What type of food do you like? (Ask Haitian Creole questions with "what type of...?")

What type of ...? - Ki kalite...?, or  Kijan de...?

1.  What type of food do you like?
     Ki kalite manje ou renmen?

2.  What type of drinks do you have?
     Ki kalite bweson ou genyen?

3.  What type of doctor are you?
     Kijan de doktè ou ye?

4. What type of musical instrument do you play?
     Ki kalite instriman ou jwe?

5.  What type of music do you like?
     Ki kalite mizik ou renmen?

6.  What type of person is he?
     Kijan de moun li ye?

"mezan mi!"

Mezanmi is an expression used to show suprise. It is used in the same way you would say, "Oh my goodness"! or "Oh my God!" when you are suprised.

 

Literally, it means my friends.Ask me anything

to worry, as in "i'm worried about you".

worry - enkyete, trakase

I'm worried about you. - Mwen enkyete pou ou.

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how to say: move from aroun here

Move from around here. - Soti la.

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thank you

Thank you - Mèsi

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Translate: Nap Travay pou nou bay Ayiti Jaret

Bay jaret is an expression that means to help or to support.

Nap travay pou nou bay Ayiti jaret. - We are working to support Haiti.

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I'll always love you

Map toujou damou pou ou.

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how do you say mister

mister - mesye

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youth Summer Camp!

Youth Summer Camp - Kan ete pou jenn yo

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Translate: I am happy to here. I'm pleased to meet all of you.

I am happy to be here. - Mwen kontan pou m la.
I'm pleased to meet all of you. - Mwen kontan rekonet nou tout.

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How do you "start" as in "start a car"? Thank you!

start - stat, derape
Start the car. - Stat machin la.

other words for car - vwati, oto

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mwen gen problem

Mwen gen problem. - I have problems.
Mwen gen yon problem. - I have a problem.

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i admire you

Mwen admire ou.

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With "more", Shouls I use "plis" or "pi". As in the sentence, 'This chair is more expensive."

This chair is more expensive. - Chèz sa pi chè.

There are more chairs in this room. - Chanm sa plis chèz. or Gen plis chèz nan chanm sa.

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What soes Renmen Bondye, men Moun, Renmen Lavi mean

renmen Bondye - love God
men moun - but people
renmen lavi - love life

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what is Creole word for ex-boyfriend, ex-husband?

ex boyfriend - ansyen menaj
ex girlfriend - ansyen menaj
ex husband - ansyen mari

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Love your blog! it's helped me to understand a lot about this language. In the sentence -bring me the large rusty spoon- which adj. (large or rusty) comes before the noun, and which one follows it?

large rusty spoon - gwo kiyè wouye a

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"I thought about it today." I would like to use another word for 'thought' other than 'pense'. It starts with 'r'. Can you help me with this? I appreciate it.

Another word you can use for thought is reflechi. It means to reflect upon.

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Like (similar, compatible, equal to, resembling) → tankou

Haitian Creole word for 'like' (as in similar to, compatible with, equal to, resembling) is:
tankou → the same as
menm → same
menm jan ak → the same as
sanble ak →resemble like
kòm si → as if

1.  You look like your dad.
     Ou sanble ak papa w.

2.  She walks like a duck.
     Li mache tankou yon kanna.  or
     Li mache menm jan ak yon kanna.

3.  You look like Beyoncé
     Ou sanble ak Beyoncé.

4.  You talk as if you there.
     Ou  pale kòm si w te la.

5.  It was a day like today.
     Se te yon jou tankou jodi a.

6. Like a rock, I'll be strong.
    Tankou yon wòch, ma kenbe fò.  or
    Menm jan ak yon wòch, ma kenbe fò.

7.  She follows him around like a little puppy.
     Li mache dèyè l tankou yon ti toutous.

you know what its your lost not mine

You know what? It's your lost. Not mine. - Ou konnen you bagay? Se ou kap pedi. Pa mwen menm.

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You're going the wrong way "I knew that"

You're going the wrong way. - Ou ale nan yon move direksyon. or Ou fè yon move direksyon.
I knew that. - Mwen te konnen sa.

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I want to say "I'm proud of you" IS fye the positive/correct form of "proud" ?

Yes.

proud → fyè, kontan ak

pride → fyète

I'm proud of you. - Mwen fyè de ou.

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new years

New Years Day - Joudlan

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what's the word for water?

water - dlo

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What's the difference between "applying makeup" and "applying for a job"? is it same translation for word "apply"?

To apply (to ask, to request) → aplike pou, fè demand pou
Example
1. apply for a visa card. - fè demand pou yon kat visa.
2. apply for a job. - aplike pou yon travay
3. apply for a social security card. - fè demand pou yon kat social
4. apply for a passport. - fè demand pou yon passpò

To apply (adminster, cover, put on, spread on) → mete
Example:
1. apply make-up on your face- mete makiyaj nan figi w.
2. apply the ointment on the wound - mete pomad la sou blesi a.
3. apply a bandaid on it. - mete yon panseman sou li.
4. apply a dressing on it. - mete yon bandaj sou li.
5. apply a condom for safety. - mete yon kapòt pou pwoteksyon.

