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!

Se Pa Ou!

Se pa ou!
It's not you!

romantic, romance, sensual, sensuality, sensual encounter? write few kreyol words and phrases about pure romance, souple. :)

Dakò. But first, I got to take my dusty taboo file out

Often, a beautiful and sensual woman in Creole may be referred to as:
yon flè dizè - a 10:00 o'clock flower
yon fanm solèy - a "delightful" woman
yon fanm dous - a "sweetie"
yon bèl Kreyòl - native expression
yon nègès ak bon gangans - native expression

romantic - womantik, santimantal
romance - womans, zafè
sensual - dous
sensuality - dousè, gangans

gangans - beauty, vitality, bounciness, oomph...
What's a sensual encounter anyway? We may have differing views. Let me hear yours first. Thanks :)

Why would someone tell me I have "no nose on my face"?

Dear God! What did you do!?
Do not translate that phrase literally. It is an expression. It means "having no shame".

Ou pa gen nen nan figi ou. - You have no shame.

Ti fi sa pa gen nen nan figi li. - That girl has no shame.

de ryen, padekwa oubyen ou merite?What is the most suitable expression among these as susbtitute for english you're welcome.

"de ryen" and "padekwa" are pretty popular ways of saying You're welcome.
I do not hear "ou merite'l" as often.

"De ryen" comes from the French "de rien"  which generally means "It was nothing".

"Padekwa" comes from the french "Il n'y a pas de quoi" which means "It was no problem at all".

"Ou merite'l"  means "You deserve it" (which may translate to "It was my pleasure")

How is Haitian Creole verb "fè" used as a helping verb?

"Fè" is used as a helping verb in the following instances:

fè atansyon → to pay attention, to give care to
anpil atansyon lè wap travèse lari a.
Be very careful when crossing the street.

fè bak - to back up, to retreat
Tanpri, fè bak!
Back up please!

fè manje - to cook
Eske ou te fè manje jodi a.
Did you cook today.

   also: to cook - kuit manje, bouyi manje, prepare manje, pare manje

fè erè - to make a mistake
Ou yon gwo erè.
You made a big mistake.

fè grèv - to be on strike
Anplwaye Walmart yo ap fè grèv.
Walmart employees are on strike.

fè konpliman - to congratulate, to applaud
Mwen ou konpliman pou zefò ou.
I applaud your efforts.

fè lanmou - make love, to be intimate, to have sex
Yo te fè lanmou.  Se te bèl fèt!
They made love.  It was beautiful!

fè move san - to be upset, angered, fuming, or vexed
Li fè move san paske yo pa't chwazi li.
She is fuming  over the fact that they didn't choose her.

 fè pitit, fè timoun - to have kids, to populate
M'ap koumanse fè pitit a ventan.
I'll start having kids at 20.


fè plezi - to please
Li ta m plezi si mwen ta wè ou ankò.
It would please me to see you again.


fè egzèsis - to exercise
Li fè egzèsis chak maten.
She exercises every morning.

fè tenten - to goof off, to make funny faces
Poukisa w'ap fè tenten konsa?
Why are goofing off?

koke

koke, kwoke - to embrace

Ask me anything

Hi, can you tell me about some of the different accentsIn Haiti?Are there any that are considered trendierthan others, etc. Who do u think has the" deepest" Creole,U know jan kwochi an ki granmoun tap pale man tan lontan. Mesi!

Your question made me smile.

People from Northern Haiti have the most noticeable accent.
The accent is in their tone of voice, in the way they say their Haitian creole pronouns, and also in the way they end their words and sentences.

People from South of Haiti will sometimes have a variance in their choice of words to describe an item.

And ,there is what you call "Kreyòl rèk".  Kreyòl rèk (with no French influence) is spoken usually deep in the outskirts of Haiti by people who have no knowledge of the French language at all. Some Creole words, then, will be so blunt and expletive that you'd want to run for cover (just kidding!). Yes, the verbage can be explicit at times.    Granmoun lontan, who were not educated in French, know the best Creole.

i love you

Mwen renmen ou.

