Bonjou! Learn to Speak Haitian Creole

Bonjou! ...Mèsi! ...E Orevwa! Search for English or Haitian Creole words translation. Also search the whole site for expressions, idioms and grammar rules. And ask questions about the language in the ASK QUESTIONS HERE section.

Most requested translations added here for your convenience: I love you → Mwen renmen w. I miss you → Mwen sonje w. My love!Lanmou mwen!

Exercise 70 - What would you like to do?

Auxillary verb would is translated as ta in Haitian Creole.


Let’s make some sentences with:
I would like to...
M ta renmen…

Let's ask the question, "what would you like to do?"
What would you like to do? 
Kisa ou ta renmen fè?

What would you like to watch?
Kisa ou ta renmen gade?

What would you like to know? 
Kisa ou ta renmen konnen?

What would you like to say?
Kisa ou ta renmen di?

What would you like to play?
Kisa ou ta renmen jwe?

WWJD – What Would Jesus Do? 
Kisa Jezi Ta Fè?


Let's make sentences with, "I would like to..."

I would like to know the truth.
M ta renmen konnen verite a.

I would like to change my life.
M ta renmen chanje lavi m.

I would like to say I’m sorry.
M ta renmen di eskize m.

I would like to see you some time.
 M ta renmen wè ou pafwa.

I would like to taste it.
M ta renmen goute li.



Now, try a 5-questions quiz! Answers are at the bottom of this page. Translate the following sentences in Haitian Creole.

1. I would like to speak Creole.

2. I would like to understand you.

3. I would like to eat a mango.

4. I would like to go to New York.

5. I would like to know you better.

Scroll down to see answer key.










Answers: 1. M ta renmen pale Kreyòl./Mwen ta renmen pale Kreyòl. 2. M ta renmen konprann ou./Mwen ta renmen konprann ou. 3. M ta renmen manje yon mango./Mwen ta renmen manje yon mango. 4. M ta renmen ale New York./Mwen ta renmen ale New York. 5. M ta renmen konnen w pi byen./Mwen ta renmen konnen ou pi byen.

What are we eating tonight?

This audio clip is downloadable at this link:
http://limanecasimi.audioacrobat.com/download/f43fdcd9-b973-f5d9-51d7-748f0c09a140.mp3
_______________
Click on the play button.  Then listen and follow along.



Bonjou mezanmi!Hello friends!

1.Kisa n ap manje aswè a?
What are we eating tonight?


2.Kisa ou ta renmen manje?
What would you like to eat?

3.Kisa ou ta renmen bwè?
What would you like to drink?

Mwen ta renmen... - I would like...

4.M ta renmen yon tas kafe
I would like a cup of coffee.

5.M ta renmen yon tas te.
I would like a cup of tea.

6.M ta renmen yon ti dlo, silvouplè.
I would like some water, please.

7.M ta renmen yon kola, silvouplè.
I would like a soda, please.

Eske ou genyen...? - Do you have...?

8. Kisa ou genyen?
What do you have?

9.Eske ou gen sandwich?
Do you have any sandwiches?

10.Eske ou gen pwason?
Do you have fish?

11.Eske ou gen soup?
Do you have any soup?

12.Eske ou gen poul?
Do you have any chicken?

Ban m... - Give me...

13.Ban m yon salad, silvouplè .
Give me a salad, please.

14. Ban m nenpòt sa ou genyen.
Give me whatever you have.

15.Ban mwen yon sandwich avèk yon byè.
I’ll have a sandwich and a beer.

Li twò... - It's too...
16 .Li twò pike.
It’s too spicy.

17. Li twò sikre.
It’s too sweet.

18.Li twò sale.
 It’s too salty.

19.Li bon.
It’s just right.

20. Li gou.
It tastes good.

21. Li gen bon gou.
It tastes good.

Enben, se tout pou jodi a - Well, that's all for today.
Mèsi e bon apeti! - Thank you, and bon apetit!

Track: Lucie

Just in time, i would like to go to bed. creole translation.

I would like to go to bed. - M ta renmen al kouche.
I would like to go to sleep. - M ta renmen al dòmi.

This is it. my question is how long have you lived in the USA?

Since President Aristid's reign :)

nou la

nou la - we're here.
"Nou la." is often a response to the question: "Sa'k pase?"

nou led

nou lèd - we're ugly

Ask me anything

whats up?

Ask in Creole.

Ask me anything

I will not be here, if it weren't for you guys, i want to thank you.

I would not be here if it weren't for you guys. - Mwen pa ta la, si se pat pou nou.
I want to thank you - m vle remèsye ou.

Commemoration, empowerment, encouragement, creole translation.

commemoration - komemorasyon
encouragement - ankourajman
empowerment - agrandisman, otorizasyon, manajman

sorry

dezole

Ask me anything

how do you take that.. it has been a great journey. and hope i'll see you soon. thank you.