I hit a wall today trying to translate this sentence, "He gave us this free gift so that we may be free." I'm having trouble translate the word "free". Should I translate it as 'gratis'?

free (at no cost) - gratis
free (as in freedom) - lib

He gave us this free gift so that we may be free. - Li ba nou kado gratis sa pou nou kapab lib.

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how to say you are very special in creole

You are very special. - Ou trè espesyal.

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There we go! yo va is contracted to "ya"...There you're going the wrong way..no..

You are correct. The future tense yo va can be contracted to ya.
This is the same for:
mwen va - ma
ou va - wa
li va - la
nou va - na

Examples:

Yo va chita ansanm or Ya chita ansanm. - They will sit together.
Mwen va rele ou or Ma rele ou. - I will call you.
Ou va pran bon nòt or Wa pran bon nòt. - You will take good notes.
Li va kwit diri a or La kwit diri a. - He will/She will cook the rice.
Nou va pale demen or Na pale demen. - We will talk tomorrow.

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SAC PASI

Sak Pase? - What's happening? What's going on? What's up?

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I want to know where haitian come from

A Brief History of Haiti

Haitians come from an island in the Caribbean called Haiti. It occupies the western, smaller portion of the island of Hispaniola, which it shares with the Dominican Republic. The island of Hispaniola was discovered in 1492 by Christopher Columbus who promptly claimed the island for Spain. When Columbus arrived, he found the island to be occupied by the Taínos who were the original natives of the land but eventually became extinct due in large part to old world diseases for which they were not immune to.

The Spaniards colonized the island but later ceded the western third of the island to the French after French pirates repeatedly challenged them for the land. Piracy gradually decreased and with the encouragement of Louis XIV, many of the French became planters. They began growing tobacco, indigo, cotton, and cacao on the fertile northern plain, thus prompting the importation of African slaves. The slaves were brought to work the sugarcane and coffee plantations but in 1791, the slave population--led by Toussaint L'Ouverture, Jean Jacques Dessalines, and Henri Christophe--revolted and gained control of the northern part of Haiti (then called Saint-Domingue).

In 1804, local forces defeated an army deployed by Napoleon Bonaparte, established independence from France, and renamed the area Haiti.

Haiti is the world's oldest black republic and the second-oldest republic after the United States in the Western Hemisphere. Before Haiti's January 2010, earthquake Haiti's population was estimated at over 9 million people. Over two-thirds of Haiti's inhabitants live in rural areas. Port-au-Prince, the capital, has a population of well over 1 million. Almost all Haitians are descendants of the 500,000 enslaved West Africans who won their freedom from France 1804.

There are more than 800,000 Haitians living in the United States, with about 75 percent of them residing either in New York or Florida. Miami's "Little Haiti" is now an established community.

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fe ke

fè kè  - to make the heart feel something
Ou fè kè m kontan. - You make me happy (literally - You make my heart happy).

fè kè - also an idiom for heart condition
Papa m fè kè. - My father has a heart condition.

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there will be water in the watering hole

There will be water in the watering hole. - Gen dlo nan sous la.

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ou fe ke mwen kantan anpil wi

Ou fè kè mwen kontan anpil wi - You make me very happy.

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teacher

teacher - pwofesè, mèt

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behind

behind - dèyè

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Using "va" instead of "pral" in the Haitian Creole future tense

va → to be going to

"pral" is used to indicate the future tense in Creole.
"va" is also used to indicate the future tense in Creole.
Example:
Mwen va pale avè li. - I will talk to her.
Ou va wè li demen. - You will see him tomorrow.
Nou va wè demen. - We will see you tomorrow.


Contractions of subject pronouns and "va"
Sometimes you will encounter the contracted form a subject pronoun and "va".

Mwen va is contracted to ma, m'a

ou va is contracted to wa, w'a
li va is contracted to la, l'a
nou va is contracted to na, n'a
yo va is contracted to ya, y'a

Example:
Mwen va kontan wè w. or
M'a kontan wè w.
I will be happy to see you.

Nou va wè pita. or
N'a wè pita.
We will see each other later.

You jou, nou va konprann pouki.  or
Yon jou, n'a konprann pouki.
One day, we'll understand why

Si ou etidye, ou va pase egzamen an. or
Si ou etidye, w'a pase egzamen an.
If you study, you will pass the exam.

Kilè mwen va wè w?  or
Kilè m'a wè w.
When will I see you?

i still love you

Mwen toujou damou pou ou.

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what does pwouche mean in creole

Do you mean
pwoch - near, close, not far or
pwochen - fellow person, next person

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I'm looking to say, "We inherited the sinful ways of our fathers."

We inherited the sinful ways of our fathers. - Nou eritye nati peche ansyen paran no yo.

