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!

what does soti or sot mean? for example: "soti deyo" what are some common ways to use it?

soti → go out, come out of, come from, exit
sot → (contracted form of soti) it also means just came from

Would you go out with me?
Eske ou ta vle soti avè m?
Eske ou ta vle fè yon ti soti avè m?


He came out of the room.
Li soti nan chanm nan.

I am from (come from) Haiti.
Mwen soti Ayiti.

I came from new York.
Mwen sot New York.

I just came from seeing her.
Mwen sot wè li.

We should get out more often.
Nou ta dwe soti pli souvan.

Let's go out! (for entertainment)
An nou fè yon ti soti non!

I'm out.  Don't wait up for me.
Mwen sòti.  Pa tann mwen.

People who come from Port-de-Paix have a good heart.
Moun ki sot Port-de-Paix gen bon kè.

Get out!
Go outside!
Soti deyò!

Get out of the house!
Soti nan kay la!
Mete w deyò!

Get out of the car!
Soti nan machin nan!

Get out of my head!
Sot nan tèt mwen!

Efezyen 1:17 Bondye Jezikri, Senye nou an, fe nou konnen an, se yon papa ki gen anpil pouvwa. Mwen mande l pou li ban nou...

Bondye Jezikri,
Lord Jesus,

Senye nou an,
our Lord,

Fè nou konnen an ("an" is not necessary here)
Make us to know

Ou se yon papa ki gen anpil pouvwa.
You are a Father with great power.

Mwen mande l pou li ban nou...
I ask him to give us...


Sentespri l ki bay bon konprann ki moutre nou sa Bondye ap devwale nou an pou nou ka rive konnen l byen. (Thank you!!)

Sentespri l ki bay bon konprann.
His holy Spirit that gives good (higher) understanding.

Ki moutre nou sa Bondye ap devwale nou an.
Who shows us what God is revealing to us.

Pou nou ka rive konnen l byen.
So that we may know Him well.

"Pale met la" as in "Tout se pale met la!

pale met la (expression)
all talks and no action

Tout se pale met la!
It's all talks and no action!

Jack se pale met la ase!
Jack is all talk and no action!

Let me hear from you please (Creole translation)

Kite m tande ou tanpri.

"from". The candy is from the store.

Use "sòti nan, sot nan -come from" or "nan - in"

example:
The candy is from the store.
Sirèt la sot nan magazen an.

The candy is comes from the store.
Sirèt la sòti nan magazen an.

I bought the candy from the store.
Mwen achte sirèt la nan magazen an.

Some Creole Contractions

m contraction for mwen (i, me, my)
w contraction for ou (you, your)
l contraction for li (he/her, him, his)
n contraction for nou (we, our, us)
y contraction for yo (they, their, them) (Contraction only used with subject pronoun "they")


Rule 1:  When placing contractions after a word, place them only after words that end with a vowel.
Example:
Koute m. → Listen to me
Mwen konprann ou. (Instead of: Mwen konprann w) I understand you.
Sa se manman m. (the word "manman" ends with nasal vowel "an") → This is my mother.
Sa se liv nou. (instead of: Sa se liv n) This is our book.
Chyen an te mòde l. → The dog bit him.


Rule 2:  Do not place contractions after the prepositions: sou (on), nan (in,at), and pou (for).
Example:
The coffee spilled on me.
Kafe a tonbe sou mwen.
(instead of: kafe a tonbe sou m.)

This gift is for her.
Kado sa se pou li.
(instead of: Kado sa se pou l.)

Believe in me.
Kwè nan mwen.
(instead of: Kwè nan m.)


Have ever seen these contractions in a sentence?
k contraction for ki (who, that)
p contraction for pa (negative marker)
t contraction for te (past tense marker)

Example:
1. Sa'k pase?
(instead of: Sa ki pase?)
What's happenning?

2. Mwen p'ap chante.
(instead of: Mwen pa ap chante.)
I will not sing.

3. Mwen t'ale wè yo.
(instead of: Mwen te ale wè yo.)
I went to see them.


Some contractions for a few Creole words:
al contraction for ale (to go)
vin contraction for vini (to come)
fin contraction for fini (to complete)
konn contraction for konnen (to know)
ka, kab contraction for kapab (to be able)

Examples of some sentences in which contractions are used.  See if you can translate them.  Scroll down for answers.
1. Mwen t'al wè w.  Ou pa't la.
2. Ede m pote malèt la. Mwen p'ap ka pote l pou kont mwen.
3. Poukisa w'ap meprize m konsa?
4. Papa n rete Ayiti.
5. Y'ap pale avè n lè yo pare.











1. I went to see you.  You weren't there.
2. Help me to carry the suitcase.  I won't be able to carry it on my own.
3. Why are you ignoring me?
4. Our dad lives in Haiti.
5. They will talk to us when they're ready.

