Bonjou! Learn to Speak Haitian Creole

Bonjou! ...Mèsi! ...E Orevwa! Search for English or Haitian Creole words translation. Also search the whole site for expressions, idioms and grammar rules. And ask questions about the language in the ASK QUESTIONS HERE section.

Most requested translations added here for your convenience: I love you → Mwen renmen w. I miss you → Mwen sonje w. My love!Lanmou mwen!

Friday, May 31, 2013

Can you explain "konn" here? 'mwen konn pa wè li pou tout yon mwa'

Konn, here, means → to be accustomed to, to be in the habit of, to be used to.
It points to an event that SOMETIMES /USUALLY occurs.... an event that one has gotten accustomed to.

In this case the sentence is negative:
1.
Mwen konn           | pa wè li                | pou tout yon mwa.
I'm accustomed to   | not seeing him/her | for a whole month.
Sometimes I don't see him/her for a whole month

here's another example:
2.
M konn pa ka dòmi leswa afòs m'ap panse ak pwoblèm mwen yo.
I sometimes (or usually) can't sleep at night from thinking s much about my problems.

3.
Nou tèlman okipe, nou konn pa menm gen tan pou lapriyè ansanm.
We're so busy, we usually don't even have time to pray together.

4. Li tèlman razè, li konn pa menm gen yon ti kòb pou achte yon tas kafe.
    He's so broke, he sometimes do not have the money to buy a cup of coffee.

How about a couple of positive sentences.
5.
Li tèlman ap fè gwo lestomak, li konn pase sou nou san'l pa menmsalye nou.
He's being so arrogant, he sometimes walks pass us and not greet us.

6. Li te konn vizite manman l chak vandredi, men depi de semèn nou pa wè li.
    He usually visited his mother every Friday, but we haven't seen him in two weeks.


AND ALSO, you'll find that we use KONN genyen / KONN gen in a sentence to mean there is SOMETIMES, there is USUALLY

7. Konn gen anpil moun nan restoran an levandredi .
    Usually there are many people in the restaurants on Fridays.

8.  Konn gen lavant nan magazen an chak samdi.  Vin al gade pou wè.
     Usually there is sale at the store every Saturday.  Let's go look and see.

Past tense:
9.  Te konn gen yon mesye ki te toujou chita nan kwen an.  Eske ou konn kote li ye?
     There usually was a guy who sat at the corner.  Do you know where he is?

Negative:
10.  Pa konn genyen okenn moun ki te chita nan kwen an.  Petèt ou twonpe w.
       There's not usually anyone who sat at the corner.  Maybe you miscalculated.

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

ARE these two 'yo' grammatically correct? Poukisa toude 'yo' yo? (oh man, I'm doing it too :) "GAD YO VIRE TALON YO YO SOTI."

Wi se yon fòm kòrèk.

1. Gad yo vire talon yo yo soti.
    The guards turned their heels they left.
    The guards turned around and left.

Ou jwenn fòm sa a avèk lòt pwonon yo tou.  Gendefwa ou kapab rankontre li sou fòm kontraksyon, ki vle di adjektif posesif la oubyen pwonon an, dabitid, konn kontrakte.

2.  Mwen vire do mwen m' ale.
     I turned my back and left.

3. Li ranmase pakèt li li ale.
    He picked up his bag and left.

4. Nou fèmen pòt nou n'al dòmi.
    We closed our doors and went to sleep.

5. Li gade manman'l li tonbe kriye.
    She looked at ther mom and started crying.

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

I'm trying to find a good program to help me learn Haitian Creole. I don't need writing or reading just spoken word... I'm trying out Transparent Language right now, is there any way to make sure they have accurate tranlations?

Since you're ready learning the language, why not also learn the way to write and read it; then you can read all the beautifully diverse materials in Haitian Creole that you can get your hands on.  ... and maybe one day you might write some of your own too.
I am not familiar with the Haitian Creole programs at Transparent Language.  You can check their translations against some language dictionaries and see if they're on the right track.

Kontinye kenbe la tande!

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

Is there a difference between "yon sel" and "yon sel grenn"?

Both basically mean "only one".
sèl adj. → alone, only, individual, single
yon grennone

yon sèl (one)
yon sèl grenn (a single one)
yon grenn (one)
youn (one)
youn sèlman (just one)
One, only one, just one

1. Eske w gen youn ou ka prete'm?
    Do you have one that you can lend to me?

2. Mwen rete yon sèl grenn plim nan ki rete.  Mwen p'ap ka prete w li.
    I have a single pen left.  I can't loan it to you.

3. Mwen razè jodi a. Mwen gen yon sèl gren dola nan pòch mwen.
    I am broke today.  I have one single dollar in my pocket.

4.  Podyab madan Paul.  Yon sèl grenn pitit la li genyen, l'ale nan lagè, li pa tounen.
     Poor Mrs. Paul.  Her only child went to war and did not come back.

5.  Mwen youn sèlman.
     I have just one.

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Thursday, May 30, 2013

"ala fanm anpil" - Can you translate anpil here?

anpil, here, means a handful, too much
Not usually in a bad sense.

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

can you translate this in hcreole and french please, "A mother is not a person to lean on, but a person to make leaning unnecessary......" Thank you.


"A mother is not a person to lean on, 
but a person to make leaning unnecessary.
Mama was my greatest teacher, 
a teacher of compassion, love and fearlessness. 
If love is sweet as a flower, 
then my mother is that sweet flower of love. 
Nobody knows of the work it makes to keep the home together.
 Nobody knows of the steps it takes, 
Nobody knows but Mother. "


"Yon manman se pa yon moun pou apiye sou li,
 men se yon moun ki fè zafè apiye a initil
 Manman te pi gran pwofesè mwen
Yon pwofesè ki anseye konpasyon, lanmou, ak kouraj
Si lanmou dous tankou yon flè, 
donk manman m se flè dous lanmou sa a
Nanpwen moun ki konnen travay li fè pou kenbe kay la ansanm
Nanpwen moun ki konnen tout mezi li pran
Nanpwen moun ki konnen,
men manman konnen."





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Wednesday, May 29, 2013

what does kanounou mean in hcreole

Li sanble ak yon ti non jwèt pou yon moun ou yon bagay kèlkonk.
Ki kote w te twouve ak li?  Nan yon liv?