It's has been a great journey - Sa se te yon gran *esperyans.

And I hope I'll see you soon - E mwen espere wè ou trè byento.

thank you - mèsi.

Journey can be translated into:
trip - vwayaj
experience - esperyans
passage - moman

i think there have been improved on my creole, it should more but i think it' has improved. thank you.

Wonderful! You can make even more improvement by connecting with Creole speakers, participate in Creole speaking groups or activities, and get acquainted with the Haitian Creole media.

Ask me anything

bonjou madam koman ou ye

Bonjou zanmi, sak pase?

Ask me anything

Thank you. I am actually trying to learn to read and write in Haitian creole on my own. ...Mwen pa kap pale kreyol bon men mwen kap tondye toute sa wap dis

Great. keep up the good work. The audio lessons might be helpful.

Ask me anything

Please, i would like a cup coffee. Hi,

Bonjou, m ta renmen yon tas kafe silvouplè.

Ask me anything

We will never forgot

Nou pap janm bliye

Do you have time table? something that tell time.

http://sweetcoconuts.blogspot.com/2010/09/telling-time.html

Ask me anything

Seriously, that's very nice.

translation?
sa seryezman de byen.

Ask me anything

HOW DO I SAY DAYS OF THE WEEK

dimanch - Sunday
lendi - Monday
madi - Tuesday
mèkredi - Wednesday
jedi - Thursday
vandredi - Friday
samdi - Saturday

Ask me anything

How do you say beautiful soul?

literal translation - bèl nanm
Haitian Creole expression - bote enteryè


When you translate beautiful soul literally in Haitian Creole, it does not hold the same meaning as in English... at least not with the same impact.

bote enteryè, which literally means 'inside beauty', translates that expression best.

Baby i need you in my life. creole translation.

literal translation - doudou, mwen bezwen ou nan lavi m.

how do you write jesus loves you i creole

Jezi renmen ou.

Ask me anything

all kind of lesson

depending on context:

-tout kalite leson
-tout jan de leson

I don't understand in Creole

m pa konprann

Ask me anything

May God bless you.

May God bless you.
Ke Bondye beni ou.

God bless you.
Bondye beni ou.

May God bless you as well!
Se pou Bondye beni ou tou!

How exactly is the 'r' pronounced? Is it similar to the french 'r,' just not as rolled?

Yes. you're right. It's like the french 'r'. Slightly guttural.
Check out the audio clips in Lesson 1 and 3.

How do you say, In the Name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit...Amen

Nan non Papa a, pitit la, ak sentespri a... amèn.

Ask me anything

hats off

hats off - chapo ba, ochan, konpliman, felistasyon

how do u say God is Good in creole

God id good - Bondye bon.
it's an expression.

proper way to write in kreyol? besides just writing by ear lls?

Learn the language grammar.

Browse your Haitian Creole dictionary every day.

Write 15 short stories for Haitian children in Haiti. Make a booklet out of it. Illustrate it if you can. Make two copies. Keep one and send one to Haiti via a missionary.

And, commit to writing one sentence per day in your Haitian Creole diary :)

Ask me anything

Ok. first quarter, second quarter, third quarter, fourth quarter.

first quarter - premye mitan
second quarter - dezyèm mitan
third - twazyèm...
(that is if we're talking about a game like soccer)

Ask me anything

Ok. first place, second place, third place, fourth place.......

first place - premye plas
second place - dezyèm plas
third place - twazyèm plas
fourth - katriyèm
fifth - senkyèm
sixth - sizyèm
seventh - setyèm
eighth - wityèm
ninth - nevyèm
tenth - dizyèm

Ask me anything

how do you say: what's new, brother? (not necessarily talking to a brother)

(Haitian Creole word for brother is frè. You may use it to mean family or a good friend. It carries the same meaning as in the English language.)

Brother → frè

My brother → frè mwen

Sa ki nouvo, frè mwen? - What's new my brother?

Sak pase, nèg mwen? - What's up, my man?

how do you say duck in creole

duck (the bird) - kanna

Ask me anything

I believe the United Stated want to dominate everything.

Well, we are a super power.
Sometimes we do invite the sidekicks to join in.
This beautiful universe does need a gatekeeper.

Ask me anything

Is this the right decision to arm rebels in Lybia.

I think the question to ask is, do the rebels get any training before they are handed their weapons. I think this one might come back to haunt us.
Can you just imagine Lybia's next government trying to institute gun control?

Ask me anything

green

vèt

Ask me anything

It's very useful, that i know, Judge Joe Brown.

Great!
(starstruck!)

Have a Happy Day

Pase yon bon jounen :)

Ask me anything

I am very interested in this website. I came across the Creole for English Speaker, specifically inside Boynton Beach Library. Thank you.

Thanks. Hope you find it useful.

