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!

YOUR HAIR LOOK LIKE THE BOMB.

I am assuming that "the bomb" is a very good thing :)
Your hair is the bomb!
Cheve w bèl, se sa nèt!

sesi sela

Sesi sela → this and that

Mariela was boasting, "I have this, I have that..."
Mariela t'ap vante tèt li, "Mwen gen sesi, mwen gen sela..."

What is "Jis yon ti kras"

Jis yon ti kras.
Just a tiny bit.

is it like an english that if you are writing something more formal you don't use conjugations, you would use "ou" instead of "w" ?

Actually you could use contractions as long as you follow the rules.

Ask me anything

I beg you pardon.

I beg your pardon?
Eskize mwen? or
Kisa ou di? or
Sa ou di?

I am a Christian. (Creole)

I am a Christian.
Mwen se kretyen.

What's the idea behind "Zewo bare", why can't they just say "Zewo"?

Zewo → is Haitian Creole for  the number zero.
Zewo bare → is a zero with a dash traced through the middle.

A zewo (zero) looks like this: 0
A zewo bare (barred zewo) looks like this: 0

What's the difference in Haiti?
Well, in Haiti, a zewo (zero) is just a number.
But a zewo bare (0) screams null, worthless, fail, inefficient, wrecked.

For a student who has failed a test, there's nothing worse than seeing that zewo bare (0) on his/her test paper.
Sometimes, you feel it's worse than a simple zewo (zero).
It can be traumatizing!

Have you ever gotten a zewo bare on an exam in Haiti?
How did you feel about the instructor who took the special extra time to slash the bar through the zero?
Were you ever bullied because of this :(

what does "mwen" mean?

Mwen → I, me, my

Mwen konprann.
I understand.

Mwen wè ou.
I see you.

Gade mwen.
Look at me.

Reponn mwen.
Answer me.

Papa mwen
My father

Kay mwen
My house

What are fabrication & baseless in Creole?

Fabrication → manti, istwa envante
baseless → san fondasyon

All my wishes!

All my wishes! (as in All my best!)Mwen swete w siksè ak kè kontan!

Happy Birthday! → Bòn fèt!

I wish you all the best! → Mwen swete w siksè, bonè ak kè kontan! (literally: I wish you success, joy and happiness!)

I brought you a gift. → Mwen pote yon kado pou ou.

Men Li, Kote Li.

Men li. → Here it is.

Kote li? → Where is it?
also
Kote li ye? → Where is it?

anchor (v.)

kore (v.) → anchor, implant, embed, protect

I am well anchored.
Mwen byen kore.

The cow feet stew fortified me.  I feel I have the strength of 10,000 men.
Bouyon pye bèf  la byen kore m. Mwen santi m dimil òm. (popular saying in Haiti)

He strenghtens me so that I don't fall.
Li kore m pou m pa tonbe.

You are well rooted in Christianity.
Ou byen kore nan Levanjil la.


Does anyone remember this song? (Wane, Carrefour 1978 kay sè Lamontay :)

Chè Senyè, Chè Senyè!
Dear Lord, Dear Lord!
Kore m pou m pa tonbe!
Anchor me so that I don't fall!
Tè Ayiti se tè glise.
Haiti's land is a slippery land.
Kore m pou m pa tonbe!
Anchor me so that I don't fall!
Tè Ayiti se tè modi.
Haiti's land is cursed land.
Kore m pou m pa tonbe!
Anchor me so that I don't fall!




good girl

bon ti fi

Ask me anything

mwen nan paj facebook ou

i'm on your Facebook page.

Ask me anything

kale je ou

Kale je ou.
Open your eyes.
Keep your eyes open.
Stay on alert.

Men M devan w, I'm listening. Do you have anything you want to say.

Here I am before you, I'm listening. Do you have anything to say?
Men m devan w, M'ap koute. Kisa ou gen pou w di?

koman ou ye

How are you?

Ask me anything

misye

Misye. mesye, or msye → sir, mister

I will tell him that.

I will tell him that.
Mwen va  di li sa. (uncontracted form)
Ma di'l sa. (contracted form and most popularly used)

Men li devan w.

Men li* devan w.
Here it is in front of you.
Here he/she is before you.
Here it is right in front of you.

*li could be either he, she, or it.
_________________________________________

Here we have the same sentence, and different pronouns.

Men m devan w.
Here I am before you.

Men n devan w.
Here we are before you.

What is the Creole word for October?

Oktòb

Ask me anything

Love your website-- thanks!!

