

A friend of mine is working toward getting registered in Haiti's National Archive. I've been trying to find information on the process and importance of registration, as well as the hurdles that he might potentially face during the process but it's hard to find information on that. Could you shed some light on that for me?

Well, it depends on th type of registration that you intend to do. It seems as if your friend should start by accessing his/her birth regis...

Hi, do you know how to say "bring it on" in creole ?

It depends on the situation. "Bring it on!" in English expresses confidence. It says that you are ready. There are many ways to e...

Thursday, January 9, 2020

While reading a blog.....in Haitian Creole, I came upon this:

While reading a blog ( https://laloidemabouche.ht/ht/2017/11/28/komanse-kanpe-nan-menm-kan-ak-yo/comment-page-1/ ) in Haitian Creole, I cam...

Tuesday, June 18, 2019

Why is the verb "beni" spelled without an accent yet pronounced without a nasal vowel? By normal spelling rules, shouldn't the "en" be a nasal vowel?

The syllables for 'beni' are 'be-ni', therefore making it possible for no accent. Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Loo...

Wednesday, June 5, 2019

What does the phrase “e moun yo ye” mean?

It is translated as "are they people?" "are you a person? - "se moun ou ye?" Ususally it is said in the conte...

Thursday, January 11, 2018

Kisa CHE PRAL BWE DOLE NAN NE ye?

It's an expression about 'flood'. It means that there will be flooding. It's written chen pral bwè dlo nan nen. Haitian Cr...

Haiti, not a ‘shithole’ … I promise.

Great leaders are those who inspire people to be the best of themselves and to appreciate humanity. It takes a very small human being, so ...

Saturday, September 30, 2017

Do you have, or know where I can obtain some short stories in Haitian Creole, to practice? I'm finding it a bit difficult to practice and expand my vocabulary just from the phrases. The phrases are really great, but I'm advancing a bit and would like to push forward!

Anfòm! Mwen kontan tande ke w ap avanse nèt nan kreyòl la. Ou kapab tcheke sit wèb EducaVision an. Yo genyen anpil liv ki genyen kont ak is...

My husband and I will be celebrating our 1st anniversary next month. He (Haitian) and I (from the US) adore each other and have a good relationship, but it's like any other relationship plus communication challenges. What phrases do you think are most important to know for great communication in a marriage?

Congratulation on your first anniversary.... yay! I pray that you have many more happy years. Marriage is a wonderful thing. Two is alwa...

Hi Mandaly, Thanks so much for providing this great resource! I have two questions for you today - is "Vin jwenn mwen" the right way to say "Come to me"? And is "Tati" used as a less formal version of "aunt"? Thanks again for all you do!

Thank you. Yes. Vin jwenn mwen means Come to me. Likewise: Al/ale jwenn li . - Go to him/her Ale jwenn papa w - Go to your dad. Ale...

What does sankoutcha (sankoutya) and manfouben mean?

I got your email about the word 'manfouben' .... yes, lazy is right. :) sankoutya - is being thoughtless, irresponsible, shameles...

Friday, September 29, 2017

What's the differences and real meanings of lonje and alonje?

Lonje and alonje are synonymous. They mean to make longer Èske w kapab alonje janm pantalon sa a pou mwen? - Can you lengthen these pant...

Which phrase is correct to say I wanna reach my goals! M vle atenn objektif mwen M vle jwenn objektif mwen M vle ranpli or akonpli objektif mwen M vle fè objektif mwen

The first one... definitely :) Mwen vle atenn objektif mwen. Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Wor...

How do you say, "What is...." For example: What's the phone number? What's the difference? Just anything really that involves using "What is" followed by the rest of the sentence.

There are many ways to start questions with what/what is in Haitian Creole Being specific - You can start the question with Ki .... Wh...

Wednesday, September 20, 2017

Hi Mandaly, what is the difference between t ap and te when t ap is used in the following manner? And why isn't te used instead? Ki jan manman ak papa m t ap santi yo si m t al sèvi nan yon lòt peyi? or Si w t ap viv nan epòk la, eske w t ap fè menm jan ak Pyè? Thanks!

t ap (te ap) or (ta ap) are you used to express the past progressive (te ap) or modal verbs (ta ap) . Te is used to express the simple p...

Sunday, September 17, 2017

what does this word this sentence mean? Vin Gade manze kap fe show boubou'n

Looks like someone is exposing herself ... "show boubou'n" means that she's exposing or flashing her genitals. The senten...

How would you say "picky" in creole? Like, "That's all we have, don't be so picky!"

picky - difisil, egzijan to be picky - fè egzijan That's all we have, don't be so picky! Se tout sa nou genyen, sispan fè egzij...

Friday, September 15, 2017

Bonjou Mandalay, Eske ou gen sijesyion pou liv debutan? Maman m se ayitien, papa m se kanadyen. Mwen ka komprann kreyòl là pou yon konvèsayon nòmal, dekontrakté. Men mwen vlé apwofondi konesans mwen. Mwen vlé aprann su éritaj mwen, sa a trè enpòtan pou mwen. Mwen etidye plizyè lang nan lekòl, men mwen te toujou wont paske manman m se ayitien, et mwen pa ka byen pale oswa li lang fanmi mwen. Mèsi anpil :) Maroussia

Bonswa wi Maroussia, Genyen plizyè ti liv 'Kont ak Istwa' Ayisyen ke ou kapab li. Yo trè enteresan. Li ka pi avantajye pou w ale n...

Wednesday, September 13, 2017

Koman yo di "Bawon Samdi possessed somebody?"

