Telling Time

Some numbers in Haitian Creole: The best way to learn numbers in Haitian Creole is to memorize them.

Audio/video link for learning numbers: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-CSoSvu3P24

Other links for telling time:  Telling Time

Link to download audio for learning numbers:  http://limanecasimi.audioacrobat.com/download/a723b319-525a-d1cb-6aa0-ffe5f4de37a5.mp3



En(1),  de(2), twa(3), kat(4), senk(5), sis(6), sèt(7), uit(8), nèf(9), dis(10), onz(11), douz(12), trèz(13), katòz(14), kenz(15), sèz(16), disèt(17), dizuit(18), diznèf(19), ven(20), trant(30), karant(40), senkant(50), san(100), desan(200), twasan(300), katsan(400), senksan(500), mil(1000), de mil(2000), twa mil (3000), kat mil (4000), senk mil (5000)
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hour - lè,  è 

hour (number of) - èdtan 

o’clock - è

minute - minit

second (time) - segond

morning  - maten

afternoon - apre midi

day - jounen, jou

night - aswè, swa

noon - midi

midnight - minwi

On time - alè

late - anreta

early - bonè

:15-minute mark after the hour - enka

:30-minute mark after the hour - e demi or edmi

:45-minute mark after the hour - twaka

:45-minute mark to the hour - mwenka
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telling time equals = number + è.  Examples:

It's 11 o'clock - Li onzè.

It's 12 o'clock - Li fè douzè

It's about 3 o'clock - Li fè twazè

Come at about 1 o'clock - Vini vè  inè

Come at 7 o'clock - Vini a setè

We'll be done at around 5 o'clock - N'ap fini bò zòn senkè
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Telling time with minutes equals = number + è + minutes.  Examples:

11:03 - onzè twa  (or) onzè twa minit

6:10 - sizè dis  (or) sizè di minit

5: 30 - senkè trant (or)

5:30 - senkè edmi  (*we also say 'edmi' for the :30-minute mark.  example coming next:)

1: 30 - inè e demi (means 'one and a half hour')

2:45 - dezè karant senk  (or)

2:45 - dezè twaka (we also say 'twaka' for the :45-minute mark)

4:15 - katrè kenz (or)

4:15 - katrè enka ("enka" translates the :15-minute mark)

6:00 in the morning - sizè dimaten

7:12 in the evening - setè douz di swa

3:00 in the afternoon - twazè nan apremidi
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Early, Late, and On Time

It's early - Li bonè.

It's too early. - Li twò bonè.

It's late. - Li ta.

It's too late. - Li twò ta.

Come early. - Vini bonè.

Come on time. - Vini alè.

Don't come late. - Pa vini an reta.

Don't be late. - Pa vini an reta.

Sorry, I'm late. - Eskize m paske m anreta.

It's past 2 o'clock. - Li depase dezè.

It's way past 10 p.m. Where were you? - Li depase dizè di swa. Kote ou te ye?

Klas mwen kòmanse a witè.
Li depase witè kounye a.
Mwen anreta!

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Let's practice a little.  Using the list of numbers above, write the following times in Haitian Creole.

1.  8 o'clock
2. 10 o'clock
3. 2 o'clock
4. 3:15
5. 1:20
6. 11:45
7. 7:30
8. 12:00 AM
9. 12:03 PM
10. 9:00 in the evening
11. You are late today.
12. It's past 11 o'clock.
13. Don't be too early!
Answers provided at the bottom of this page. Scroll down.







1.witè,    2.dizè,    3.dezè,   4.twazè kenz,    5.inè ven,    6.onzè karant senk or onzè twaka,    7.setè edmi,    8.minwi,    9.midi twa,    10.nevè diswa    11. Ou anreta jodi a.    12. Li depase onzè.    13. Pa vini twò bonè!

Exercise 23 - Answers to Exercise 22

Salut! I hope you guessed all the words correctly in exercise 22. Were you able to come up with some sentences. E-mail them to me if you wish Or find a Haitian friend to look them over. Thanks and Good day.

1. Yon ban (a bench)

2. Yon tas (a cup)

3. Yon fig (a banana)

4. Repete (repeat)

5. Yon rout (a road)

6. Yon zwazo (a bird)

7. Yon bann moun or yon foul moun (a crowd)

8. Yon lekòl (a school)

9. Lajan (money)

10. Retire (take away)

Lesson 22 - Krik? Krak! Guessing Game.

