12 reasons why you shouldn't ignore the accents in Haitian Creole

Do you sometimes forget to put the accents on the letters in Creole?
Or, if you're like me, you can't figure out how to type an accented character on a Blackberry or an Android phone.
Nevertheless, a letter which is usually accented would be imperfect and naked if the accent is omitted.
It is like writing an undotted "i", or an uncrossed "t".

The accented letters in Haitian Creole, and I imagine in other languages too, are pronounced very  differently than their non-accented counterparts.  Check out these letters in the alphabet song and listen to the variance in sound:  Haitian Creole alphabet song.

Here are some links on how to create accented characters on your PC.
Windows ALT KEY codes
French accents codes
Making accent marks on your computer


Compare these twelve accented Haitian Creole words below and their non-accented counterparts.  See how their definition is very different

1. bo → kiss (n.), kiss (v.)
1. bò → side, border, edge


2. fo → fake (n.)
2. fò → strong, skilled


3. klete → to lock (v.)
3. klète → clarity, brightness


4. me → the month of May
4. mè → mother, nun


5. ke → tail
5. kè → heart


6. te → tea
6. tè → earth, soil


7. po → skin (n.)
7. pò → port, dock (n.)


8. ne → knot
8. nè → nerves


9. manto → coat, cloak
9. mantò → liar


10. vole → to fly
10. vòlè → burglar


11. twaze → to look down on
11. twazè → 3 o'clock


12. pan → peacock
12. pàn → failure, mishap, trouble

Haitian Bread

Pen Ayisyen (yum!)

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Best way to translate "legitimate" in: Are all your papers legitimate?

Legitimate → anrèg ( from French: En règle which means valid, in order)

Are all your papers legitimate?
Eske tout papye ou anrèg?

Others words that translate legitimate in Creole: bon, anfòm, kòdyòm, otantik, kòrèk

I love you joseph

I love you Joseph.

Mwen renmen ou Jozèf.

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what is a "famine" in kreole?

famine → grangou, famin

hunger → grangou (n.)

hungry → grangou (adj)

Grangou is used as adjective and noun.

example:

I am hungry

Mwen grangou.

There was a great famine throughout the whole region.

Te gen yon gwo grangou nan tout rejyon an.

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"to lead" as in: "to lead a life"

To lead → mennen

She lead a peaceful life.
Li t'ap mennen yo vi pezib.

They lead a miserable life.
Yo t'ap mennen yon vi mizerab.

I want to go somewhere where nobody knows me, where i would have freedom to be myself.

Translating that...

Mwen vle ale nan yon plas kote okenn moun pa konnen mwen, kote ma va gen libète pou m devni nenpòt sa mwen vle.

Ask me anything

eske soulie ladann tou

You mean:

Eske soulye yo ladan l tou?

Are the shoes in there too?

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How old is too old for a teddy bear?

Are you kidding me?!
One's never too old to seek comfort

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what does map gade mean

M'ap gade
I'm looking.
I'll look.

M'ap gade ou.

I am looking at you.

M'ap gade li.

I am looking at him/her/it.

What are you looking at?

Kisa w'ap gade?

Why are you staring at me?

Poukisa w'ap gade m konsa?

Sometimes, Creole speakers use "m'ap gade" to mean: "I'll look into it"  or "I'll think about it"

Example:

I'll see.

M'ap gade

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living the good life.

living the good life → mennen (v.), alèz kòm blèz (v.), byen mennen (v)

She's living the good life.
L'ap mennen.
or
Li alèz kòm blèz

Edith won the lottery last year.  Now she's living large.
Edith te genyen nan lotri ane pase.  Kounye a l'ap byen mennen.

We're living well.
N'ap byen mennen.

They're living the good life.
Y'ap byen mennen.