(Literally... We inherited the sin nature of our forefathers.)

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Hi, in 'I am at home.' how do you translate 'at'?

Use "kay/lakay" in places where you would use "at" for directions and locations.

1. I am at home. - Mwen lakay mwen.

2. I am at my friends house. - Mwen kay zanmi m. or Mwen lakay zanmi m.
3. I'm at my mom's - Mwen kay manman m.

For a lesson on using the Prepositions at, to, on, and in, see Lessons and excersises on the following subjects on the right hand side of the screen. Scroll down and click on Preposition "to"
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Does the word 'tonbe' translate both tripping and falling?

Yes. You can use the word tonbe for tripping or falling.

Bite is also another word that can be used for tripping.

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translate: I'm not sleepy. Thanks!

I'm not sleepy.

Dòmi pa nan zye m or

Dòmi pa nan je m.
Mwen pa gen somèy.
Mwen pa gen dòmi.

I'm sleepy.

Dòmi nan je m.  or

Dòmi nan zye m.

Mwen gen somèy.

Mwen gen dòmi.

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do you have a recipe for riz a djon djon

Check out Lessons and Excercises on the following subjects on the right side of the screen. Click on Cooking Recipes and see Rice with Lima Bean and Black Mushrooms. Enjoy!

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Place-as in a certain place.

Place - kote
A place - yon kote

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jounen jodi a

jounen jodi a - today, on this day

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What is poto meetan? is it an expression?

Poto Mitan - literally it means central pillar

As an expression it means the corner stone, back bone, rock, or strength.

You are the rock of this family. - Ou se poto mitan fanmi a.

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How to sspell congratulations on a job well done

Congratuations - Felisitasyon, kompliman, chapo ba (hats off)

Congratulations on a job well done.

Kompliman pou yon bon travay.

Congratulations!
Felisitasyon!

Hats off to you.

Chapo ba pou ou.

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Head lice

head lice - pou

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Fourth of July is Independence Day in the US.

Yes. The Fourth of July is a federal holiday in the United States which celebrates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. The United states declaried it's independence from Great Britain.

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Other than in Port-au-Prince, is there another airport in Haiti to land a private airplane?

There are about 10 airports in Haiti. Among others, you can land a private plane at the airports in Cap-Haitien and Jeremie. Of course you would have to contact them to inquire about their regulations.

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What's the difference between chache and cheche?

cheche - to look for, search, to seek
Cheche is from the french word chercher which also means to search.
It is correctly pronounced cheche, but some people pronounce it chache.

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What is the best way to say what are you waiting for?

What are you waiting for? - Kisa wap tann?

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cartoon characters

Cartoon characters - desen anime

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Is Kate Middleton hot or what?

The Duchess of Cambridge is very elegant. She needs to lose the hats though.

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for you

for you - pou ou
It's for you - se pou ou.
This is for you - Sa se pou ou.

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mwen gwen question pou ou. le ou di nimew kat (4), poukisa you di 'katran' instead of 'katan'? Where does the 'tr' come from? What don't you do the same for the other numbers?

The literal translation of katran is four (4) years.

The "tr" comes from the french word for four (4) which is quatre.

In french, four (4) years is quatre ans.

It's actually pronounced katran.

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Hello Mandaly, how would you ask a question with 'how fast' as in 'how fast were you driving?"

How fast - a ki vitès
How fast were you driving? - A ki vitès ou tap kondwi?

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Asking questions - What kind of music do you like?

Download link for this audio clip:
http://limanecasimi.audioacrobat.com/download/a493cb8a-c960-d972-9720-6a6d14044cc6.mp3


To listen to audio clip now, click on the play button and follow along :)

Bonjou tout moun!
Hello everyone!

Kijan nou ye?
How are you?


What kind of ...? → Ki kalite ...?
What kind of...? → Kijan de ...?

1.  Ki kalite machin ou genyen?
    M gen yon Jeep.
    What kind of car do you have?
    I have a Jeep.

2.  Ki kalite chyen ou genyen?
     M gen yon Bèje Alman
    What kind of dog do you have?
    I have a German Shepherd.

3.  Ki kalite mizik ou renmen? 
     M renmen Zouk ak Soka.
     What kind of music do like?
     I like Zouk and Soca.

4.  Ki kalite gouvènman Ayiti genyen?
     Ayiti genyen yon gouvènman demokratik.
     What kind of government does Haiti have?
     Haiti has a democratic government.

5.  Ki kalite travay wap chache?
     Mwen ta renmen travay kòm pwofesè.
     What kind of job are you looking for?
     I would love to work as a teacher.

6.  Ki kalite liv wap li kounye a?
     Kounye a, map li yon woman.
     What kind of book are you reading now?
     Now, I'm reading a romantic novel.

7.  Ki kalite manje ou renmen?
     Mwen renmen manje Meksiken.
     What kind of food do you like.
     I like Mexican food.