How would a daughter show her love to her father on his birthday? Any special traditions in Haiti? Any special words she could say to make him feel extra special?

Birthdays are always special in Haiti. Haitians are mostly grateful for another year in their life. They usually wish for health and prosperity.
Most Haitians celebrate their birthdays, just like here in the US, by having a party with lots of traditional foods and drinks. They accept gifts too.

They usually sing two types of birthday songs:

(French)
Bonne anniversaire
Nos voeux les plus sincères
Que ces quelques fleurs vous apportent le bonheur
Que l'année entière vous soit douce et legère
Et que l'an fini, nou soyons tous réunis
Pour chanter en choeur, "Bonne anniversaire!"


Or

(French)
Bonne fète à toi
Bonne fète à toi
Bonne fète, bonne fète
Bonne fète à toi


This second song is sung to the English Happy Birthday tune. And you may sing it in Creole by adding the person's name at the end as follows:

Bònn fèt (name of person)
Bonne fète (name of person)
Bònn fèt, bònn fèt
Bònn fèt (name of person)

Finally, you may wish him:
Bònn fèt!
Happy birthday!

Mwen swete ou long vi, sante, e kè kontan.
I wish you a long life, health, and hapiness.

That's special enough.

you are so far away from me

You are far from me. → Ou lwen mwen.

You are so far away from me. → Ou trè lwen mwen.

You are too far away from me. → Ou twò lwen mwen.

Say chocolate

Chocolate → chokola

Ask me anything

GODS CHILD

God's child → pitit Bondye

I am god's child. → Mwen se pitit Bondye.

You are God's child. → Ou se pitit Bondye.

We are God's children. → Nou se pitit Bondye.

How do you say "buddy"? Which word is more intimate than "kanmarad"?

Buddy (as in: favorite friend, bosom buddy, pal, chum)
Moun pa

Moun pa, in Haitian Creole, is a very good friend for whom you have a soft spot.

Example:
Frank's my buddy.  I'll never turn him away.
Frank se moun pa m*.  Mwen pa janm refize l*.

I know Mamoun is your bosom buddy
Mwen konnen Mamoun se moun pa w*.

Jack shared his sandwich with Jill because Jill's his pal.
Jack separe sandwitch li a avèk Jill paske Jill se moun pa l*.

"m, w, l " are respectively contracted forms of "mwen, ou, li"

how do you say my love in creole

I will remember who I am. (in creole)

I will remember who i am.
Ma sonje kilès mwen ye.

Do you know who I am?

Do you know who I am?
Eske ou konnen kilès mwen ye?

What is one of your favorite poems in Creole?

Well, I have a great time reading the works of Paul Laraque, Johnny Bélizaire and Félix Morisseau-Leroy.
I recently read and memorized “rekòlt” and “Se yon rèv” from Johnny Belizaire.
But my all-time favorite Creole “literary works” are from the following talented people:
Paul Laraque - He is the grandpa that sits by the fire to tell a tale in prose.
Manno Charlemagne - His lyrics can be controversial, but they are a dose of truth.
Maurice Sixto - He tells it as he sees it. But he sees what no one else sees.
Edwige Danticat – She is the girl next door in Haiti, whom you meet years later in a foreign country, and she takes you back to that time of “lontan lontan”.
Jacques Roumain – I will always be grateful for his work “Gouverneurs de La Rosée”. I very recently read Maude Hertelou’s Creole adaptation.

The Creole books I'm reading now are Agasya by Emile Celestin-Mégie, and M ap Viv Toujou by Evelyne Nacier
Here’s a link where you’ll find many Creole poems.
http://www.potomitan.info/poemes/index.php

What do you want to do next? (Creole)

What do you want to do next?
Kisa ou vle fè apre sa?

Sit still. or Sit quietly.

Sit still.
Chita trankil.
Chita an silans.
Rete trankil.

I love you. I give you my heart with all my might and my soul. I give you my love with every breath. I give you my heart with every fear, every tear, and every word of an argument whether we meant it or not.

Note* The word repetition did not work in Creole. It would have changed the meaning.
I love you. → Mwen renmen ou.

I give you my heart with all my might and with all my soul.
Ak fòs kouraj mwen e ak nanm mwen, m ba ou kè m.

I give you all my love with every breath.
Ak tout souf mwen, m ba ou lanmou mwen.

I give you my heart with ever fear, every tear, and every word.
M ba ou kè m ak tout lapè, tout kriye, tout pawòl ki ladan l.

How do your like it?

How do you like it?
Kijan ou ta renmen li?
Eske li bon konsa?
Eske ou renmen li konsa?

this feels good

This feels good.
Sa bon.

This feel very good.
Sa bon anpil.

how do I ask How is your family?how is you wife?How is you mother?How is your work?