Mèsi anpil! (thanks!) ☺

Michel Martelly admistration is based on job creation, education, security, reconstruction and health.

Administrasyon Prezidan Michel Martelly a baze sou devlopman travay, edikasyon, sekirite, rekonstriksyon ak lasante.

Ask me anything

"dare" or "can't bring self to" as "No one dares to ask him where he was"

Dare ( as in take a risk, attempt) → fouti

I couldn't bring myself to look at her.
Mwen pa't fouti gade l.

No one dares to ask him where he was.
Okenn moun pa fouti mande l kote li te ye.

I couldn't even stand up.
Mwen pa't fouti leve.

yon nouvèl Ayiti, yon nouvèl mantalite...Everything else is in French

Yon nouvèl Ayiti.
A new Haiti.

Yon nouvèl mantalite.
A new mindset.

If everything else is in French, then it may not be a new Haiti after all ☻

what does "se peyim" mean?

Se peyi m. It's my country.
"m" is contraction for "mwen".

i'm listening to President Michel Martelly Joseph speech in asanble Jeneral nasyonzini an.. i saw "te Prennesans" come on the screen.. i kind of have an idea what it means, but i am sure.

He may have been talking about a movement, an idea, or a crusade that was born...

What is that mean "te prannesans"

te prannesans (from the French: avait pris naissance) - was born

The best way to say this in Creole is "te fèt". It's more ...native.

He was born yesterday.
Li te fèt yè.

I was born in Nevada.
Mwen te fèt Nevada.

"so that" or "in order to" - Would that be "pou"? As in, "Give me your number so that I can call you."

Yes, you are correct. It would be pou.
Sometimes you will see a variation of "so that I can" → "pou m ka", "pou m kapab"

1. Give me your number so that I can call you.
    Ban m nimewo w pou m ka rele w.

2. Put your shoes on so that we can go.
    Mete soulye w pou nou ale.

3. Hurry up so that we're not late.
    Prese vit pou nou pa anreta.

4. Move away so that we can get through.
    Rale kò w pou nou ka pase.

5. Take your clothes off so that the doctor may examine you.
    Retire rad ou pou doktè a egzaminen ou.

6. Close your eyes so that I may kiss you.
    Fèmen zye w pou m anbrase w.

7. Put your glasses on so that you can see better.
    Mete linèt ou pou ou ka wè mye.

8. Turn on the light so that I can see where I'm going.
    Limen limyè a pou m ka wè kote m prale.

Note:  I have used a lot of contractions in these sentences.
m contraction for mwen.
w contraction for ou

Take care of yourself

Take care of yourself.
Pran swen tèt ou.

"I'm so hungry I could eat a whole cow." Do I sometimes hear a variation in the parallel Creole expression? Is it a different meaning?

I'm so hungry I could eat a whole cow.
Mwen si tèlman grangou, mwen ta manje yon bèf ak tout kòn.

The general meaning is the same, but the Creole one says specifically: "I'm so hungry I could eat a cow along with its horns"

Sound (as in noise)

Sound (as in music, phonetics) son
Sound (as in nonspecific noise) bri

THATS A GOOD DEAL

It's a good deal.
Se yon bon okazyon.
Se yon bon opòtinite.
Se yon bon zafè.
Se yon bon lavant.

To give → ba,ban, bay

The verb "to give" is translated in Creole as "ba, ban, or bay"
To give → ba, ban, bay

"Ban" used before a nasally sounding pronouns MWEN NOU.
You will say:
ban mwen → give me
ban nou → give us
ban nou (plural) → give you all

Examples:
1. Ban mwen yon ti dlo tanpri.
    Ban m yon ti dlo tanpri. (even when the pronoun is contracted, continue to follow this rule)
    Give me some water please.


2. Pou fèt mwen, Nadine te ban mwen yon kado.
    Pou fèt mwen, Nadine te ban m yon kado. (m is contracted form of mwen)
    For my birthday, Nadine gave me a gift.  


3. Li ban nou lavi.
    Li ban n lavi. (n is contraced form of nou)
    He gives us life.


4.  Ban mwen yon ti moso.
     Ban m yon ti moso.
     Give me a small piece.



Before the pronouns OU  & YO, always use "ba"
Mwen ba ou I give you
Do not say: Mwen bay ou.
Do not say: Mwen ban ou.

Mwen ba yo I give them.
Do not say:  Mwen bay yo.
Do not say:  Mwen ban yo.

Examples:
1. I gave them everyhing I had.
    Mwen ba yo tout sa m-te genyen.