Creole synonyms for byen mennen:  byen viv, boloze, nan luil


The expression byen viv is also used to translate:  to treat well, to be considerate

1.  Her husband treats her right.
     Mari li byen viv avè l.

2.  They treat me well.
     Yo byen mennen avè m.

3.  Does he treat you well?
     Eske li byen boule avè w?

Creole synonyms for treat well, be considerate of:  byen viv avèk, byen boule avèk, byen mennen avèk

annafè → have business with?

annafè (v.) → have business/dealings, to intermingle, to have relations

1. Mwen pa annafè ak moun tankou w.
    I don't deal with people like you.

2.  Pa al annafè ak moun sa yo non!
     Don't you get mixed up with these people!

3.  You don't even know who you dealing with.
    Ou pa menm konnen ak ki moun ou annafè?

4. What kind of people are you dealing with?
     Ak ki kalite moun ou annafè la?

5.  Who are you dealing with?
    Ak ki moun ou annafè la?

5.  If I knew she was married I would not have had relations with her.
     Si mwen te konnen li te marye, mwen pa ta annafè avèk li.

6.  When you deal with crooks, you act like a crook.
     Lè ou annafè ak vòlè, ou aji tankou vòlè.

Creole synonyms for annafè (v.):  fè biznis, melanje, makònen

Paspouki in Creole is?

Paspouki → unfairness, favoritism, discrimination

Example:
You're playing favorite.
W'ap fè paspouki.
Ou nan paspouki.

I don't play favorites!
Mwen pa nan paspouki!

The teacher is discriminating against his students.
Pwofesè a nan paspouki avèk elèv li yo.

Other Creole synonyms for paspouki are: patipri, pasyalite, balans panche, moun pa

how do u say i am newly divorced?

I am newly divorced.

Mwen fèk divòse.

Mwen fèk kite ak madanm/mari mwen.

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Thanks for a very clear explanation of when to use/not use contracted pronouns. - Dory

Great Dory! Glad to hear from you :)

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Why do "Machann lèt" and "Machann sik" become cuss words at times?

Machann lèt (milk merchants) and machann sik (sugar merchants), usually women, are not cuss words.  But in the flea markets, these merchants do have a reputation of being loudmouthed, temperamental and belligerent.  So, some people use it as an insult to call others by these names.

I heard that some Haitian Creole words when pronounced are always accompanied with particular gestures. Is that true? If yes, could you, please, give some examples?

I don't think so.
If it is so, then what would happen to the people that are physically unable to gesture?
Tones and accents can sufficiently be used in lieu of a gesture.

If you do stumble on such words, please do share them with me ;-)

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I want you to know that I love you!

Mwen vle ou konnen mwen renmen ou. (uncontracted)

Mwen vle w konnen mwen renmen w. (contracted)

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What is the Creole word "RAPE" exactly?

Rape (pronounced rah-pay)
to yank, to snatch, to snap at, jumping down one's throat

1.  He was so angry he yanked the baby from my arms.
     Li te si tèlman fache li rape bebe a nan bra mwen.

2.  The burglar snatched the purse from my hands.
     Vòlè a rape bous la nan men mwen.

3.  I dislocated my arm when he yanked the watch from my wrist.
     Mwen domaje bra mwen lè li te rape mont lan nan ponyèt mwen.

4.  He's been jumping down my throat since this morning.
     Depi maten l'ap rape m.

5.  Why are you snapping at me?
     Poukisa w'ap rape m konsa?

how do u say "don't let others fool u"

To fool → betize (pronounced bay-tee-zay), or twonpe (pronounced t-ronh-pay)

Don't let others fool you.

Pa kite moun twonpe w.

Pa kite moun betize avè w.

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to rent a car

To rent a car

lwe yon machin

I need to rent a car.

Mwen bezwen lwe yon machin.

Do you have cars to rent?

Eske ou gen machin pou lwe?

Where can I find some rental cars?

Ki kote mwen ka jwenn machin pou lwe?

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"This is my aunt" or "she is my aunt"

This is my aunt.

Sa se matant mwen.

She is my aunt.

Li se matant mwen.

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i am very happy to see you

I am very happy to see you.

Mwen trè kontan wè w.

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Brown noser (Haitian Creole)

Brown noser → ti sousou
to suck up to → fè ti sousou, or  fè ti sousou nan pye

What a back-scratcher!
Ala yon ti sousou!

Stop sucking up to him.
Sispann fè ti sousou nan pye l.

