How do you say, "I'm ready." And, "Are you ready?" Pare? Prepare? Pret?

I am ready.
Mwen pare.
Mwen prè.

Are you ready?
Eske ou pare?
or
Eske ou prè?

or you can also say:

Ou pare? (You're ready?)
Ou prè? (You're ready?)

Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

"sa w te bezwen di l sa fè?" What does "fè" translate as here? mesi.

Basically, Sa ..... fè → what....for?, why... for?

1. "Sa w te bezwen di l sa fè?"
     "What did you have to tell him that for?"

2. Sa w te bezwen leve men w fè?
    Why did you have to raise your hand for?

3. Sa w te bezwen rele l fè?
    Why did you have to call her for?

Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Kifèla, ou pa travay anpil! ( Can you please explain "kifela" ?) Kamsa hamnida

"kifèla",  "kifèla a" or "ki fè la a" (from French ce qui fait que), at best, translates the conjunction SO or the adverb CONSEQUENTLY.  Otherwise it may translate this means, which means, does this mean, I take this as...

Here's an example:
1.
Mwen wè ou nan kabann toujou.  Kifèla, ou pa pral travay?
I see you're still in bed.  So, you're not going to work?
I see you're still in bed.  Does this mean your not going to work?
I see you're still in bed.  I take this as you're not going to work, am I right?


2.
Mwen pèdi travay mwen jodi a.  Kifèla a, m p'ap kapab ede w ankò.
I lost my job today, which means I won't be able to help you anymore.
I lost my job today, so I won't be able to help you anymore.

3.
Mwen remake ou pa al lekòl depi twa semèn. Kifèla yo mete w deyò?
I notice that you have not gone to school for three weeks.  So, they kicked you out?
I notice that you have not gone to school for three weeks.  Does this mean that they kicked you out?


In this next example:
Your son goes ahead and get a tattoo even though you advised him not to do it.
So you say:
4.
Kifèla ou pa koute konsèy mwen ankò?
So you don't listen to my advice anymore?


Here's another example:
Your best friend hasn't talked you in months.  He's been avoiding you.  So the next time you see him you might say:
5.
Kifèla a ou pa zanmi m ankò?
So you're not my friend anymore?
Does this mean you're not my friend anymore?  



Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

mwen pa byen paske mwen pa fouti dòmi avèk chen ou yo k’ap jape tout lannuit lan. (Please explain further for "k'ap") and thank you. kamsa hamnida

"k'ap" or  "k ap" is a contraction for "ki ap", where "ki" translates the English that, which, who, and "ap" here is the determiner for the progressive tense.

some examples.

1.
Ti fi ki ap jwe pyano a se pitit fi mwen. ("ki ap" is not contracted)
Ti fi k'ap jwe pyano a se pitit fi mwen. ("ki ap" is contracted)
The little girl who is playing the piano is my daughter.

2.
Sa se yon fanm ki ap bay ti bebe li tete.
Sa se yon fanm k'ap bay ti bebe li tete.
This is a woman which is breastfeeding her baby.

3.
Chen ki ap jape a te reveye m.
Chen k'ap jape a te reveye m.
The dog that is barking woke me up. 

4.
Di mwen sa ki ap pase.
or 
Di mwen sa k'ap pase.
Tell me what's happening.

5.
Pinga ou janm mete dwèt ou nan dlo ki ap bouyi.
Pinga ou janm mete dwèt ou nan dlo k'ap bouyi.
Never put your finger in water that is boiling.

NOW, let's see the difference when using  different tenses.

Mesye ki ap pale a se papa m. (pres. prog. non contracted)
or
Mesye k'ap pale a se papa m. (pres. prog. contracted)
The man that's speaking is my dad.


Mesye ki te ap pale a se papa m. (past prog. non contracted)
or
Mesye ki t'ap pale a se papa m. (past. prog. contracted)
or
Mesye k t'ap pale a se papa m. (past prog. contracted)
The man that was speaking is my dad.