Ask me anything

HOW DO U SAY "DATE OF BIRTH" IN CREOLE?

Date of Birth → Dat ou te fèt

What is your date of birth?
Ki dat ou te fèt?

When were you born?
Ki dat ou te fèt?

Woule wòch la!

Woule wòch la!
Roll the stone!
Hmm, gen yon moun ki pral delivre? 

Preposition "on"

On → sou.

He sat on the chair.
Li te chita sou tab la.

She lied down on the bed.
Li te kouche sou kabann nan.

They came on a shabby boat.
You te vini sou yon vye bato.

Mwen byen. E ou menm?

Mwen byen, mèsi.  E ou menm?
I'm fine, thank you.  And you?

how r u

Mwen anfom. E ou menm?

Ask me anything

Expressing the future tense with "va" instead of "ap" and "pral"

ki jan ou rele mwen rele jona mwen soti haiti

What's your name?, my name is jona, i'm from Haiti.

Ask me anything

HOW DO U SAY KISSME

Kiss me → Bo mwen or Anbrase mwen

do you know where jacmel is

Translation or question?

Eske ou konnen ki bò Jacmel ye?

Ask me anything

What is "Agogo"?

Agogo (placed after the noun that it modifies) → plentiful, in great quantity, abounding.

Example:
There will be plenty of food.
Ap gen manje agogo.

There was meat in great quantity.
Te gen vyann agogo.


HOW DO U SAY I LOVE U

I love you - mwen renmen ou.

I like you - Mwen renmwen ou, mwen apresye ou.

Ask me anything

how to say respect your daddy

Respect your daddy.
Respekte papa ou.


Respect your dad, you hear!
Respekte papa ou, tande!

na

na → nou va → we will
"Na" is a contracted form of "nou va" which means "we will"
example:
Na pale pita. - We'll talk later.

link:

Gade 'm

Gade m → look at me
Gade w → Look at you
Gade li → Look at him/her
Gade nou → Look at us
Gade yo → Look at them

how to write turgeau and haut-turgeau on kreyol...maybe few names more like thor le volant, zone predailler, savane salee and what does Mais Gate means?All right, thank you! :)

The Creole names for the following cities are:

Turgeau → Tijo
Haut-turgeau → Wo-Tijo
Thor le volant → Tò Levolan
Zone pedailler → Zòn pedaye
Savane Salée → Savàn Sale
Maïs Gaté →Mayi Gate ("mayi" is Creole for corn. "gate" is Creole for spoiled. So that'll make "spoiled Corn" :)

This group should not be named Haitians. They don't speak just any creole, haitians speak haitian creole...

Dakò, mesaj la pase :)

This is a great site! However please add more pictures!! :)

More pictures!!!! Got it :)

Ask me anything

can we pray i'm sleepy

Can we pray?
Eske nou kapab priye?

Can we pray now?
Eske nou kapab priye kounye a?

Let's pray.
An nou priye.   or
An nou lapriyè.

I'm sleepy.
Dòmi nan je m.
or

I'm sleepy.

Mwen gen dòmi.

what's wrong

What's wrong?
Kisa ki genyen?  or
Kisa ou genyen?

What's wrong with you?
Kisa ou genyen?

What's wrong with him/her?
Kisa li genyen?

can i have a glass of soda

Can I have a soda?
Eske mwen ka gen yon soda?


Can I have some soda? a glass of soda?
Eske mwen ka gen yon vè kola?

Can I have a glass of water?
Eske mwen ka gen yon vè dlo?
Ask me anything

call me when you wake up

Translation:
Rele m lè ou reveye.

It seems that in Creole, Nou can be a respectfulway to adress someone instead of ou, are there rules on how how and when to use it?

Yes, it does seem like it, especially when you're addressing someone older than you.
But "Nou" translates "we" and "you (plural)".
You will especially use "nou" when addressing a crowd of people too.