2. Kisa mwen dwe ba ou?
    Kisa mwen dwe ba w? (Expect that Creole speakers will use contractions.  W is contracttion for ou)
    What must I give you?

3. Nou ba yo tout manje a.
    We gave them all he food.



Always use "bay" at the end of a sentence.
5. Konbyen pou m bay?
    How much should I give?

6. It is not correct to say:
    Konbyen pou m ba?
    Konbyen pou m ban?
    How much should I give?
    (Don't use "ba" or "ban" at the end of a sentence.)

7. But, you could say:   
    Konbyen pou m ba ou?
    How much should I give you?
    Konbyen li te ban mwen?
    How much did he/she give me?


Lastly, except in the above cases, you can interchangeably use "BA" or "BAY" everywhere else.

Examples:
You can say:
8.  Mwen bay Jacques liv la. or
     Mwen ba Jacques liv la.
     I gave the book to Jacques.


9.  An nou bay lanmen.  or
     An nou ba lanmen
     Let's shake hands.


10.  Nou te bay anpil liv gratis yè.  or
       Nou te ba anpil liv gratis yè.
       We gave away a lot of free books yesterday.

In the following five sentences, use ba, ban, or bay.
11.  I gave you a book.
       Mwen _____ ou yon liv.

12.  Give me your heart.
       ________ mwen kè ou.

13.  I gave them what they asked for.
      Mwen te  ________ yo sa yo te mande a.

14.  I gave blood today.
       Mwen te _________ san jodi a.

15.  I have no money to give.
       Mwen pa gen lajan pou m _________



  Answers:  11. ba    12. ban    13. ba    14.  bay/ba    15. bay

He's watching over me.

Veye (v.) → to watch, examine, to scrutinize

He's watching over me.
L'ap veye sou mwen.

Mwen gen yon zye k'ap veye sou mwen.
I have an eye watching over me
Menm si mwen pa wè pèsòn.
Even if I don't see anyone.
Mwen pa bezwen ni pè ni doute
I don't need to be afraid or have any doubts
Paske sovè-m ap veye-m
Because my savior is watching over me
Li fè-m pwomès li avèk mwen
He promised that He'll be with me
Toulejou jiska la fen
Everyday until the end
Mwen gen yon zye k'ap veye sou mwen
I have an eye watching over me
Toulejou
Everyday

Lage m bo dlo a.. To Do What? You want to drown yourself!

Maybe they just want to go for a swim.

swallow → vale

The Haitian Creole word "vale" means to "swallow".

Have you heard the term "Vale san kraze?
Vale san krazeto swallow whole, to devour, to consume.

Isn't that what the wolf did to Little Red Riding Hood?
He swallowed her whole.
Li vale li san kraze.

A big hole in the ground engulfed the houses.
Yon gwo twou nan tè a te vale kay yo.

Lage m bò dlo a

lage (v.) → to let go

Lage m bò dlo a.
Drop me by the water.

Lage m bò lekòl la.
Drop me off by the school.

Lage m la.
Drop me off right here.

or just...

Lage m!
Let me go!
Let go of me!

men pa kanbe sa papa di ka rive menn nan domi

Do you mean:
Mwen pap kenbe sa papa di ka rive mwen nan dòmi.
I won't keep to myself what papa say can happen to me while I sleep.

Is that close to the context?

Can you tell me how to get onto the puzzles? It says Java must be enables which I have Thank you.

You may have to either reinstall or update your version of Java. It's free at Java.com. Thanks.

Ask me anything

Fe yon ti virerou.

virewon (with an "n" at the end) roundabout

Fè yon ti virewon.
Go on a short outing.
Go out for a little while.
Go for a short drive.
Go out for a short trip (to the store maybe)

Mwen pral fè yon ti virewon la.
I'm going out for a little while.

woy

woy! is an interjection used to express strong emotion, such as surprise, fear, anger, or pain.

dozado

dozado (adj.) → disagreeing, "back to back", not seeing eye to eye

Yo dozado.
They're not seeing eye to eye.

Nou pap reyisi ansanm si nou dozado.
You won't be successful together if you disagree with each other.

Why do some haitian parents feel they have the right to "check" their daughters virginity?