8.  Ki jan de pye bwa sa ye?
     Sa se yon pye mango.
     What kind of tree is this?
     This is a mango tree.

9.  Ki kalite bweson ou renmen?
     M renmen ji natirèl.
     What kind of drinks do you like?
     I like natural juices.

Enben, se tout, mèsi e orevwa!
Well, that's all, thank you and goodbye!

Track:  Frape Tanbou by Toto Laraque

how do u write are you sleeping in creole?

Are you sleeping? - Eske wap dòmi?

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omc ti

"omc" is not a Haitian Creole word. Did you mean "yon ti"?

yon ti - a little

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where have you been?

Ki kote ou te ye?

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thank you..

Thank you - mèsi
You're welcome - padekwa, pa fatige w, or deryen

See more Haitian Creole greeting at the following link:
http://sweetcoconuts.blogspot.com/2011/06/25-useful-introductory-haitian-creole.html

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working on my creole

Are you working on your Creole? Wonderful!

Working on my Creole - Map travay sou Kreyòl mwen.

I'm working on my Creole. - Mape poli kreyòl mwen.

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men's shirts

Men's shirts are called - Chemizif you want, you could also say "chemiz pou gason".

men's shoes - soulye pou gason
men's shirts - chemiz pou gason
men's pants - pantalon pou gason
men's undershirt - chemizèt
men's underwear - kalson, kanson, slip
men's socks - chosèt pou gason

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good bye

Good bye. - Orevwa.

See more introductory Haitian Creole Phrases at the following link:
http://sweetcoconuts.blogspot.com/2011/06/25-useful-introductory-haitian-creole.html

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how are you

How are you? - Kijan ou ye?

We're doing good. - Nou la.  or  Nou byen.

We're not too bad. - Nou pa pi mal.

We're holding strong. - Nap boule.

Check more Introductory Haitian Creole phrases at the following link:
http://sweetcoconuts.blogspot.com/2011/06/25-useful-introductory-haitian-creole.html

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In "Start the car." How do you translate 'start'? Most Haitians I ask, translate it as "estat" Is this right?

Start - derape, demare

Start the car - derape machin nan
Start the car. - Demare machin nan.

Wap fe sexy cheria bagay male translate

Wap fè sexy cheri a. - You're looking sexy, sweetie.
bagay male - (incomprehensible, check spelling)

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how to say "My Big Daddy"

Well, it depends on who's the "big daddy".

Big Daddy (as in hotshot, mogul, moneyman) → gwo palto, zotobre, gwo chabrak, bigchòt.
Big Daddy (as in your little "pooh bear") → papi, nèg, nonm, boulpik

My Big Daddy → nèg mwen, nonm mwen, ti papi m, boulpik mwen

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a bounce check...

a bounce check - yon move chèk, or yon chèk san pwovizyon

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Yes! se sa...

Wi, se sa! - Yes, that's it!

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se pa li; a knock on the door..

Se pa li. - That's not it.

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plaintains

plantains - bannann

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does

"does" does not translate in Creole.

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And i though they'll be serious there for a minute,,,

M te panse se yon bagay serye yo tap regle.

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What is thank you?

Thank you - mèsi

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sake pase mi cheri

Sa ki pase cheri mwen - What's up, my love?

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What were they doing? describe them...give details...

Kisa yo tap fè? Dekri yo... Ban m plis detay...

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I see three guys in the middle of the street.

guys - mesye, nèg, gason, jenòm, nonm

I see three guys in the middle of the street.
Mwen wè twa nèg nan mitan lari a.

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what does "bay" mean

You mean Haitian Creole word "bay"?

bay → to give

You will see the Haitian creole word "bay"written three different ways:
Bay, ba, & ban

"ban" comes before Haitian Creole pronouns "mwen" "m" "nou" & "n".
Example:
Li ban mwen yon liv. - He gives me a book.
Li ban m yon liv. - He gives me a book.
Li ban nou yon liv. - He gives us a book.
Li ban n yon liv. - He gives us a book.

"ba" comes almost exclusively before Haitian Creole pronouns "ou" "li" "yo".
Example:
Mwen ba ou yon liv. - I give you a book.
Mwen ba li yon liv. - I give her a book.
Mwen ba yo yon liv. - I give them a book.

Then,
You may use "ba" or "bay" most anywhere else.
Jezi bay lavi. - Jesus gives life.
Bay Joel liv la. - Give the book to Joel.
Revanj bay satisfaksyon - Revenge gives (brings) gratification
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how do u say give me a few minutes?

Give me a few minutes. - Ban m yon ti moman.

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Thank you for translating my letter. Those are very special to me, and it is hard for me to find accurate translations. What is your email address where I can send the letters in the future for translation?

Limanecasimi@aol.com

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Several different times while watching documentaries of Haiti relief I have seen Haitians make a hand gesture of turning your hands inward and placing the thumbs parallel on top of each other. Like two sideways thumbs up. Is this significant in any way?