Ask me anything

hi

sak pase? Ki jan jounen ou ye?

Ask me anything

For Thine the Kingdom, the Power, The Glory are yours now and forever

paske rwayòm nan, pouvwa a, ak la glwa se pou ou pou tout tan.

Ask me anything

Thank you, Well done,

mèsi, bon travay

Ask me anything

Please translate to Creole:Certificate of Appreciation is awarded to _________ for outstanding service to ________. Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

Sètifika Apresyasyon Prezante Bay
_____name of person____


Pou Sèvis Eksepsyonèl Pou
___name of organization__

Bay yon timoun prensip li dwe swiv jouk li mouri, li pap janm bliye l.

Thank you, Fraud found in Haiti elections.

That's a shame. If confirmed, that would be very unfortunate.

Ask me anything

grapefruit

grapefruit - chadèk

Please tell me how to print a note to the lawn service men not to cut the new growth on the bottom of a plant

Tanpri mesye, lè nap fè gazon an, pa koupe plant ki fèt ap boujonnen e ki fèt ap grandi anba rasin lòt plant yo. Mèsi anpil.
(the above Haitian Creole note mainly requests that they do not cut off the budding or newly growing plants)

bouji and bijou

bouji - candle
bijou - jewelry

lekol

lekòl - school

lakòl - glue

now

kounye a

Ask me anything

bezouin an, ban nou-l jodi-a

This sounds like words taken out of the The Lord's Prayer. It says literally:
Sa nou bezwen an, - that which we need,
ban nou l jodi a - give it to us today

Ask me anything

Do you find that to be true, Haiti will someday to have a trust worthy government. can we trust the officials elected.

I think it'll happen as the older generation dies off and more Haitians that are educated abroad start to infiltrate Haiti's political arena.
By the way, there's no such things as an honest politician.  I think it's about who can play the game best.

sexy creole

yeah, that's right!

R U A Fanm De Dye?

jiska la mò!, total kapital, 100% :)

Ask me anything

how to ask "do you have any allergies"

do you have any allergies? - eske ou fè alèji?

eat

eat (v.)- manje
food (n.) - manje

how do you say health history

health history - tout enfòmasyon medikal

how do you say Frog?

frog - krapo

Ask me anything

how to say why are you here today in Haitian

why are you here today? - pouki sa ou la jodi a?

why have you come here today? - pouki sa ou vini la jodi a?
If that question is aimed at a group of people, you will then change the "ou" to "nou" as shown here:
pouki sa nou vini la jodi a?

thank you

How do you say thank you in Haitian Creole :)

to thank (v.) - remèsye, di mèsi
example:  I thank you - m remèsye w (or)
                  I thank you - m di ou mèsi

a thank you (n.) - remèsiman
example: I give you a great thank you for you help - m ba ou yon gran remèsiman pou èd ou.

 thank God (expression) - gras a Dye
example: I am fine, thank God! - m byen gras a Dye!

 
thanks to... - gras a...
example:  I am here thanks to you - m la gras a ou.

and,

thank you very much! - mèsi anpil!

I believe progress are been made Haiti. and that i am confident the next noon to be president-will create jobs, provide secutity, and move people out of the tents city.

Progress is slow. The next president will not have that much power. But a 'tèt ansanm' will move the country more steadily towards that goal.

Ask me anything

how you spell in creol man of god

man of God - òm de Dye (classic way of saying it)
man of God - nèg Bondye
man of God (chosen by God) - nèg chwazi
child of God - pitit Bondye

it's not even about you. creole translation.

Sa pa menm gen anyen pou wè avèk ou.

Ask me anything

how to write welcome letter in creole

First write the welcoming letter in your own language.
Express a positive reception. Invite your guest to see the surroundings. keep it short and to the point.
Then translate the letter in Creole.
If you have the letter in English, I'll be able to translate it for you.
But you'll have to send it via my e-mail.   Thanks.

Here's a link to a few examples of greetings that might go at the beginning of a letter

Shouldn't the person name printed on the check, creole translation.

English: Shouldn't the name of the check owner be printed on the check itself?
Haitian Creole: Eske non mèt chèk la pa ta dwe enprime sou chèk la?

Rephrasing the above sentence,

English:  The name of the check owner should be printed onto the check.
Haitian Creole:  Non mèt chèk la ta dwe enprime sou chèk la.
Ask me anything

what is the name of the haitian languig

Official language - Haitian Creole (newly made official)
National language - French

if you ask me

if you ask me - si ou mande mwen

if you ask me - si w mande m (contracted form of the above Creole sentence.  Mostly used form)

chicrobe

Not a Haitian Creole word

no public restrooms thank you

Pa gen twalèt piblik, mèsi
there's no public restrooms, thank you


Nou pa gen twalèt piblik, mèsi
we do not have public restrooms, thank you
also,

Pa gen lavabo piblik, mèsi
there's no public restrooms, mèsi


Nou pa gen lavabo piblik, mèsi 
we do not have public restrooms, thank you


We have limited bandwidth here and I was looking for another option to listen to your recordings. I can upload them free after 12 midnight to 4am but don't know how to save them for later listening.

