Does the English word grace translate to favè in Haitian Creole?

Yes it could.

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

Hello Mandalay, Can you explain the usage of "La" in creole, specifically when referring to certain greetings or situations. For example "Kouman w ye la?" Why would the la? be added there? there are also similar situations where the la would be added. Thanks for your help!

Yes you will find that we use them especially when asking questions. In these instances 'la' is used as an adverb. Though it may represent there, at this time, at the moment, or right now there should be no attempt to translate it.  Those meanings are just implied.

Kouman ou ye la? - How are you?
Poukisa w ap fatige kò w la? - Why are you worrying?
Sa w ap di la? - What are you saying?
Poukisa w ap fè tout bagay sa yo la? - Why are you doing all this?
Kisa w vle di la? - What do you mean?
Kounye a la ou pa respekte m ankò? - What now, you don't respect me anymore?
Kisa nou dwe fè la? - What should we do now?

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Is the Creole word for rape 'kadejak' derived from Cadet Jacques, the lecherous character from Justin Lhérisson's Zoune chez sa ninnaine?

Wi, ou kòrèk. Mo kadejak la vin sinonim ak vyòl gras a woman Misye Justin Lhérisson an.

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

What is the definition of the word "sanse" and how do you use it in a sentence?

sanse - to be expected to, intended to
also
sanse - on the verge of, practically

Nou te an reta pou reyinyon an. Nou te sanse ale ak Jeep la, men l te pran pàn.
We were late for the meeting. We intended to use the Jeep, but it broke down.


Nou swete w byenveni nan òganizasyon nou an. Kounye a nou sanse fanmi w. Ou mèt konsidere nou kòm fanmi.
We welcome you to our organization. Now we are practically family. You may think of us like family.

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What's the meaning of the word kelkonk? And some examples

kèlkonk - any or whatever
It is used to describe an unspecific person or thing

yon moun kèlkonk - someone, anyone, whatever person
yon bagay kèlkonk - something, anything

Sipoze mwen ta ofri ou yon sèvis kèlkonk, konbyen ou ta peye m?
Suppose I would offer you any service, how much would you pay me?

Sipoze mwen ta mande yon moun kèlkonk pou vin chita devan, kilès nan nou ki ta ofri tèt li?
Suppose I would ask anyone to come sit in the front, which one of you would volunteer?

Fò w ta ban mwen yon bagay kèlkonk kòm avalwa.
You must give me something as down payment.

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

Hi Mandaly, what is a good definition of the word mawozo?

Mawozo - unskilled, inexperienced, wet behind the ears

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What is the definition of the word "manniganse"?

manniganse or fè mannigans - to work out a plan (could be a devious plan), to scheme, to use devious tactics in order to get results

Se pa de mannigans Manno pa fè non pou l jwenn pèmi sa a.
Manno pulled a lot of strings to get this permit.

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

what is exactly meant by 'tout bon', with examples please.thanks

tout bon - true, for good, for real
We use it to say that something is true, something is a fact

Se tout bon. - It's true.
Èske se tout bon? - Is it true?

Èske se tout bon ou te rankontre ak vedèt Beyonce nan yon restoran?
Is it true that you met superstar Beyonce at a restaurant?

Tout bon? - Really?

We also say: pou tout bon

Se pou tout bon wi. - It's true. / It's for real.

Lè m te di w ke m t ap kite w la, se te pou tout bon wi.
When I told you that I was going to leave you, it was for real.
When I told you that I was going to leave you, I meant it.

Li fache tout bon wi. or Li fache pou tout bon.

She is angry for real.

She's really angry.

Mwen renmen w tout bon.

I love you for real.

I really love you.

Se pa manti m ap fè non, se bagay tout bon m ap pale w.
It's not a lie that I'm making, it's something for real I am telling you.
I'm not lying, I'm telling you the truth.

Se pa espre l ap fè non, se tout bon li pa ka mache.
He's not pretending, he truly can't walk.


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

Hello Mandaly, Do you know where I could take Haitian language classes in NYC? I worked in Haiti for 3 months and learned very basic sentences. Love your blog! Thanks,

Community colleges and universities in the area do offer conversational Creole classes. There are other online organizations offering classes where you'll have a much more personal experience and interaction with native speakers, in groups, or one on one. I have had experiences with Haitihub.com, and love their work. Good luck.

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

Hello Mandaly, What is the creole translation(s) for "stage" and "stage fright"?

Hello Mandaly,

What is the creole translation(s) for "stage" and "stage fright"?