It is an easy temptation that too many Haitian parents, fathers and mothers alike, fall in. They want their daughters to remain "pure". They can't read her diary, they can't hack into her facebook account, and they can't follow her around, but they'll do the next best thing: open her legs and check to see if her hymen is still intact. Whatever happen to trusting that your daughter would make the right choice? or Even trusting that she'll make a mistake that she can learn from?
It is a dreadful mistake that Haitians parents make to rape their daughters of that trust.
Why do they do it? Insecurity, lack of education, disrespect, or it could be that their parents did the same to them.

What is the difference between "fot" and "defo"?

fòt (from the French "faute") → fault

Se fòt ou mwen an reta lekòl.
It's your fault that I'm late for school.

Tout se fòt ou!
It's all your fault!

Se pa fòt mwen, mwen pa't konnen.
It's not my fault, I didn't know.

San li ap retire tout fòt ou yo.
His blood will remove all your faults.


Defo (from the French "défaut") → bad habits, flaws, weaknesses

Pa moutre tout vye defo ou yo nan mitan moun.
Don't show all your bad habits in public.

Pitit li yo gen anpil defo.
His children have a lot of bad habits.

tankou te sek ki swaf lapli

Tankou tè sèk ki swaf lapli...
Menm jan ak tè swaf lapli ...
Literally: Like a parched land thirsty for rain.
Meaning: Like a dry land in need of rain

What is the strongest way to say "I love you" it is for a child that I lost.

I cannot think of a stronger way than Mwen renmen ou, if you mean to say I love you.
May this child's spirit remain with you forever like a beautiful melody :(

what does kijan mean

Kijan, kouman, or kòman → how

Check this link on KIJAN, KOUMAN, or KOMAN

Are you in the house?

Are you home?
Eske ou lakay ou?

Are you in the house?
Eske ou nan kay la?

Retire ko w.

Retire kò w.
(literally: Remove your body)
Step away.
Move away.

What does a Haitian look like?

When I read your question, I thought, "Is this a joke?!"
But then again, if you are of the Haitian culture, you really do hear this a lot either as a question or declaration.
"A lot of Haitians think they are very good at spotting another Haitian"
How can you acquire that skill, you ask?
Well, if you're looking for a Haitian, just find the dude (or dudette) with two arms, two legs, one head, and a will to survive.
That's what I imagine a Haitian would look like ☺

how do you say, thanks daddy

Mèsi papi.
or
Mèsi papa.

That depends on the nickname you give to your dad.
Haitians call their dads: papa, pa, papi, pè, monpè

Can you define Haitian Creole "kras"

Kras (n.) → residue, scum, scraps, sediment, dirt

Wash the plate to remove all the food residue.
Lave asyèt la pou retire tout kras manje yo.

Look all the soapscums on your walls.  You really need a housekeeper.
Gade tout kras savon sou mi kay ou.  Ou vrèman bezwen yon bòn.


Kras (n.) → tiny piece, bit, morsel, crumbs, small amount

Add a small amount of oil in the pan.
Mete yon ti kras luil nan chodyè a.

He gave me a morsel of bread daily.
Li ban m yon ti kras pen chak jou.

That little amount of food won't do anything for me.
Ti kras manje sa a pap fè anyen pou mwen.


Kras (adj.) → cheap, stingy, thrifty, penny-pinching

Your boyfriend is cheap.  He gave you a ring that he bought at the flea market.
Menaj ou a kras.  Li ba ou yon bag li achte nan mache a.

Lamou se pa sa lye.

Did you mean
Lanmou se pa sa li ye.
Love is not what it is.

Does that make sense to you?
Maybe you meant:

Lanmou se pa sa w panse li ye a.
Love is not what you think it is.

I'm a little confused. I thought "I love you" was "Mwen renmen ou." But I keep seeing that this also means "I like you." I am looking for a strong way to say "I love you." What would you say to your son or daughter?

Yes, you are right.

To love, in Haitian Creole, is translated as: Renmen.
I love you.
Mwen renmen ou.

To like, in Haitian Creole, is also translated as: Renmen.
I like this chair.
Mwen renmen chèz sa.

Other ways to express love in Haitian Creole, as in English, are:

I love you (as in I'm fond of you).
Mwen gen afeksyon pou ou.

I care for you.
Mwen sousye m pou ou.

I'm in love with you.
Mwen damou pou ou.

He cherishes me.
Li dòlote mwen.
To cherish or caress → dòlote

I appreciate you.
Mwen apresye ou.

and others...

Life is good. - Lavi a bon.


Twou manti pa fon (translate)

You are right!
Twou manti pa fon.
This expression literally means: "the hole of a lie is not too deep", so you will translate it as:
A lie will not get you far. or
If you dig deep enough you'll catch someone in a lie.