I think I could choose a downloadable option when I publish my recordings. I'll see about making them downloadable. Check back later. ...way later tonight :)

Ask me anything

do you have audio material for sale?

No. What are you looking for. If it's not too extensive I might be able to upload it for you.

Ask me anything

see

Greetings and Introduction

This audio clip can be downloaded here:
http://limanecasimi.audioacrobat.com/download/4871fef8-26be-1541-cbe6-46285311dd47.mp3

Click on the play button, listen and follow along.
1. Bonjou! - good morning!
2. Bonswa! - good afternoon, good evening!
3. Allo! - hi, hello!
4. Salut! - hi, hello!

5. Bonjou mesye - good morning Sir, good morning Mr...
6. Bonjou madanm - good morning Man'm, good morning Mrs...
7.Bonswa matmwazèl - good evening miss
8. Bonjou ti pitit! - hello kid!
9. Mèsi - thank you
10. Padekwa - don't mention it, you're welcome

11. Silvouplè - please
12. Tanpri - please
13. Tanpri souple - please
14. Ban m yon ti dlo tanpri souple! - give me some water please!

15. Kouman ou ye? - how are you?
16. Kijan ou ye? - how are you?

17. Nou la - we're ok
18. Nou byen - we're doing well
19. Nou pa pi mal - - we're not too bad
20. Konsa konsa - we're so so

21. M rele Ursule. E ou menm kijan ou rele?
My name is Ursule. How about you, what your name?
22. M rele Jean Joseph Georges
My name is Jean Joseph Georges.

23. M kontan rekonèt ou - I'm pleased to meet you
24. Mwen menm tou - Me too

25. Na wè - we'll see you one day
26. Na wè pita - we'll see you later
27. Na wè demen - we'll see you tomorrow
28. Na wè ankò - we'll see you again

29. Orevwa - goodbye

30. Orevwa zanmi! - goodbye my friends!

Track: Fanm Peyi m by Ansy Dérose

Popular entertainer Michel Martelly is not fit to be president Haiti. He's only promoting his Last album BANDI LEGAL means HIP-HOP. Every weekened if he is president i think there's going to be parties inside Parliament.

You danm right, there will be more than "parties".

These things can only happen in Haiti: If you can wear a suit and carry a VIP card then you're fit to be president. The poor Haitian people of Haiti have been drinking water for chocolate for so long, they don't know what chocolate tastes like. But is there really a qualified Haitian in Haiti that can lead the people out of its dark hole? Is there someone in Haiti who is smart enough to know to bring in the right experts to get rid of a system that's not working and establish one that'll employ the Haitian people while restructuring and reviving this dead nation?

Though Manigat' s experienced and could bring stability, things would be same-same under her. But Martelly does stand for vigor, this present generation , and change. Would he bring the right kind of change? We don't know. But he could be the start of a new era in Haiti.

http://sweetcoconuts.blogspot.com/2011/03/tet-kale.html
http://sweetcoconuts.blogspot.com/2011/04/i-looking-at-ur-statement-you-can-wear.html
http://sweetcoconuts.blogspot.com/2011/04/bandi-legal.html
http://sweetcoconuts.blogspot.com/2011/04/mandaly-i-think-michel-martelly-is-all.html




Ask me anything

I gotta go to bed.

I gotta go to bed - Fòk mal dòmi

how are you

kijan ou ye?
kouman ou ye?
sak pase?
sa kap fèt?

small

small - ti (as an adjective, placed in front of a noun)
small - piti (as an attribute or adverb)

how do you say I care about you

I care about you - Mwen sousye m de ou
(or)
I care about you - Mwen sansib pou ou

ye

ye - auxillary of the verb 'to be'
(used most often when asking questions with the verb 'to be')

Example:

What is this? - kisa sa ye?

who are you? - kimoun ou ye?

where are you? - kote ou ye?

how are you - kijan ou ye?

I am a woman - Se yon fanm mwen ye.

how do you listen

listen - koute

listen to me - koute m

Making negative sentences (NEVER) - Part II

Click on the play button, listen and follow along.


BONJOU TOUT MOUN!HELLO EVERYONE!

Last time we made negatives sentences such as:
M pa paleI don’t speak
m pa konprann - I don't understand

Today we’ll make negatives sentences with NEVER.
Jamè - never
Janm - never

Jamè is a French word for never. In French it is written as jamais
Janm is the creole word derived from jamais.

