cookiek

You mean "cookie"?

cookie - bonbon

cake - gato

candy - sirèt

lollipop - piwili

A lot of people usually confuse these words together.

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Is "kwoke" a bad word? Which word do you use instead?

Absolutely not. Kwoke is not a bad word.

I think the problem with the word "kwoke" and other similar colorful words in Haitian Creole is that they don't sound French enough.
If we want to speak Creole, I think we should use Creole words.

kwoke (v.) - embrace, hug

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whatdoes mayoute mean?

Mayoute - could be a proper name or a given nickname.

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Thank You, God

Thank you, God - Mèsi Bondye

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!Well written!

Well written!

Byen ekri!

Byen konpoze!

or

Byen kominike!

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i like this one a lot !have confident!

I like this one a lot!
Mwen renmen sa a anpil!

I am confident.
Mwen sèten.

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!i see three guys walking!

I see three guys walking!
Mwen wè twa(3) nèg kap mache!
Literally, I see three guys that is walking.

'kap' is contraction of 'ki ap' which means 'that is'.

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I live in illusion?m viv nan ilizyon oubyen m viv nan ilizyon an?

The first one is better.

illusion → ilizyon, desepsyon, konfizyon
I live in an illision. - map viv nan ilizyon.

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Kisa ou genyen

Kisa ou genyen? - What's wrong? What's up with you?

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Asking questions with the WH- words (Part 2)

what, when, which, who

Asking questions with the wh- word, when the wh- word is the subject.
Example:
What happened next?
When is a good time to see you?
Which is the best one?
Who did this?

Haitian Creole equivalent
what → kisa ki
when → kilè ki, or what + time+ ki
which → ki + subject + ki
who → kilès ki

What - Kisa
Kisa ki is often contracted to sa k' or sak

1. Kisa ki nan machin nan?
    What's in the car?

2. Kisa ki fè ou kontan?  or
   Sak fè ou kontan?
   What makes you happy?


3. Kisa ki nan pòch ou?  or
   Sak nan pòch ou?
   What’s in your pocket?


4. Kisa ki pase? (literally, 'what has passed?')  or
    Sak pase?
   What’s happening?

5. Kisa ki genyen? (Literally, 'what that has?' or 'what do we have?')  or
    Sak genyen?
    What’s going on?


When, what time, what month, what year, what day, etc... → kilè ki
1. Kilè ki fèt ou?
    When is your birthday?

2. Ki mwa ki pi kout?
    What month is shorter?


Which → ki + subject + ki
1. Ki liv ki pi bon?
    Which book is better?

2. Ki kay ki pi gwo?
    Which house is bigger?


 Who can be translated as either Kilès, kiyès, or kimoun
1. Kilès ki fè sa?
    Who did this?


2. Kimoun ki nan machin nan?
    Who’s in the car?


3. Kimoun ki manje pen an?
    Who ate the bread?


4. Kimoun ki di ou sa?
   Who told you that?


5. Kilès ki vle ale anvan?
   Who wants to go first?


6. Kilès ki papa ou?
    Who's your dad?


7. Kilès ki la?
    Who’s there? (this question answers to a knock on the door.)

Asking questions with the WH- words (Part 1)

Asking questions with the WH- words with the help of auxillary verbs (do, did, will, should, etc...)

what → kisa
when → kilè
where → ki kote, kibò
which → ki, kilès
who → kilès, kiyès, or kimoun
why → pouki, poukisa


In Haitian Creole, place the wh- word at the beginning of the sentence, followed by the inquiring sentence in the appropriate tense.

1. Kisa ou renmen?
    What do you like?

2. Kisa ou pral fè?
    What will you do?

3. Kilè ou te ale?
    When did you go?

4. Kibò ou prale?
    Where will you go?

5. Kibò ou te jewnn li?
    Where did you find it?

4. Ki jou ou prefere?
    Which day do you prefer?

5. Kilè ou te rele?
    Who did you call?

6. Poukisa ou te bay manti?
    Why did you lie?

what does Sa Se Peche mean ?

Sa se peche. - This is a sin.  This is immoral.  or This is wrong.

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How do you say "I hate being away from you. Please talk to me"

I hate being away from you.

Mwen pa renmen rete lwen ou.

Please talk to me.

Pale avè m, tanpri.

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Hi. How do you say in Haitian Creole "I love my baby" or "I love my baby-girl"?

Baby girl, in Haitian Creole, may be translated as the endearing name of your choice:

Baby girl (as in darling, precious angel, sweetheart)

ti lezanj, chouchou, kòkòt, ti cheri

I love my baby girl.

Mwen damou pou ti lezanj mwen an.

