We speak Creole
Nou pale Kreyòl
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words
Nou pale Kreyòl
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words
Thursday, January 3, 2013
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
How is expression "w'a gentan konnen" used exactly?
It's used as a warning. It means "Soon, you'll know" as if to say "you just wait and see" or "you won't know what hit you" or "Soon you'll see how wrong you were."
It is also used with other pronouns, as in "L'a gentan konnen" or "Y'a gentan konnen"
In Case you didn't know this, the ('a) after the pronoun is a contracted form of the future form "va" or "ava"
Examples:
W'a gentan konnen (Ou va gentan konnen or W'ava gentan konnen)
Y'a gentan konnen (Yo va gentan konnen or Y'ava gentan konnen)
Here's an example of the usage.
1. W'ap pase granmoun nan betiz kòm si ou p'ap janm vyeyi. W'a gentan konnen.
You're making fun of the older generation as if you'll never grow old. You wait and see!
2. Tout lekòl kontan ak nouvo trezorye a. Yo pa konn si se yon vòlè li ye. Y'a gentan konnen.
The whole school is happy with the new treasurer. They don't know that he's a crook. Soon they'll know how wrong they were.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words
It is also used with other pronouns, as in "L'a gentan konnen" or "Y'a gentan konnen"
In Case you didn't know this, the ('a) after the pronoun is a contracted form of the future form "va" or "ava"
Examples:
W'a gentan konnen (Ou va gentan konnen or W'ava gentan konnen)
Y'a gentan konnen (Yo va gentan konnen or Y'ava gentan konnen)
Here's an example of the usage.
1. W'ap pase granmoun nan betiz kòm si ou p'ap janm vyeyi. W'a gentan konnen.
You're making fun of the older generation as if you'll never grow old. You wait and see!
2. Tout lekòl kontan ak nouvo trezorye a. Yo pa konn si se yon vòlè li ye. Y'a gentan konnen.
The whole school is happy with the new treasurer. They don't know that he's a crook. Soon they'll know how wrong they were.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words
How does one translate these grammatical constructions: However + adjective or adverb + may be or is/are; Whatever + noun or pronoun + may be or is/are? Also, how does one translate whoever, whenever, whichever, and wherever?
However + adjective or adverb + may be
Kèlkeswa + adjektif oubyen advèb + pronoun + ye
However → Kèlkeswa, kèlkeswa jan, nenpòt jan, nenpòt fason, nenpòt mannyè
example:
1. Lè ou bay manman'm yon kado, kèlkeswa piti kou li ye a, li toujou apresye li.
When you give a gift to my mom, however small it is, she always appreciate it.
2. Tout donasyon ke nou va bay, kèlkeswa piti kou li ye, va ede legliz la avanse.
Every gift that you will give, no matter how small, will help the church to progress.
3. Lavi a se yon kado. Kèlkeswa jan li vini an n'ap pwofite l.
Life is a gift. We'll enjoy it however it comes.
4. Tout adilt, kèlkeswa laj yo, dwe pase egzamen an pou yo ka gen yon lisans.
All adults, no matter their age, must pass the exam in order to obtain a license.
Whatever + noun or pronoun + may be or is/are
Kèlkeswa + noun + pronoun + may be or is/are
Whatever/ whichever → kèlkeswa, kèlkanswa, kèlkelanswa, nenpòt, nenpòt kisa
example
5. Bagay sa a, kèlkeswa sa li te ye a, t'ap vole tankou yon zwazo
That thing, whatever it was, was flying like a bird.
6. Si pòt la frape, kèlkeswa moun ki dèyè pòt la, mwen ta konseye w pou w pa ouvri l.
If there's knocking at the door, whoever is behind that door, I would advise you not to open it.
7. Whatever happens tonight we will always remain good friends.
Kèlkeswa sa'k pase aswè a nou va toujou rete bon zanmi.
Nenpòt sa'k pase aswè a nou va toujou rete bon zanmi
Nenpòt kisa ki pase aswè a nou va toujou rete bon zanmi
8. Kèlkeswa fanm ou chwazi pou w marye a, manman'w p'ap janm satisfè. Se pousa ou dwe chache satisfè tèt ou, pa manman w.
Whichever woman you choose to marry, you mom will never be satisfied. That's why you should seek to please yourself, not your mom.
Whoever, anyone, nobody → kikeseswa (use as object pronoun), kikseswa (use as object pronoun)
Whoever, anyone → nenpòt kilès, nenpòt moun, or nenpòt ki moun
9. Nenpòt moun ki vle vin nan fèt la mèt vini.
Whoever wants to come to the party may come.
10. Mwen p'ap janm mete ajenou devan kikeseswa.
I will never kneel before whoever.
I will never kneel before anyone.