It has a slightly different meaning to different people. It could mean:
Ansanm ansanm - We're holding on together

Nap kenbe! - We're holding on

Nap kenbe fò! - We're holding strong!

Nou toujou la. - We're still there

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bay

Haitian Creole word "bay" means "to give"

Bay, ba, ban → to give

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how do you say.... "never forget"

Never forget - Pa janm bliye

we will never forget - Nou pap janm bliye

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U are a child of God, So why are you afraid; you shouldn't be afraid..

Translation: Ou se pitit Bondye, men poukisa ou efreye? Ou pa dwe gen lapè.

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May I speak with Jean?

Translation:  Eske mwen ka pale ak Jean?

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What does Dappiyanp mean? As in the phrase "Dappiyanp sou te peyi a, yon danje pou dwa grandèt majè Ayiti"? Thanks

Dappiyanp (n.) - rape, violation, a taking with force, a pillage

Dappiyanp sou peyi a, ... - It's pillage of the country, ...

yon danje pou dwa grandèt majè Ayiti.
a danger for Haitian primary legal rights. or
a danger for Haitian God-given rights.  or
(non literal) a risk for Haiti's survival.

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what does lulu mean?

"Lulu" or "Loulou" in Haitian Creole is usually an endearing name for someone.

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let's see if 711 is open...before i go to sleep...

Let's see.

Ann gade pou wè.

Let's see if 7/11 is open.

Ann gade pou wè si 7/11 ouvè.

before I go to sleep... 

anvan m al dòmi...

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...ak mwen vle ou konnen ke mwen ap toujou renmen ou, ak mwen se gason ou ajame. Kenbe fos lanmou mwen. Toulede Papa nou kinon syel la ak mwen se isit pou ou.Mwen renmen ou, toujou ak ajame.

...and I want you to know that I'll always love you,
...and I'm your man forever.
Hold strong, my love.
Both our Father in heaven and myself are there for you.
I love you always and forever.

Comment from translator: (This is a beautiful letter. You could always send me such a letter to translate, via my e-mail, if you plan to keep it private.)

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Ou se lanmou lavi m, ak mwen absoliman konnen ke nou ap fe ansanm ajame. M renmen mo sa, ajame. Nan Angle ak Kreyol. Li jis bay mwen anpil esoere pou avni a, espesyalman paske m konnen ke mwen ap fe ansanm avek ou pou etenite. Mwen renmenou anpil anpil,

You are the love of my life,
and I absolutely know we're together for ever.
I love this word, forever. In English and Creole.
It just gives me a lot of hope for the future,
Especially because I know you and I are together for eternity.
I love you very much,

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Can you translate this for me? Bonjou lanmou mwen! Mwen te renmen let ou. Li te anfom! Mwen vreman espere li ede ou ki m te tradwi li ak mete kek komante sou li. M jis vle ou konnen konbyen mwen renmen ou, ak konbyen mwen apresye tout bagay ou te fe pou

Hello my love!
I loved your letter. It was great!
I hoped that it helped that I translated and added some comments to it.
I just wanted you to know how much I love you, and how much I appreciated all you did for me.

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How do you say "elder" like Elder in the church?

Elder in the church - ansyen legliz yo, grandèt legliz yo,

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how do you say elder in creole?

elder - granmoun aje, moun ki pi gran

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Hmmm mwen genyen yon kestiyon.....Qui jan ou di? My love you are the woman for me and i promise to cherish and nuture our love forever baby

Translation: Lanmou mwen, ou se boulpik mwen, e mwen pwomèt ou pou mwen dòlote lanmou nou an pou tout tan.

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help

help (n.) - èd, asistans, sipò

help (v.) - ede

help! (as in "help me!) - Ede m.

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what is a type of jewelry called corne?

"Corne" is French for horn.
I am not familiar with any type of jewelry that goes by that name.

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I have seen the word "la" in a sentence., and it doesnt look like an article. Example - someone asks me over the phone, 'kote ou ye la?"

"la" could be a definte article as in: liv la - the book.
"la" could also mean  "here" as in chita la. - sit here.

But in this particular instance, "la" stands for 'right now', 'at this time', or 'in this moment'.
Not to be confused with the Haitian Creole word "kounye a (now)".  It does not replace "kounye a".
It is a manner of speaking, an expression, or an intonation used mainly when asking questions in Creole.

If you are learning Creole, this is one of the words you will learn to use by habitually listening to Haitian people speak.

Example:
where are you now?
kote ou ye la?

What are you doing right now?
Kisa wap fè la?

What do you have at this time? 
Kisa ou genyen la?

What are you cooking?
Ki manje wap fè la?

What book are you reading now?
Ki liv wap li la?

Why are you crying now?
Poukisa wap kriye la?

Why does a vast majority of children in Haiti suck their thumbs? How do their parents handle that?

I do not know why.  I've read that it's a behavior that soothes them.