How far do you usually have to dig to catch someone in a lie ☺?
Next time someone lies to you, remember, "Twou manti pa fon"!

Ala ou kapab sa!

Ala ou kapab sa!
How capable you are!

Can you tell me what "Ti trip ap vale gwo trip" means?

Ti trip ap vale gwo trip → hungry
This is another way to say that you're hungry.
This expression literally means:  "The small intestine is eating up the large intestine."

Ti trip mwen ap vale gwo trip mwen.
Literally: My small intestine is eating up my large intestine.
This means: I'm hungry.

Ti trip li ap vale gwo trip li.
Literally:  His small intestine is eating up his large intestine.
This means: He's hungry.


Please translate: discern, discernment, transfer -Mesi anpil!

Discern (v.) - distenge, detekte, diferansye, jije, or dekouvri

Discernment (n.)  - jijman, pèsepsyon, konprann

Transfer (v.) - deplase, transfere

Transfer (n.) - deplasman, chanjman, transfè

FRAPE POT LA BAY MOUN YO MENTI

Knock on the door and lie to the people

Ask me anything

thank you brother i love you

Thank you brother, I love you.
Mèsi frè, mwen apresye ou.

Thank you my brother, I love you.
Mèsi frè m nan, mwen apresye ou.

What's the word for "toilet paper"? Thanks!

toilet paper → papye ijyenik

What is the Creeole word for "pigsty"

pigsty or pigpen pak kochon

KITE'M GADE SI WINN DIXIE OUVRI

Let me see if Winn Dixie's open.

Ask me anything

If I am saying "i miss you" is it mwen sonje ou, or mwen sonje w? when do you use "ou" or "w?"

I miss you.
Mwen sonje ou. or
Mwen sonje w.

The letter "w" at the end of "Mwen sonje w" is a contraction for "ou". Check the following link on when to use "ou" or "w".

Do you have a email

Do you have an email?
Eske ou gen yon imèl?
Eske ou gen yon adrès elektwonik?

"Assemble yourselves and hear." How does that translate? Also, these Words: Deities, Prosperous, Prosperity, Veiled.

Assemble yourselves and hear!
Rasanble e koute! or
Tout moun rasanble e koute!

Deities → dye (masculine), deyès (feminine), or divinite
prosperous → rich, grannèg
prosperity → richès, prosperite, bonè
veiled → vwale

Can you wash my clothes in Creole?

Can you wash my clothes?
Eske ou kapab lave rad mwen yo?

What is these words means "Pagans, Prophesied"

You mean what the translation is in Creole?

PagansPayen
Prophesiedpwofetize

Yo pa pi mal.

They're not too bad.
They're doing well.

Ou kapab jete tout feblès ou sou mwen....

Hi, I have received all 5 questions/translation.
Send them via e-mail instead.  Limanecasimi@aol.com

Mwen vlew sonje ke mwen konprann ou jan wap tann mwen konprann ou cheri mwen. ok

Epi mwen pa vle w santi ou pa an sekirite le w bo kotem. Se pou tet sa mwen te pwomet ou menm si nou ta rive yon kote pou nou ta tonbe, nap fe tout sa nou kapab pou sa pa rive. Paske mwen we ou se you moun ki frajil anpil e mwen vle pwotejew.  Mwen vlew sonje ke mwen konprann ou jan wap tann mwen konprann ou cheri mwen.
I do not want you to feel unsafe around me.  That's why I promise that if we shall "fall", we'll do our best to not let it happen.  I see that you are very fragile.  That's I want to protect you.  I want you to know that I understand that you want to wait, I understand.

(I would have preferred to translate that  via e-mail)

Is the pain better, worse, or the same? Hold your arm there. Dont let me move it. Hold it. Wear the brace all the time Thanks!

Is the pain better, worse, or the same??
Eske doulè a miyò, pi mal, oswa toujou menm nan?

Hold your arm there.
Kenbe bra ou la.

Dont let me move it.
Pa kite mwen deplase bra ou.

Hold it.
Kenbe li.
or
Kenbe sa.

Wear the brace all the time.
Mete sipò a tout tan.
or
Toujou mete sipò a tout tan.

Don't give up on me.

Don't give up on me.
Pa lage m.
or
Pa abandone m.

Never give up

Never give up. → Pa janm lage.
Don't give up. → Pa lage.
Always hang in there. → Toujou kenbe la.
Hang in there. → Kenbe la.


deske (in English)

Deske since, for, because

1.
Thank you for coming.
Mèsi deske nou vini.

2.