Whenever → lè, nenpòt lè, nenpòt ki lè, kelkeswa lè
11. Nenpòt lè ou deside achte machin nan, l'ape la ap tann ou.
Whenever you decide to buy the car, it will be there waiting for you.
12. Ou mèt itilize bourèt mwen an lè w vle.
You may use my wheelbarrow whenever you want.
13. Kèlkeswa lè ki bon pou a, l'va bon pou mwen tou.
Whatever time is good for you, will work for me too.
Wherever → kote, nenpòt kote, nenpòt ki kote, kelkeswa kote
14. Sanble mesye sa a ap swiv mwen. Kote m fè, li fè tou.
It seems that this man is following me. Wherever I go, he goes too.
15. Mouche sa a se yon bon èd. Kote yo bezwen li, l'ale.
This guy is a good help. Wherever he's needed, he goes.
16. Ou mèt kouri pou mwen. Men sonje, kèlkeswa kote ou kache a, m va jwenn ou.
You may run from me. But remember that wherever you hide I will find you.
Browse the search result for NENPÒT here, and you'll find more on however, wherever, whenever, etc...
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words
Kèlkeswa + adjektif oubyen advèb + pronoun + ye
However → Kèlkeswa, kèlkeswa jan, nenpòt jan, nenpòt fason, nenpòt mannyè
example:
1. Lè ou bay manman'm yon kado, kèlkeswa piti kou li ye a, li toujou apresye li.
When you give a gift to my mom, however small it is, she always appreciate it.
2. Tout donasyon ke nou va bay, kèlkeswa piti kou li ye, va ede legliz la avanse.
Every gift that you will give, no matter how small, will help the church to progress.
3. Lavi a se yon kado. Kèlkeswa jan li vini an n'ap pwofite l.
Life is a gift. We'll enjoy it however it comes.
4. Tout adilt, kèlkeswa laj yo, dwe pase egzamen an pou yo ka gen yon lisans.
All adults, no matter their age, must pass the exam in order to obtain a license.
Whatever + noun or pronoun + may be or is/are
Kèlkeswa + noun + pronoun + may be or is/are
Whatever/ whichever → kèlkeswa, kèlkanswa, kèlkelanswa, nenpòt, nenpòt kisa
example
5. Bagay sa a, kèlkeswa sa li te ye a, t'ap vole tankou yon zwazo
That thing, whatever it was, was flying like a bird.
6. Si pòt la frape, kèlkeswa moun ki dèyè pòt la, mwen ta konseye w pou w pa ouvri l.
If there's knocking at the door, whoever is behind that door, I would advise you not to open it.
7. Whatever happens tonight we will always remain good friends.
Kèlkeswa sa'k pase aswè a nou va toujou rete bon zanmi.
Nenpòt sa'k pase aswè a nou va toujou rete bon zanmi
Nenpòt kisa ki pase aswè a nou va toujou rete bon zanmi
8. Kèlkeswa fanm ou chwazi pou w marye a, manman'w p'ap janm satisfè. Se pousa ou dwe chache satisfè tèt ou, pa manman w.
Whichever woman you choose to marry, you mom will never be satisfied. That's why you should seek to please yourself, not your mom.
Whoever, anyone, nobody → kikeseswa (use as object pronoun), kikseswa (use as object pronoun)
Whoever, anyone → nenpòt kilès, nenpòt moun, or nenpòt ki moun
9. Nenpòt moun ki vle vin nan fèt la mèt vini.
Whoever wants to come to the party may come.
10. Mwen p'ap janm mete ajenou devan kikeseswa.
I will never kneel before whoever.
I will never kneel before anyone.
Whenever → lè, nenpòt lè, nenpòt ki lè, kelkeswa lè
11. Nenpòt lè ou deside achte machin nan, l'ape la ap tann ou.
Whenever you decide to buy the car, it will be there waiting for you.
12. Ou mèt itilize bourèt mwen an lè w vle.
You may use my wheelbarrow whenever you want.
13. Kèlkeswa lè ki bon pou a, l'va bon pou mwen tou.
Whatever time is good for you, will work for me too.
Wherever → kote, nenpòt kote, nenpòt ki kote, kelkeswa kote
14. Sanble mesye sa a ap swiv mwen. Kote m fè, li fè tou.
It seems that this man is following me. Wherever I go, he goes too.
15. Mouche sa a se yon bon èd. Kote yo bezwen li, l'ale.
This guy is a good help. Wherever he's needed, he goes.
16. Ou mèt kouri pou mwen. Men sonje, kèlkeswa kote ou kache a, m va jwenn ou.
You may run from me. But remember that wherever you hide I will find you.
Browse the search result for NENPÒT here, and you'll find more on however, wherever, whenever, etc...
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words
Zo granmoun pa pran
Non, zo granmoun pa pran.