If Fefe didn't suck up to the boss, he would have lost the job a long time ago.
Si Fefe pa't fè ti sousou nan pye patron an, li ta pèdi travay la lontan.


Creole synonyms for ti sousou: reskiyè, restavèk, tyoul

Best way to say "WHAT ARE YOU UP TO?" in Creole

What are you up to?
Kisa w'ap regle? (contraction for "Kisa ou ap regle?)
Sa w'ap regle? (contraction for "Kisa ou ap regle?)
Sa ou fè? (contraction for "kisa ou fè?)
Sa w fè? (contraction for "kisa ou fè?)

Contractions: Contracting the Haitian Creole object pronouns "mwen, ou, li, nou"

In Haitian Creole you may contract the object pronoun if the word that precedes it ends with a vowel (nasal or non nasal vowels included)

Examples:
1. Leave me.
You may say: Kite mwen. or Kite m.

2. Write to me.
You may say: Ekri mwen. or Ekri m.

3. Kiss me.
You may say: Bo mwen. or Bo m.

*4. Talk to me.
You may say:  Pale avè mwen.   or  Pale avè m.

5. Look at her.
You may say: Gade li. or Gade l.

6. Walk under it.
You may say:  Pase anba li.  or  Pase anba l.

7. Save us.
You may say: Sove nou. or Sove n.

8. Turn it on.
You may say: Limen li. or Limen l.

9. I hear you. 
You may say: Mwen tande ou. or Mwen tande w.

10. Bring it back.
You may say: Retounen li. or Retounen l.

11. Give me one.
You may say: Ban mwen youn. or Ban m youn.

12. Give him one.
You may say: Ba li youn. or Ba l youn.

13. I was here before you.
You may say: Mwen te la anvan ou.   or  Mwen te la anvan w.


But if the word that precede the pronoun ends with a consonant, do not use contractions.

Examples:
1. I understand you.
Mwen konprann ou. (Do not say: Mwen konprann w.)

2. They beat her.
Yo bat li. (Do not say: Yo bat l.)

*Look back to example #4 above. There are three ways to say the word "with" in Creole: ak, avè, & avèk.  See how a contraction may follow the word "avè" (in number 4 above), but not "ak" and "avèk" (in number 3 below).  That's because the words "ak" and "avèk" end with a consonant.

*3. Talk to me.
Pale avèk mwen. (Do not say: Pale avèk m)

4. He's waiting for me. 
L'ap tann mwen. (Do not say: L'ap tann m.)

5. We submitted it.
Nou remèt li. (Do not say: Nou remèt l.)

6. I survived it.
Mwen siviv li. (Do not say: Mwen siviv l.)


* In the next four examples, you will see that we do not use contracted pronouns after the prep: nan, *pou, san, sou.
7. This is for you.
Sa se pou ou.  (Do not say:  Sa se pou w.)

8. I'm going without you.
Mwen prale san ou. (Do not say:  Mwen prale san w.)

9. Put your hand on it.
Mete men w sou li. (Do not say:  Mete men w sou l.)

10. Believe in Him.
Kwè nan li. (Do not say: Kwè nan l.)

*There's one instance when Creole speakers may have a contracted pronoun after the preposition "pou".  This would be when "pou" is used as conjunction and is equivalent to: "in order to", "so that" "to" "due to".

1.  Call me so that we can talk.
     Rele m pou n ka pale. (you may contract the pronoun that comes after "pou" if you wish)

2.  Open the door so that I may enter.
     Ouvè pòt la pou m ka rantre.

3.  In other to be saved, you must believe in Him.
     Pou w sove, fòk ou kwè nan Li.

4. He needs to wear his glasses to drive.
    Li bezwen mete linèt li pou l kondui.

5.  Turn up the volume  so I can hear.
     Monte volim nan pou m ka tande.

6. I will ask her to do this for me.
    Ma mande l pou l fè sa pou mwen.
Other Creole contractions

Demaske w sou mwen (translate please)

Not such a nice thing to say to someone.

Demaske → unmask

Demaske w sou mwen.
literally: Unmask yourself from me.
meaning: Get out of my face.

Mwen bezwen demaske li sou mwen.
literally:  I need to unmask him/her from me.
meaning: I need to get rid of him/her.