Ou vle an angle oswa kreyòl? Ou ban m fraz la an de (2) lang wi :) An angle: The person has been possessed by Bawon Samdi. An kreyòl: B...

Can you explain to me the differences between "sonje" and "manke"? What are the best contexts with which to use them?

You must be asking this in reference to 'missing' someone? We do not use 'manke' to translate 'miss' as in to fee...

Sunday, September 10, 2017

what is antekre? this is word is nowhere in any kreyol dictionaries I've checked. It was used as "antekre ou manje deja", thanks!

It means I thought or I was under the impression that Sometimes you see it as ou kwè, ou te kwè, on te kwè Haitian Creole ↔ English Ref...

Hello, this question goes for both gender but could you list some key phrases/words necessary for getting a haircut? Things like "bring the sides all the way down" etc. Thank you!

to get a haircut - taye cheve baber - kwafè going to the barber - ale kay kwafè bring the sides down - raze sou kote yo sideburns - p...

How can I say he's careless in creole?

He's careless - li neglijan Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Hello! I was wondering if you would be willing to translate a letter/poem that I have from a friend. What would be the best way to go about this? I absolutely LOVE your blog and all that you do. It has been such a huge resource for me! Thanks,

Thanks! Send the poem to my email. Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Monday, August 28, 2017

Mandaly before I ask my question, I wanted to say thank you for your help with the keryol leaflets last month. My Haiti trip would have lacked something without it. Now with the word TOUPISAN, does it go before or after bondye? is it toupisan bondye or bondye toupisan? powerful God?

No problem :) It's Bondye toupisan all powerful God . Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Saturday, August 26, 2017

Thanks so much for your work to make this website! Mesi anpil! I would like to ask if there are any rules for stress in terms of where the stress falls on individual words or sentences. In other words, if I want to speak more naturally, where should I put the accent when I speak? I haven't listened to much spoken Kreyol yet, so I'm sure I'll learn more as a listen more. Thanks again for you time and work, Lisa

Hi Lisa, It would be extremely hard to answer this question in just a few lines, as you know each word is different. I would recommend tha...

Bonswa! Eske kek moun ka ekspikem kisa vle di "U fem nan yon lot vi"? Mesi

It means 'you put me in another life'. It's more like: 'You gave me a new perspective on life'. It's about happpin...

Sunday, August 13, 2017

Hello, everyone. I am seeking some information regarding Kanaval (both in Haiti and around the world). Any help would be greatly appreciated:

Hello, everyone. I am seeking some information regarding Kanaval (both in Haiti and around the world). Any help would be greatly appreciat...

Tanpri, is there a Haitian proverb that would be the equivalent of this scripture Eklezyas 4:6: “Li pi bon pou yon moun pran yon ti repo olye l plede ap travay di e li kontinye ap kouri dèyè van.”

I can think of 3 proverbs that are within the lines of this verse: Anvi tout, pèdi tout Zwazo ki chante pa gra or even Anbisyon touye ...

I love your blog!!! How do you say Let's have fun?? An nou gen.........? Mesi

Thank you :) Let's have fun - An nou pran plezi nou. or Ann anmize nou. Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creol...

Sunday, July 23, 2017

Do you know any book resources for Haitian Creole?

It depends on what your needs are. Are you looking for beginner, intermediate, or advanced? Are you looing for books to learn Creole, or bo...

Wednesday, July 5, 2017

can you help explain the following expressions: "mewi" and "mezanmi" . thanks in advance.

Men wi! is an adverb (literally 'but yes') which may be translated as Sure!, Of course!, Naturally!, Indeed! etc.... Mezanmi (lit...

Sunday, July 2, 2017

How do you say "clock/punch in" and "clock/punch out" in creole? For example, "I clock in to work at 11 pm and I clock out from work at 7 am."

punch in - pwente lè w rive punch out - pwente lè w ap kite Did you punch in before you start working? Èske w te pwente anvan w koumans...

Thursday, June 29, 2017

Hello Mandaly, thank you so much for your extremely useful site! My question, I've seen "Labib" and "Bib la" used to mean Bible, even both in the same sentence, but I can't figure out why one or the other would be used. What is the difference between the two, and in what context would each be used?

Thanks :) There's no preference. There's no difference. Whether you say ' labib ' or ' bib ', they will be both co...

Question: How do you say "hang out" Ex: I am hanging out with my friends

to hang out - pase tan, soti ak, ale nan zanmitay ak I am hanging out with my friends - M ap pase tan avèk zanmi m. We also say frekant...

Hello Mandaly Is the word "bata" the only slang that means "to be about, to be on verge of, to be on the brink of" or are there other slang words beside this one?

My friend, you know there's always more in Creole :) I wouldn't call it slang though. It's just a word that they might use in ...

Wednesday, June 28, 2017

Does the English word grace translate to favè in Haitian Creole?

Yes it could. Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Hello Mandalay, Can you explain the usage of "La" in creole, specifically when referring to certain greetings or situations. For example "Kouman w ye la?" Why would the la? be added there? there are also similar situations where the la would be added. Thanks for your help!

Yes you will find that we use them especially when asking questions. In these instances 'la' is used as an adverb. Though it may re...

Is the Creole word for rape 'kadejak' derived from Cadet Jacques, the lecherous character from Justin Lhérisson's Zoune chez sa ninnaine?

Wi, ou kòrèk. Mo kadejak la vin sinonim ak vyòl gras a woman Misye Justin Lhérisson an. Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Hai...

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