In Haitian Creole we use both jamè and janm
Negative sentence = pa janm, or pa jamè


1. M pa konnen I don’t know
2. M pa janm konnenI never know

3. Nou pa palewe don’t talk
4. Nou pa janm pale - We never talk

5. Ou pa konprannyou don’t understand
6. Ou pa janm konprannyou never understand

7. Pa gen moun la - There’s no one here
8. Pa janm gen moun lathere’s never anyone here

9. Pa lagedon’t give up
10. Pa janm lagenever give up, don’t ever give up

Let us look at a few more examples:

11. M pa janm li I never read
12. Li pa janm travayit never works
13. M pa janm bwè I never drink
14. Li pa janm twò tait’s never too late
15. M pa janm sèlI’m never alone

16. Pa janm bliye mdon’t ever forget me
17. Pa janm lage mdon’t ever let me go
18. Pa janm pale ak bouch plennever talk with your mouth full
19. Pa janm di jamènever say never
20. Pa janm sispann souri - never stop smiling


Believe - kwè
How would you translate: I never believe


Sit downchita
How would you translate : I never sit down


.Mèsi, orevwa e pa janm sispann aprann
Thank you, goodbye and never stop learning.

Track: La machin a danse by La Compagnie Creole

get a lot of rest

get a lot of rest - al repoze

if I translate that, Katia, I like ur shape.

I like your shape - m renmen fòm ou or m renmen fòm kò w.

If you specifically want to mean sexy, you gotta phrase it differently as follow:

ou anfòm
ou byen kanpe
or
ou sexy
all three sentences above translates "you are sexy"
but you definitely cannot say, "m renmen sexy ou la."

I said Katia mwen renmen sexy ou la. how's the spelling.

incorrect: Katia mwen renmen sexy ou la
correct: Katia mwen renmen fòm ou.

I would like to have a copy the loan agreement send to me. check spelling. missing words.

Mwen ta renmen ou voye yon kopi dokiman m te siyen an ban mwen.

Ask me anything

God Loves You

God loves you = Bondye renmen w

how do say I was wondering if you are available

Mwen tap mande tèt mwen eske ou disponib.

Ask me anything

caca shey

Kaka chyen is dog poop
(is someone asking you to pick up after your dog?)

Now, assume that i want cash back. and do you have a section for Numbers.

Now - kounye a
Assume that I want cash back - Pretann ke m vle  ou remèt mwen monnen

That'll be a good sign, Well done.

That'll be a good sign - Sa va yon bon siy.

Well done - Bon travay,or Byen fè, or Ou byen fè

My Most Embarassing Moments While I Was Learning to Speak English

Bonjou, Kouman ou ye?
How are you progressing in the Haitian Creole language so far?
Have you taken a class?
Have you networked with a Creole speaking group?
Have you sent yourself messages in Creole on your phone? (I did that!)
Have you dreamed in Creole yet? (I always spoke perfect English, with no accent, in my dreams.)

Learning a new language can be quite an adventure.  When I came to the USA, I didn't understand a word of spoken English even though I had studied the language for a short while in Haiti.  One week after I landed at the Miami International Airport, I was sent to High School.  With the help of an interpreter I was told that I would start in the eleventh grade based on my school transcripts from Haiti.
That was great, I thought.  Except that I was sure whether it meant that I would be in the eleventh class, or that I would be the eleventh student.
My first year in High School in the USA was the worst year of my life.  I cried often.  I never thought this dark period would ever end.  I would not have made it out sanely if it wasn't for my piano teacher, Mr. Sunburg.  Mr, Sunburg was an older teacher who was funny, unconventional and talented.  Even though I never understood most of what he said in class, his body language communicated patience, compassion, and understanding.  He is the one who gave me the idea that people don't have to speak the same language to communicate well. 
These are some of the most embarassing moments I remember from that time:

1. When I was called upon to answer a question in class my teachers seldom understood a word I said. They’d ask me to, “speak up!”, “repeat!” and eternally wait for my answer in a quiet classroom filled with chuckles.


2. My math teacher was videotaping the class one day. When it was my turn to speak I was mortified. I couldn’t utter a word. Worse of all the whole class kept saying, “Come on girl, say something!”

3. Public transportation in Haiti is not the same as the in USA. No kidding! there are no bus stops, there are no marked buses, and there’s no button to press to stop the bus. In Haiti you yell “Psst!” to get the bus driver’s attention. So in my first months in the USA I stepped onto a Miami bus. The driver was mad at me. I now know that it was because I was fiercely waving my arm to stop the bus instead of waiting at a bus stop. When I got to my destination, I wasn’t sure how to stop the bus. So I kept going until another rider had to get down. I’m pretty sure I walked an extra six or seven blocks that day.

4. On the stairs, in school once, a boy came to my face, waving his menacing fingers at me, saying…. Something I didn’t understand. I charged at him and he ran away. I don’t know what I would’ve done if he had charged back. I don’t know how to fight. Haven’t had a catfight yet.