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

Mandaly, Would 909 be nefsa(nn)ef ak de "n" e ak de aksan grav nan de "e"? Would you spell 1001, 1002, 2001, 2002, 3001, 3002 an Kreyol Ayisyen? Mesi madanm.

Men wi zanmi'm.  Jan ou di a, se sa.  Ou va ekri li ak de "n", enpi ou va mete aksan grav la sou toude "e" yo.
Gen kèk moun ki ka ekri li an de (2) mo tou.

konsa: nèfsannèf oubyen nèfsan nèf

1001 - mil en
1002 - mil de
2001 - demil en
2002 - demil de
3001 - twamil en
3002 - twamil de

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


Silvouple Mandaly can you help me tanpri souple, my boyfriend is fluent in English, Kreyol, Francais, and Spanish and I need your help to help me learn french but I'm not very good at it,I can spreak creole but when it comes to french sa vreman difisil pou mwen, eskew ka edem aprann franse?

You're not VERY good at French?  So you speak it a little?
There are tons and tons of materials and resources for learning the French language:  locally, in community colleges, on TV programs, in books borrowed at the library, online, youtube, etc.....
Start at your local library.  Get a book with audio tapes, and invite your boyfriend to help you practice from time to time.  If your boyfriend doesn't want to share his knowledge with you, then you can try a group class....that's always so much fun.... You learn a lot about language and culture this way.

If I taught you all the French I know, that'll only take you 1/10th of the way.

Kontinye aprann
M'espera chemen ou va pran an va mennen w lwen :)

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


How would you say/write "Different flowers from the same garden." properly in Creole and in French?

An Kreyòl - Diferan flè ki sot nan menm jaden
En Français - Fleurs différentes provenant du même jardin

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

What is the difference between "de fwa lavale (with an accent on the last "e")" and "twa fwa lavale", Google translates it as 'double' - so does it mean "two doubles" and "three doubles" respectively?

de fwa lavalè → twofold 
twa fwa lavalè → threefold

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

"Poze san ou."?

Poze san w → to slow down (as in taking it easy), to take your time.

1.  Poze san w non!  Twò prese pa fè jou louvri. (two (2) expressions)
     Take your time!  Being in a hurry doesn't bring the day any faster (lit.)

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

Mwen mete girlfriend mwen sad. She wants to leave me. Ou gen chante ki mande padon nan creole?

Ah sa vre!  Mwen p'ap bay mennaj ou tò.  Se pou l kite w menm!   Si menaj ou vle kite w, se pa yon chante ki pou mande padon pou ou, se ou k pou mande padon ak pwòp bouch ou.  Pawòl ki soti nan fon kè w ka repare bagay yo pi vit pase yon chante ke yon lòt moun te ekri.

Men, sizoka yon chante ta ka repare bagay yo vrèman, eseye Padone'm avèk atis P-Jay.

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

Can the word "pinga" be used as a noun? like a dare? "Li ban m yon pinga."?

Yon pinga → a warning; also it means alertness

1. Bay yon pinga.
    To give a warning.

2. Zengendlo pran lari.  Lapolis mete tout moun sou pinga yo.
   Gangs have taken to the streets.  The police has warned everyone. 

3. Rete sou pinga w.
    Maintain your vigilance.
    Stay alert/vigilant.
 
As far as "a dare" is concerned,
a dare → yon defi
to challenge someone → bay yon moun defi

4. M ba w defi parèt tèt ou devan kay mwen.
    I dare you to show yourself in front of my house.

5.  Mwen pa renmen moun ban m defi.
     I do not like to be challenged.

6. Satan ban m defi.  Li di m p'ap reyisi nan lavi a.  Men m va fè l wè se mantè li ye.
     ......OU mè tradui sa a....

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

I know chante is the verb "sing," but I've always been confused about how to say "song." I try "chan" because of "chan desperans," but it seems tone confusing to people. On your blog I noticed you used "chante" as a noun. Is that the best translation?

"a song" can be translated in Creole as:
yon chan (Haitians use this term very often)
yon chante
yon chanson
yon kantik
yon refren
yon ti kè (for a short melody)

I use "chan", "chante", and "kantik" most often.

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Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Eske ou konnen chante ki se: "Paske m renmen li, ..... renmen m. chak jou... " I don't know all the words. mesi

Paske m renmen li, se sa k fè l renmen l
Li vin pi dous chak jou nan lavi mwen
Mwen pa konnen lè l te jwenn mwen
Avèk lanmou l, li vlope mwen
Li renmen m, se sa sèlman m ka di.

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

Is that correct, "Kisa ou fe ye?" Shouldn't it be "Kisa ou ye?"

It could be correct if there's an aksan fòs (aksan grav) on the "e" in "ye".
Then it would be "Kisa ou fè yè?" or "Kisa ou te fè yè?"

Otherwise I will agree with you that "Kisa ou ye?" sounds much better.

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

Ou te pale sou E, AK, AVÈ, AVÒK, EPI, ak ENPI, men ou te bliye ajoute EPITOU ak ENPITOU ki vle di "and then"

Chapo ba pou ou.
Sa'm ta fè san ou?

Mwen konplimante w enpitou m'ap di w mèsi pou èd ou :)
Kontinye konsa.

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

Is it MWA JEN or MWAD JEN? Where does the second one come from if it's grammatically correct?

They say both in Creole.
Some people say Nan mwa jen m'a vin wè w.  In the month of June I will come to see you.
And some people say Nan mwad jen m'a vin wè w.  In the month of June I will come to see you.

mwad jen (from French mois de Juin)

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

i was talking to a couple people and one mentioned to me that there's a lot of rape in haiti. i didn't know what to say so i just wanted to ask what's your opinion. is there?

I would be more interested to know the point of the conversation.  Where was he/she going with this?  Did this piece of information come out of the blue?  How will you be affected by this "news"?  Did he/she tell you this JUST because you're Haitian? or Are you planning to travel there and he/she wants you to be safe?
Rapes and injustice happen in every corner of the world.  No country is immune. Not even beautiful Haiti.   So, where there's rape (an that is ... everywhere), one should exercise caution, good sense, and  vigilance.

And yes, in some countries there's instability.  The police do not maintain order.   There seems to be no respect for human life. Crimes, not just rape, are rampant.  And people live in fear.  That's unfortunate;  but the good always outnumber the bad.  The oppressors' reign does not last forever thanks to those who fight back to change their situations, the activists, the advocates for change, ... we've got a lot of these fighters in every corner of the the world.  So where there's injustice, it's just a matter of time before justice is served.