It's a way of saying "Be careful, if you fall and break a bone, there might not be a recovery"
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words
It's a way of saying "Be careful, if you fall and break a bone, there might not be a recovery"
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words
twentyone
twenty-one → venteyen
1. Eske ou gen venteyennan depase?
Are you over the age of 21?
2. Ou dwe gen omwens venteyennan pou w antre nan klib sa a.
You must be at least 21 years old to enter this club.
3. Mwen te rankontre yon fanm Ayisyen ki gen venteyen pitit.
I met a Haitian lady who has 21 children.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words
1. Eske ou gen venteyennan depase?
Are you over the age of 21?
2. Ou dwe gen omwens venteyennan pou w antre nan klib sa a.
You must be at least 21 years old to enter this club.
3. Mwen te rankontre yon fanm Ayisyen ki gen venteyen pitit.
I met a Haitian lady who has 21 children.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words
nap we sa memm
N'ap wè sa menm.
N'a wè sa.
We'll see about that.
Sometimes people say this as a warning that they intend to act on and change something that does not please them.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words
N'a wè sa.
We'll see about that.
Sometimes people say this as a warning that they intend to act on and change something that does not please them.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words
i miss your food?
I hope it's Haitian food :)
I miss your cooking.
M sonje manje w konn fè yo.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words
I miss your cooking.
M sonje manje w konn fè yo.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words
"Enjoying" life for what it is
Take life for what it is
Pran lavi a pou sa li ye a. (makes sense to me)
Enjoy life for what it is (I don't get this...)
Jwi lavi a pou sa li ye a.
Enjoy life.
Jwi lavi a.
Pwofite lavi a.
Take advantage of life
or
Pwofite jenès ou.
Take advantage of your youthfulness
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words
Pran lavi a pou sa li ye a. (makes sense to me)
Enjoy life for what it is (I don't get this...)
Jwi lavi a pou sa li ye a.
Enjoy life.
Jwi lavi a.
Pwofite lavi a.
Take advantage of life
or
Pwofite jenès ou.
Take advantage of your youthfulness
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
from previous post, 'ban m kay la blanch." works too
Ban m kay la blanch (pick up your stuff, remove your stuff from the house, and get out)
Wi, ranmase zafè'w. retire'w nan kay la. Demenaje. Ban'm kay la blanch.
Se sa l vle di.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words
Wi, ranmase zafè'w. retire'w nan kay la. Demenaje. Ban'm kay la blanch.
Se sa l vle di.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words
Is it ok to say "lari a blanch maten an" instead of "lari a vid maten an."?
yes.
Lari a blanch would mean that the streets are deserted
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words
Lari a blanch would mean that the streets are deserted
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words
Bòn ane! I am seeing a use of "depi" in this article that is new to me: "Nan yon deklarasyon li fè lendi 31 desanm nan depi Mezon Blanch lan, prezidan Barack Obama di..." "Depi" here seems to be as "from," in a physical not temporal sense, like "sot nan"
Mèsi wi. Bòn ane a ou menm tou.
Yes, you are right. "Depi", here, translates "from (out of, from one point...)"
and yes, sometimes we can say it as, "Depi sot nan...." in addition to "sot nan..."
Some examples:
1. Li tonbe depi sot anlè rive jouk atè a.
2. Madanm nan te monte machin nan, li te koumanse plenyen depi Okap rive jouk Pòtoprens.
3. Machin nan t'ap ban n traka depi sot New York rive jouk isit la.
4. N'ap prezante ou program sa an dirèk depi sot Miami.
Links to posts with DEPI
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English
Yes, you are right. "Depi", here, translates "from (out of, from one point...)"
and yes, sometimes we can say it as, "Depi sot nan...." in addition to "sot nan..."
Some examples:
1. Li tonbe depi sot anlè rive jouk atè a.
2. Madanm nan te monte machin nan, li te koumanse plenyen depi Okap rive jouk Pòtoprens.
3. Machin nan t'ap ban n traka depi sot New York rive jouk isit la.
4. N'ap prezante ou program sa an dirèk depi sot Miami.
Links to posts with DEPI
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English
Ki tradisyon ou jodia for the Happy new year?
Tradisyon m se: leve, bwè soup, ale mache swete tout moun larezonnen, enpi retounen lakay mwen pou m bwè rès soup la :)
Swete larezonnen.
To wish a Happy New Year
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words
Swete larezonnen.
To wish a Happy New Year
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words
May God bless you in the coming year. Happy New Year.
Wi!
May God bless you in the coming year. Happy New Year!
Se pou Bondye beni w nan ane nouvèl sa a. Bòn ane!
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words
May God bless you in the coming year. Happy New Year!
Se pou Bondye beni w nan ane nouvèl sa a. Bòn ane!
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words
Mesye se pa ti soup ap pedi vie yo matin la non
☺ Ou pa manti non. Soup joumou fè mikalaw nan kizin tout Ayisyen maten an! Bòn fèt lendepandans Ayiti!
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words
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