5. In Haiti, it is traditional to greet and kiss every grown up that comes into the house on the cheek. When I came to the USA I kept kissing the landlord every time he came to collect my mom’s payment until he told my mom to make me stop kissing him.

6. We do not have the “letter grading system” in Haiti schools. On my first day in High school I got a grade of “F” for a,  possibly,  review test. When I got my graded test back, I sat it on my desk and the girl next to me was gawking at my letter grade. She took my test from me and started passing it around  in class. I thought that was good thing. I don't think so anymore.

7. I walked into the boy’s bathroom. Worse of all, I did not even notice that it was a little bit 'different'. I just went in. I actually thought it was weird that a boy came in and stood up to pee in that “thing” on the wall.

8.  It took me a long time to confidently answer, "Here!", to roll call without breaking into a sweat and palpitation.

9.  Someone should have warned me about Halloween and saved me a day of confusion.

10.  I am grateful for all the people who have kept eye contact, and nodded, and smiled as they were trying to make sense of my broken English.

The cashier will assume i know creole, and She goes further with the conversation.

That'll be a good sign. Then you'll continue in English :). And inform cashier that you're just learning the language. Maybe you could ask cashier to teach you some Creole.

Yes, I can start a conversation with the cashier.

sure. Start with:

sak pase? - what's up?

kijan ou rele? - what's your name? (that'll be weird if cashier has a name tag) 

Ou gen yon bèl non. - you have a beautiful or unique name (if cashier has a name tag)

Kijan yo prononse non w? - How do you say your name?(if cashier has name tag)

Ki kote ou moun? - where are you from?

Ki kote ou lekòl? - which school do you go to?

(hold a veggie up and say:) Kijan ou rele sa an Kreyòl? - what do you call this vegetable in Creole?

But, before you start, make sure you enunciate your words clearly. Practice speaking with a friend to make sure that he/she can understand what you're saying.

Bòn chans - good luck!

Can i take what i learn here, and apply it at the workplace.

yes, you sure can!

Ask me anything

hello my friend

allo zanmi mwen, sak pase?

Making negative sentences (Present Tense) - Part I

This audio clip is available for download here:
 http://limanecasimi.audioacrobat.com/download/569bf65c-89f2-aee7-43f6-b67136ffc727.mp3

Click on the play button, listen and follow the text below.



Bonswa tout moun! - Good evening everyone!
 Pa - is the determiner for the Haitian Creole negative form.

1. m pa konprann - I don't understand
2. m pa konnen - I don't know
3. nou pa kapab - we cannot
4. li pa kontan - he's not happy
5. m pa pale Kreyòl twò byen - I don't speak Creole too well

there isn't / there aren't
6. pa gen lekòl jodi a - there's no school today
7. pa gen pwoblèm - there's no problem
8. pa gen moun la - there's no one there
9. pa gen anyen la - there's nothing here

imperatives
10. pa kouri - don't run
11. pa gade m - don't look at me
12. pa enkyete w - don't worry
13. pa pale twò fò - don't talk too loud
14. pa fè sa - don't do that
15. pa fache - don't be angry
16. pa fache avè m - don't be mad at me

Bonswa e orevwa - good evening and goodbye

track: Lè latè Te San Lanmou by Caribbean Gospel Mizik

do you have a lesson about telling time?

mwen

mwen - I
mwen is a subject pronoun. its contracted form is "m"
search this site for subject pronouns
Ask me anything

how do you say year

year - ane, an, zan (it depends on context)

The Haitian creole term is generally 'ane'.  But this term changes when you're using numbers.

example:
what year were you born? - ki ane ou te fèt?
this is the year 2011 - sa se ane demil onz
one year - ennan
two years - dezan
five years - senkan
one hundred years - santan
one thousand years - milan
Ask me anything

Summed it up, or rapped it up.

sum up or wrap up (v.)- rezime
which also means 'to summarize'

assignment, establish, this is useful information people in america should know about, Thanks you.

assignment - responsablite, travay, or devwa
establish - etabli

This is useful information that people in America should know -
sa se enfòmasyon itil ke tout Ameriken dwe konnen

I don't think so. Thanks You.

I don't think so - M pa panse sa.

(or)

I don't believe so - M pa kwè sa.

how do you say girl and boy in creole

girl - fi,  ti fi (literally means little woman)

ladies - medam, dam


Young woman - jenn dam, jenn ti dam, jenn fanm, jenn fi

woman - fi, fanm, madanm, dam, ti dam, kòmè, nègès


boy - gason, ti bray, ti gason (literally means little man)


Young man - jenn jan, jennnom, jenòm, jenn gason

man - gason, nèg, mesye, nonm, konpè

keep smiling always

Keep smiling always - kontinye souri tout tan.