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Monday, May 27, 2013

"Nou pat pou pat." my online translator says it's "Nou ti tap leje Pou ti tap leje" . What does that even mean?

I am not sure.
And I do not know what the original sentence is about.
It sounds like they're talking about "an even score".

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

Does "Pa fe sot ou ave m" mean "Don't be a dummy"?

1.
"Don't be a dummy (a fool?)"
Sispann fè sòt.
Sispann fè enbesil.

2.
Don't play dumb with me.
Don't insult my intelligence.
Don't mess with me.
Pa fè sòt ou avè'm.



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

how do you say in h.creole "he cheated on his wife", are you cheating on me" , "why did you cheat on me"

to cheat on someone → twonpe, bay zoklo, pran moun sou ..., fè adiltè

He cheated on his wife.
Li twonpe madanm ni.
Li bay madanm ni zoklo.
Li pran lòt fanm (lòt gason?) sou madanm ni.


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Sunday, May 26, 2013

How well do you understand people from Dominica and St. Lucia? We use ni(to have) instead of gen We also use (ka) different. Mwen ka manjé (I am eating) Jus curious...

That's interesting.
I speak neither of these Creoles.
I do understand most of the St. Lucian Creole, but I haven't heard the Dominica's.
Is the Dominica's French-based?

Mèsi :)
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Kijan Wikenn Ou te Pase? (Audio)

Click here to download this clip:
Click here to download…

To listen to this audio click on the PLAY button and follow along :)

 

Good morning Roni, how was your weekend?

Bonjou Sonya.  Wikenn mwen te anfòm nèt!
Good morning Sonya.  My weekend was wonderful!

Ah wi?  Kisa ou te fè?
Oh yes?  What did you do?

Vandredi swa, mwen te desann Jakmèl avèk kèk zanmi. Nou t’al tande gwoup Tabou Combo ki t’ap jwe yon konsè anplennè bò lanmè a.
Friday night, I went down to Jacmel with some friends.  We went to hear the group Tabou Combo play an outdoor concert by the ocean.

Oh mwen renmen Tabou.  Yo jwe bèl mizik. 
Oh, I love Tabou.  They play great music.

Ah wi, yo te kreye bon ti anbyans.  Nou te danse kont danse nou.
Yes, they created a beautiful ambiance.  We danced to our heart's content.

E samdi, kisa w te fè?
How about on Saturday, what did you do?

Samdi, nou te ale naje nan lanmè Jakmèl la.  Nou te pase tout jounen an nan yon bato sou dlo a.
On Saturday, we went to swim in the ocean of Jacmel.  We spent the whole day on a boat in the water.

Ki fè la a, ou te tounen lakay ou dimanch?
So, you returned home on Sunday?

Dimanch maten, byen bonè, nou t’al peche pwason anvan nou te pran wout pou n tounen lakay. Se te yon bon wikenn. Nou te anmize nou tèt kaleE ou menm, kijan wikenn ou te pase?
On Sunday morning, really early, we went fishing before we headed back home.  It was a nice weekend.  We totally enjoyed ourselves!  How about you, how was your weekend?

Wikenn mwen pa’t ni byen ni mal. Sè mwen, ki abite lwen mwen, te vin pase de jou avè’m.  Men malerezman, li te fè yon endijesyon.  E mwen te pase tout wikenn nan ap pran swen li.
My weekend was neither good nor bad.  My sister, who lives far from me, came to spend two days with me.  But unfortunately, she had indigestion.  And I spent the whole weekend caring for her.

Oh ala degoutan!
Oh, how awful!

Non, pa vrèman. Nou te pwofite moman an pou fè ti koze , e reviv tan lontan. Tout plan nou te gate, men sa pa’t deranje nou twòp.
No, not really.  We took the opportunity to chat and reminisce about old times.  Our plans were crushed, but we didn't mind it too much.

Eske sè w la fè mye?
Is your sister better?

Wi, li miyò kounye a.  Mèsi.  M’ap planifye ale vizite li wikenn pwochen.
Yes, she's better now. Thanks. I plan to go visit her next weekend.

M’espere pwochen wikenn ou va pase pi byen.
I hope your next weekend will go much better.

Mèsi. Mwen menm tou.
Thanks.  Me too.

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

Madanm, 200 is "desan". Is 201 "desanteyen"? Is 202 "desannde"? Also, is 218 "desanndizuit"? Am I on the right track with these? And how do you spell 600, 700, 800 and 900? Is the final "s" in (6)00 and (8)00 written and pronounced? Mesi anpil Mandaly.

Yes,
200 is desan
201 is desan en ("en" is spelled detached from "desan", pronouced de-san-en)
202 is desande
206 is desansis
218 is desandizuit

by the same token:
300 → twasan
301 → twasan en
302 → twasande
306 → twasansis

601 → sisan en
602 → sisande
606 → sisansis

600 is sisan (pronounced si-san)
700 is sètsan (pronouced sèt-san)
800 is uisan (pronouced ui-san)
900 is nèfsan (pronouced nèf-san)


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Saturday, May 25, 2013

Bonswa,kile mwen ka itilize "ki", selman ave yon verb? Mesi

Ou kapab itilize "ki" menm jan ou itilize yon pwonon relatif an Angle: who, which, that.

1. Ou kapab itilize pou kole de fraz ansanm.

Premye fraz la:  Sa se mesye a.
Dezyèm fraz la: Mesye sa a te nan legliz la.
Toude fraz yo:  Sa se mesye ki te nan legliz la.

2. Ou itilize "ki" pou poze kesyon: which, what, who

Ki moun ou ye? 
Ki koulè ou pi pito?
Ak ki machin nou prale?
Ki kote? where?
Ki moun? who?
Ki? which?

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

Manman-m te konn di-mwen 'I cant make heads or tails of what your saying'. Li te vle di li pat kapab konprann sa ki m t ap di li. Èske fraz 'pa gen ni tèt ni pye' la vle di menm bagay-la?

Wi jeneralman se menm lide a.
Yon istwa ki pa gen ni pye ni tèt se yon istwa ki pa fè okenn sans.  Li pa gen ni pye ni tèt, ...ni koumansman ni fen.
Donk,
I can't make head or tails of what you're saying
M pa ka konprann sa w'ap di a.
Mwen wè nwa nan sa w'ap di a.
Mwen pa wè anyen nan sa w'ap di a.
oubyen 
Sa w'ap di a pa gen ni pye ni tèt.