\Example:
1. God bless you all.
Bondye beni nou.

2. I love you (to a crowd).
Mwen renmen nou.


3. Hello to you all.
Bonjou a nou tout.

4. We will never forget.
Nou pap janm bliye.

5. We are one.
Nou se youn.

May I have...?

May I have...?
Eske mwen mèt pran...?
Eske ou ka ban mwen...?

Example:

May I have this book?
Eske mwen mèt pran liv sa?  or
Eske ou ka ban mwen live sa?

May I have your telephone number?
Eske ou ka ban mwen nimewo telefòn ou?

May I have this job?
Eske ou ka ban mwen travay sa?

Mwen vle ba ou yon bo ki fre anpil. Eskew vle kounyea? (in English and is this something someone could say to you just as a friend or is it more sexual?)

That sounds sexual.
It translates: I want to give a very wet kiss. Do you want this now?

Sounds like someone is getting very lucky

Ou pa vle mwen karese ou anko? Ou vle kouche sou mwen? (English?) thanks:)

Don't you want me to caress you any more? Do you want to lie on top of me?

Ask me anything

Mwen bo ou epi mwen sere ou sou mwen (English?)

I kiss you and then I held you real tight.

how much gas do ou have

Konbye gazolin ou genyen?

Ask me anything

Metew alez ak Cheri ou (in English)

Mete w alèz ak cheri ou.
Put yourself at ease with your sweetheart.

In other words
, Don't be shy.

how about you

How about you? - E ou menm?

How about him/her? - E li menm?

How about us? - E nou menm?

How about them? - E yo menm?

A PAL VRE!

Apa'l vre (apa li vre) - There it is, for real.
E pa vre - It's not true.

renmen ou ti fi

renmen on ti fi - to love a girl.
Mwen renmen ou ti fi. - I love you, girl
Mwen renmen on ti fi. - I love a girl

"It's a..." as in "It's a boy", "It's a good thing" - What is contraction for "Se yon...?

It's a...  → Se yon or S'on

S'on or son is contracted form of 'Se yon'

Example:
1. It's a boy.
    Se yon gason.  or
    S'on gason.

2. It's a girl.
    Se yon ti fi.   or
    S'on ti fi.

3.  It's a funny story.  I like to hear it.
     Se yon istwa komik.  Mwen ta renmen tande l.   or
     S'on istwa komik.  Mwen renmen tande l.

4.  Be very careful, it's a trap. 
     Fè anpil atansyon,  Se yon pyèj.  or      
     Fè anpil atansyon.  S'on pyèj.

5.  Life is a miracle!
     Lavi sa, se yon mirak!   or
     Lavi sa, s'on mirak!

6.  It's a shame!
     S'on wont!   or
     Se yon wont!

7.  This is a good thing!
     Sa se yon bon bagay!   or
     Sa s'on bon bagay!

Smile & Go to work!

Souri epi ale travay!

how to say i'm sorry

I'm sorry (I'm regretful) - Eskize m.

Sometimes people also say: Mwen mande ou padon which means I ask for your forgiveness.

wake him up

Wake him up. - Reveye li.

Define - Ti Mari pa monte, Ti Marie pa desann

Ti Mari pa monte, Ti Mari pa desann.
literally means:
Little Marie didn't go up, Little Marie didn't go down.

This expression means:
Everything was idle.
All was dead and silent, nothing moved.
There was no activity.

Example:
When the boss is here, all is calm and quiet.
Lè bòs la la, Ti Mari pa monte, Ti Mari pa desann.

fair enough!

Fair enough!
Pa mal!
Pa mal! literally means not bad!

MWEN LA TOU!

Mwen la tou!
I'm here too!

Let me guess? I guess, I suppose?


Te'm wè...  (uncontracted form of "kite m wè" which means "Let me see")
Let me see...
Let me think....
Let me guess...

Te' m di w. (Kite m di w)
Let me tell you

Te' m ede w. (Kite m ede w)
Let me help you.