You could use either kouman, kòman, or kijan to ask these questions:

How is your family? → Kouman fanmi ou ye?

How's the family? → Kouman fanmi an ye?

How's your wife? → Kouman madanm ou ye?

How's your husband? → Kouman mari ou ye?

How are the kids? → Kijan timoun yo ye?

How are your kids? → Kouman timoun ou yo ye?

How's your mom doing? → Kijan manman ou ye?

How's work? → Kijan travay la ye?

How's your work? → Kijan travay ou a ye?

How's your business doing? →Kijan biznis la ap mache?

How are you doing with your studies? → Kijan etid la ap mache?

How are things working out? → Kijan bagay yo ap mache?

stay calm

Stay Calm.
Rete an silans.
Rete trankil.
Rete dousman.
You may use either one of the above three for "Stay calm."

how do you say thank the Lord?

Thank the Lord! (as in Praise the Lord!)
Mèsi Letènèl!
Mèsi Senyè!

Thank the Lord. (as in Give thanks to the Lord.)
Di Senyè a mèsi.
Di Bondye mèsi.
Di Letènèl mèsi

how do you say family?

family → fanmi

Ask me anything

There, you are.There, you go.

There/here you are.
Apa ou.

There/here he is.
Men li.

There/here i am.
Men mwen.

There/here we are.
Men nou.

There/here they are.
Men yo

do Haitian kids know how to play Rock, Paper, Scissors? Would you translate instructions for this simple game...

No they wouldn't know.  It's not a popularly known game in Haiti.
Here are the rules of the game in Haitian Creole.

Rock, Paper, Scissors.
Wòch Papye Sizo
Anpil timoun jwe jwèt sa a pou detèmine kilès kap gen priyorite.  Ou gen dwa jwe li pou konnen kilès kap kanpe devan nan yon lin, kilès kap chita devan machin nan, kilès ki premye ap jwenn yon bagay.


Goal of the game
Bi Jwèt la
Jwèt Wòch Papye Sizo a gen twa eleman.
Bi jwèt la se pou yon jwè chwazi yon eleman (wòch, papye, oswa sizo) ki ka koule eleman lòt jwè a.

To play the game:
Pou Jwe Jwèt la:
Pou jwe jwèt la, de jwè dwe kanpe fasafas. De jwè yo dwe chwazi ak ki men y’ap jwe, men goch oswa men dwat. Epi de jwè yo dwe fè yon pwen avèk men sa a.

Gameplay
Jwèt la
Jwè yo dwe kòmanse ansanm. Yo kapab konte sou twa pou yo kòmanse ansanm.
Jwèt la kòmanse ak: en, de, twa.
Jwè yo kenbe pwen yo youn anfas lòt. Epi yo fè yon monte desann pwen yo tankou se kafe yap pile pandan y’ap di ansanm, “Wòch, Papye, Sizo! … ale!”
Menm kote yo di “ale” a, chak jwè yo fè yon fòm eleman an ak pwen yo.

Fòm wòch la se yon pwen.
Fòm Sizo a se yon pwen ak dwèt indèks la e dwèt majè a pwente tankou yon sizo.
Fòm Papye a se yon men plat, tankou si ou tap bay lanmen.

Who wins
Ki moun ki genyen
Wòch ka kraze Sizo. Sa vle di Wòch bat Sizo
Sizo ka koupe Papye. Sa vle di Sizo bat Papye
Papye ka kouvri Wòch. Sa vle di Papye bat Wòch


Example:
Pa egzanp:
Lè de jwè yo di “ale!” a, si yon jwè fè fòm Papye e yon jwè fè fòm Wòch, se jwè ki fè fòm Papye a ki genyen.
E si yon jwè fè fòm Papye e lòt la fè fòm Sizo, se jwè ki fè fòm Sizo a ki genyen.

If both players choose the same item
Si tou de jwè yo chwazi menm eleman
Si tou de jwè yo chwazi menm eleman an nan yon jwèt, rekòmanse ankò jiskaske gen yon jwè ki genyen.

Bònn Chans!

when someone texts you, and you don't know who it is, how do you say "Who is it?" or Who are you? Meci

Who is it?
Kilès sa a?

Who are you?
Kilès ou ye?

I don't know who you are.
Mwen pa konn kilès ou ye

feuille lenni in english

Fèy lanni → aromatic herb used for tea. Used in Haiti mainly for its aroma.  It is a grassy looking and very thin green leaf.

Other uses in Haiti
People have used the leaf or tiny grain of fèy lanni for:
stomachache
bloating
kidney flush
breastfeeding mothers

This leaf should not be digested by pregnant women.

Scientific name:  Anethum graveolens
From the family of: Apiaceae (Ombelliferae)
Name : Dill

See these links in Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dill

Mem la petit ke jwen ye

Did you mean:

Menm la pitit, kijan jounen an ye?
I'm here child, how was the day?