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Friday, May 24, 2013

"L al pote fal li bay mesye yo ki t ap goumen, enpi li tou pran yon bel tabok." (fal? and tabok?)

pote fal → to carelessly bring yourself into a potentially harmful environment
pran yon bèl tabòk → to sustain some type injury or harm

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

Does "fè koken" only apply to when you're playing a game?

Non, m pa panse sa.
Ou kapab pete koken nan tout sa w'ap fè.

Fè koken (oubyen Pete koken) is to cheat, or refuse to follow the rules of a game

1.
Òganizasyon an te pwomèt yo t'ap bay chak moun ki mennen dis kliyan senkant dola.  Men lè yo wè gen twòp moun ki mennen kliyan, yo reyalize y'ap blije peye anpil lajan.  Donk you pete koken e yo di yo pa't janm pwomèt ankenn lajan.
The organization had promised $50 to everyone who brings ten clients.  But when they saw that too many people brought clients, they realized that they will have to pay a large sum.  So they cheated and said that they never promised any money.

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I am a medical interpreter and have gotten stuck on translating several terms into Creole: 1) "Physical exertion" (as in: "Do you get the chest pain during physical exertion?") 2) Eye discharge 3)Penile/vaginal discharge (don't know how to say this in a way that is clear but polite). Mesi anpil!!!

Physical exertion → zefò fizik, gwo efò fizik, gwo zefò

"Do you get the chest  pain during physical exertion?"
"Eske ou gen doulè nan pwatrin ou lè w'ap fè gwo zefò?"


discharges → sekresyon, pi, likid

Do you have eye discharges?
Eske zye w fè pi?
Eske zye w fè dlo?
Eske zye w fè anpl lasi?

vaginal discharges → sekresyon vajinal
You will probably have to use bouboun or foufoun for children and if you suspect that the person may not fully understand the Creole word vajen.

Do you have vaginal discharges?
Eske ou gen anpil sekresyon nan vajen ou?
Eske vajen ou bay anpil likid?

Do you have penile discharges?
Eske ou gen anpil sekresyon an penis ou?
Eske penis ou bay anpil likid?
For children you might use the word pijon for penis.

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

Hi Mandaly, I have quick question about "and" in Creole. I'll be doing a year-long global health fellowship in Thomassique in exactly 3 weeks and have started learning a bit of Creole. I'm confused about when I should use epi, e, ak as "and." Is "epi" used only connecting two sentences? I've also seen "ak used as "and" though I was taught ak primarily means "with." Thanks for the great blog - It's been a huge help!

Great!  I wish you a good stay in Thomassique.  By the time your fellowship is done you'll be speaking Creole like a native :)

These are some Haitian Creole words for "and":

ak, avè, avèk (which primarily mean "with") → and
ak, avè, and avèk are better used when connecting two objects, or two words (as if you were saying "together with")

1. manman m ak papa m
    manman m enpi papa m ("my mom and then my dad" - "enpi" will also work here)
    manman m e papa m (we do not usually use "e" to connect two words.  It feels more natural to use "ak"," avè " or "avèk")
    my mom and my dad

2. Mwen te ale nan magazen an.  Mwen te achte yon liv avèk yon kreyon.
    I went to the store.  I bought a book and a pencil.

3. Ou menm avè frè w la sanble tèt koupe.
    You and your brother look very much alike.

epi or enpi and, and then, then, so therefore
epi or enpi can be used to connect two sentences, clauses, or words

4. Li vini, li manje enpi li pati ankò.  Li pa te gen tan repoze.
    She came, she ate and then she left again.  She did not have time to rest.
    She came, she ate and she left again.  She did not have time to rest.

5.  An nou priye enpi n'a manje.
     Let's pray and then we'll eat.

6. Mwen renmen zoranj, chadèk, enpi seriz tou.
    Mwen renmen zoranj, chadèk, ak seriz tou. ("ak, avè, or avèk" will work here)
    Mwen renmen zoranj, chadèk e seriz tou. ("e" will work here)
    I like oranges, grapefruits, and also cherries.

e → and, and then, and also (connects clauses and sentences, but not usually "two"words)
7.  Mwen te wè li e mwen panse li te wè m tou.
     I saw her and I think she saw me too.

8.  Si ou te ale e pale avèk li, mwen panse li ta bon.
      If you went and talked to her, I think it would be good.
     I think it would be good if you went and talked to her.

9. Li pati e li pa janm retounen.
    He left and never came back.

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


Thursday, May 23, 2013

CHANT KI DI :LEW AN SANTE LE GINGNIN LAJAN REFRAIN AN DI MIN GINGNIN GNOUN ZANMI ,NON LI SE JEZU KRI

Mwen te jwenn avèk Fritz Calvaire, chantè ki te entèprete chante sila a, men malerezman li pa't kapab sonje tout chante a paske li te fè yon konjesyon serebral.
Li te chante yon pati nan chante a pou mwen, men li te di m pou m kontakte li yon lòt lè - pandan ke l'ap travay pou wè si l va sonje rès la.

Mwen te apresye zefò li kanmenm:
Li te di m tou, se Symphonie Angélique ki chante chante sa a sou direksyon mayestro Python (Mwen byen sonje li) - E tit chante a se "Ou mèt konte sou li".

Men pati ke mwen te jwenn nan:
Lè w an sante, lè w gen anpil lajan
Lè sa va byen, ou gen anpil zanmi
Kote w pase, se onè ak respè
Tout moun renmen w, lavi a parèt bèl

Genyen yon bon zanmi
non li se Jezi Kri
Depi lontan l'ap chache fè zanmi avè m
Se yon fidèl
Ki p'ap abandone w
Nan moman difisil ou mèt sou li.

...Retounen nan pòs sa a nan kèlke jou, mwen va ajoute rès chante a lè m jwen ni....

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

where can I find Creole words for Haitian hymns and choruses:

Chants d'esperance. (Haitian French / Creole Christian songbook)
I think there's one online.  Chantsdesperanceonline.com

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

Tanpri, kisa vle di malè ki pa klaksonnen?

Yon malè ki pa klaksonnen (yon malè san klaksonn), se yon malè ki vini san avètisman.

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

yon ti pa chat? as in "Li t ap fe yon ti pa chat sou madanm nan la a."

fè pa chat → to make a quick outing,  make a very short vizit, also to cheat on your spouse, have a quick extramarital affair.