Mesye ki pral pale a se papa m. (future non contracted)
or
Mesye k pral pale a se papa m. (future contracted)
The man that's going to speak is my dad.


Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Bonjou! I can't find this in CreoleLingo, can you help? I'm looking for a verb that means "to strike a pose"?

to strike a pose → pran yon pòz, poze

1. Poze devan kamera a pou m ka fè foto w.
    Strike a pose before the camera so that a can take your picture.

2.  Pran yon pòz moun k'ap kriye.
     Act if you were crying.

to strike pose (flaunt, strut) → bay payèt, voye payèt, fè bèbèl

3.  Si w te wè li, li t'ap bay payèt devan kamera yo. 
     You should have seen her, she was flaunting it for the cameras.

Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

You might already have this son your blog, but I can't find it. What is 'moun pa"?

Moun pa → favoritism, preference, partisanship, also friend, buddy

1.  Ou ta byen sezi pou w konnen ke menm nan legliz gen moun pa.
     You'd be surprised to know that even in church there's favoritism.

2.  Nan syèl la p'ap gen zafè moun pa.  Tout moun va egal ego.
     In heaven there won't be any bias.  Everyone will be equal.

3. Mwen pa nan moun pa.
    I am not playing favorite.
    I am unbiased.
    

4.  "Menm nan lanfè gen moun pa." (expression)
     "Even in hell there's preferential treatment."

also.

5. Kite l antre.  Li se moun pa m.
   Let him in. He's a friend. (someone I know well).

Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

What are some words for 'to billow'? "We saw black smoke billowing from a distance." or "We saw smoke billowing from the tailpipe of the Vatican indicatiing that a new a pope has been selected."

smoke billowing → lafimen k'ap anvayi, fofile, gonfle monte, or sèpante

"We saw black smoke billowing from a distance."
"De lwen nou te wè lafimen nwa k'ap anvayi syèl la?"

Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Machande nan Mache → Haggling at the Market (AUDIO)

Download link for this audio:
Click here to download…

To listen to this audio click on the PLAY button and follow along :)
 

Madanm… Eske w gen anana pou vann?

Ma’am… Do you have pineapples for sale?

Wi mesye.   Mwen gen twa sèlman ki rete.

Yes I do.  I only have three left.

Dakò.  Vann mwen YOUN!

Great.  Let me have ONE!

O non!… se touletwa m’ap vann ansanm.  M p’ap ka degrennen yo.

No… I am selling all three together.  I won’t separate them.

O…Konbyen w mande pou twa yo?

Oh… How much do you ask for the three?

Sèt dola.

Seven dollars.

Eske w ka bay yo pou twa dola senkant?

Can you give them for three dollars fifty?

O! ou debòde monchè!  Pou w ta panse pou m ta ba w zannana yo pou mwatye pri mwen mande w la? Non, non, non!  m pa sa fè sa.

You must be insane!  To think that I would give you the pineapples for half the price that I asked for.  No no no,  I can’t do that.

Enben, m’a ba w $4.00 pou yo.

Well, I’ll give you $4.00 for them.

Non mesye, mwen p’ap desann pri a.

No sir,  I won’t reduce the price.

E si m ajoute senkant kòb sou li.  …..Eske w’ap bay li pou kat dola senkant santim?

How about if I add 50 cents to it…..  Will you give it for $4.50 cents?

O o! mwen regrèt sa mesye.  Mwen p’ap vann zannana yo pou pi piti pase sèt dola.

Sorry sir. I won’t sell the pineapples for less than $7.00

Madanm! Mwen vrèman bezwen moso anana pou m pote lakay.  Eske w ta vann yo pou senk dola.?

Ma’am! I truly need to bring some pineapple home.  Would you sell them for $5.00?

Zannana yo twa pou sèt dola, ... san wete san mete.  M p’ap chanje lide’m.

