Haitian Creole

Saturday, March 17, 2012

In what situations or contexts is 'seten' used to convey 'some' or 'few' as opposed to 'kek'? Is it used in the same way as saying ' there are certain people...'?

Yes it is.

Sèten → some
Kèk → some, a few
sèten or kèk is used to translate some

Gen sèten jou mwen pa fouti leve nan kabann.
Gen kèk jou mwen pa fouti leve nan kabann. (is also correct)
There are some days I can't get out of bed.

Gen sèten bagay mwen pa ka di w kounye a.
Gen kèk bagay mwen pa ka di w kounye a. (is also correct)
There are some things I can't tell you right now.

Sèten also means sure, conclusive, clear

Mwen sèten w'ap fè bon desizyon an..
I'm sure you'll make the right decision.

Mwen pa twò sèten si m'ap kapab vini aswè a.
I'm not sure I can come tonight.

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To stand out Haitian Creole. Her dress stands out.

to stand out → distenge, resòti, parèt diferan

Her dress stands out.
Rad li a parèt diferan.

Her dress stands out from among all the others.
Rad li a distenge nan mitan tou lòt yo.
Rad li a parèt diferan pase tout lòt yo.

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I am going to be, e.g.- I'm going to be so tired in the morning

I am going to → mwen pral, m'ap, m'a, or ma va

I am go to be so tired in the morning.
M'ap fatige anpil demen maten.

I am going to be married in two months.
Mwen pral marye nan de mwa.

We're going to be in town tomorrow.
Nou va nan vil la demen.

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Friday, March 16, 2012

In our church we address others as "brother" or "sister" followed by their first name... For example, Sister Larissa. How would I say this in Creole?

Ah yes.
In the Christian churches in Haiti too,
Frè (brother) for males
Sè (sister) for females (whether they married or not)

Sister Larissa → Sè Larissa
Brother Joseph → Frè Joseph
Sister Carinne → Sè Carinne
Brother Frank → Frè Frank

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How do I say "Give my love to everyone" or "give my regards" or "give my best" in kreyol?

Best way to say this is:

Salye tout moun pou mwen.
Greet everyone for me.
or

Anbrase tout moun pou mwen.
Greet everyone with a kiss/hug from me.

and also:

Di tout moun mwen voye anbrase yo.
Tell everyone I send them a kiss/hug.

or

Di tout moun mwen voye salye yo.
Tell everyone I send them a greeting.

You could also say:

Di tout moun m'ap panse a yo.
Tell everyone I'm thinking about them.

Di tout moun kò m isi men lespri m toujou avèk yo.
Tell everyone, my body's here but my spirit is always with them.

Di tout moun yo toujou nan panse m.
Tell everyone they're always in my thoughts.

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