"Li t ap fe yon ti pa chat sou madanm nan la a."
"He was cheating on the wife."

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

What is "parene" in "Y ape parene vwayaj la." and also "pou tout tan gen tan"?

parene - to sponsor
"Y'ape parene vwayaj la."
"They'll sponsor the trip."

pou tout tan gen tan (for all time there's time) → forever
Nou va viv pou tout tan gen tan.
We will live forever.

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

This sentence feels ungrammatical, but maybe not: "Gen nan yo se jis yon rekleksyon." Should it be "Gen nan yo ki se jis yon refleksyon." Mèsi! -TiWil

If that is the whole sentence, then you are right.  The second one is correctly written.

The first sentence is unfinished.  There should be something more after "refleksyon"
"Gen nan yo se jis yon refleksyon ki montre yo ......"
"Gen nan yo se jis yon refleksyon yo ye."

Dakò.

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

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

how do you say in h.creole "this whole week i've lost my appetite" and also how do you say " which season do you prefer, winter or summer?"


"this whole week i've lost my appetite" 
"Tout semenn sa a  apeti m te koupe."

" which season do you prefer, winter or summer?" 
"Ki sezon w pi pito? Livè oubyen lete?


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

Ki jan ou ta di an Kreyòl, 'they did something drastic'?

They did something drastic.
Yo fè yon bagay ki ekstrèm.
Yo fè yon bagay ki nan dènye degre.
Yo fè yon bagay akaryat nèt.

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

Mandaly, "Ou konnen ki kote Mak ye?" Do you know where Mark is? How do you say in HC, "Do you know where Mark was?" e "Did you know where Mark was?" Mesi anpil.

The translation you have is right, for the first one.  You can ask this question in a variety of ways using ESKE or NOT, using KONNEN or KONN, using KOTE, KI KOTE, KOT or KIBÒ:

Do you know where Mark is?
Eske w konnen kote Mak ye?
Eske w konn ki kote Mak ye?
Ou konnen ki kote Mak ye?
Ou konn kibò Mak ye?

Do you know where Mark was?
Ou konnen ki kote Mak te ye?
Eske ou konn kote Mak te ye?

Did you know where Mark was?
Eske w te konn kot Mak te ye?

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

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

How do you say "Happy Anniversary"(marriage)? Also how do you say it with the number of years married (Happy 7th Anniversary)?


Happy wedding anniversary → Bòn anivèsè maryaj
Happy 7th anniversary → Pase yon bon setyèm anivèsè.
Happy seventh wedding anniversary → Pase yon bon setyèm anivèsè maryaj.

It's our wedding anniversary. → Se anivèsè maryaj nou.
It's our tenth wedding anniversary → Se dizyèm anivèsè maryaj nou.



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

Can you explain what is gwo zizi?

gwo zizi (gwo je, afre) → envious, covetous, someone who desires to possess everything he lays eyes on.
pa egzanp, ou kapab di:
Ala madanm gen gwo zizi!  L'ap travay pou $10 pa è, enpi l bezwen achte yon kay $500,000 dola.

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

"to be in jam", would you say 'li se nan problem."

Wi, ou kapab itilize mo ...pwoblèm, men gen plizyè lòt fraz ki ka di sa pi byen:

I'm in a jam.
Mwen pran nan twa wa.
Mwen pran nan mera.
Men m pran nan moulen.
De pye m nan yon grenn soulye.
M'antrave
M chire
M bannann
Mwen nan yon move enpas

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

Kijan ou kapab di "it is what it is" nan Kreyòl?

It is what it is.
Sa li ye a se sa.
or
Sa l ye a se sa.

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

Monday, May 20, 2013

Hey Mandalie, I was looking for the translation for black sheep, I found MOUTON NWA. but what i really wanted to say is black sheep of the family. Is there an expression for this? mesi.

An original H. Creole expression for "black sheep of the family" is gate ras. This expression literally means "spoil race" (as in someone who spoil the family name or someone who gives the family a bad name)

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

Sunday, May 19, 2013

"Se jou koulèv mouri ou konn longè l"

Wi kanta sa.
Lè yon moun mouri, ou va wè longè kòd fanmi l.
Gen de lantèman ki genyen yon ti kras moun. E gen lantèman ki pa gen menm yon kote pou pike zepeng.
"Lè koulèv mouri, ou wè longè li."

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

Bonjou ankò! Se TiWil sòt Amsterdam. Eske ou gentan li "Zig Lavi"? Se yon lòt liv sòt Koleksyon Souf Nouvo a. Selon mwen menm, se pi difisil liv landan (?nan) koleksyon an. Si ou deja li li, mwen ta vle diskite li. Mèsi!

Bèl bonswa "TiWil".  Mwen toujou kontan tande w :)
M'espere ke zafè etid ou ap byen mache, e ke ou jwenn òpòtinite pou w fè yon ti detant detanzantan.
.
Wi, mwen te resevwa liv Zig Lavi a, sa gen kèk semèn. Mwen te li e reli l ankò. Se defitivman youn nan liv prefere mwen. Otè a pouse w pou gen anpil senpati pou li nan istwa a.  Tout pandan m t'ap li liv la, mwen t'ap espere pou yon finisman....e, mwen pa't desi.  Mwen mete liv sa nan menm kategori ak Rete Kote Lamèsi nan sans difikilte Kreyòl la.  Mwen konprann pouki liv sa ta yon ti jan difisil pou li (pou yon etranje). Li gen anpil ekspresyon ki pa ka tradui motamo ladan l, e se pa tout mo nan liv sa ke w va jwenn nan yon diksyonè.  Kreyòl misye se Kreyòl granmoun lontan, men li pa twò di pou dekode.

Mwen ta byen renmen tande kisa ki koze difikilte sa yo pou ou?
Dakò, kenbe a.

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


What is "pa mande Bondye"?

That depends.
It can be literal (Do not ask God)
Or it can be the expression Heaven forbid, or God forbid

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

Yon machin ize onswa yon machin nèf? (AUDIO)


Download link
Click here to download…

To listen to this audio, click on the PLAY button and follow along :)

 


-Bonswa madam, kisa m ka fè pou ou jodi a?
 Hello ma'am, what can I do for you today?

-Bonswa mesye! M’ap chache achte yon machin nèf.
 Good afternoon sir! I'm looking to buy a new car.