Reading is an important tool that'll help children learn about how many things in life work (Creole)

Reading is an important tool that'll help children learn about how many things in life work.
Lekti se yon zouti enpòtan k'ap ede timoun yo aprann kouman anpil bagay nan lavi a fonksyone.

how to you spell two in creole

let me go

Let me go.
Kite m ale.

Boss major

Boss major (Major boss, Lead supervisor)
Bòs alatèt, Bòs jeneral, Anplwayè, Patwon

It's working.

It's working.
Sa mache.
Li mache.

It's working well.
Li mache byen.
Sa mache byen.

li menn

li menm → him or himself

How do you say I'm a proud Haitian

I'm a proud Haitian.
Mwen kontan m se Ayisyen.

I'm proud of my Haitian nationality.
Mwen fyè de nasyonalite Aysyen mwen.

I'm proud of my country.
Mwen fyè de peyi m.
Mwen gen fyète pou peyi m.

I love my country.
Mwen renmen peyi m.

I'm a true Haitian.
Mwen se yon Ayisyen natifnatal.

Are you sure?

Are you sure?
Eske ou sèten?

I love you for life

Mwen renmen ou a vi.
or
Mwen renmen ou pou lavi

Derier a ki pou ou'w.

Dènye a ki pou ou.
The last one is yours.
or
It's the last one that's yours

you plus me equals love

Ou menm plis mwen menm egal lanmou

Ask me anything

how do you say bear

Bear (as in: grizzly bear) → lous, ous
Bear (to put up with) → sipòte
Bear (to carry) → pote

Ti katkat

Ti kakat
little baby, youngster, kid, half-pint

I knew her since she was a little kid.
Mwen rekonèt li depi li te yon ti kakat.

Ou pa bò isi a ankò, se pa vre?

Ou pa bò isi a ankò?
You're in this area anymore?

Se pa vre? (as a question)
Isn't this true?

Se pa vre. (as a statement)
It's not true.

isn't that so? ot isn't that right?

Isn't that so?
Eske se pa sa?

Isn't that true?
Eske se pa vre?

Translate:Draw a picture" here or "My Artwork (I want to have the children draw a picture with crayons on the page)

Draw a picture here.
Trase yon desen la.

My artwork
Pyès travay mwen
Pyès travay atis mwen

My drawing
Desen mwen

Draw a picture with the crayon.
Trase yon desen avèk kreyon desen an.

Draw a picture on this page.
Trase yon desen sou paj sa.

Color your picture.
Kolore desen an.

This is a beautiful drawing.
Sa se yon bèl desen.

How's everything with you these days?And how are you also Mandaly? sa fe lontan, wi..I hope everything is fine, or everything cushty, as Britons would like to say

Mwen anfòm!
Mwen la!
Map kenbe ak gras Bondye!
Mèsi, e ou menm?!

How's everything with you these days?
Kijan tout bagay ap mache pou ou sèjousi?

Can it be?Can that be?

Can it be? / Can that be? (as in: Is that possible?)
Ou kwè?
Ou kwè sa?

Can it be that I'm in love?
Ou kwè m ta tonbe damou?

Can it be that life is so simple?
Ou kwè lavi ta senp konsa?

Can it be that he forgot about me?
Ou kwè li ta bliye mwen?
_____________________

How can it/that be
Kijan sa fè fèt?
or
Kijan sa fè posib?

I can't go on like this. (Creole)

I can't go on like this.
Mwen pa ka kontinye konsa.

I'm having trouble pronouncing the creole letter 'R', do you have any tips?

I think the easiest way to learn to pronounce the Creole/French letter "R" is to:

1. Practice with repeating the English words "err" and "air"

2. Concentrate on the ending of these words: "err" and "air"

3. Constrict your throat more as you say the ending of these words: "err" or "air"

4. Open up your mouth a little bit more laterally as if you're trying to crack a fake smile when you say the ending of these words. Keep practicing that sound and try repeating the following Creole words:

rayi, rankontre, rele, repete, ri, rive 
Ask me anything

how do u pronounce ble

blay

Ask me anything

What are the most commonly sung Creole hymns? Can you please post the English&Creole translations?

Although these days a lot of churches have adopted a more contemporary worshiping-style of service; they sing songs by Chris Tomlin, Darlene Zschech, and Brian Doerksen etc..., the majority Haitian Churches in Haiti continues to worship with the traditional hymn book "Chants D'Esperance". This book is a compilation of French and Creole traditional hymns that you used to sing "long, long time ago".

This is a list of the title of some the most popular Creole hymns.
Check with the Chants D'esperance Online to find hundreds of Haitian Creole hymns that have the same Air as the English hymns.