Mwen panse...
Mwen imajinen....
Mwen sipoze....
I guess...

Mwen sipoze...
I suppose...

look who is here?

Look who is here?
Gade ki moun ki la?

Gendele m'rete

Expression for "sometimes".
literal translation: Gendelè m'rete → There's time I stop

Example:
Gendelè m'rete, mwen sonje w.
Sometimes I miss you.

Gendelè m'rete, m vle fou.
Sometimes I want to go crazy.

Gendelè m'rete, m vle abandone tout bagay.
Sometimes, I just want to give up.


this must be your hometown

This must be your hometown.S
anble se isit la ou sòti.  or
Sanble se isit la ou te fèt.

Manda, listen to this cryptic sentence:Blan wetè, Mulatre wetè, si lautre wetè, patta va abi!

Woy! Sounds like a racial war declaration.
Can you share more?
I'd like to know the origin of this sentence.
mèsi zanmi!

When (as conjunction) → lè, kou

Download link:
http://limanecasimi.audioacrobat.com/download/932e53bf-80e1-129a-b6a2-e9fc9c6942ef.mp3

To listen to this audio, click the play button, and follow along.  Be ready to listen to the first three sentences in Haitian Creole.



Bonswa mezanmi! 
Hello everyone!

Kouman nou ye?
How are you all doing?

Mwen espere ke tout bagay byen.
I hope that all is well.

When (as conjunction)

Creole speakers will translate when as "kou" or "lè"

Whenkou
1. Rele mwen kou ou fini. or
    Rele mwen ou fini.
    Call me when you're done.

2. Kou nou reveye, na pati. or
    nou reveye, na pati.
    When we wake up, we'll leave.

3. Kou tout moun rive, na kòmanse manje.  or
    tout moun rive, na kòmanse manje.
    When everyone arrives, we'll start eating.

4. Nou tout dwe kanpe kou jij la parèt. or
    Nou tout dwe kanpe jij la parèt.
    You all must stand when the judge comes out.

5. Kou li antre, tout moun dwe rele "Sipriz!" or
    Lè li antre, tout moun dwe rele "Sipriz!"   
   When she comes in, everyone must yell "Surprise!"

When →
6.  mwen te jènn, mwen te pi fò.
     When I was young, I was stronger.

7. lè a rive, ma va di ou.  or
 → Kou lè a rive, ma va di ou.
    When the time comes, I'll tell you.

8. timoun kriye, syèl la kriye tou.  or
    Kou timoun kriye, syèl la kriye tou.
    When kids cry, heaven cries too

9. Tout kote pre ou gen machin.  or
     Tout kote pre kou w gen machin.
     Every place is within spitting distance when you're by car.

10. novanm rive, li kòmanse fè frèt. or
      Kou novanm rive, li kòmanse fè frèt.
      When November's here, it starts to get cold.

Se tout pou jodi a.  Mèsi e orevwa
That's all for today.  Thanks and goodbye. 
Tracks:  Reyinyon Konbit by Manno charlemagne

How did your day go? (Creole)

How did your day go?
Kouman jounen ou te pase?

did you miss me last night?

Did you miss me last night?
Eske ou te sonje m yè swa?

I dey try small small

i do not know what you mean here, but this sounds like a creole sentence that's translated literaly, like: Nap mache piti piti. Was that the idea?

Koman ou di: Mwen vle ale cay ou?

Mwen vle ale lakay ou.
I want to go to your house.

Cotton balls. Where did you put the cotton balls? (creole)

Cotton balls
ti boul koton

Where did you put the cotton balls?
Kote ou te mete ti boul koton yo?

Where did you put the luggage?
Kote ou te mete malèt yo?

Where did you put the sandals?
Kote ou te mete sandal yo?

links:

Hi, Can Creole speakers of M & G or even St. Lucia understand/ speakWith Haitians or vice versa.