-Ah! ou vini bon kote.  Ki kalite machin w’ap chèche?  Yon touteren?
 You've come to the right place.   What type of car are you looking for?  An SUV?

-Non, mwen bezwen yon ti machin ekonomik.
 No, I need a small economical car.

-Dakò. M kapab ede w ak sa. Nou genyen plizyè bèl ti machin nan sal ekspozisyon nou an.  M sèten ou va jwenn sa w'ap chache a.   Kijan kredi ou ye?
 Oke.  I can help you with that.  We have many nice little cars in our showroom.  I'm sure you'll find what you're looking for.  How's your credit?

- Mwen poko etabli kredi isi.  Mwen se yon nouvo rezidan.
   I haven't yet established credit here.  I'm a new resident.

-Ah mwen wè.  Ki kote w te abite avan sa?
  Ah I see. Where did you live before that?

- Anvan sa mwen te abite Ayiti.
 Before that I lived in Haiti.

-Donk, ou fèk vin abite nan peyi a?
  So, you just came to live in the country?

-Wi.

-Mwen wè.  Eske w’ap travay?
  I see. Are you  working?

-Wi, mwen apenn jwenn yon dyòb.  Se pousa mwen bezwen yon machin pou m ka fè trajè travay la.
  Yes, I just found a job.  That's why I need a car to do the work commute.

-Nan peyi bò isit, achte yon machin san w ponko gen ni dosye kredi, ni antesedan travay ka difisil anpil, preske enposib,  sèlsi ou ta vle peye lajan kontan.
In this country, buying a car without having a credit or work history can be very difficult, almost impossible, unless you would want to pay cash.

-O non! m pa kwè m’ap gen mwayen peye kach pou yon machin nèf!  
  Oh no! I don't think I'll have the means to pay cash for a new car! 

-Sanble ou gen lide w fikse sou yon machin nèf.  Poukisa w pa achte yon machin dezyèm men?
   It seems you have your mind set on a new car.  Why don't you buy a second-hand car? 

-Ah! Machin dezyèm men se traka!  Lè w achte yon machin konsa, se tèt chaje yon lòt moun w achte.
  Second-hand cars are trouble!  When you buy such a car, you're buying someone else's headache.  

-Non non, se pa toujou vre.  Nou gen anpil machin ize ki efikas menm jan ak yon machin nèf. Ou mèt eseye youn.  W'a wè pou tèt pa'w.
 Oh no, That's not always true. We have many used cars that are as efficient as a new car.  You may test drive one.  You'll see for yourself.

-Men wi.  Mwen ta renmen fè sa.
  Sure.  I'd love to do that.

-Ki kalite machin ou ta renmen eseye?
  What type of car would you like to test drive?

-Mwen ta renmen eseye yon machin ki resan, ki dirab, ki pa gen anpil mileyaj sou li, ki p’ap lage m nan lari, ki bèl ni anndan ni deyò, e fò l ta gen garanti.
 I'd like to try a car that is recent, durable, with low mileage, that will not leave me stranded, which is pretty inside and out, and it must have warranty.

- Ou konn sa w vle.  Kòm mwen di w, ou vini bon kote.  Nou genyen machin w'ap chache a.  Vin al eseye li.
   You do know what you want.  Like I said, you've come to the right place.. I have the car that you're looking for.  Let's go try it out.

-Dakò mèsi mesye.
 Okay.  Thank you sir.

Track:  Lajan sa a by Manno Charlemagne
  Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Ki sa vle di "kesekwann kesedjo'?

kesekwann kesedjo → "this, that and so on", "this and that", "etc....",  "blah blah blah", trivial conversation

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

Does ‘manje pawòl’ also have the same meaning as in the English expression to ‘eat one’s words’ which means to admit that something you said was wrong?

I have not heard it like that.
But people do say bwè or vale pawòl (maybe "...manje" too)

M'ap fè w vale sa'w di a.
I'm going to make you swallow what you said.
I'm going to prove you wrong.
and also:
I will make you regret what you said.
or
I'll make you pay for what you said.
Or
You'll be sorry because of what you said. (It's about someone being vindictive about what someone else say:)

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

Caress, stroke, dandle, fondle?

caress (dandle, fondle) → karese, ancheri, kajole, and andyoze
stroke → pase men

He was stroking the child's hair.
Li t'ap pase men nan tèt timoun nan.

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

Friday, May 17, 2013

What's the best way to communicate the idea of teamwork? And how would you translate "We want this organization to function as a team." And "Everyone needs to be a team player." Or would you recommend something other than the "team" metaphor? Is there a clearer word picture to use? Any ideas are appreciated!

Our favorite terms for teamwork are tèt ansanm, pote kole, men kontre or kole zepòl  they all mean team effort, pulling together, or working togetther.  
"We want this organization to function as a team."
"Nou vle tout moun mete tèt ansanm pou òganizasyon sa a mache."
"Nou vle tout moun pote kole pou fè òganizasyon sa a mache."
"Nou vle tout moun fè yon men kontre pou òganizasyon sa a byen fonksyone."
"An nou kole zepòl nou pou fè òganizasyon sa a mache."

and you can also use other words like kolabore, kolaborasyon, tèt kole, or konbit.
"An nou travay tèt kole pou fè òganizasyon sa a mache."
"An nou fè yon konbit zefò pou fè òganizasyon sa a mache."
"Nou vle tout moun kolabore ansanm pou fè òganizasyon sa a mache."
etc...

UPDATE
also add: kèk konbit, yon konbit (a "konbit" is group of people that gets together to work on a project)
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

What's the difference between vole, voltije and sote?

vole → to fly
vòltije → to leap, to bounce, to fly away
sote → to skip, to jump over, to hop

sote also mean to skip as in:
You may skip one day when taking your meds
Ou mèt sote yon jou lè w'ap pran medikaman ou.

sote also means to be startled or spooked as in:
You startled me.  
Ou fè m sote.

Or

I was startled when I saw the snake.
Mwen te sote lè m te wè koulèv la.

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

Doesn't 'kras' mean dirt or residue? What does it mean here? "Neg la pa kras we l."..mesi.

yes kras mean dirt or residue as in:
Foubi kontwa a pou w ka retire kras yo.
Scrub the counter to remove the dirt.

But kras also means small amount, little as in:
Mwen pa pè yon ti kras.
I am not scare a little
I'm not the least bit scared

or

ti kras pa ti kras
little by little

so
Nèg la pa kras wè l.
The man doesn't see it a little.
The man didn't see it at all.

