Se..., Sa..., Se Sa!

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Bonswa mezanmi!  Kouman nou ye?

Hello friends!  How are you?

Se - is the verb to be

Se-  can be a Neutral Pronoun too (neutral or impersonal pronouns represent an unspecified subject)

Se - It’s, This is, That’s, He’s, She’s

For example

1.  It's a joke.

     Li se yon blag.

     Se yon blag.

    “Se” represents an unspecified subject.

2. Hello, it’s me Rachel.

   Bonjou, se mwen Rachèl.

   Bonjou, se mwen menm Rachèl.

3. Se te yon plezi.

     It was a pleasure.

4. Se te yon bèl kantik ou te chante jodi a.

     It was a beautiful hymn that you sang today.

5. Se  lalwa.

    It’s the law.

6.  Se konsa li ye

   That's how it is.

   "Se" → That is

7.  Se chwa pa’w.

    It’s up to you.

8. Sa bèl.

     It's beautiful.

Sa will be the neutral demonstrative pronoun that you will use as a subject pronoun with verbs other than the verb to be.

9. Sa fè mal.

    Li fè mal.

    It hurts.

   Cannot say: Se fè mal.

10. Sa ta fè m anpil plezi.

     Li ta fè m anpil plezi

     It would please me very much.

    

11.   Sa p'ap deranje m.

        Li p'ap deranje m.

         It will not bother me.

    

When Creole speakers ask questions with 'SE'

12. Se kijan w rele?

    It is how,  you are called?

    What is your name?

13. Se ki moun ou ye?

    It is who,  you are?

     Who are you?

14. Se kisa w'ap fè la?

      It is what,  you're doing here?

      What are you doing here?

15. Se kouman ou ye menm?

      Se kouman ou ye la?

      It is how,  you are doing?

      So, how are you?

Enben mezanmi, se te tout pou jodi a.  Mèsi anpil e n’a wè.

Well friends, that was all for today.  Thanks a lot and see ya.


Track: Pouvwa Lapriyè by group Alleluia
Lyrics


Anpil wòch va woule lè nou priye (2 fwa)

Ak la fwa wòch va woule lè nou priye

Bondye toujou tande rèl pitit li

Anpil chenn va kase lè nou priye (2 fwa)

Ak la fwa chenn va kase lè nou priye

Bondye toujou tande rèl pitit li

Lè n priye bwate mache, avèg yo wè

Lè n priye pòt syèl louvri, gras tonbe

Lè n priye lapenn ale, lajwa vini

An’n priye, an’n priye

Anpil pòt va louvri lè nou priye (2 fwa)

Ak lafwa pòt va louvri lè nou priye

Bondye toujou tande rèl pitit li

Toujou tande…

Toujou tande rèl pitit li…

Exercise 15 - Answers to Exercise 13

1. Li New York.

2. Nou Canada.

3. Yo Miami.

4. Mwen Mexico.

5. Mwen an Haiti.

6. Map ekri.

7. Lizette ap chante.

8. Yap danse.

9. Nap chante yon chante.

10. Profesè a ap pale ak tifi a.

11. Sa se pa yon chat. Sa se yon chyen.

12. Li gen karant tan.

13. Vera gen swasant tan.

14. Mwen gen senkan.

15. Ti bebe a gen en nan.

16. Chyen sa a gen dezan jodi a.

17. Gen yon tas anba kabann sa.

18. Gen yon legliz sou katye sa.

19. Gen anpil machin nan pakin sa..

20. Gen twòp moun la.

Exercise 13 - Translating sentences with the verb to be

The following sentences are made with the verb to be. Please translate them in Haitian Creole.

1. He is in New York.

2. we are in Canada.

3. They are in Miami.

4. I am in Mexico.

5. I am in Haiti.

6. I am writing.

7. Lizette is singing.

8. They are dancing

9. we are singing a song.

10. The teacher is talking to the girl.

11. That is not a cat. That's a dog.

12. He is 40 years old.

13. Vera is 60 years old.

14. I am 5 years old

15. The baby is one year old.

16. That dog is two years old today.

17. There is a cup under this bed.

18. There is a church on this block.

19. There are many cars in this parking lot.

20. There are too many people here.

Good luck!

Lesson 5 - Verb: To be

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se - to be

****The verb To Be is used to identify a person or an object.

1. Mwen se yon fanm - I am a woman

2. li se yon pilòt - he/she is a pilot

3. nou se Ameriken - We are Americans

4. ou se pitit Joseph - you are Joseph's child.

5. Sa se yon kay - This is a house

6. Yo se Ayisyen - They are Haitians.

7. Sa se yon blag - That is a joke

8. Se yon zwazo - it's a bird

9. Joujou se yon Ayisyen - Joujou is Haitian

10. Mesye sa se zanmi m - This man is my friend
Mèsi.

Track:  Mise sa by Dédé Saint-prix
_________________________________________________

Let's Practice! Please translate the following sentences.

1. I am a boy

2. She is a girl

3. This is a t-Shirt

4. That is a shoe

5. He is a man

6. She is my sweetheart

7. She is a nuisance

8. It is a lie

Find answer key at the bottom if this page



1.m se yon ti gason   2.li se yon ti fi   3.sa se yon mayo    4.sa se yon soulye    5.li se yon misye.    6.li se boubout mwen    7. li se yon pongongon     8.se yon manti