When is it proper to use "sa" vs. "sa a". Is "sa a" only used when it appears at the end of the sentence?

Sa a = demonstrative indicator (sa) +  the definite article (a)
We say sa a when it's used as a demonstrative adjective or a pronoun to identify a specific person or thing.  It may very well be translated as this one or that one.

Sa a is used for singular demonstrative adjectives
this car - machin sa a
this book - liv sa a
that person - moun sa a

In the plural form, the singular definite article "a" will turn into the plural definite article "yo"
these cars - machin sa yo
these books - liv sa yo
those people - moun sa yo

Sa a is also used for singular demonstrative subject pronouns.
Sa a pi bon - This one is better
Sa a pa mi - That one is not ripe
Sa a te tonbe nan dlo.  Li mouye. - This one fell in the water. It's wet.

In the plural form, the singular definite article "a" will turn into the plural definite article "yo"

Sa yo pi bon - These are better
Sa yo pa mi - Those are not ripe.
Sa yo te tonbe nan dlo. Yo mouye. - These fell in the water.  They are wet.


Sa a is also used for singular demonstrative object pronouns
Mwen vle sa a. - I want that one.
Kite sa a pou mwen. - Leave this one for me.
Mwen pa renmen sa a. - I don't like that one.

In the plural form, the singular definite article "a" will turn into the plural definite article "yo"

Mwen vle sa yo.  I want those ones.
Kite sa yo pou mwen. - Leave these for me.
Mwen pa renmen sa yo. - I don't like those.


Sometimes, we do write negligibly and you don't see the article "a" in our sentences.
example:
We write:
Kisa sa vle di?
instead of
Kisa sa a vle di?
What does this one mean? / What does that mean?

We also write:
Kisa sa ye? instead of Kisa sa a ye?
Sere sa pou mwen instead of Sere sa a pou mwen.
etc...
and that is ok.


Here are the ircumstances, below, when we should use Sa instead of Sa a:
When sa is contracted down from kisa, and it translates what, which, whatever, whichever,
We DO NOT / CANNOT write Sa a.

examples:
Sa ou genyen?
Kisa ou genyen? 
What's wrong?

Sa ou bezwen?
Kisa ou bezwen?
What do you need?

Sa'w panse?
Kisa'w panse?
What do you think?

Sa sa a vle di?
Kisa sa a vle di
What does that mean?

Sa ou vle, mwen vle tou.
Whatever you want, I want too.

Sa ou fè a pa bon.
The thing that you did is not good.
What you did is not good.


Also, when sa translates It is, it's, this is, that is, that (unspecific)

How's it going?
Kouman sa ap mache?

Sa fè'm mal.
It pains me.
It hurts me.

Si sa pa mache, nou nan ka.
If that doesn't work, we're in deep trouble.

Pa fè sa.
Don't do that.

It's weird. /This is strange.
Sa dwòl.

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

"These are" = Sa yo se...why is yo there?

"yo" is an indicator of the plural form.

bear with me please :)

examples:

liv la → the book (singular)

liv yo → the books (plural)

ti gason an → the little boy (singular)

ti gason yo → the little boys (plural)

kay sa → this house (singular)

kay sa yo → these houses (plural)

moun sa → this person (singular)

moun sa yo → these people (plural)

So...

Sa se kreyon mwen. → This is my pencil.

Sa yo se kreyon mwen → these are my pencils.

Sa se yon radyo. → This is a radio.

Sa yo se radyo. → These are radios.

Liv sa se pa m. → This book is mine.

Liv sa yo se pa m. → Those books are mine.

Mesye sa se frè m, → That guy is my brother.

Mesye sa yo se frè m. → Those guys are my brother.

Mwen renmen foto sa. → I like this picture.

Mwen renmen foto sa yo. → I like these pictures.

Mwen pa konprann mo sa. → I don't understand this word.

Mwen pa konprann mo sa yo. → I don't understand these words.

Was this helpful?


FYI:  The word "yo" just like the other Haitian Creole pronouns can be confusing. 
"Yo"  is the plural definite article → as in:  liv yo - the books
"yo" is the subject pronoun → as in:  Yo pale - they talk
"yo" is the object pronoun → as in:  Mwen renmen yo - I love them
"yo" is the possessive adjective → as in:  Sa se kay yo. - This is their house.

Ask me anything

do you have a lesson on "this", "that","these" and "those"? in a sentence, why and where are they placed? thanks!

Demonstratives (pronouns and adjectives)
http://sweetcoconuts.blogspot.com/2010/03/lesson-20-demonstrative-pronouns-this.html
http://sweetcoconuts.blogspot.com/2010/02/lesson-21-thisthat.html

Ask me anything

"This is my aunt" or "she is my aunt"

This is my aunt.

Sa se matant mwen.

She is my aunt.

Li se matant mwen.

Ask me anything

Lesson 20 - Demonstrative pronouns: This is, That is, These are, Those are

Affirmative sentences
This is - Sa se
That is - Sa se
These are - Sa yo se
Those are - Sa yo se

Negative sentences
This is not - Sa se pa
That is not - Sa se pa
These are not - Sa yo se pa
Those are not - Sa yo se pa

Examples:
1. This is my car - Sa se machin mwen.

2. That is a pretty ring. - Sa se yon bèl bag.

3. This is not a good sign. - Sa se pa yon bon siy.

4. These are mine. - Sa yo se pa m.

5. Those are yours. - Sa yo se pa w.

6.  This is a small house. - Sa se yon ti kay.

7.  These are my children. - Sa yo se pitit mwen.

______________________________________________

Let's practice. Please translate the following sentences.

1. This is your book.

2. That is not my house.

3. That is your car.

4. This is ridiculous!

5. That is not a boat.

Find answer key at the bottom of this page.


 1.sa se liv ou a    2.sa se pa kay mwen    3.sa se machin ou     4.Sa se blòf!    5.sa se pa yon bato