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

Kisa vle di 'bese-leve'? Devinèt: Nan bese-leve, do m ap pliye. Respons: kafe

bese-leve → (lit. to lower/to bend-to get up) activities, labor, chores, housework

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Thursday, May 16, 2013

Si m' te konnen toujou dèyè. Is this like the English saying 'only the past has 20/20 vision'?

I am not too familiar with this English saying.
This expression is about regret.  It says something like "regret always comes after the fact"
Literally it says --"If I knew" is always after the fact--

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

Bonjou! Kisa vle di 'mare lalo'? E èske w te ka tradwi fraz sa a pou mwen: 'Se yon ekritasyon kote chak mo chak silab ape chase kraze ansanm nan yon lese frape yon kont lòt, youn sou lòt k' ape rebondi nan yon dodinay lòmsanzo'? Kòm toujou, granmèsi!

mare lalo → (voodoo term) to get magical power or capability (from a voodoo entity) in order make things work in your favor.

The next sentence is a metaphor:
"Se yon ekritasyon kote chak mo chak silab ap chase (chache?) kraze ansanm nan yon lese frape youn kont lòt, youn sou lòt k'ape rebondi nan yon dodinay lòmsanzo"

I think it means "It's a writing where the words flow well together" or it can be the opposite.

If you read that sentence literally, it would say:
"It's a writing where each word each syllable is looking to collide together (bump / slam into each other) by pushing and shoving against one another, one on top of the other they're bouncing in a flexible swinging motion"

Please ell me what your take is on the literal meaning of that sentence :)

dodinayrocking, swinging (as with a rocking chair)
lese frapepushing and shoving
lòmsanzo(lit. man without bones) very flexible or malleable

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Wednesday, May 15, 2013

What are words for 'to numb'(physically and emotionally/mentally)? "Use ice to numb the pain" or " The dentist gave me novocaine to numb my tooth before drilling, thank goodness." and "Being in an abusive romantic relationship for a long time has numbed her." or "The great pain that John has been in has numbed his friend, Peter."

numb (like anesthetized) → angoudi
numb (indifferent) → ensansib, endiferan, detache

1. My foot's asleep.
    M santi pye m angoudi.

2.  Use ice to numb the pain.
      Itilize glas pou diminye doulè a.
    
3. "Being in an abusive romantic relationship  for a long time has numbed her."
     "Tout tan li te pase nan relasyon abizan an te rann li endiferan."

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

Can you help me with the phrasing of this one?"Please know that we would love nothing more than to stay in contact with you over the years." I'm at: Tanpri konnen kou nou ta renmen anpil pou kominke avè'w [over the years] So far...

You're almost there :)

"Tanpri konnen ke nou ta renmen anpil pou kominike avè'w nan ane k'ap vini yo."
or
"Tanpri, konnen ke nanpwen anyen nou ta pi renmen pase rete an kontak avèk ou nan ane k'ap vini yo."
or
"Tanpri, konnen ke tout dezi nou se pou n rete an kontak avèk ou nan ane k'ap vini yo."



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

Lanmou fe m pedi larezon

Lanmou fè'w pèdi larezon?
Se pa sa sèlman l'ap fè w pèdi non?
Si w pa pran tèt ou, l'ap fè w pèdi ni sak ni krab.*
Avanse ak tèt klè ....tanpri.  Bòn chans.


*pedi ni sak ni krab - lose  both the sack and the crab, literally

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

"Mwen pa lanmè, m pa sere kras"?

Yes, the ocean does not keep "stuff".  Eventually it brings debris to shore.

Mwen pa lanmè, m pa sere kras.
Someone who says this is actually saying:
"I am very upfront"
"I  don't keep things to myself.  I tell it like it is."

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Lang pa gen zo - Tongues have no bones. Kisa sa vle di?

My great aunt used to say:
Lang ou pa gen zo.  Li pa rèd.  Ou kapab donte'l.
You tongue has no bones.  It's not stiff.  You can tame it.

Some other people take it to mean that You can communicate your needs with ease, since "your tongue has no bones"


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Tuesday, May 14, 2013

what's the dmv called in haiti?

Service de la circulation et de la Police Routière
Phone 1 :  +509-2942-0130
Phone 2 :  +509-2942-0140

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Question: Kisa vle di mo sa yo: 1. Sendenden 2. Farine 3. Enpridans 4. Lèzo 5. Afese 6. Chèdepoul 7. Meprize li 8. Mayas 9. Remontrans Mèsi :)

1. Sendenden → worthless, despicable, good-for-nothing person
    
    a.  Bann mou fou!  Bann sendenden!
         Bunch of crazies!  Bunch of worthless pricks!

     b.  Mwen p'ap elve fanm pou bay sendenden marye non. (That's my dad talking :)
          I will not groom daughters so that they can be married to pricks.


2. Farine (or farinen) → to drizzle
    
     a. Lapli a ap farine deyò a.
         It's a drizzling rain outside.


3. Enpridans → carelessness, negligence
    
     a. Se enpridans ou ki lakòz ou pèdi lajan an.
         You lost the money because of your negligence


4. Lèzo (Is it KASE LÈZO??)
    Kase lèzo → water breaks (when ready to have a baby)

    a. Madanm nan kase lèzo.  Delivrans li pa lwen.
        Her water broke.  Her deliverance is not far.


5. Afese → depressed, chagrined, sad
    
   a. Poukisa ou afese konsa?
       Why are so sad?


 6. Chèdepoul → goosebumps
     
      a. Fim nan ban m chèdepoul.
          The movie gave me goosebumps.

       b. Pandan fanm nan t'ap pale a, chèdepoul leve sou po m.
           While the woman was talking, I had goosebumps.


 7. Meprize li → to ignore, to look down on, to not give someone attention


 8. Mayas (probably from English "my ass") → it's a very bad shoe smell (in Haitian Creole)
     
     Soulye w santi mayas.
     Your shoe has a bad smell.
     or
     Your shoe smells.


9. Remontrans → critique, reprimand

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

how do you say in h.creole "you know that your one year anniversary with my cousin was on Monday, im so happy for you and her and I hope there are many more anniversaries to come in the future". thank you :) and the cousin is a girl

Thanks for letting me know that the cousin is female.  That was important.

Ou konnen premye anivèsè w ak kouzin mwen se te lendi. Mwen kontan anpil pou ou avèk li, e m'espere nou va genyen plizyè lòt anivèsè ankò alavni.