The Creole spoken in Haiti is slightly different from the creole spoken in Martinique, Guadeloupe, St Lucia, Seychelles etc...
Creole speakers from any of these places should be able to understand at least 90% of spoken conversation.

what does the work savant mean in the creole language

savan, save literate, educated, cultured, knowledgeable
You will often hear nèg save which means scholarly man, educated man.

How do you express the imperative to be in KreyolSuch as Be good, or Be a good husbandMèsi ma belle

Dakò :)

Be good!
Konpòte ou byen! - (literally means: Behave!)

Be a good husband.
Fè yon bon mari. (literally means: Make a good husband.)
Fè devwa mari ou. (Literally means: Make/do your husband duties)
Pran swen madanm ou. (Means: Take care of your wife.)
Pran swen madanm ou byen. (Take good care of your wife)

All eyes on Iowa for GOP...

All eyes on Iowa for GOP.
Tout zye sou Iowa Pou GOP a.

How can i thanks you someone for a gift

How can I thank someone for a gift?
Kouman pou mwen remèsye yon moun pou yon kado?

Say:
Thanks a lot for the gift. I appreciate your kind gesture.

Mèsi anpil pou kado a. Mwen apresye bèl jès la.

How do you say in Hatian Creole"Eat in the kitchen"?

Eat in the kitchen.
Manje nan kwizin nan.

They're eating in the kitchen.
Yap manje nan kwizin nan.

She's funny

funny - komik

She's funny - li komik

next week

next → pwochen, lòt

next weekend
wikenn pwochen

next week
semèn pwochèn
or
lòt semèn

next month
mwa pwochen
or
lòt mwa

next year
ane pwochèn
or
Lòt ane

next time
pwochèn fwa
or
lòt fwa

next Monday
lendi pwochen
or
lòt lendi

next election
pwochen eleksyon
or
lòt elksyon

next level
lòt nivo

next question
lòt kesyon

the next day
nan demen
nan landmen
nan lòt jou a

next to you
bò kote w

next to him
bò kote li

She lives next to us.
Li rete bò kote nou.

The car is next to a store.
Machin nan bò kote yon magazen.

Come sit next to me.
Vin chita bò kote m.

She was standing next to them...
Li te kanpe bò kote yo...

You're wasting your time. (creole)

wasting time - pèdi tan

san pèdi tan - without wasting time, right away

You're wasting your time.
W'ap pèdi tan w.  Or
Se tan w wap pèdi. (most popular way to say it.)


Join in,

Join us - Mete ou ansanm ak nou.

Ask me anything

M pa tap ici a tou..

M pa tap isi a tou.
I would not be here too.

Ask me anything

I tried to call you but your phone isnt working...I miss you guys

Mwen te eseye rele nou, men telefòn nan pat mache... Mwen sonje nou mesyedam.

how do you say have fun

have fun - Anmize ou byen. or Pran plezi ou.

banmwen nimeo telephone ou pou mwen ka pale aveck ou

Ban mwen nimewo telefòn ou pou mwen ka pale avèk ou.
Give me your phone number so that I can speak to you.

what does banmwen mean

ban mwen - give me
__________
bay → to give


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

"ban" is used 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.
Example:
Jezi bay lavi. 
Jesus gives life.

Bay Joel liv la.
Give the book to Joel.

Revanj bay satisfaksyon
Revenge gives (brings) gratification
Ask me anything

"Ti"

Ti → little, small.
"Ti" is used as an adjective.  Always placed before a noun.

A little boy.
yon ti gason.

A little house.
Yon ti kay.

I found a little book.
Mwen jwenn yon ti liv.

Wait a little while.
Tann yon ti moman.

A small car is better than a big car.
Yon ti machin pi bon pase yon gwo machin.

Piti is also Haitian Creole for small, little.
"Piti" is an adjective.  It is never placed before a noun.  It may be used as an adjective or adverb.

This house is small.
Kay sa piti.

This dress is too small for you.
Rad sa twò piti pou ou.

Why is this car so small?
Poukisa machin sa piti konsa?

I'm small, but I'm strong.
Mwen piti, men mwen fò.