How do you begin a sentence with "to" in Creole? What word do you use to translate "to"? Eg: "To buy this car, you need $1000."

In this case, Creole speakers will use POU, POU KAPAB

Example:

1.  To  buy this car, you need $1000.
      Pou achte machin sa, ou bezwen mil dola.

2.  To fall asleep, I usually take a pill.
     Pou mwen dòmi, mwen konn pran yon grenn.

3.  In order to pass the exam, he had to study all night.
     Pou li kapab pase egzamen an, li te oblije etidye tout lannwit.

4.  To clean your hair, you'll have to wash it.
      Pou netwaye cheve w, ou dwe lave l.

5.  I'll need a pair of scissors to cut these wires.
     M'ap bezwen yon sizo pou koupe kab sa yo.

Thank you for giving me these words. Now I have strength to turn the page.

Mèsi deske ou ban m mo sa yo. Kounye a mwen gen fòs pou m vire paj la

Ask me anything

Will you teach me to cook while I'm here (Creole)

Eske ou ka montre m fè manje pandan mwen la a?

I have bad news (Creole)

I have bad news.
Mwen gen move nouvèl.

I have some bad news.
Mwen gen move nouvèl.

What are some endearing names to call your girlfriend?

Finally, the Haitian Creole Alphabet Song!

Worked on this for some time.
I'm sending a great thanks to Rebecca Johnson for the arrangements.
And to Austin Williams at Full Wave Sounds Studios in Dunedin, Fl.

Play

The following is he Haitian Creole Alphabet as published in 1979.

Note**, in the song, emphasis is brought on the highlighted sounds below.  Hope you find this helpful.


a  an  b  ch  d  e  è  en  f  g  h  i  j  k   l   m   n   ng   o   ò   on   ou   oun   p  r   s   t   ui   v   w   y  z
Ask me anything

hello lovely what are you doing

Hello lovely, what are you doing?
Bonjou bèl ti pitit, kijan ou ye?

Se pa ou. Pa rete la. Soti la. (Creole)

Se pa ou. → It's not you.
pa rete la. → Don't stay here.
Soti la. → Get out of here

what is the difference between kiles and kimoun?

They have the same meaning. They're interchangeable.
You will hear: kilès, ki moun, or kiyès when Creole speakers ask "who".

example:

1. Who are you?
Kilès ou ye? or
Ki moun ou ye? or
Kiyès ou ye?

2. Who did this?
Kilès ki fè sa? or
Ki moun ki fè sa? or
Kiyès ki fè sa?

3. Who will help me?
Kilès ki va ede m? or
Ki moun ki va ede m? or
Kiyès ki va ede m?

Yes- Wi


Are there any songs in Creole you'd recommend? I'm having trouble finding ANY music in this language.

What genre of music are you looking for? And
What's the purpose? worship? enjoyment? dancing?  Romance?

happy birthday

Bonn Fèt

Ask me anything

Nice to see you (Creole)

Nice to see you.
Mwen kontan wè w.

vouzan

Someone must have been pissed at you ☺
vouzan (From the French "Allez vous-en!") → Go to hell.

This expression actually means: "Go away!"
In Haiti, you will hear:
Ale w vouzan!
Ale w laba!
Vouzan pou ou!
Laba pou ou!
Vouzan!
Laba!
They all mean: Go away!, Get lost!  Go to hell! or something like that.

how do you say (like to a child) 'you're silly'? i've been told there is not a good translation for this in creole that has the same connotation. thanks!

Here are some non-offensive translations for silly (as in wacky, giddy, playful, childish)

You are being silly.
Ou sou blag.
Ou sou jwèt.
Ou sou komedi.
Ou sou tenten.
Ou sou plezi.
W'ap plezante.
W'ap betize.

You are so silly!
Tèt cho!
Fawouchè!
Ou komik!

The following Creole transaltions for "silly" are offensive:
enbesil, idyo, egare, fou.

I'm bluffing, You bluffing, He/She/It bluffing

I'm bluffing. → M'ap blage, M sou rans, M'ap blofe.
You're bluffing. → w'ap blage, Ou sou rans, W'ap blofe
He/She is bluffing. → L'ap blage, Li sou rans, L'ap blofe

Ask me anything

"Sa kap fet" & "sak pase"

Sa k'ap fèt? → What's happenning?
Sa'k pase? → what's up, what's happening, How are you doing?

have fun

Have fun → pran plezi w, anmize w

Ask me anything

Throw

Throw → voye

Ask me anything

Is "Have a gentle day" a haitian creole expression?