Demaske w la!
literally: Unmask yourself from here!
meaning:  Get lost!

Disappointed: "I am very disappointed in you." (Creole)

Disappointed (adj.) → vekse, pa kontan
to disappoint → desevwa, bay chagren, bay koutba, fè wont
heartbreak - chagren, gloom, heartache

I am very disappointed in you.
Mwen pa kontan avè w.

You disappointed me.
Ou desevwa m.

I can't believe she did this to me.  She disappointed me.
Mwen pa ka kwè li fè m sa.  Li ban m chagren.

How can I differentiate between "sealing" (scellement) and "only" (seulement) in written Haitian Creole?

Haitian Creole for "only" is sèl or sèlman

Haitian Creole for "sealing" or "seal" is so, lakòl, or tanpon.

Scellement is French.

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tomorrow we will be doing evotion

I think you mean devotion. Right?

Tomorrow, we will have devotion.

Demen n'ap gen adorasyon.

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butt

dèyè or bouda

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Is there a rule about when each of "kite m", "lese m", and "ban m" is correct for "let me (do something)"?

You may use kite m, lese m, or ban m anytime you wish.

Although kite m and ban m are more popularly used.

They're mostly interchangeable.

Example, you may say:

Let me help you.

Kite m ede ou.

or

Ban m ede ou.

Let me see it.

Kite m wè li.

or

Ban m wè li.

Let me taste it.

Kite m goute l.

or

Ban m goute l.

Let me show you.

Kite m montre ou.

or

Ban m montre ou

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can you tell me about Herman Cain 999 plan...

☺ In Creole?

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Twokèt. Sa se twokèt la!

Twòkèt is a protective cushion that people use to put on their heads to help them carry a heavy load (on their heads).

A twòkèt may be made out of cloth or leaves (especially leaves from a plantain tree).

To make a twòkèt, you would take a long piece of cloth, twist it around like if you were wringing it. Then coil it around into a circle.

I am not sure of the English translation for the Creole word twòkèt.
I would appreciate you sharing it with me if you know it.

People would use a twòkèt to carry their marchandise to the market, to carry their laundry, their suitcases, etc....
I have seen people carry 6-7 chairs on their head to the market.  Their twòkèt must have been a very good one :]

The expression you hear often is:

Expression:           Sa se twòkèt la, chay la dèyè.
Literal meaning:   This is the "twòkèt", the load will follow.
General meaning: You ain't see nothing yet, the worse is yet to
                               come.  or
                                The worst is yet to come.  or
                                If you think the "twòkèt" is heavy, wait till you
                               get the actual load.

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come fast i am waiting

Come quickly. I am waiting.

Vini vit, m'ap tann ou.

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you'll see.(Creole)

You'll see.
Wa wè. (contraction for Ou va wè.)
Wap wè. (contraction for Ou ap wè or Ou pral wè.)

"Li mouri nan pye travay li." (what does that mean?)

Expression:          Li mouri nan pye travay li.
Literal meaning:   He/she died at the feet of his/her work
meaning:              He/she died doing what he/she loved.

upper class or big shots (Creole)

Upper class, High society, Big shots
granpanpan
gwopalto
grannèg
gwochabrak
gwozouzoun
boujwa
zotobre

Danm girl!

☺Kreyòl la twòp pou ou?
☺Is the Creole too much for you?

Poze san w, tande!
Take it easy, you hear!

When I was learning to speak English I was as frustrated as you.
Piti piti wa rive :)
Little by little, you'll get there :)

the key now is to make sure that it is implimented fully and decisively, and i have great confidence in the European leadership to make that happen.

If you're talking about implementing a project or something similar, you'll say:

Kle a kounye a se pou asire ke sa reyalize definitivman e san okenn dout , e mwen gen konfyans gouvènman Ewopeyen an va fè sa mache.

Now if you're talking about implementing a law or something similar you'll say:

Kle a kounye a se pou asire ke yo va aplike li definitivman e san okenn konfizyon, e mwen gen konfyans gouvènman Ewopeyen an va fè sa mache.

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implemented fully, desicively- definition in kreole.