Some of the kids I hanged with, in Haiti, sucked their fingers.
Some children suck their thumbs, some the index and middle finger together,
and others suck the middle and ring fingers.

A lot of these children retain that behavior well into their puberscent years.

The remedies that I have seen parents use to help them break this habit are sometimes 'unusual'.
The most common remedy was to rub freshly cut bitter aloe unto the child finger.
Other parents would bandage the child's finger during the night, since a lot of kids suck their fingers while sleeping.
Some parents would smear chicken poop onto the child's finger in the hope that he/she would find that finger repugnant.
Some parents took this fight even further and would threaten to stick the finger in boiling water.
I have seen one father take a machete, had the child put her fingers on a piece of wood, and threathened to cut the child's finger until she promised that she wouldn't do it again.  That girl did eventually stop this behavior on her own.

Creole definitions:
suck thumb, suck fingers - tete dwèt, souse dwèt
Does he suck his thumbs? - Eske li tete dwèt?

What is" sucking teeth"? what is that "tchwipe or tchuipe" you talk about? Is it a cuss word?

'Tchuipe or tchwipe' - is "sucking teeth". It's a noise you make by clenching your teeth together and then using your tongue to pull air within your mouth.

It is the equivalent of giving someone the cold shoulder, or rolling your eyes at someone. It is a gesture (an acquired behavior) people make to show disdain, contempt, indifference, frustration, or annoyance.

Most people from the caribbean do it.  It is not a cuss word.  I guess you could say that some people suck there teeth at you instead of cussing at you. 

Which side are you leaning on.

Translation: Sou ki bò ou apiye?

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Bonjou Mandaly! Someone asked me if I know how to "chipe." What is that?

'Tchuipe or tchwipe' - is "sucking teeth". It's a noise you make by clenching your teeth together and then using your tongue to pull air within your mouth.

It is the equivalent of giving someone the cold shoulder, or rolling your eyes at someone.  It is a gesture people make to show disdain, contempt, indifference, frustration, or annoyance.

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mwen pa janm manje

Mwen pa janm manje. - I never ate.

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mwen pa ka pale

Mwen pa ka pale - I can't talk.

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How do you say "I love you and nothing would make me happier than spending my life with you. I would love to marry you."

Translation: Mwen renmen w. Pa gen anyen ki ta fè m pi kontan, ke pou m pase tout rès vi mwen avèk ou. Mwen ta renmen marye avè w.

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How do you say "I miss you and I would love for you to come over and spend the night with me."

Translation: M sonje w. Mwen ta renmen ou vin pase nwit la avèk mwen.

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What is the nicest thing you've ever seen anybody do for either yourself or anybody else?

Strangers hold doors open for me often. That's nice enough.

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Why do I sometimes see "now" written as "kounye a", other times as "koulye a"?

The correct spelling is "kounye a".

Some people, depending on which area of Haiti they're from, say this word as "koulye a". It's an "old" Creole form that you will find in ancient Haitian  Creole literature, theater pieces, poems, and/or songs.

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creole word for bless

Bless - beni

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St. Patricks Day..April Fool, Right!

St. Patrick Day - fèt Sen Patrik

April's Fools - Pwason Davril

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kowte`w soti

Kote w sòti? or Ki kote w sòti?

Where have you been? or Where did you go?

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poukisa ou kenbe pike m 'konsa?

Translation: Why are you harrasing me?

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medial check up

medical checkup - konsiltasyon medikal

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Does "sovaj" mean "rude" or can it be an insult in some instances? What is the best way to say "rude"?

Yes,
'Sovaj' means rude, brutal, insensitive, barbaric, with no "soft side", and wild, etc...

another way to say 'rude' in Creole is 'malelve'

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what does this mean Mwen sonje ou ... "Apre sa, mwen renmen ou anpilOui"

Mwen sonje ou .

I miss you.

Apre sa, mwen renmen ou anpil, wi.

And then, I love you very much.

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mwen vle konprann

Translation: I want to understand.

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HOW WAS YOUR DAY ?

How was your day? - Kijan jounen w te pase?

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what is the equivalant of "ma cheri" for a male

Ma cherie (for a female)
Mon cheri (for a male)
The previous are French.

In Creole, "cheri mwen" translates both "mon cheri" and "ma cherie".

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i love you baby girl

M renmen w ti pitit. - I love you little one.

I'm assuming that "baby girl" is a little girl child here.

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le creole

Kreyòl la

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'Gloire a Dye' to the woman looking for purchase Christian Creole songbooks.

That's right!  Glwa a Dye!

I remember downtown Port-Au-Prince, in Haiti: people use to walk around selling leaflets of songs with the lyrics (no music scores!).  These people use to teach you these songs on the spot.  You'd sit with them.  They sang the song.  And you would sing every line and stanza with them.  But once they left and you went home, you're left with this lyrics in your hand and no recollection of how the song went at all.

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"la fanm" what is that means...Does it means "woman"

Yes.