In Haiti, we have this guessing game called "krik? krak!".
A storyteller will say "Krik?" to a group of people, and if you're gamed to guess the riddle, then you'll answer, "Krak!". The storyteller will then give you a riddle and you have to yell out the answer if you guessed it.
Click here to learn some Haitian Krik Krak riddles.

Please guess the creole word from the following definitions. Then use that word in a sentence (a creole sentence of course!)

1. Krik? Krak! A long, narrow seat for several people, usually made of wood. _____________

2. Krik? krak! A small container for holding liquids, often with a handle. ______________

3. Krik? krak! A tropical fruit that is long, curved, and yellow. _______________

4. Krik? Krak! To say or do something again. ____________

5. Krik? Krak! A wide path with a smooth surface on which vehicles or people travel. ______________

6. Krik? Krak! A warm-blooded creature with two legs, wings, feathers, and a beak. ________________

7. Krik? krak! A lot of people packed together. _________

8. Krik? krak! A place where people go to be taught. _______

9. Krik? krak! Coins or bills that people use to buy things. ___________

10. Krik? Krak! To take something off or away. ___________

Find the answers in the next blog as always. Thanks!

Exercise 21- Answers to Exercise 20

Hello once again. In Exercise 20, you were to convert these following sentences in to negative then translate. Here are your answers.

1. Chita sou ban sa.
Pa chita sou ban sa.
Do not sit on this bench.

2. Kenbe kle sa pou mwen.
Pa kenbe kle sa pou mwen.
Don't hold on to this key for me.

3. Mwen fè egzèsis chak jou.
Mwen pa fè egzèsis chak jou.
I do not exercise every day.

4. Nou pral vote demen maten.
Nou pa pral vote demen maten.
We will not go to vote tomorrow morning.

5. Gen twa liv sou tab la.
Pa gen twa liv sou tab la.
There aren't three books on the table.

6. Polis la chire papye a.
Polis la pa chire papye a.
The police officer do not tear the paper.

7. Misye a te siyen chèk la.
Misye a pa te siyen chèl la.
The man did not sign the check.
Also :),

Translate the following sentences to Haitian Creole. ("May the force be with you!")

(Answers!)
1. She did not understand a word I said.
Li pat konprann yon mo mwen te di. or
Li pa te konprann yon mo mwen te di.

2. The people will not move away from the gate.
Moun yo pap soti devan baryè a.
Moun yo pap pral soti devan baryè a.
3. There's no difference between big and large.
Pa gen diferans ant gwo ak laj.

4. There was no one on the phone.
Pat gen pèsòn nan telefòn nan. or
Pa te gen pèsòn nan telefòn nan.
5. There will not be any dancing tonight.
Pap gen danse aswè a. or
Pa pral gen danse aswè a.

I truly hope you did well!

Exercise 20 - Let's review NEGATIVE SENTENCES

Negative sentences! Yay!!!

Your mission: Convert these sentences to the negative, then translate the resulting sentence.

1. Chita sou ban sa.

2. Kenbe kle sa pou mwen.

3. Mwen fè egzèsis chak jou.

4. Nou pral vote demen maten.

5. Gen twa liv sou tab la.

6. Polis la chire papye a.

7. Misye a te siyen chèk la.

Also :),

Translate the following sentences to Haitian Creole. ("May the force be with you!")

1. She did not understand a word I said.

2. The people will not move away from the gate.

3. There's no difference between big and large.

4. There was no one on the phone.

5. There will not be any dancing tonight.

Exercise 19 - Answers to Exercises 18

Here are the answers for the exercises to previous blog.

1. Madanm sa-a genyen yon bel bag nan dwèt li.
Eske Madanm sa-a genyen yon bèl bag nan dwèt li?
Does this lady have a pretty ring on her finger?

2. Chyen sa yo tap jape tout nan nwit.
Eske chyen sa yo tap jape tout nan nwit?
Were the dogs barking all night?

3. Alex bwè dlo a nan yon sèl glòt!
Eske Alex bwè dlo a nan yon sèl glòt?
Did Alex drink the water in just one gulp?

4. Ti fi a pral marye demen.
Eske ti fi a pral marye demen?
Will the girl get married tomorrow?


5. Genyen lekòl jodi a.
Eske genyen lekòl jodi a?
Is there school today?

6. Ti pitit la chante tankou yon ti zwazo.
Eske ti pitit la chante tankou yon ti zwazo?
Does the child sing like a bird?

7. Tout "Cowboy" soti Texas.
Eske tout "Cowboy" soti Texas?
Do all Cowboys come from Texas?

8. Yo di anpil mizisyen ap mouri pòv.
Eske yo di anpill mizisyen ap mouri pòv?
Do they say that a lot of musicians will die poor?