My hope is built on Nothing less
Jezi sèl inik esperans, se li sèl ki bay asirans

Trust and obey
Lè n’ap mache ak Dye nan limyè pawòl li

Oh for a thousand tongues to sing
Mwen vle mil lang pou chante byen louwanj Redanmtè mwen

Jesus keep me near the cross
Jezi kenbe m pre lakwa

When we all get to heaven
An nou chante amou Jezi, chante tandrès ak gras tou

Take my life and let it be
Pran lavi m Senyè Jezi, mwen vle konsakre l ba ou

There is a fountain
Genyen yon sous tou plen ak san

Nothing but the blood
Sak kapab lave peche m, anyen pase san Jezi Kri

All hail the power of Jesus name
Onore pisans non Jezi, tout Anj dwe fas atè

What a friend we have in Jesus
Ala yon zanmi se Jezi

We’re marching to Zion
Kite le monn byen lwen

I’d rather have Jesus
Mwen pito gen Jezi pase tout bagay

How much I owe
Lè Jezi mouri sou kalvè

When the roll is called up yonder
An nou travay pou le Senyè

Father, Lead me day by day
Senyè, kondwi mwen chak jou

Love lifted me
Mwen tap neye nan peche

Hark! The herald angels sing
Koute! Anj yo ap chante

baby goats

Ti kabrit

Ask me anything

Mwen pa tande ou mim jodi-a

Mwen pa tande ou menm jodi a.
I haven't heard from you at all today.

LUCKY YOU

Lucky you.
Chans pa w.
or
Ou gen chans.

mwen renmen ak manke ou... espwa nou anm ki gen yon bon jou

Mwen renmen ak manke ou...
I love and miss you...

espwa nou an ki gen yon bon jou...
Our hope which has a good day...
Is this a lyric? a poem?

what are you grateful for this past year?

What are you grateful for this year?
Pou ki bagay w'ap rann aksyondegras ane sa.

Only choose one.

Jis chwazi youn.
or
Chwazi youn sèlman.

What's the weather like where you live?

Kijan tan an ye kote ou rete a?
or
Kijan tanperati a ye kote ou rete a?

Ask me anything

what are you gonna do about that?

Kisa w'ap fè sou sa?
or
Kisa w'ap fè pou sa?

Ask me anything

Total Yearly Household Income: (Please check one) No one will be turned away based on income. Very low, low, moderate. Below $15,350 for Individual, for family of 2.

Total Yearly Household Income:
Lajan Total Pou Tout Kay la pa Ane:

(Please check one)
(Tanpri chwazi yon repons)

No one will be turned away based on income.
Yo pap refize ede ou akòz de montan lajan ou fè.

Very low → trè ba

Low → ba

morerate → moyen

Below $15,350 individual/per family of 2
Mwens ke $15,535 pa tèt /pa fanmi ki gen de moun

How many people in your household are over age 60? How many people in your household are: male female. How many people in your household are disabled?

How many people in your household are over age 60?
Konbyen moun nan kay ou ki gen plis ke swasantan?

How many people in your household are male?
Konbyen moun nan kay ou ki se gason?

How many people in your household are female?
Konbyen moun nan kay ou ki se fi?

How many people in your household are disabled?
Konbyen moun nan kay ou ki andikape?

Email address, Are you of Hispanic or Latino origin? Do you live in a female headed household? How many people in your household are under age 18? How many people in your household are between the ages of 18 and 40?

Email address
Adrès elektwonik, adrès imèl

Are you of Hispanic or Latino origin?
Eske ou sòti nan fanmi moun Panyòl?
Eske ou sòti nan ras panyòl?

Do you live in a female headed household?
Eske se yon fanm ki alatèt lakay kote ou rete?

How many people in your household are under age 18?
Konbyen moun nan kay ou ki gen mwens ke dizuitan?

How many people in your household are between the ages of 18 and 40?
Konbyen moun nan kay ou ki gen laj dizuit a karantan?

Name: Date: African-American, Native American, White, Asian, Latino, Hispanic, Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, Other/Multi-racial, Demographic Form

Namenon
Datedat
African-AmericanAfwo-Ameriken or Ameriken Nwa
Native AmericanEndyen Ameriken Natifnatall
Whiteblan
AsianAzyatik
Latinoespanyòl/panyòl
Hispanicespanyòl/panyòl
Hawaiian/Pacific Islandermoun zile Awayi/moun zile pasifik
Other/Multi-raciallòt ras / ras melanje
Demographic FormFòm Demografik

New client, updating information, youth, phone number, address, first name, last name, zip code, street, city, telephone number,state, apartment number

New client → Nouvo kliyan
Updating information → Nouvo enfòmasyon
Youth → jènn
Less than 18 years old → mwens ke dizuit tan
Phone number → Nimewo telefòn
address → adrès
First name → prenon
Last name → Non fanmi (siyati)
Zip code → kòd postal
Street → ri
city → vil
State → eta
apartment number → nimewo apatman

FINALLY, M CHITA TOU.

