Haitian Creole

Monday, November 28, 2011

Kisa yon 'tetsanko' ye?

Tètsankò → (literally tèt-san-kò head-without-body)

This expression is said of people that are undernourished, look skinny, and are unable to gain healthy weight.
Even though they may eat a lot, it seems that their mouths are not connected to their body. Thus, tètsankò.

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"a lot" can also be translated as "packet"? Like 'yon packet kay'?

Yes. "pakèt" will then be written in Creole.

You will also see the following synonyms for "pakèt" in Haitian Creole:

anpil, bann, kolonn, pil, dal

example:

He has a lot of houses.

Li gen yon pakèt kay.

There were many books on the floor.

Te gen yon dal liv atè a.

There were so many people at the party.

Te gen yon bann moun nan fèt la.

The lady came in with a lot of kids.

Madanm nan te vini ak yon kolonn timoun.

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Eske ou janm...? → Have you ever...? (in Haitian Creole)

Click here to download…

Audio for the following Creole sentences using ESKE OU JANM Have you ever

Eske ou janm... → Have you ever...

1. Eske ou janm bwè diven jiskaske ou sou?
    Have you ever drunk wine until you were intoxicated?

2. Eske ou janm kenbe yon sekrè ki pi fò pase w?
    Have you ever held a secret that was stronger than you?

3. Eske ou janm pran lapenn pou yon moun ki koupab?
    Have you ever felt sorry for someone who was guilty?

4. Eske ou janm priye pou Bondye modi yon moun?
    Have you ever prayed for God's curse on someone?

5. Eske ou janm vòlè nan men yon rich pou bay yon pòv?
    Have you ever stolen from the rich in order to give to the poor?

6. Eske ou janm wè solèy leve oubyen solèy kouche?
Have you ever seen the sunrise o rthe sunset?

7. Eske ou janm vwayaje sou motosiklèt?
Have you ever travelled by motocycle?

8. Eske ou janm te nan yon aksidan?
Have you ever been in an accident?

9. Eske ou janm fè kònmsi ou se yon lòt moun?
Have you ever pretended to be someone else?

10. Eske ou janm pale Kreyòl Ayisyen nan telefòn?
Have you ever spoken Haitian Creole on the phone?

Se tout. Mèsi anpil e orevwa:)
That's all. Thank you very much and goodbye.

Epi and Epitou

Epi / Epitou (enpitou)/ E → and, and then, also, as well as

She speaks English and she speaks Creole.
Li pale Angle epi li pale Kreyòl.
You are smart, beautiful, and considerate.
Ou bèl, intelijan, epi ou janti.

This computer is advanced, small, light, and it's cheap.
Odinatè sa avanse, piti, lejè, epitou li bon mache.

He rescued me from a hell hole, from a dangerous situation, that was killing me.
Li sove m anba yon lanfè, nan yon sitiyasyon ki danjere, epi ki t'ap touye m.

Can you give me the definition of each sentence in kreole. 'do you wear glasses?' 'I am wearing perfume.' 'He always wears a smile.' The carpet has been badly worn.' Notice the verb 'wear' in each sentence.

Do you wear glasses?

Eske ou pote linèt?

I am wearing perfume.

Mwen mete pafen. or

Mwen gen pafen sou mwen.

He always wears a smile.

Li toujou gen yon souri.

The carpet has been badly worn.

Kapèt la abime anpil.

Yes, the verb "to wear" is translated differently in each sentence to specifically describe its action in the Haitian Creole language. Thanks! for bringing that out :)

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Sunday, November 27, 2011

zamii

You mean "zanmi" for "friend?

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What does Mwen ta swete sou yon etwal mean

I would wish upon a star.

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remember to talk with God everyday

Sonje pale ak Bondye chak jou.

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bare (creole): to catch?

Bare (pronounced bah-ray) → to take unawares, to capture, to catch, to trap, to block, to enclose

Bare as in to catch or capture

They caught a burglar at the market.
Yo bare yon vòlè nan mache a.

He was caught stealing mangos.
Yo bare l ap vòlè mango.

She caught him in bed with another woman.
Li bare l nan kabann ak yon lòt fi.

Bare as in: to block, to enclose

The police officers barricaded the road because of the accident.
Polis yo bare wout la akoz aksidan an.

They blocked the school entrance with a yellow ribbon.
Yo te bare antre lekòl la ak yon riban jòn.

Why did they block the road?
Poukisa yo bare wout la?

The man in front of me is blocking my view. I can't see anything.
Mesye ki devan mwen an bare m. Mwen pa ka wè anyen.