Haitian Creole

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Why do I see the term "Se pou nou" so much. What does it mean?

The expression is not just about "Se pou nou".

"Nou" is just one of the pronouns used with it.

The expression is about "Se pou... - must, to have to"

Remember, There might be other pronouns placed after "Se pou..."

Example:

Se pou nou → we must

Se pou yo → they must

Se pou li → he/she must

Check out the following examples:

Se pou nou ale kounye a.

We must go now.

Se pou li ale kounye a.

He must go now.

Se pou Lilian ale kounye a.

Lilian must go now.

Check the following link:

http://sweetcoconuts.blogspot.com/2011/11/se-pou-can-be-expression-or-it-can-be.html

Ask me anything

what is: epa yereswa

Yereswa or yè swa → last night

epa or apa → no equivalent English translation. It comes off as an acknowledgement.

Apa li.

There it is.

Epa yereswa ou pa't rele'm.

I see you didn't call me last night.

Or even:

How come you didn't call me last night.

Epa Kreyòl nou t'ap pale?
Weren't we speaking Creole?

Epa ou pa manje.

I see you 're not eating.

or even:

How come you're not eating.

Epa ou te achte machin nan.

I see that you bought the car.

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Nervous → enkyete, sou tansyon, Kè sou biskèt

She's nervous.
Li enkyete.
Li sou tansyon.
Kè li sou biskèt.
Li gen enkyetid.

Don't be so nervous.
Ou pa bezwen enkyete w.

Are you nervous?
Ou sou tansyon?

Why are you so nervous?
Poukisa ou sou tansyon konsa?
Poukisa kè w sou biskèt konsa?

Ask me anything

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

OH MY GOSH MY HEAD HURTS

OH MY GOSH, MY HEAD HURTS!

Mezanmi, tèt mwen ap fè m mal!

Ask me anything

For whatever I did, I'm sorry. (Creole)

For whatever I did, I'm sorry.
Pou kèlkeswa sa m fè a, m'ap mande w padon.

"Kè m se An Ayiti" or "Kè m se nan Ayiti"? which is better?

Neither, if this is meant to translate My heart is in Haiti.

My heart is in Haiti.
Kè mwen Ayiti. or
Kè m Ayiti. or
Kè m se Ayiti li ye.

What do you mean by "(abstract)"?

Concerning the following previous post: http://sweetcoconuts.blogspot.com/2011/11/fyel-gist-core-innermost-center-of.html

example: biskèt

Even though "biskèt" is described as stomach or breastbone, sometimes it means more than that.

You'll hear these often:

Biskèt mwen tonbe.

which is most likely about having a broken back.

Kè ou sou biskèt

You're nervous. or

You're afraid.

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swete ou gen

swete → to wish
gen → to have

Creole speakers can also say:

Mwen swete w yon bon jounen. or

Mwen swete ou pase yon bon jounen

I wish you a good day.

Ask me anything

what does mwen swete ou gen yon gwo jou mean in american english?

Mwen swete ou gen yon gwo jou.
I wish you have a big day.

Mwen swete ou gen yon bon jou.
I wish you have a good day.

I wish you a good day

Pase bon jounen.
Have a good day.
Have a nice day.

Ask me anything

now let me ask you this "Do you know what wall street protester is all about."

The people (99%) versus the wealthy corporations (1%)
The people (99%) are tired of being controlled by the wealthy (1%).

They want equality, jobs, more control over their financial decision.

I think that's what it is...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Occupy_Wall_Street

Ask me anything

I see the phrase, "se nou pou", from time to time. Can you tell me what the expression is about. I even saw it on one of your posts; you said "se pou nou ale" means "we must go". Can you elaborate please?

Se pou can be an expression or it can be translated literally.
Se pou → indicates a duty, an obligation, or responsibility
In this case, the literal translation will not work here.

example:
1.
Se pou w etidye chak jou tande! (contracted)
Se pou ou etidye chak jou tande! (un-contracted)
You must study everyday, you hear!

2.
Se pou yo kanpe nan liy pou yo ka jwenn manje.
They must stand in line in order to get food.

3.
Se pou nou priye anvan nou manje.
We must pray before we eat.

4.
Se pou li pran medikaman an si li vle miyò.
He must take the medication if he wants to get better.

about some negative sentences:

5.
Se pa pou fè sa.
You must do that.

6.
Se pa pou pale konsa.
You must not talk like that.

7.
Se pa pou yo ranse konsa.
They must not joke around like that.

Se pou → is also used to say blessings, curse, wishful thinking
In this case, the literal translation will not work here.

Example:
8.
Se pou Bondye beni ou menm ak tout pitit ou yo.
May God bless you and all you children.

9.
Se pou maryaj ou beni.
May your marriage be blessed.

10.
Se pou malè tonbe sou li.
May grief fall upon him. or
May he be cursed.

11.
Se pou kay li kouvri ak wont.
May his home be covered with shame.

12.
Se pou l tonbe. ( or Se pou li tonbe)
I hope he falls.

13.
Mesye pa bon. Se pou Rachel, madanm li, kite l.
This guy's no good. I hope his wife Rachel leave him.

Se pou → literal meaning: it's for

example:
14.
Kado sa se pou ou.
This gift is for you.

15.
Se pou ou?
Is it for you? or
Is it yours?

16.
Wi, se pou mwen.
Yes, it's for me. or
Yes, it's mine.

17.
Non, se pa pou mwen.
No. it's not for me. or
No, it's not mine.

Ask me anything

Iran is arming themselves with nuclear weapons.

Peyi Iran ap ame tèt yo ak zam nikleyè.

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Fyèl. Dengou. Bègwè. Biskèt.

Fyèl → gist, core, innermost center of strength.

example:

Bagay sa ap pete fyèl ou wi.

This thing will kill you.

Travay sa fin pete fyèl mwen.

This job is killing me.

Dengou? Perhaps you meant "Dengonn"

Dengonn → (abstract) buttocks

example:

Li toujou la nan dengonn mwen, tankou yon pongongon.

She's there always up my butt, like a pain.

Poukisa ou toujou la nan dengonn mwen konsa?

Why you're always chewing my butt for?

Bègwè → naive, slowpoke, childlike

example:Toto pa konnen sa l'ap fè. Li tankou yon ti bègwè.

Toto doesn't know what he's doing. He's like a child.

Other Haitian Creole words for bègwè are: kannannan, kokobe, krebete, petevi, san nanm.

These words sometimes comes off very offensive. They are equivalent of calling someone a retard.

Biskèt → stomach (abstract) sometimes: bearing, core, or back.

example:
This suitcase is too heavy for you to carry. It'll break your back.

Malèt sa twò lou pou pote. L'ap kraze biskèt ou wi.

Travay sa fin kraze biskèt mwen.

This job is destroying me.

Ask me anything