No, not really.

They would say:

Have a great/good day!
Pase yon bon jounen!

Have a peaceful day!
Pase yon jounen pezib!

Have a beautiful day!
Pase yon bèl jounen!

Do you want to spend the night? (Translation)

Eske ou ta renmen pase nwit la?
Eske ou vle pase nwit la?

obey

obeyi

Ask me anything

you are beautiful

You are beautiful.
Ou bèl.

how to say "you're foolish!"

You're foolish..
Ou pa byen nan tèt.
Ou pèdi la rezon.
Ou fou

how to ask do i need a prescription for

I need a prescription for...
Mwen bezwen yon preskripsyon pou...

I need a prescription for an antibiotic.
Mwen bezwen yon preskripsyon pou yon antibyotik.

"still". I am still tired.

Still → toujou
I am still tired. → Mwen toujou fatige a wi.
I am alwyas tired. → Mwen toujou fatige.
I get tired often. → Mwe fatige souvan.

Another word for "tired" in Haitian Creole is "bouke". You will hear it very often.

how to say drive safe in creole

Drive safe.
Kondwi byen
Kondwi avèk prekosyon.

I was here in June.

I was here in June.
Mwen te isit la an Jen. or
Mwen te isit la nan mwa Jen.

expertise, overturned, vigilant, kreole translation.

Expertiseespesyalite
overturnedchavire
Vigilant vijlan, veyatif, an gad

Example:
What is you expertise?
Ki espesyalite w?

The truck overturned on the road.
Kamyon an chavire sou wout la.

Be vigilant.
Rete vijilanor
Mete w an gad.  or
Se pou ou veyatif.

Gade'm gade'w gade li.

Gade m. → Look at me.
Gade w. → Look at you.
Gade li. → Look at it/him/her

"That's not nice!" or "That's not a nice thing to say!"

That's not nice!Sa pa janti!, Sa pa de byen!

how to you say "till next time!"?

Till next time! → pwochèn fwa!, a la pwochèn!,
Another time → yon lòt fwa

What's the best way to say "as....as" as in "She's not as big as he is."

as ... as → tankou, menm jan ak
tankou and menm jan means same as, just like, equal to

You're as tall as your dad.
Ou wo tankou papa w. or
Ou wo menm jan ak papa w.
(literally: you tall same as your dad)

You're as guilty as her.
Ou koupab tankou li.  or
Ou koupab menm jan ak li.
(literally: you guilty same as her)

My son is as smart as your daughter.
Pitit gason mwen intelijan tankou pitit fi ou.  or
Pitit gason mwen intelijan menm jan ak pitit fi ou.
(literally: my son smart same as your daughter)

You're not as bad a person as he is.
Ou pa move moun tankou li.
Ou pa move moun menm jan ak li.
(literally: you not bad person same as him)

How do you say "most of what" as in I understood most of what he said?

Most of → anpil nan (a lot of),  preske tout (almost all)

I understood most of what he said.
Mwen konprann preske tout sa li di.  or
Mwen konprann anpil nan sa li di.

I ate most of the food.
Mwen manje preske tout manje a. or
Mwen manje anpil nan manje a.

They stole most of what I had.
Yo vòlè preske tout sa m te genyen.
Yo vòlè anpil nan sa m te genyen.

I spent most of my money on my kids education.
Mwen depanse preske tout lajan m pou edikasyon pitit mwen.
Mwen depanse anpil nan lajan m pou edikasyon pitit mwen.

What exactly is the expression "voye pwen"?

Voye pwento indirectly accuse/speak of someone, to imply, to give a hint, to indirectly place the blame on an individual.

Have a good week / Have a good weekend. (Creole)

Have a good week.
Pase bòn semèn.

Have a good weekend.
Pase bon weekend.

FYI:  The absence of the accent on the letter "o" in the underlined word "bon" on the bottom sentence indicates that it is pronounced differently than the word "bòn" in the top sentence.

Hello. Is there any chance that you know the lyrics of the song Vagabond 4 Life by Kreyol La? I can't find it anywhere and I love this song... Thank you in advance - you are doing a great job! Your website is awesome.

Send me your e-mail address via Limanecasimi@aol.com. When I get the lyrics, I'll paste it into an e-mail for you. Thanks :)

Ask me anything

Can you translate...Me pap renmenn ti neg sa . Mwen renmenn ou ..

