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Sunday, October 9, 2011

Retire ko w.

Retire kò w.
(literally: Remove your body)
Step away.
Move away.

What does a Haitian look like?

When I read your question, I thought, "Is this a joke?!"
But then again, if you are of the Haitian culture, you really do hear this a lot either as a question or declaration.
"A lot of Haitians think they are very good at spotting another Haitian"
How can you acquire that skill, you ask?
Well, if you're looking for a Haitian, just find the dude (or dudette) with two arms, two legs, one head, and a will to survive.
That's what I imagine a Haitian would look like ☺

how do you say, thanks daddy

Mèsi papi.
or
Mèsi papa.

That depends on the nickname you give to your dad.
Haitians call their dads: papa, pa, papi, pè, monpè

Can you define Haitian Creole "kras"

Kras (n.) → residue, scum, scraps, sediment, dirt

Wash the plate to remove all the food residue.
Lave asyèt la pou retire tout kras manje yo.

Look all the soapscums on your walls.  You really need a housekeeper.
Gade tout kras savon sou mi kay ou.  Ou vrèman bezwen yon bòn.


Kras (n.) → tiny piece, bit, morsel, crumbs, small amount

Add a small amount of oil in the pan.
Mete yon ti kras luil nan chodyè a.

He gave me a morsel of bread daily.
Li ban m yon ti kras pen chak jou.

That little amount of food won't do anything for me.
Ti kras manje sa a pap fè anyen pou mwen.


Kras (adj.) → cheap, stingy, thrifty, penny-pinching

Your boyfriend is cheap.  He gave you a ring that he bought at the flea market.
Menaj ou a kras.  Li ba ou yon bag li achte nan mache a.

Lamou se pa sa lye.

Did you mean
Lanmou se pa sa li ye.
Love is not what it is.

Does that make sense to you?
Maybe you meant:

Lanmou se pa sa w panse li ye a.
Love is not what you think it is.

I'm a little confused. I thought "I love you" was "Mwen renmen ou." But I keep seeing that this also means "I like you." I am looking for a strong way to say "I love you." What would you say to your son or daughter?

Yes, you are right.

To love, in Haitian Creole, is translated as: Renmen.
I love you.
Mwen renmen ou.

To like, in Haitian Creole, is also translated as: Renmen.
I like this chair.
Mwen renmen chèz sa.

Other ways to express love in Haitian Creole, as in English, are:

I love you (as in I'm fond of you).
Mwen gen afeksyon pou ou.

I care for you.
Mwen sousye m pou ou.

I'm in love with you.
Mwen damou pou ou.

He cherishes me.
Li dòlote mwen.
To cherish or caress → dòlote

I appreciate you.
Mwen apresye ou.

and others...

Life is good. - Lavi a bon.


Saturday, October 8, 2011

Twou manti pa fon (translate)

You are right!
Twou manti pa fon.
This expression literally means: "the hole of a lie is not too deep", so you will translate it as:
A lie will not get you far. or
If you dig deep enough you'll catch someone in a lie.

How far do you usually have to dig to catch someone in a lie ☺?
Next time someone lies to you, remember, "Twou manti pa fon"!

Ala ou kapab sa!

Ala ou kapab sa!
How capable you are!

Can you tell me what "Ti trip ap vale gwo trip" means?

Ti trip ap vale gwo trip → hungry
This is another way to say that you're hungry.
This expression literally means:  "The small intestine is eating up the large intestine."

Ti trip mwen ap vale gwo trip mwen.
Literally: My small intestine is eating up my large intestine.
This means: I'm hungry.

Ti trip li ap vale gwo trip li.
Literally:  His small intestine is eating up his large intestine.
This means: He's hungry.


Please translate: discern, discernment, transfer -Mesi anpil!

Discern (v.) - distenge, detekte, diferansye, jije, or dekouvri

Discernment (n.)  - jijman, pèsepsyon, konprann

Transfer (v.) - deplase, transfere

Transfer (n.) - deplasman, chanjman, transfè

FRAPE POT LA BAY MOUN YO MENTI

Knock on the door and lie to the people

Ask me anything

thank you brother i love you

Thank you brother, I love you.
Mèsi frè, mwen apresye ou.

Thank you my brother, I love you.
Mèsi frè m nan, mwen apresye ou.

What's the word for "toilet paper"? Thanks!

toilet paper → papye ijyenik

What is the Creeole word for "pigsty"

pigsty or pigpen pak kochon