9. Gwo anvlòp sa se pou ou.
Eske gwo anvlòp sa se pou ou?
Is this big envelop yours?

10. Egzèsis sa te fasil!
Eske egzèsis sa te fasil?
Was this exercise easy?

Thanks.

Exercise 18 - Asking "yes" and "no" Questions

To ask a 'yes' or 'no' question in Haitian Creole, place "Eske" in front of your sentence.
Review lesson 25 before doing this exercise
http://sweetcoconuts.blogspot.com/2010/03/lesson-25-asking-yes-and-no-questions.html
Example:
1.
li marye - he's married
eske li marye - is he married

2.
frèz yo mi -  the strawberries are ripe
eske frèz yo mi? - are the strawberries ripe?

3.
pye bwa a tonbe - the tree fell
eske pye bwa a tonbe? - did the tree fall?

4.
ou kontan - you're happy
eske ou kontan? - are you happy?

5.
chyen yo ap jape - the dogs are barking.
eske chyen yo ap jape? - are the dogs barking?
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Let's practice!

CHANGE THE FOLLOWING SENTENCES INTO YES OR NO QUESTIONS,
THEN TRANSLATE THE RESULTING SENTENCE.

1. Madanm sa-a genyen yon bel bag nan dwèt li.

2. Chyen sa yo tap jape tout nan nwit.

3. Alex bwè dlo a nan yon sèl glòt!

4. Ti fi a pral marye demen.

5. Genyen lekòl jodia.

6. Ti pitit la chante tankou yon ti zwazo.

7. Tout "Cowboy" soti Texas.

8. Yo di anpil mizisyen ap mouri pòv.

9. Gwo anvlòp sa se pou ou.

10. Egzèsis sa te fasil!

Exercise 17 - answers to Exercise 16

Translate in Haitian Creole.

1. Lulu forgot her suitcases.
Answer: Lulu bliye valiz li yo. OR Lulu te bliye valiz li yo.


2. Nènè went to town yesterday.
Answer: Nènè te ale lavil yè.

3. Journalists swarmed over her like flies.
Answer: Jounalis te tonbe sou li tankou mouch.

4. I saw you on top of the roof last night.
Answer: Mwen te wè ou sou tèt kay la yè swa.

5. The repairman fixed the leaky faucet.
Answer: Bòs la te repare tiyo a.

Translate in English.

6. Nou pa te patisipe nan kominyon an maten an.
Answser: We did not participate in the communion this morning.

7. Nou mete tout valiz yo sou kamyonèt la.
Answer: We put all the bags in the "little pick-up".

8. Li pase tout nwit la ap pale nan telefòn.
Answer: He/She spent the whole night talking on the phone.

9. Nou netwaye tout kay la nan de minit.
Answer: We cleaned the whole house in two minutes.

10. Nou tale nan makèt maten an. Nou achte anpil manje.
Answer: We went to the market this morning. We bought a lot of food.

Exercise 16 - Past tense

Thank you to everyone who continue to learn this exciting language!
Review the lesson on past tense before doing this exercise.
http://sweetcoconuts.blogspot.com/2010/03/lesson-22-past-tense.html

Translate in Haitian Creole.

1. Lulu forgot her suitcases.

2. Nènè went to town yesterday.

3. Journalists swarmed over her like flies.

4. I saw you on top of the roof last night.

5. The repairman fixed the leaky faucet.

Translate in English.

6. Nou pa te patisipe nan kominyon an maten an.

7. Nou mete tout valiz yo sou kamyonèt la.

8. Li pase tout nwit la ap pale nan telefòn.

9. Nou netwaye tout kay la nan de minit.

10. Nou tale nan makèt maten an. Nou achte anpil manje.

Exercise 15 - Answers to Exercise 13

1. Li New York.

2. Nou Canada.

3. Yo Miami.

4. Mwen Mexico.

5. Mwen an Haiti.

6. Map ekri.

7. Lizette ap chante.

8. Yap danse.

9. Nap chante yon chante.

10. Profesè a ap pale ak tifi a.

11. Sa se pa yon chat. Sa se yon chyen.

12. Li gen karant tan.

13. Vera gen swasant tan.

14. Mwen gen senkan.

15. Ti bebe a gen en nan.

16. Chyen sa a gen dezan jodi a.

17. Gen yon tas anba kabann sa.

18. Gen yon legliz sou katye sa.

19. Gen anpil machin nan pakin sa..

20. Gen twòp moun la.

Exercise 14 - Answers to exercise 12

Answers to "Review of the definite articles an and nan."