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


M gen de kesyon. Dabò, ki jan ou ta tradwi 'anyen' nan fraz sa a: 'Ou pa itil zetwal yo anyen? Li vle di 'at all' oubyen 'for nothing'? Tou, èske fraz 'pawòl pwezi' gen siyifikasyon espesyal, oubyen li sèman vle di 'poetic words'? Mèsi

I would just just translate it as a "negation"... no use, nothing, or not ...anything
But we can also say... use for nothing

Ou pa itil zetwal yo anyen.
You are of no use to the stars.
The stars can use you for nothing.

Ou pa itil mwen anyen.
You are of no use to me.
I cannot use you for anything

Poukisa w te achte machin ize sa a?  Li toujou anpàn.  Li pa itil nou anyen.
Why did you give buy this used car?  It's always broken down. It's of no use to us.

Why did you give buy this used car?  It's always broken down. It's good for nothing.

I agree with you, pawòl pwezi sounds like "poetic words", "beautiful words"


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

Monday, May 13, 2013

I'm thinking about the construction "ka pa," as in "Yo ka pa wè sa." I understand this to mean "They might not see that." Does that sound right? What I'm really wondering is how this same construction would be translated in the song that says, "Yo kapab pa janm tonbe, delivrans yo asire." Would this be "They are able to not ever fall," instead of "They might not ever fall?" Thanks again for all the help!

"Yo ka pa wè sa." (or Yo te ka pa wè sa.)
"They might not see that."
That sounds right.

"Yo kapab pa janm tonbe, delivrans yo asire."
Your second translation captures it "They might not ever fall, their salvation is certain."

Putting it into context from the Creole song......
People who put in Jesus an immeasurable trust
They might not ever fall, their salvation is certain

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


"N'ap palé yon lot leu"

N'ap pale yon lòt lè.
or
N'a pale yon lòt lè.
We'll talk another time.

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In writing with contractions, would it be correct to write: "Kounye a w' konnen." Or is it more native-sounding to leave it as "Kounye a ou konnen" without the abbreviation? Mesi ANPIL!

You may write it as: Kounye a  w' konnen. It's correct.
Others will also write it this way too:
Kounyeya w konnen
Kounya w konnen

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


Can you please post the lyrics for "Here I am to worship" in Haitian Creole? Thank you so much!


I like the lyrics from this group of young people better than the other ones you'll find on youtube.


Limyè monn nan
Ou te vini nan fè nwa
Louvri je mwen pou’n ka wè
Bondye limyè,  kè'm adore ou
Espwa lavi bò kote m

Mwen vin adore ou
Mwen vin met ajenou
Mwen vin di w ke se ou ki bondye
Ou Merite tout lanmou
Ou merite tout glwa
Ou vrèman mèvèye nan lavi m

Wa pou tout tan m’ape leve ou byen wo
Glwa ou ranpli tout syèl la
Ou te desann sou latè
Pou w te kreye tout bagay gras ak lanmou

M’pat janm konnen konbyen l koute
Lè m wè peche m yo sou lakwa
M’pat janm konnen konbyen l koute
Lè m wè peche m yo sou lakwa

Here's another youtube post with same lyrics as above:

_________________________________
And here's another youtube post with slightly different lyrics.


Their lyrics:

Limyè monn nan
Ou desann nan fè nwa
Louvri je nou pou’n ka wè
Tout sa ki fè kè mwen adore ou
Esperans mwen se nan ou

Mwen vin adore ou
Mwen vin met ajenou
Mwen vin di ke se ou ki bondye
Ou Merite tout lanmou
Ou merite tout glwa
Ou vrèman mèvèye nan lavi m

Wa pou tout tan ki pi wo tout bagay
Zanj adore’w nan syèl la
Piti ou vin sou latè kreye
Pou lanmou ou vini pwòp

M’pat janm konnen konbyen l koute
Pou m wè peche m sou bwa kalvè
M’pat janm konnen konbyen l koute


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

Is the HC word for copper "kob kwiv mete", or is there a shorter form of the word copper? I have looked in my HC dictionary, but cannot find it. Mesi.

Yes, the HC word for copper is kuiv

kòb kuiv means copper money (...probably a penny)
and the Haitian Creole word for a penny is senk kòb penich)

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

What does de twa mean?

de twa (detwa, dezoutwa, dezotwa) two or three, a few

1. Te gen sèlman detwa moun nan reyinyon an.
     There only a two or three people at the meeting.

2.  Mwen ge detwa bisiklèt lakay la.  M'ap fè kado youn.
     I have some bikes at home.  I'm giving one away.

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

Is there a particular reason why Haitian people repeat everything you say to them? Is it because they want to make sure they understand what you're saying?

I don't think every Haitian does that.
Perhaps, like you said, if they're talking to a foreigner they might want to make sure they understand what's said.
I sometimes do that with foreigners.  If one word in their sentence is wrong, I repeat what they say to correct them... with a smile :)

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

what does it mean to fe enteresant and to be enteresant, please give a lot of examples

Dakò

Fè enteresant (enteresant, here, is different from the Creole enteresan which means interesting, fun)

Fè enteresant → to show off, to parade, to attract attention

1.  Fanm nan mete yon bèl rad,  enpi li tonbe fè enteresant pou tout moun ka wè l.
     The woman wore a beautiful dress, and she started strutting her stuff so that everyone would see her.

2. Poukisa w'ap fè tout enteresant sa yo?
    Why all this capriciousness?

3. Fanm sa sanble toujou damou ak mari l, paske depi li wè mari l li pran fè enteresant.
    This woman must still be in love with her ex-husband because whenever she sees him she acts capriciously.

4. Pa okipe l, enteresant ki nan kò'l.
    Don't mind her, she's just showing off.


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Sunday, May 12, 2013

Ki jan ou ta tradui an Kreyòl fraz sa yo: 1. An ear of corn 2. The bird was singing and chirping until its heart content. 3. Dying of hunger Epi tou ki sa vle di de mo sa yo: 1. efrayik 2. aleya Mèsi

1. An ear of corn
yon zepi mayi

2. The bird was singing and chirping until its heart content.
Zwazo a t'ap chante kont chante l.

3. Dying of hunger
mouri grangou

Epi tou ki sa vle di de mo sa yo:
1. efrayik
awesome,sensational

update
2. aleya lavi a
hazard / perils /risks of life

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