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ak mwen

ak mwen → with me

Other ways to say "with me" in Haitian Creole:
avèk mwen
avè mwen
avè m
ak mwen menm
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konnen, konn → to know

To have knowledge of → konnen 
To be familiar with → Konnen
To know → Konnen

'konnen' is also contracted as 'konn'.

Konnen and konn means the same thing: to know.
Example:
1.  M konnen kibò ou prale.
     I know where you're going.

2.  Li konnen mwen trè byen.
     She knows me very well.

3.  M pa konn misye sa.
     I don't know this man.
______________________________

To know how to, to be able to → konnen, konn
Example:
1. Li konn pale Angle.
    He knows how to speak English.

2. M pa konn danse.
    I don't know how to dance.

3.  Eske ou konn naje?
     Do you know how to swim?
____________________________

to be used to, routinely, habitually → konnen, konn
Example:
1. Li konn pale avè m.
    She routinely speaks to me.

2. M konn wè li chak maten.
    I usually see him every morning.

3.  Li konn peye m chak vandredi.
     He usually pays me every Friday.

4.  M konn fè $40/jou.
     I usually make $40/day.

5.  Eske ou konn manje lakay li?
     Do you sometimes eat at her house?

how to say "tree"

Tree - pye bwa
mango tree - pye mango
apple tree - pye pòm
oak tree - pye mapou

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what does cheri eske ou gen rad sou ou

Cheri, eske ou gen rad sou ou? 

Honey, do you have clothes on?

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wish happy birdthay

Bònn fèt! - Happy Birthday!

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what did you say

what did you say? - Kisa ou te di?

what do you say? - Kisa ou di?

What did you tell him/her? - Kisa ou te di li?

What did you tell them? - Kisa ou te di yo?

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Mandaly, what are the words for smoke (verb), such as 'don't smoke' and smoke (noun). how to say: It's smoking. and you are smoking.

smoke (n.) - lafimen

smoke (v. to smoke cigarettes) - fimen

smoke (v. to produce smoke from burning) - fè  lafimen

Don't smoke - Pa fimen
It's smoking - lap fè lafimen

You're smoking (as in you're smoking a cigarette).

Wap fimen.

You're smoking (as in you're hot and sexy).
Ou anfòm.
Ou seksi.

Do you smoke?

Eske ou fimen?

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How to say, 'to man up' in creole? thanks

man up - mete gason sou ou, mete fanm sou ou, pran kotwol sitiyasyon an

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I have just woke up

I just woke up. - Mwen fek reveye.

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I've been okay just slept all day.. Have you been home all day

I've been okay, just slept all day.
Mwen byen, mwen te jis dòmi tout jounen an.

Have you been home all day?
Eske ou te pase tout jounen an lakay ou?

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how do you say how are you?

How are you? - Kijan ou ye? or kòman ou ye?
Check out this link for some introductory phrases in Haitian Creole
http://sweetcoconuts.blogspot.com/2011/06/25-useful-introductory-haitian-creole.html

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demetria

(please use it in a sentence)

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i can make bedrock

Do you mean bedrock as in a home foundation?

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dou fin gran moun

Translation: Dou has aged

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Chat manje lung li

Chat manje lang li. - (probably an expression) Cat ate its tongue

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How do you say "I miss my friends in Haiti so much. God be with them!"

Mwen sonje zanmi m yo Ayiti anpil.  Ke Bondye avè yo!
Or
Mwen sonje zanmi m yo an Ayiti anpil. Se pou Bondye avè yo!

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kind of dresses

Kind of dresses - Diferan kalite rad

School clothes - rad lekòl

wedding dress - rad maryaj

fancy dress - rad sòti, rad pou sòti

casual clothes - rad drive

Types of clothing -jan de rad, diferan kalite rad
shirt - chemiz
T-shirt - mayo
Socks - chosèt
Men's underwear - slip, kanson, kalson
Ladies' underwear - kilòt, pantalèt
Tie - kòl, kravat
Brassiers - soutyen
Slip - jipon
skirts - jip
pants - pantalon
nightgown - ròb de nwi

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Can you tell me the literal translation of "sa k ap fèt?" and what are some common responses?

Sa k ap fèt (Kisa ki ap fèt) ?
What's happening?
(Literally, "what's doing?)

Common responses:

Nou la - We're here

Nap kenbe - we're holding on

Nap kenbe piti piti. - We're holding on little by little.

Nap boule - we're holding strong (literally, we're burning)

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Ou dis mwen pa Ayisien parce que m'pa fet dans payi a men payi la se dans toute sen mwen...Dessaline se papa'm Ayiti se manman'm

Translation:
You say that I'm not Haitian because i was not born in Haiti. But the counrty's blood runs through my vein. Dessalines is my father and Haiti is my Mom.