(or, another Haitian Creole translation is:)

Pa janm sispann souri - Never stop smiling

what ekri mean

ekri - to write

Yesterday was my day OFF from work, I've gotten sick, and today i'am in Bethesda hospital seeking for treatment.

yè pandan mwen te gen konje, m tonbe malad. E Jodi a mwen lopital Bethesda, map tann tretman.

How you doing to day?

Kijan ou ye jodi a?

Ask me anything

I'm sleepy

I'm sleepy - dòmi nan je m

In the Haitian Creole expression 'dòmi nan je m' the object pronoun at the end of the sentence changes according to who is sleepy.
example:
i am sleepy - dòmi nan je m
she' sleepy - dòmi nan je l
we're sleepy - dòmi nan je n
you're sleepy - dòmi nan je w
they're sleepy - dòmi nan je yo

Another way to say 'I'm sleepy' is 'm gen dòmi'.

should be

should be - ta dwe

example:

you should be happy - ou ta dwe kontan
I should be there - m ta dwe la
the car should be red - machin nan ta dwe wouj

pronouns

RIP Liz Taylor - Repoze an Pè

RAP: Repoze an pè  - Rest in peace

kòdoleyans bay tout fanmi ak fanatik ou yo -Condolences to your family and your fans.

what does gwo jou mean?

gwo jou - big day
"gwo jou" is a significant day in your life. Days such as your wedding day, graduation day, day you met someone special, etc...
Haitian people also say, "gran jou".

What is life about?

Asking questions with what.

Kisa lavi a ye? - what is life?
De kisa lavi a ye? - what is life about?

Kisa sa ye? - what is this?
De kisa sa ye? - What is this about?

Kisa wap di? - what are you saying?
De kisa wap pale?- what are you talking about?
_____________________________________
So, what is life about?
I think life is about the quest for finding out what life is really about.  We may never find the answers in this lifetime, if we did, how else would we occupy our minds? But we do have moments of clarity about what life is certainly not about.
what do you think life's about?

Love and peace to you!

Love and peace to you! - Rete nan lanmou ak lapè!

Peace to you!

Peace to you! - Lapè avè w ! (or)

Peace to you! - Rete ak lapè!

I am thinking of you!

I am thinking of you! - Map panse ak ou!

be happy

Be happy! - Se pou kontan!

smile

smile - souri

put a smile on your face - mete yon souri sou figi w

Is it 'Bonjou' or 'Bonswa'? Which is more appropriate?

Bonjou or Bonswa?
bonjou! - good morning! (say it anytime before noon)
bonswa! - good afternoon! and good evening! (say it any time after noon up until midnight)
bònn nwi! - have a good night! ( say it to wish someone a good night)

Mesye, madanm,  or madmwazèl?
mesye - mister (title for married and unmarried men)
madanm - Mrs. (title for married women.  They are called by the last name of their husband)
madmwazèl - Miss (title for unmarried women)

Silvouplè or Tanpri?
Either one is good to use when you want to say 'please'.
Example:
Ban m yon ti dlo silvouplè  -give me some water please
Ban m yon ti dlo tanpri - give me some water please

Kijan, kouman, or kòman?
All three words mean 'how'
Use them interchangeably. 
Example:
kouman ou ye? - how are you?
kijan ou ye? - how are you?
kòman ou ye? - how are you?

ki kote, kote, or kibò?
All three words mean 'where'
Use them interchangeably.
ki kote ou ye? - where are you?
kote ou ye? - where are you?
kibò ou ye? - where are you?

ki moun, kiyès, or kilès?
All three words mean 'who'
Use them interchangeably. 
Example:
kimoun ou ye? - who are you?
kilès ou ye? - who are you?
kiyès ou ye? - who are you?

timoun, tipitit, or pitit?
all three words mean 'child'
timoun nan - the child
ti pitit la - the child
pitit la - the child

How long does it take to learn the Haitian Creole language?

How long it takes depends mainly on your reason and motivation for learning it.  And that's true for all languages.

plate

plate (a dish for food) - plat or asyèt
example:
yon plat manje - a plate of food
yon asyèt manje - a plate of food
__________________________________
plate (flat or thin piece of metal) - plak
example:
plak machin nan - the car's tag

If you won a million dollars what would you do with it?

This is never going to happen to me. So why plan on it?

Ask me anything

le maten le soley leve,se kok la mape tann chante,pou madanm pote kafe pou mwen,se le sa lape di mwen,yereswa mwen pa domi,tout lannwit la kok la ap chante,ay mwen pa kapab anko,edem kriye edem rele,kokoriko...

This looks like a lyric to a song...

"When the sun comes up in the morning, the rooster crows for my lady to bring me coffee. She says she did not sleep well last night, 'cause all night the rooster crows ----- I can't any more, help me...."

Well this is definitely a song. I wish i could hear the music though.
Don't you think roosters make the nicest alarm clocks?
I didn't mind them during my school days in Haiti, except that sometimes they'll crow all day long.  God bless them.

i tend to forget (ing) words in my sentence, is this a Haitian thing or I need to practice more.