1. "The president will be on stage to discuss the healthcare and immigration issues."

2. "The little boy began to have stage fright when he got on the stage in front of a large group of people."

3. "The stage at the university auditorium can house 300 people."

stage - podyòm, sèn, estad
stage fright - trak

This is how I would translate the examples that you gave me:

1. Prezidan an va sou podyòm nan pou diskite pwoblèm lasante ak imigrasyon.
2. Ti gason an te koumanse genyen lafreyè lè te moute sou podyòm nan devan gran foul moun yo.
3. Podyòm sal inivèsite a kapab kenbe twasan (300) moun.

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Is the word "joumou" translated as "pumpkin" like "sitwouy" and "potiwon" or is it only translated as "pumpkin" when it is paired up with soup like "soup joumou"?

Joumou is the Creole word for all types of 'squash'. The word joumou is not only associated with the soup.

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

How is the imperative formulated in creole with "to be" verbs followed by adjective and/or reflexive?

You asked:
How is the imperative formulated in creole with "to be" verbs followed by adjective and/or reflexive?

"Be good!"
"Be kind!"
"Be courageous!"
"Be vigilant/cautious!"
"Be intelligent/smart!"
"Be yourself!"

Does the past imperative exist in creole?

"Be up at six o'clock in the morning."
"Have this report done by 6 in the evening."
"Have this room clean when I get back home."

What is the grammar structure for imperative in the first and third person in creole?

"May he/she rest in peace."
"May god bless you."
"May you/ he/she/they be blessed."

I know that "annou" translates the third person imperative as a command, but what about expressing the imperative in the third person and other persons as a permission? Can "annou" express request or permission as well?

"Let/make us leave."
"Let/allow them in."
"Let/allow us see the album."


Note that some of the examples are my own and the others are taken from various grammar sources.

Mandaly says:
Thanks for your question. 
When it comes to translating in English, sometimes it's best not to try to have a word for word translation. Sometimes the English language uses the verb to be, but the Creole translates does not use the same sentence structure.
Think Creole :)

"Be good!" - 
Konpòte w byen!
Se pou w konpòte w byen!
Fè moun debyen!
Se pou w fè moun debyen!

"Be kind!"
Se pou w janti!

"Be courageous!"
Se pou w brave!
Se pou w gen kouraj!

"Be vigilant/cautious!"
Se pou w veyatif!
Se pou w fè atansyon!
Se pou w rete sou piga w!

"Be intelligent/smart!"
Louvri je w!
Pa fè sòt!

"Be yourself!"
Rete jan w ye a!
Pa chanje!
________

"Be up at six o'clock in the morning."
Leve a sizè nan maten.
Se pou leve a sizè nan maten.

"Have this report done by 6 in the evening."
Pare rapò sa a anvan sizè diswa.

"Have this room clean when I get back home."
Se pou w netwaye chanm sa anvan m tounen.
or 
Se pou w fin netwaye chanm nan distans pou m tounen.
_____

"May he/she rest in peace."
Repoze an pè.
Se pou l repoze an pè.
Ke li repoze an pè.

"May god bless you."
Ke Bondye beni w.
Se pou Bondye beni w.

"May you/ he/she/they be blessed."
Se pou ou/li/yo beni.


For permission you may see "kite" or "pèmèt or penmèt"

Let them in.
Kite yo rantre.

allow me to see ...
kite m wè
or
penmèt mwen wè


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

I need English/Creole of common hymns for Haitians that are worshiping with us. Where can I buy it or download it (webpage) Thanks.

Most Haitian churches use a set of books that is attached with the Chants D'Esperance for worship in church. Try to find out which book they use.

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

How do you say in creole "What's the maximum/minimum amount"/"What's the most...."

What's the maximum amount
Ki kantite maksimòm
Ki pi plis/gwo
.... sometimes we say 'o maksimòm'

What's the maximum quatity I can order?
Ki kantite maksimòm ke mwen kapab kòmande?
Konbyen mwen kapab kòmande o maksimòm?

What's the maximum amount of money I can send?
Konbyen kòb mwen kapab voye o maksimòm?
Ki pi gwo montan lajan mwen kapab voye?

What's the minimum amount of calories do I need per day?
Konbyen kalori mwen bezwen pa jou o minimòm?
Ki pi piti kantite kalori mwen bezwen pa jou?




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

Mandaly, what is 'tonbe pip'? what is that word 'pip'

There's really no translation for that word 'pip' in the idiom 'tonbe pip', except perhaps the thump noise that's made once you fall.

tonbe pip - to fall like a log

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