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se plezi tet poze...can you translate this for me please

Translation:

It's pure pleasure.
Its pure fun.
It's pleasure without worry.

plezi tèt poze → pure pleasure, pure fun, no worries

plezi tèt kale → ulimited fun, unrestricted fun

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you're right?

You're right! → Ou gen rezon!

Am I right? → Eske m gen rezon?

Is that right? → Eske se sa?

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about what girl you are talking?

Translation:

De ki ti fi wap pale a?

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Pumpkin soup (also called Soup Joumou)



Pumpkin Soup
Soup Joumou

Ingredients:
1 lb lean beef for stew, or beef chunks
1 cut-up limes
A mixture of chopped green onions, garlic, parsley, and salt
2 packets of frozen cooked squash
1 lb. of baby potatoes
1 packet of Chinese cabbage, or bok choy (chopped)
1 tbsp of extra virgin olive oil
3 medium carrots (cut-up)
6 small radishes
2 large turnips
1/2 cup of chopped celery
minced shallots

Preparation:

Trim off any excess fat from the meat. Rub the cut-up limes on the meat and let it marinate for a few minutes. Rinse off the marinade with warm water.  Bring the meat to a saucepan.  Season the meat with the mixture of chopped green onions, garlic, parsley and salt. Add four cups of water and cook until tender.

In a hot large saucepan, add one tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil.  Sautee the shallots and the tender meat until browned.  Add four cups of water, baby potatoes, carrots, squash, celery, turnips, radishes and Chinese cabbage.  Bring to a boil.  The soup is ready when the vegetables are tender.  Throw in a hot pepper if you can tolerate it.  Salt to taste.

i am here

I am here. - Mwen la.

or

I am here ( as in "I have arrived") - Mwen rive.

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I know "Monte" but I see sometimes "Moute". Does it mean the same.

Yes, it does.

monte, moute → go up, bring up

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ki kote ou rete

Translation:

Where do you live?

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logo

Logo - senbòl, anblèm, mak, idantifikasyon

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what does pou ki sa' cheri mean in englsih

Poukisa → why?

Poukisa cheri - Why, sweetie? Why, honey? or Honey, why?

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i know,,,

Translation: Mwen konnen...

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how do you do this

How do you do this?

Kijan ou fè sa? or

Kouman ou fè sa?

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Gade yon creature. Tout gloire pou Bon Dye.

Translation:

Look at this wonderful being! All glory to God!

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Sak pase konsa a, apam pa ka palavew sou

Sa kap pase konsa a? → What's going on now?
Apa m paka pale avè w? → Now I can't talk to you, huh?!

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how do you say "my love"

my love → lanmou mwen

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how do you say sexy in creole

sexy → seksi, anfòm, anpenpan

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Nigeria, pa ale a rout la! Congratulation!

Do you mean?
Nigeria, pa ale nan wout sa! - Nigeria, don't take this road.

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SE PA MAL TE LA SA! HANDLING!

More infor needed to translate this one. Is it part Creole, part English?

Se pa mal - It's not bad.

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TI MOUN OU YE! MAL TE POU YE! mESI!

Ti moun ou ye. - You are a child.
Malte pou ye. - (This sentence may have a different meaning, but it sounds like : "You cannot be any good", "You cannot be any better")

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what does "ma chere" mean in Hatian

ma chère → is French for "my sweetie", "my darling', "my dear"

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KIYES? KI gAZMAN NAN?

Kiyès ki gazman nan? - who is this "gazman"?

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mY EXCELLENCE...

Sonn ekselans

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handling....

handling - regleTo handle → regle, okipe, tcheke
I'm handling this. - Map regle sa.

Are you handling this? → Eske wap regle sa?

I want you to handle this. → M vle pou ou okipe sa.

And handle as in "hold" or "handle a baby" is kenbe.

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thank you my friend

Cool.

Thank you my friend - Mèsi zanmi m.

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ball headed

Ball headed - tèt chòv, tèt kale

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go to sleep

Go to sleep.

Al dòmi

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Ask gen la pitit

sa k gen la pitit? - What's going on child?

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Why are you putting me thru so much

Translation:

Poukisa wap fè m pase tray konsa?

or

Poukisa wap fè m pase mizè konsa?

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Using the Haitian Creole verb "fini"

Download link for this audio:
http://limanecasimi.audioacrobat.com/download/85c7389e-d831-1e4a-4ae4-1cd525957a40.mp3
To listen to this audio, click the play button and follow along :)

Bonswa mezanmi!
Hello my friends!

Fini → depleted, drained, get done, to wrap up, to conclude

1. Klas la ap fini a 8:00 è.
   The class will wrap up at 8:00 o'clock.

2. Fim nan fini.  An ale lakay nou.
    The movie is over.  Let's go home.

3. Eske ou fini?
    Are you done?

4. Kilè wap fini?
    When will you be done?

5. Manje a fini.
    There's no more food.

Fini → fin (when used as an auxillary), it is placed before a verb to indicate that one is done with a task.