Is this a Haitian thing?! - I don't think so.

Why are you "forgetting" these words?

Is it because you don't know where they belong?

Is it because you don't know which words to place in your sentence?

Or is it because you plainly do not know the words?

I tell you one thing, no matter what method you use to learn a new language, nothing will help you more than to practice speaking it daily with either a native or someone who knows the language very well. For it is in daily practice that your brain remembers the tone, the accent, the flavor, and the "place" of a word. So start networking, and start remembering :)

The Haitian word for lucky?

chanse, or gen chans

Ask me anything

you have my e-mail and my phone, let me know how it goes, thanks you.

Ou gen telefòn ak pòs elektronik mwen, kite m konnen jan sa pase.

thanks you, i've recieved the E-mail, the best time to contact me (is) 5pm, Monday-Friday. translation in creole.

Mèsi, m resevwa lèt la. Pi bon lè pou kontake mwen se a senkè de lendi a vandredi.

Ask me anything

I filled in papers of the fincial aid, and waiting for them to write me back.

M ranpli dokiman èd finansye yo. Map tann repons yo.

Ask me anything

Until then, I going to sit tight, i am not going to borrow a loans.

Annattandan, m pap leve dwèt fè anyen, m pap mande prete lajan.

Ask me anything

Yes, a good sentence, and it becomes easier to learn when you interact often with speakers of that language.

True. Thanks.

Ask me anything

Is English your second language? if yes, what was your experience learning it?

English is my second language. Learning a new language took dedication, will and courage over my fear of expressing myself in a foreign language in public. I am still learning. I don't think i'll ever stop learning.

Ask me anything

voiding or urinating (with part of speech please). Thanks

to void, pee, or urinate (v.) - pipi, pise
urine (n.) - pipi, pise

What is the correct term for lighter skin people in Haitian Creole?

lighter skin male (non white) - grimo
lighter skin female (non white) - grimèl

What does mwen se le mean?

mwen sele - I am sealed with the spirit (or) I am a chosen one

family

fanmi

Ask me anything

what do people think about the creole language

-It is a language just like any others in this world.

-Creole speakers use it to communicate everyday.

-Creole writers and musicians use it to express themselves.

-It is the language of slaves, illiterates, and poor that is now etched forever in blood and ink to tell of a story of survival.

-It is now alphabetized and has been introduced in the Haitian school system as one of the official languages of the island.

-It is widely spoken by natives and foreigners.  Some of the countries where Creole is spoken are Guadeloupe, Seychelles, Martinique, Haiti, and Louisiana, USA.

WHAT'S UP

Sak pase?

Ask me anything

Thanks You, it is a beatiful language to learn.

Yes, and it becomes easier to learn when you interact often with speakers of that language.
I hope learning is fun for you.

Ask me anything

what does ki laj ou ou menm?mean?

Ki laj ou? - How old are you?
Ki laj ou ou menm? - How old are you?
Both Creole sentences have the same meaning.
____________________
Ou menm - yourself
Ki laj ou ou menm - (literal translation) How about yourself, how old are you?

This isn't an every day language. You do releaze that, right?

yes. It's a beautiful language spoken by Haitians everyday :)

Success doesn't come over night,has it been this way for you?

did you want me to translate that:)
translation: siksè pa annik tonbe sot nan syèl la, eske se konsa sa te ye pou ou? 

Expertise, Waste, Discourage, Patience, Violence, Send in the creole translation, please, Thanks you.

expertise - spesyalite, branch
waste (v.) - jete
waste (n.) - fatra
discourage - dekouraje
patience - pasyans
violence - vyolans

mwen se le

mwen se - I am
mwen sele - I am sealed

*often times when someone says, "mwen sele", it either means that they are filled with the spirit or God has placed a seal on them.

what does pou mean

pou - for (preposition), so that, in order to


Mwen gen yon sipriz pou ou.
I have a surprise for you.


M'ap etidye di pou m kapap pase egzamen an
I'm study hard so that I may pass the exam.


Pou ou kapab sove, fòk ou kwè.
In order to be saved, you must believe.


"Pou" has also other meanings in Creole:
pou → pulse
pou → lice

bonjou ti moun

Bonjou ti moun yo! - Hello kids!   (or)

Bonjou ti pitit! - Hello child!

my friends

zanmi m yo

Ask me anything

corman elcsio

(not a Haitian Creole phrase)

What is the braiding style, "cornrows", called in Kreyol?

Cornrows - ti kouri, or kòdonèt

how do you spell hope, faith, courage, prayer and stenght in creole

hope (n) - espwa, esperans

hope (v.) - espere

faith - fwa

courage - kouraj

prayer - priyè (or) lapriyè

strength - fòs

strong -