Finally, I'm sitting too

kite sa, tann dat mwen kite sa tou.

Kite sa - leave it, leave it alone, or forget about it.
Tanndat mwen kite sa. - I already forgot about it.

Revealing: A revealing dress. and Revealing the truth

Revealing adj. (as in a revealing dress)
dekòlte.

A revealing dress.
Yon rad dekòlte.

She wore a revealing dress.
Li te mete yon rad dekòlte.

This dress is too revealing.
Rad sa a twò dekòlte.


Revealing (verb)
devwale, revele

I will reveal the truth.
Ma va devwale la verite.

One day, he will reveal himself.
Yon jou la devwale tèt li.

When you're in Haiti, and someone yells "Krik?", what should you do?

If it's nighttime and someone yells "Kirk?".
Well, find a comfortable spot to sit, and yell back: "krak!"
It's tale telling time.

If they yell, "Tim Tim?",
Then you shall answer, "Bwa sèch!"
It's tale telling time.

Mwen jwenn Carline!

Mwen jwenn Carline!
I've found Carline!

Today I reconnected with my best friend, Carline.
In Haiti, we went to secondary school together.
At twelve and thirteen years old, we were the best of friends.
In 1984, I moved to the US and she stayed in Haiti.
The last time we saw each other was almost 20 years ago.
I then visited her at her family home in Haiti.
Then we lost contact.
After that, she moved and I moved.
She got married and I got married.
I started searching for her.
I was frantically looking for her especially after the January 2010 earthquake.
But I never found her.
Today, I received a phone call.  It was her.
"Do you know how desperately I've been looking for you?" She said.
"You are hard to find!" She continued.
I didn't recognize her voice.
I was pleasantly surprised when I learned it was my long lost best friend on the phone.
I was happy to learn that she was devotedly looking for me too.
Turns out she relocated to the US immediately after the earthquake,
and she was living about less than fours away from me.
I thought that was amazingly unbelievable.
And now that I'm not searching for her anymore,
I don't know what I'm going to do with my free time!

Rale ko'w

Rale kò w! (or Rale kò w la!)
Step aside!
Step away!

tibebe a yo ou vini sou mwen

Their baby (ies) came to me.

Please sign all the area highlighted in the package; also send me the invoice that you received from the hospital and a copy of your image ID or driver's licence. If you have questions feel free to contact me at (954) 741-2000 Office

Tanpri, siyen fom nan tout kote ki souliyen avek plim koule a. Pa bliye voye, pou mwen, bodwo ke lopital la te voye pou ou a. Voye tou, yon kopi idantifikasyon kat lopital la oswa kopi lisans ou. Si ou gen kesyon, ou te met rele mwen nan ofis la, nan nimewo (954)... End of translation.

haha..actually I'm wanting English translation for "Woy mezanmi wo kòd la kase." They are song lyrics and I don't know what it means:) Maybe more of the lyrics are needed?

Ok :)

Woy mezanmi wo, Kòd la kase!
Oh! Golly Geez! The rope is broken.

Woy  mezanmi wo is an interjection.  It can be what ever you want it to be:

Woy mezanmi wo!Oh God, Oh no, Oh danm, Oh Gosh, Gee whiz, etc....

that's it, No, it isn't.

That's it. → Se sa

No it isn't. → Non se pa sa.

Ask me anything

Print.. that's it.

To print → enprime, kopye

Ask me anything

I saw a lady walking by with her hands on hips.

Mwen wè yon fanm k'ap pase avèk men l sou kote l.

Ask me anything

Woy mezanmi wo kòd la kase

That's funny!
I hope you didn't fall when your rope broke.

Ask me anything

I will miss you for sure

I'll miss you for sure.
M'ap sonje w sètènman.
M'ap sonje w asireman.

You reap what you sow

You reap what you sow.
Sa ou simen, se li ou rekòlte.
or more popularly,
Sa ou fè, se li ou wè.

how do u say damn look at all these hatians

Mezanmi, gade Ayisyen!

I've heard that before :)

How do you says "that's crazy"?

I'm not sure how you want to use that phrase.
But it could have different meanings.
In the purest sense, it's translated as: Bagay sa a fou!

you talk about god

Ou pale de Bondye

Ask me anything

good bye son

Orevwa pitit gason m

Ask me anything

Could you translate this?"Isn't there always an 'I-told-you-so' with you?"

Isn't there always an 'I-told-you-so' with you?
Eske ou pa toujou ap di "Mwen te di sa"?

There's always an 'I-told-you-so' with you.
Ou toujou ap di 'Mwen te di sa'.

You wish! (sarcastically)

You wish!
Se sa ou ta remen!

How do you say "How do you say" in Creole?

How do you say ...?
Kijan yo di   ? or
Kouman yo di...?