"fanm" comes from the French "femme".
It means "woman"
Sometimes, you'll hear "la femme" which the French way of saying "the woman".

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Do you know of any Christian Creole songbooks with music available for purchase from the U.S.? I have "Chants d'Esperance", which has words but no music.

There's a book similar to the "CHANTS D'ESPERANCE", It's called "SUR LES AILES DE LA FOI". It contains the music scores for Christian hymns in French.

"Solfège" and "Partition" are French and Creole for "music score".  (You might need to know this as you enquire about it.)

There are no Christian songbooks with music score in Haitian Creole yet. You will find a few leaflets (with a couple of songs) here and there at Haitian Christian bookstores.

"Sur Les Ailes de la Foi" is commonly used in Haiti too. Here's a link to the sites where you can find that book.
http://www.granby.net/~santschi/cantiques/recueil_af.htm

http://www.clcfrance.com/sur-les-ailes-de-la-foi-avec-musique_ref_IBNSR30.html


There's a also a book called "CHANTS JOYEUX", you may even be able to download some free music sheets from it.  Here's the link.  Look for the list of "chants joyeux" songs on the bottom right of the site.
http://www.free-scores.com/partitions_telecharger.php?partition=28935


Also here is the site, number, and address where you may find leaflets or booklets with creole songs and music scores:
(I did call that store today, spoke to the owner, he said he might have a Chants D'esperance with Music, but he was not willing to e-mail an image of the cover or  a snapshot of the inside of the book)
Toussaint's Photo & Bible Store, Inc.
10461 NW 7th Ave, Miami, Fl 33150
(305) 751-6668
(786) 355-2121
www.toussaintphotonbible.com

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Hi, how are you? In Haiti i think there's no law that can protect children from abusive parents...Now, that's what i call though love!

Sadly, this is so true. If there's a law it's not being enforced. From the six year old maid (restavec) that works for no money to the ten year old who steals at the market to feed his family, these children should be protected.

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Wow what odd rules for kids! I guess, for me being raised by a Southern parent, I understand about not being sassy to grownups. But to be slapped just for looking at someone who's talking?! How do Haitian parents show love to their kids?

I think it's called tough love.
Most Haitian parents, in Haiti, don't hug their kids a lot, but they do love them.
Most of them concentrate on "working hard' to give their kids the best education and moral values so the kids would have a better life that they had.
By "working hard", I mean that they'll walk door to door selling peanuts and coal to put their kids through school.
My parents were not big huggers, but i did feel love from them.
But in my home, I hug my kids a lot:)

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ak renmen epi bo

Ak renmen epi bo...

With love and kisses.

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"anyo a tree digne." what does this mean?

Anyo a trè diy - The lamb is very worthy

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I was once told that it is considered rude to whistle in Haiti. Is this true? Why?

Yes, it is true,, but only for kids and younger people.
"whistling" is one of the things that you are not supposed to do around adults. I know this, 'cause I got slapped because of that one day.

Why?
In Haiti, kids are "supposed to be" seen, not heard. Here is a list of things you are not supposed to do when you are in the company of an older person (no matter how old you are).

No whistling
No sitting with legs crossed
No looking at an older person straight in the eye (especially if they are in the middle of a "grown-up" conversation, or juicy gossip)
No standing with both your hands on your side.
No sucking you teeth at grown ups. (they really get offended by that).

These things make you seem arrogant, cocky and audacious. Haitian elders will surely call you on those things. I used to get in trouble for all these things:)

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what does Bonswa como ou ye?

You mean:

Bonswa, kouman ou ye? - Good evening, how are you?

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How would you instruct someone to do something in Creole? Is there a particular pattern? I.e. Do the dishes. Brush your teeth. Go away! Sit down. Make your self at home.

Affirmative imperative sentences usually begin with the "action" verb.
Negative imperative sentences begin with the Haitian Creole word : "Pa"

Example:

Affirmative:
Do the dishes. - Lave asyèt yo.

Brush your teeth. - Bwose dan w.

Go away! - Sòti la!,   Al fè wout ou!,  or Kite m an repo!

Sit down. - Chita

Step back! - rekile!

Go to bed. - Al dòmi.

Negative:
Don't run in the hallway. - Pa kouri nan koulwa a.

Don't go outside. - Pa sòti deyò a.

Don't come any closer! - Pa pwoche!

Don't neglect you kids. - Pa neglije timoun ou.

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There's a song whose lyrics in English go like this: Lord, Prepare me, To be a sanctuary, Pure and holy, Tried and true. With thanksgiving, I'll be a living,Sanctuary, For You. I've heard this song sung in Creole, but can't find a copy of the words.

This is one of the songs that is not officially translated in Creole. You won't find it in any Christian Creole songbooks. So, there are slightly different Creole versions out there. This is one of them.