"Pitit" with a "t" at the end means  child, offspring.  You may use it to describe a small or grown child.

How many children do you have?
Konbyen pitit ou genyen?

All my children are in college.
Tout pitit mwen nan kolèj.

Is this your child?
Eske sa se pitit ou?

And finally, another to say "child" in Haitian Creole is "timoun".

I wish I never met you

translation:

I wish I never met you.
Mwen swete ke m pat janm rankontre ou.
Mezanmi! That sounds harsh!  What did he/she do to you :)

When do you say Kisa vs Kisa ki?

What - Kisa
When “what” acts as a subject pronoun, we add “ki” after it.

1. What is in the car?
Kisa ki nan machin nan?

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

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

4. What is happening?
    Kisa ki pase?

5. What is going on?
    Kisa ki genyen?

6. What is inside that box?
    Kisa ki nan bwat la?

When “what” acts more as an interrogative pronoun, it may be used on its own.

7. What do you think?

    Kisa ou panse?

8. What did he say to you?
    Kisa li te di ou?

9. What can you do?
    Kisa ou ka fè?

10. What will you wear?
     Kisa ou pral mete?

11. What would you do with a million dollars?
      Kisa ou ta fè avèk yon milyon dola?

FYI:  It is important to know that "Kisa" is very often contracted to "sa".  So you may hear:

What do you want?
Kisa ou vle? or
Sa ou vle?

I know what you want.
mwen konnen kisa ou vle.  or
Mwen konnen sa ou vle.

FYI:  It is important to know that "Kisa ki" is very often contracted to "Sa k".  So you may hear:

What's up?
Kisa ki pase? or
Sa k pase?

What's going on?
Kisa ki genyen? or
Sa k genyen?

I know what happened.
Mwen konnen kisa ki pase.  or
Mwen konnen sa k pase.

Are you busy?

busy - okipe

Are you busy?
Eske ou okipe?

Yes, I'm busy.
Wi, mwen okipe.

No, I'm not busy. 
Non, mwen pa okipe.

Please wait. I'm busy right now.
Tanpri tann.  Mwen okipe kounye a.

lefty

left-handed - goche (pronounced go-shay)

He's left-handed. - Li goche.
Are you left-handed? - Eske ou goche?

busy girl

Literally,
busy girl - fanm okipe, fi okipe

Non-literally,
busy girl - fanm vanyan, madan Sara, fanm doubout, fanm nasyonal, fanm kreyòl

endearing term for a hot guy

Mezanmi!
A hot guy is hot. A hot guy is not "endearing" in my opinion. You're probably looking for more of a "delicious" nickname for the guy.
I can only think of three: Tikòk, anmoure, nèg total kapital.
If you come across more Creole "endearing" term for such a guy, be sure to let me know.  I hope that helped.  Thanks.

i know, Postal Service proposing cutting 120,000 jobs, i know ....

Mwen konnen Sèvis Lapòs la pwopoze pou anile san ven mil djòb...

Ask me anything

Are you hungry?

Are you hungry? - Eske ou grangou?

Are you thirsty? - Eske ou swaf?

Are you tired? - Eske ou fatige?

Are you okay? - Eske ou byen?

Is everything allright? - Eske tout bagay anfòm?
 
Are you ill? - Eske ou malad?
 
Are you in pain? - Eske ou gen doulè?
 
Are you ready? - Eske ou pare?
 
Are you mad at me? - Eske ou fache avèk mwen?
 
Do you know me? - Eske ou konnen mwen?
 
Do you understand me? - Eske ou konprann mwen?

I wish you all the best.

I wish you all the best.
Mwen swete tout bagay va mache byen pou ou.

Also what are some endearing names to show my affection for another man...not a father or someone I'm interested in like a boyfriend...just another man I respect and love dearly?

That sounds like just a friend. Especially if you're attached to someone else.
"Zanmi" is the only word I can think of.

GO TO SLEEP

Go to sleep. - Ale dòmi..

Ask me anything