The pineapples are 3 for $7, ...no more no less.  I won’t change my mind.

Bèl ti cheri a! Li gentan fin ta.  Mache a pral fèmen toutalè.  Dayè, Jan m wè anana sa yo la a, y’ap fin pouri nan men w si ou pa vann yo jodi a.  Lèkonsa, se jete ou pral oblije jete yo.

Beautiful darling! It’s already getting late.  The market will close soon.  In fact, from the looks of it, these pineapples will become rotten if you don’t sell them today.  Then you’ll have to throw them away.

Enben, si m pa vann yo, m’a manje yo ak fanmi mwen.  E si fanmi m pa vle yo, m ka toujou lonje yo bay mandyan yo nan lari a.  Men mwen p’ap ba ou yo pou senk dola.

Well, if I don’t sell them, I’ll eat them with my family.  And If my family don’t want them, I could always hand them to beggars in the street.  But I won’t give them to you for $5.00

Enben Makòmè, senk dola senkant! Dènye òf!  Se tout sa m genyen.

Well my comrade, $5.50!  Last offer!  That’s all I have.

Monkonpè, ban m si dola pou yo, enpi ou mèt pran yo!

My comrade, you give me six dollars and you may have them!

Dakò…. Mèsi anpil.  Mwen apresye sa.    Men lajan ou.  …. Mete yo nan yon sache pou mwen silvouplè.

Agree… Thanks a lot.  I appreciate this.  Here’s your money….  Put them in a bag for me please.

Men wi!... Men zannana ou yo.  Pase yon bon jounen mesye.

Of course!  Here are your pineapples.    Have a great day sir.

Kout chapo madanm!

Hats off ma’am!

Track ANANA by Issa El Saieh

Anana sila bon pou manje!
This pineapple is good to eat!
Se paske li bèl, li gwo, li lou, e li peze
That’s because it looks good, it’s heavy, and it has weight
Men pratik, di mwen, konbyen w mande?
But my clientele, tell me how much do you ask?
Li mèt nenpòt pri, cheri, ou konnen m’ape peye
Whatever the price, honey, you know I’ll pay.
O ala yon bèl anana! (bis)
Oh what beautiful pineapple!
Se paske li bèl, li gwo, li lou, e li peze
That’s because it’s beautiful, it’s heavy, and it has weight
Ban m moso pou m pot lakay
Give me some to bring home
Li mèt pouri, li mèt gate
Whether it’s rotten or spoiled
Ban m moso pou m pot lakay!
Give me some to bring home!
Li mèt pouri, li mèt pa bon
Whether it’s rotten or not good
Ban m moso pou m pot lakay!
Give me some to bring home!

Anana sila bon pou manje!
This pineapple is good to eat!
Se paske li bèl, li gwo, li lou, e li peze.
That’s because it looks good, it’s heavy, and it has weight.
Men madanm, di mwen, konbyen w mande?
But lady, tell me how much do you ask?
Li mèt nenpòt pri, cheri, ou konnen m’ape peye.
Whatever the price, honey, you know I’ll pay.
O ala yon bèl anana! (bis)
Oh what beautiful pineapple!
Se paske li bèl, li gwo, li lou, e li peze.
That’s because it’s beautiful, it’s heavy, and it has weight.
Ban m moso pou m pot lakay.
Give me some to bring home.
Li mèt pouri, li mèt gate
Whether it’s rotten or spoiled
Ban m moso pou m pot lakay!
Give me some to bring home!
Li mèt pa bon, li mèt pa bon
Whether it’s good or not
Ban m moso pou m pot lakay!
Give me some to bring home!

Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

May I ask you dear what you will be using in place of Formspring?

I'll be using Breezi.  I have an active acct. with them.

Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

What are some words for 'schedule'(nouns and verbs)? "I'll check my schedule to see if I`m not busy this weekend." or "The schedule allows three weeks for this stage." or "The next elections are scheduled on the 20th of November."

to schedule → pwojte, pwograme, planifye, mete alorè
a schedule → yon orè, yon pwogram

"I'll check my schedule to see if I`m not busy this weekend."
"M'ava tcheke orè m pou wè si m pa okipe wikenn sa a."

"The next elections are scheduled on the 20th of November."
"Pwochen eleksyon yo pwojte pou ven novanm."

Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

What are words for 'bookworm'? "In my room I have so many books on the shelf, on the floor, and even on my bed. I love to read; so I am a true bookworm."

bookworm → ti rat bbliyotèk, lektè pasyonen, yon moun ki renmen li, yon moun ki kenbe tèt li nan liv li

"I love to read; so I am a true bookworm." 
"Mwen renmen li, donk mwen se yon lektè pasyone."

Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Madanm Mandaly, What is the Kreyol equivalent to the French "comme si comme sa" (so so)? I am not sure if my French is correct, but I think you know what I am saying. Such as in French "au contraire" to Kreyol "okontre". In Spanish it is "asi asi"

A Haitian Creole equivalent to "comme ci comme ça" is konsa konsa.
In Haitian Creole, it would mean so so, not too bad, or ... mediocre

Examples:
We can use "konsa konsa" to say "not too good, not too bad" or "just average"
1.
-Kisa ou panse osijè fim ou sot wè a? (what do you think of the movie you just saw?)
-M pa't tèlman renmen l.  M panse li te konsa konsa. (I didn't like it much.  I thought it was so so.)


2. 
Kijan ou ye? (How are you?)
Ou konnen... tout bagay ap mache konsa konsa. (Yo know ....everything is  going so so)


"yon gason / fanm konsa konsa" might mean "a poor, insignificant, not important person"
3.
Pa pèdi tan w avèk medam sa yo.  Yo renmen lajan.  Yo p'ap marye ak nenpòt gason konsa konsa non.
Don't waste time with those girls.  They love money.  They will not marry just any guy.


"yon fanm konsa konsa" might mean "an easy, lower class, sleazy woman:
4.
Misye te panse m te yon fanm konsa konsa.
He thought I was an easy woman.



Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Hello Mandaly, I just found that Formspring is shutting down. The last day to post questions is March 31. Will this have a huge effect on your website? How will we post questions when Formspring shuts down?

Yes, they are shutting down. They had a good run, and were very helpful to me :-(
You will still be able to ask questions with a similar set-up... at the same spot on the blog.
I'll make the switch from Formspring during the last days of March.  I'm hanging on with them until their last breath.... Sigh!
RIP Formspring.

Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

In CreoleLingo - "ansyen" is listed with the definition of "old" and "ancient" can it also mean "former" or "previous"?

Yes, definitely.
It can translate former, previous, ex
as in
1.
ansyen mennaj mwen
my ex-boyfriend
my ex-girlfriend

ansyen madanm
ex-wife

ansyen mari
ansye mouche
ex-husband, ex-partner

2.
ansyen prezidan Bill Clinton
former president Bill Clinton

3.
Ansyen prezidan René Préval ap vizite lekòl la jodi a.
Former president René Préval will visit the school today.

4.
Mwen renmen nouvo òdinatè yo fèk enstale nan lab la.  Ki sa yo fè ak ansyen yo?
I like the new computers they just installed in the lab.  What did they do with the previous ones?

Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Si ou ta fè konesans yon granmoun ki pa konn pale franse. Eske sa fe yon diferans siw tutoyer oubyen voudoyer li piske li pa konprann sa w'ap di l la?

W'ap fè m grate tèt mwen :)
Ki kalite kesyon ranje sa a :) M sipoze si granmoun nan Ayiti se Kreyòl w'ap pale avè l. Li pa posib pou ni titwaye ni voudwaye an Kreyòl. Sa pa egziste nan lang nou an.

Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words