Senyè prepare m, fè m vin yon sanntyè
Pi e sen, san doute
Avèk gras ou, ma va vini yon
Sakrifis pou ou

Se ou Bondye
Kite vini pou sove
Kè ak nanm
Tout moun sou latè
Se ou Bondye
Ki konn feblès mwen
Ki ban mwen fòs
Ak men ou

Delivre mwen
Nan tout tantasyon
Pirifye mwen
konplètman
Ranpli kè mwen
Ak Sentespri ou
epi lave
peche m yo

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how do yo say go home

Go home - Ale lakay ou.

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now, i'm told the literal translation of that slogan is bald head.

Yes you're right, the literal translation is "bald or smooth head"

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"Tèt Kale" - I know you've covered that before, but what are some of the "expressions" synonymous to that phrase? Thanks!

Words and expressions synonymous to Tèt Kale are:

Heart and soul
From A to Z
Full throttle
For ever
To the max
To the limit
To the nth degree

Related questions
http://sweetcoconuts.blogspot.com/2011/05/what-is-kale-is-political-party-or-is.html
http://sweetcoconuts.blogspot.com/2011/03/popular-entertainer-michel-martelly-is.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

Can, Be able to, may → ka, kab, or kapab

ka, kab, and kapab - they are all different ways to say 'can',
'may', 'might' and 'be able to' in Haitian Creole.


Ka and kab are some contracted forms for kapab


1.  I can speak Creole. - M ka pale Kreyòl.


2. We can read. - Nou ka li.


3. I can't understand you. - M pa ka konprann ou.


4. We may come to see you. → Nou ka vin wè w.


5.  He may well be a crook. → Li ka byen yon vòlò (or vòlè)


6.  Yes, we can. - Wi, nou kapab.


7.  I cannot believe this. - M pa ka kwè sa.


8.  If I get paid on Friday, I might go on the trip with you.
     Si'm touche vandredi, m ka ale nan vwayaj la avèk ou.

How would you say, "God is good" in Haitian Creole?

God is good - Bondye bon.

Does man mean ms, or woman, or a respeceted term for an older woman?

In Haitian Creole we say
Mr. (short for Monsieur) for males

Melle (short for Matmwazèl) for unmarried women

Mme (short for Madanm) for married and older women

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I'll wash my clothes tomorrow...

Ma lave rad mwen yo demen.

or

M pral lave rad mwen yo demen.

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JEZI BAY-N LA JWA. WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

Jezi ban nou lajwa or Jezi ban n lajwa.
Jesus gives us joy.

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nanpwen

Nanpwen - there's no, there's none.

Nanpwen moun la. - There's no one here.

Nanpwen machin la. - There's no cars here.

Nanpwen okenn lajan nan bwat la.

There isn't any money in the box.

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Translate 'day and night', as in "you're on my mind day and night'

In this instance, day and night  means lajounen kou lannwit
Literally means, 'during the day as during the night'

You're on my mind day and night.
Ou nan panse mwen lajounen kou lannwit.

finger

dwèt

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Hello, I am native speaker of Trinidad French Creole; I would like to start a blog to help Trinidadians learn our creole since it is now a minority language. How do you suggest I begin?

Hi. I have heard the Trinidadian French Creole and I loved it!
I love your music too!
I guess what you could do is just ...begin.
Grow your blog one day at a time.
Bring out the beauty of that language.
And, most importantly, don't give up.

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Would it be correct to say 3:45 as twaze mwenka?

3:45 is twazè twaka or katrè mwenka (15 min to 4)
2:45 is dezè twaka  or  twazè mwenka (15 min to 3)

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How do you say 1 million in Creole?

1 million - yon milyon

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House Keeping!

housekeeping - menaj kay, pwopte kay, or netwayaj kay

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oute pati lontan'mwen konn ale jakmel wi oupajanm rentre vin we manmanwak kiyes wap viv USA.

Ou te pati lontan.

You left long time ago

Mwen konn ale Jakmèl.

I used to go to jacmel.

Ou pa janm rantre vin wè manman w.

You never came back to see your mom.

Ak kiyès wap viv USA?

Who are you staying/living with in the USA?

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Hi, How are U?

Mwen la. E ou menm, Kijan ou ye?

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Nap travay

Nap travay.  - We're working.

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how do you say "call me when you get a moment" in creole?

Call me when you get a moment.

Rele m lè ou gen yon ti tan.

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That's It.

That's it - Se sa or  Se li.

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welcome

welcome - byenvni or byenveni

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Which is correct, 'Is Being Sued' or 'Has Been Sued'

I'm pretty sure it's "...is being sued"

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i miss you more

I miss you more. - M sonje w plis.

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'Am I Right' or 'Am I Wrong?'

Am I right? - Eske mwen korèk?
Is that right? - Eske se sa?
Isn't that right? - Eske se pa sa?
Am I wrong? - Eske mwen twonpe m?

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may god bless you

May God bless you - Ke Bondye beni w.

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I just wanna to see how drunk you are?

Mwen vle tcheke, pou wè si ou sou.

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