Mwen pa renmen ti nèg sa a, mwen renmen ou.
I don't like this man, I like you.

Ask me anything

How do you say "I have so much love to give, but no one to give it to"?

Mwen gen anpil lanmou pou m bay, men m pa gen moun pou m bay li.

Ask me anything

death before dishonor

lanmò anvan dezonè

Ask me anything

Ou met prann computer a, egare mwen ye.

Ou met pran konpitè a.
You may take the computer.

Egare mwen ye.
How foolish (or dimwitted) I am.

Ask me anything

So, that's What kreole word "Renye" means. to reign, to rule & Freedom, se pa rout la sa.

Yes,
Reye means to rule, to command

Example:
He reigned for ten years.
Li te reye pou dizan.

During his reign, there was no mercy.
Pandan rèy li, pa't gen pitye.


As for freedom:

I am free.
Mwen lib.

Freedom is never free.
Libète pa janm gratis vre.

Renye- Reign- Freedom?

reign → rèy
rule v. → reye
freedom → libète

Is "lanmou" Creole or French?

Lanmou, n. (Creole)
L'amour, n. (French)
Love, n. (English)

I'm helping my Haitian friend prepare for her wedding and she asked me to try to get some kind of face powder they use for special occasions that is supposed to prevent the sweat from appearing on her face...do you know what she is talking about?

Some women wih excessive sweating of the face use light talcum powder, or the compact foundation's loose powder. Stay away from heavy creams or face moisturizers as they clog the facial pores.
There are no other products out there for facial sweating, that I know of.

Ask me anything

viens

French for the verb "to come"

Ask me anything

how do you say wisdom in Creole?

wisdom → sajès

Ask me anything

Creole word for "Blessing"

Blessing → benediksyon, gras

will you bring the suitcase back from Haiti - it will cost another $33

Will you bring the suitcase from Haiti?
Eske w'ap pote malèt la sot Ayiti?

Could you bring the suitcase from Haiti?
Eske ou kab pote malèt la sot Ayiti?

It will cost $33.
L'ap koute tranntwa dola.

Columbus Day Oct. 10, 2011. This event is when Christopher Columbus discovered America, Correct.

Yes, it celebrates the arrival of Christopher Columbus in the Americas on October 12, 1492.
It is celebrated in the US on the second Monday of October.
In Haiti, we celebrate Christopher Columbus Day on December 5th.  We call it "Jour de la Découverte" (Day of Discovery).

i have

I have...
Mwen gen...

I have a book.
Mwen gen yon liv.

I have a child.
Mwen gen yon ti moun.

I have some news for you.
Mwen gen yon nouvèl pou ou.

I have pain.
Mwen gen doulè.

What is the effect of "simenkontra"?

scientific name : Chenopodium ambrosioides L.

Simenkontra is a medicinal leaf. In Haiti it's used for various ailments including diabetes, indigestion, and parasitic diseases such as worms. It's taken orally in the form of tea.

This leaf is considered very toxic.

Translation for "when you do that it seems/looks like you don't care about your job" Thank you so much!

When you do that it seems like you don't care about your job.
Lè ou fè sa, li sanble ou pa sousye w pou travay ou.

Ask me anything

sa vle di "Se sa li ye"

Sa vle di, "Se sa li ye."
It means, "That's what it is."

Ask me anything

"calm" in Creole

Calm → trankil, poze, dousman, kal

I only want to be with you.

Translation: Se sèl ou mwen vle.

Ask me anything

Look at the stars/look at how they shine for you/And everything you do/Yeah, they were all yellow.

Look at the stars.
Gade zetwal yo.

Look at how they shine for you.
Gade jan y'ap briye pou ou.

And everything you do.
E tout sa ou fè

Yeah, they were all yellow.
Wi, yo tout te jòn.

Mezanmi

Mezanmi - my friends.
Mezanmi! - Oh dear! Oh my God!

Ask me anything

Start from the bottom and work your way to the top,

Koumanse depi anba e travay jiskaske ou rive nan tet.

Ask me anything

I'll call you later. I'll see you later

I'll call you later.
Ma rele ou pita.

I'll see you later.
Ma wè ou pita.

See you later.
Na wè pita.

God bless you. Have a great day!

God bless you and have a great day!
Bondye beni ou e pase yon bon jounen!

se sa selman ouvri television an. mwen di ou malad.

Se sa sèlman! → comes off as a warning as in: I'm warning you!
Ouvri televizyon an. → Turn on the TV.
Mwen do ou malad. → I say that you're are sick.