How do you say "paper" in Creole?
Kijan yo di "paper" an Kreyòl?

How do you say "licorice" in Creole?
Kouman yo di "licorice" an Kreyòl?

I am fearfully and wonderfully made!

It's hard to literally translate this passive sentence in Creole without changing the meaning a bit.
I am assuming that you are saying:
"God made me a wonderdul being"

I'll translate it that as:

Ou kreye mwen ak de men ou.
Literally: You made me with your own two hands
Translation: I am wonderfully crafted.

or

Ou kreye m ak anpil ladrès.
You created me with great care.

Translation for JOY please! Thank you!

Joy! → jwa or lajwa!

I've got joy in my heart.
Mwen gen lajwa nan kè mwen!

The Holy Spirit gives you joy.
Lesentespri ba ou lajwa.

Listen to this song about Peace, Love, Joy



This song by UJECE says:

Lapè, lanmou, lajwa nan lemonn
Peace, love, joy in the world
Lapè, lanmou, lajwa pou Ayiti
Peace, love, joy for Haiti.
Ask me anything

how do I say how are you and mom doing?

Kijan ou menm ak manman ou ye?

hoe do you pronounce bondye in haitian creole

Bondye → (bonh-dy-yay)

Ask me anything

"I don't care" and "It doesn't bother me". As a response to someone asking if you are mad.

It doesn't bother me.
Sa pa deranje mwen.
Sa pa anniye mwen. or
Sa pa jennen mwen.

What you said is right/correct

What you said is right/correct.
Sa ou di a se sa.

What you said is right/correct.
Sa ou di a korèk.

You spoke the truth.
Ou di verite.

are "a" and "nan" interchangeable as the preposition "to"?

No, they are not.
Check out this link on propositions at, to, on, in:http://sweetcoconuts.blogspot.com/2011/06/prepositions-at-to-on-in.html

how would you say the numbers as a year, ex: 1985, do you just say them independently? Or is there a formula?

The thousand digit is enunciated independently.
The hundred digit is also enunciated independently
The ten and one digit are enunciated according to Haitian Creole numbers principle when counting from 1 to 99.  See the link for Counting to 100

1985 → mil
1985 → nèf san
1985 → katrevensenk
1985 → mil nèf san katrevensenk

1223 → mil
1223 → desan
1223 → venntwa
1223 → mil desan venntwa

2012 → demil
2012
2012 → douz
2012 → demil douz

mwen ta dwe gen koute nan ou.

Do you mean:
Mwen ta dwe koute ou. - I should listen to you.

Ask me anything

Here I am! Did you call me? Heare I am, Lord.

Here I am.
Men Mwen.

Did you call me?
Eske ou te rele mwen?

Did you need me?
Eske ou te bezwen mwen?

Here I am, Lord
Men mwen, Senyè.

Take me as I am.
Pran mwen jan mwen ye a.

What you see is what you get.

What you see is what you get.
Sa ou wè a se sa.

How are public displays of affection received in Haiti?

It's almost taboo.
It's frowned upon.
Especially in the outskirts of the country.
People will make a big deal out of a simple kiss.
But you may hold hands.

I have a question about the culture that will take more space to ask...is there a different way for me to send a longer question to you?

Ask by e-mail
Limanecasimi@aol.com
Belmandaly@gmail.com

Ask me anything

What are some of your favorite expressions in Creole? (In English I like to say something "warms my heart.")

My favorite expressions are actually the unexpressed or unstated ones.

But I'll list the Creole expressions that I use the most:

1. Renmen a mò → love to death
Mwen renmen w a mò. - I love you to death.

2. Tèt mato → Bad, really bad driver
Tèt mato literally means hammer head
I just think it's a cool Creole expression.
"Tèt mato!" is what I yell at the driver who cuts in front of me on the road.

3. Poto mitan → an important or indispensable person.
Poto mitan literally means "central pillar"
My mom is my "poto mitan". I learned a lot from her.

4. Pawòl tafya → nonsense talk
"Pawòl tafya" literally means "words of a drunkard"
W'ap pale pawòl tafya! → You're talking nonsense!

5. Doktè de men → a doctor who practices medicine according to science, but also believes in witchcraft.
I know a few "doktè de men" who practice medicine in Miami. They have a lot of Haitian clients.

6. Gate san → (literally: spoil blood) → driving mad
This is my favorite expression. I use it all the time.
W'ap gate san m! → You're making me mad!

7. Yaya kò → to pick up after yourself a bit, pick up the pace
You are going to the movies with a friend. You're in a hurry, and your friend is taking his time, causing you to be late. You can tell your friend:
Yaya kò w non! → C'mon, hurry up!