1. misyon an

2. avyon an

3. Pon an

4. soutyen an

5. televizyon an

6. sosison an

7. viann nan

8. volan an

9. telefòn nan

10. abitan an

11. move tan an

12. pwatann nan

13. wonn nan

14. deklarasyon an

15. machann nan

Exercise 13 - Translating sentences with the verb to be

The following sentences are made with the verb to be. Please translate them in Haitian Creole.

1. He is in New York.

2. we are in Canada.

3. They are in Miami.

4. I am in Mexico.

5. I am in Haiti.

6. I am writing.

7. Lizette is singing.

8. They are dancing

9. we are singing a song.

10. The teacher is talking to the girl.

11. That is not a cat. That's a dog.

12. He is 40 years old.

13. Vera is 60 years old.

14. I am 5 years old

15. The baby is one year old.

16. That dog is two years old today.

17. There is a cup under this bed.

18. There is a church on this block.

19. There are many cars in this parking lot.

20. There are too many people here.

Good luck!

Exercise 12 - More review for the definite article

Review of the definite articles an and nan.

1. (mission)misyon

2. (airplane)avyon

3. (bridge)Pon

4. (bra)soutyen

5. (TV)televizyon

6. (sausage)sosison

7. (meat)viann

8. (wheel)volan

9. (phone)telefòn

10. (villager)abitan

11. (bad weather) move tan

12. (green beans) pwatann

13. (circle) wonn

14. (declaration) deklarasyon

15. (seller)machann

You'll find answers Exercise 14.
Check out your progress. Take a test on the Definite Articles
http://hosted.onlinetesting.net/HaitianCreole/login.pl

Exercise 11 - Answers to exercies in 10

Answers to exercise 10
1. kanape a
2. moto a
3. jenjanm nan
4. valiz la
5. dra a
6. kiyè a
7. kretyen an
8. jwèt la
9. fèy la
10. nanm nan
11. pant lan
12. nimewo a
13. fant lan
14. pòt la
15. moun nan
16. nannan an
17. mayi a
18. prezidan an
19. chato a
20. vizyon an

Exercise 10 - Reviewing the definite article / And answer to exercise 9

Before continuing on to the definite articles. here are the answers to exercise 9.

***In response to the question about what role the definite articles play when using possessive adjectives - Sometimes Haitian Creole speakers do drop the definite article. You will see it mostly when they use it with demontratives (this is, that is, these are, those are).

Example: This is my pencil - Sa se kreyon mwen. (Although it's perfectly fine to say Sa se kreyon mwen an).

1. Chanm mwen gen yon kabann ak twa chèz.     (Or you can also say:)
1. Chanm mwen an gen yon kabann ak twa chèz.

2. Tonton mwen gen de ti moun.

3. Sa se ti gason mwen. Li gen yon ti machin.   (Or you can also say:)
3. Sa se ti gason mwen an. Li gen yon ti machin.

4. Sa se kay mwen. Li gen kat chanm. (Or you can also say:)
4. Sa se kay mwen an. Li gen kat chanm.

5. Paula se vwazen mwen. Li se yon doktè.

6. Mwen gen twa ti liv, yon chapo,ak de mayo.

7. Al chita la.

8. Kanpe isi.

9. Sa se yon gwo pye bwa.

10. Nou se Ameriken.

Hope you did well here.
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Good news! I have posted a video lesson on the singular definite article. Look to the left column of the screen in the Audio/Video section and choose the Singular Definite Article parts 1, 2, 3, and 4. Hope it helps.
A lot of you wanted to review the definite articles.
Hope these exercises will help. (you'll find more on the definite article in LESSON 8)

A. Answer this question: In Haitian Creole, does the definite article follow or precede the noun?

B. Provide the correct definite article for the following words. Good luck!

1. (sofa)/kanape

2. (motorcycle)/moto

3. (ginger)/jenjanm

4. (bag)/valiz

5. (bedsheet)/dra

6. (spoon)/kiyè

7. (christian)/kretyen

8. (toy)/jwèt

9. (leaf)/fèy

10. (soul)/nanm

11. (edge)/pant

12. (number)/nimewo

13. (crease)/fant

14. (door)/pòt

15. (person)/moun

16. (nucleus)/nannan

17. (corn)/mayi

18. (president)/prezidan

19. (castle)/chato

20. (vision)/vizyon

Find answers for 1-20 in next blog (exercise 11).  Thanks :)
Check out your progress.  ake a test on the Definite Articles:
http://hosted.onlinetesting.net/HaitianCreole/login.pl