6.  M fin manje.
    I'm done eating.

7. Rele m lè ou fin etidye.
    Call me when you're done studying.

8. Eske ou fin pale?
    Are you done talking?

Sometimes, "fin" may indicate the perfect tense.

9. Ou fin pran tout sa m genyen.
    You have taken all I have.

10. Ou fin kraze kay la.
      You have destroyed the house.

11. M fin ba ou tout sa m genyen.
      I have given you all that I possess.

Se tout, mèsi e orevwa!
That's all, thank you, and goodbye!

Track: Poukisa w pa Pale Manman by Manno Charlemagne

dim voyel

Di m (di mwen) - tell me

voye l (voye li) - send it

Di m voye l - tell me to send it.
(I don't know what the context is, I hope this makes sense to you.)

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how to say talken to you

Talk → pale or koze
talk to you → pale avè w.

I'm talking to you.
Map pale avè w.

I can't talk to you right now.
M paka pale avè w pou le moman.

I'd like to talk to you .
M ta renmen pale avè w. 

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genyen

genyen or gen → to have

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mwen vle'w mwen pou mwen suel

Correct way to say it:

Mwen vle ou pou mwen sèl. 

I want you all to myself.

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I've heard of a Haitian proverb, "Little by little a bird builds its nest." I've seen the word for bird as "wazo" within it. Why is it wazo as opposed to swazo? Thanks!

Actually the correct Haitian Creole word is "zwazo".
It is derived from the french word "Oiseau", which is pronounced "wazo".
So, literally, "wazo" is also correct.

The proverb goes:

Little by little a birds builds its nest.

Piti piti zwazo fè nich li.

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I would like to say that you are truley a blessing to people like me who really want to learn creole. My son father is haitian and he doesnt have the patience to teach me. Your blog is truley ammazing and please never give up on it, cause you are really h

Thanks!

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Dear, This is not really a questions. I was looking for a website where I can learn Creole to accomplish a volunteer work and I found your blog. This site is helping me a lot and I can't help it but thank you for the hard work you put into making this!!!

I appreciate that you've taken the time to write me a "thank you" note. I'm glad you've found this site helpful. You are welcome, and keep on learning!☺

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where can i find children's books written in Creole?

EDUCAVISION: http://www.educavision.com/
and also
Libreri mapou: http://www.librerimapou.com/
You will find tons of Creole children's book at either places.

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how to write fruit in haitian creole

fruit - fwi

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mwen manje tout

Mwen manje tout - I ate it all.

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how do u say i miss u

I miss you. - Mwen sonje w.

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Are you looking for a job?

Are you looking for a job? 

Eske wap chache yon travay?

 

Do you need a job?

Eske ou bezwen yon travay?

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how do you say my haitian heart

My Haitian heart

Kè Ayisyen mwen an

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mwen la

mwen la. - I'm here. or I'm there.

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fellowship

Fellowship (n.) - fratènite, kominyon, rasanbleman

Fellowship (v.) - rasanble

We will fellowship together - Nou pral rasanble ansanm. or Nou pral fè yon sèl fratènite.

"Fellowship in Christ" - kominyon

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Jézu, mwen renmen ou, Se ou ki Sovè-m

Jezi, mwen renmen w.  Se ou ki sovè m.

Jesus, I love you. You are my savior.

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hour

hour - è
1:00 - inè
2:00 - dezè
3:00 - twazè

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YOUR 'RE TOO EAGER

You're too eager. - Ou twò enterese. Ou twò prese. Ou twò cho.

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Madaly, I need your help...please, di m si ou konnen where to find Met lanwouze, but written in kreyol? please, give me a hint...thanks in advance

Can you please provide more info about your request? Are you looking for a particular book? Please advise.

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ti gason mari ou

stepson - bofis

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how do u say working

working - ap travay
I am working. - Map travay.
The men are working. - Mesye yo ap travay.

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how to say what about you

What about you? - E ou menm?

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you're to eager!

You're too eager. - Ou twò enterese. Ou twò prese. Ou twò cho.

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"Kijan de moun li ye"?

Kijan de moun li ye? - What kind of person is he/she?
(asks about the character of a person)

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word MEANwhat is the meaning of this?what this means?does that mean....?

mean, meaning - siyifikasyon

What is the significance of this? -  Ki siyifikasyon sa genyen?

Another way to say, What does this mean? -  Kisa sa vle di?

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Mr.

Mr. or Mister - mesye

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Thank you,,,

Thank you - Mèsi

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how you say name and last name in creol

name - non
first name - prenon
last name - siyati

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how you said mail box

mailbox - bwat postal, bwat lapos

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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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