8. Anba anba → in secret
Yap pale anba anba. → They're being secretive.

9. Bay poto → (literally: to give a stick) Not keeping your word.
My friend promised me that he'll come to help me paint the kids room yesterday, but he never showed up.
Li ban m poto. → He didn't keep his word to me.

10. Bay jarèt → (literally: to give a leg) To support.
Anpil peyi ap bay Ayiti jarèt.
Many countries are supporting Haiti.


11.  Mete dlo nan diven w. → (Literally: Put some water in your wine.)
It means to Calm down, chill out, simmer down, cool it, compose yourself, control your emotion, etc....
Example:
Tata pa koute.  Mwen pede di li pa kanpe sou chèz la.  Kou l tonbe, l'ap mete dlo nan diven l.
Tata doesn't listen.  I keep telling her not to stand on the chair.  Once she falls, she'll simmer down.

bird

Bird
Zwazo

Laugh

To laugh
ri, gen kè kontan, griyen dan

She was laughing a lot.
Li t'ap ri anpil.

I made him laugh.
Mwen te fè li ri.

They started laughing.
Yo tonbe ri.

do you have a phrase for "the silent treatment" in Creole?

to give the silent treatment → meprize, pa okipe

pay no attention to → pa okipe

Pa okipe l - Pay no attention to him. or  Ignore him

M p'ap okipe w - I'll pay no attention to you. or I'll ignore you
 

Why do you give me the silent treatment?
Poukisa ou meprize m?
or
Poukisa ou pa okipe m?

She's giving me the silent treatment.
L'ap meprize m.

This is why I don't initiate our conversations. I don't like how it makes me feel when you don't answer me. I want you to lead our friendship.

This is why I don't initiate our conversations. I don't like how it makes me feel when you don't answer me. I want you to lead our friendship.
Se rezon sa ki fè mwen pa renmen kòmanse pale ak ou. Mwen pa renmen jan m santi m lè ou pa reponn mwen. Mwen ta renmen se ou menm ki pou ta mennen amitye a.

Maybe you should give him/her the silent treatment too. And hold your ground until he/she talks to you again. It takes two to make a friendship work. If you don't get your say, you might feel abused or taken advantage of later. (That was just my unsolicited opinion. Hope you don't mind :)

tell me what is wrong please

Tell me what is wrong, please.
Tanpri, di mwen sa ou genyen.

will you talk to me? I'm feel lonely when I don't hear from you.

Will you talk to me?!
Pale avè m non!

I'm feel lonely when I don't hear from you.
Mwen santi m sèl lè ou pa pale avè m.

How do you say things got to get better in Creole

Things got to get better.
Bagay yo va fè mye.
or
Bagay yo a vin miyò.

Let me hear from you, or i will become very sad.

Kite mwen tande w, si se pa sa w'ap fè m tris.

Lanmou, toujou lanmou!

Love, it's always love!

Because of what happened between us things can never be the same. (Creole please)

Because of what happened between us things can never be the same. (Creole please)
Akòz de sa ki te pase antre nou, bagay yo pap janm menm ankò.

Hi Thanks again for your help! Could you translate this conversation for me?Neg yo pa gen chans papaa.Ou dwe di ke yo trayay do pou malchans you.Kisa ki pou fe yo egare la-a.Gade dega ou fi koze e li pa manm we you, se saki pi komik.Ah yo pa

(Note: I will not translate these phrases literally. Dakò?)

Nèg yo pa gen chans papa.
Those guys are so unlucky.

Ou dwe di ke yo travay do yo pou malchans.
One would say that they work to bring misfortune.

Kisa ki pou fè yo egare la a?!
What on earth make them so dim-witted?!

Gade dega on fi koze e li pa menm wè ou.
Look at all the trouble this lady caused and you haven't even met her.

Se sa ki pi komik.
That's the most hysterical of them all.



aransel

aransèl → salt herring

Ask me anything

Question: How accurate is the Haitian Creole Version Bible translation? Or what original translation is being used in the HCV?

The most recent Bible that I carry is written after the Hebrew and Greek text.
It is translated after the King James Version.

This Bible is written in the New Creole linguistics.(Nouvo òtograf Kreyòl la)
It's the 1999 Edition.
The previous edition is also translated after the King James Version.
Thanks.

what is si ou se fanm oswa gason

Si ou se fanm oswa gason.
Whether you're a woman or man.

Sa pa tap vre.

Se pa tap vre.
It wouldn't be true.

May the peace of Christ be with you. And also with you.

May the peace of Christ be with you.
Ke lapè Kris la avèk ou.
or
Se pou lapè Kris la avèk ou.

And also with you.
E avèk ou tou.

white shirt

White shirt
Chemiz blan

Fritay...se bon bagay

Oh yes! yum!
What is your favorite? Bannann fri, akra, pwason fri, patat fri, or griyo ak pikliz?

how do you say Sitting here missing you

M chita la a, m'ap sonje w

Ask me anything