These expressions are better translated with the context in mind.

implement fully → itlize nèt, ranfòse nèt al kole, or anplwaye nèt al kole (that depends on the context)

decisively - san dout

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Kè grenn

Kè grenn → expression for jealous (as in: covet, green-eye, envious)
the word "Kè" → heart
the word "grenn" → (in this expression) might have originated from the English word "green"

Kè ou grenn → you're jealous.
Kè li grenn → He/she's jealous.

*You cannot use the expression kè grenn to translate jealous (as in being protective)
_____________________________
another way to say "jealous" in Creole is jalou or jalouzi
Jealousy (n.) → jalouzi
Jealous (adj.) → jalou
To be jealous (v.) → fè jalouzi or jalou

Examples:
He's jealous. (three ways to say this in Creole)
Li jalou.
L'ap fè jalouzi.
Li gen kè grenn.

I'm so jealous of you.
Mwen jalou.
M'ap fè jalouzi.
Kè m grenn.

I'm so jealous of you!  I wish I was the one going to Paris.
Kè m grenn wi!  Mwen swete se mwen ki ta prale Pari.

He is a jealous man.
Li jalou.
or
Li se yon nèg ki jalou.
(Can't use "kè grenn" for this translation :)

She's being jealous.
L'ap fè jalouzi.

Chache zo grann ou (translation)

Creole expression: Chache zo grann ou.
Literal meaning:     Looking for your grandma's bones.
Meaning:                Asking for trouble  or Digging too deep
                                 into things.

You will hear:
W'ap chache zo grann ou!
You're asking for it!

L'ap chache zo grann li!
He/She's asking for it!

Hope (v.), hope (n.) in Creole

to hope → espere
I hope.
Mwen espere.

I hope you get better.
Mwen espere ou fè mye.

I hope so.
Mwen espere sa.

I hope not.
Mwen pa ta espere sa.

I hope you're not lying to me.
Mwen espere ou p'ap ban m manti.

I hope to see you again one day.
Mwen espere wè ou ankò yon jou.

Hope (n.) - espwa, esperans
There's still hope.
Gen espwa toujou.

You got to have hope.
Fòk ou gen espwa.

Don't give up hope.
Kontinye espere.
(literally: keep hoping)

She just joined the group and is helping to plan the earthquake memorial.

She just joined the group and is helping to plan the earthquake memorial.

Li fèk asosye li avèk gwoup la, e l'ap ede yo planifye komemorasyon tranblemanntè a.

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That is not true

That is true.

Se vre.

or

Se laverite

That is not true.

Se pa vre.

or

Se pa laverite.

Is that true?

Eske se vre?

or

Eske se laverite?

Ask me anything

Mwen byen ak ou

Mwen byen ak ou.

(I am on good terms with you)

We're on good terms.

Ask me anything

i guess they let him go, He got out.

I guess they let him go.

Mwen panse yo dwe kite l ale.

He got out.

Li sòti.

Li deyò.

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i love your blog! how do you say hi grandma, what have you been up to?

Thanks :)

Hello grandma, what have you been up to?

Bonjou/bonswa grann, kisa w'ap regle?

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Alèz kom blèz nan chèz san pinèz. Who or what is "blèz"?

This expression is a pun.

"Blèz" is a proper name.

The word "Blèz" is used because it rhymes with "Alèz, chèz, and pinèz".

It is like saying: Holy Molly!

Generally, Alèz kòm blèz nan chèz san pinèz alludes to "As comfortable as an old shoe", or "As relaxed as wet spaghetti".

http://sweetcoconuts.blogspot.com/2011/10/blez.html
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what is sissy in creole

Sissy → dèyè manman, krebete, kanannan, egare

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how the family doing

How's the family doing?

Kijan fanmi an ye?

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how do you say fun in creloe

fun → plezi, amizman, anmizman
to have fun → pran plezi, anmize

Have fun

Pran plezi w.

Anmize w.

We'll have fun.

N'ap anmize nou.

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u mad at me (Creole

Are you mad at me?

Eske ou fache avè m?

You mad at me?

Ou fache avè m?

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what is hot in creole

Hot → cho

hot coffee → kafe cho

hot water → dlo cho

hot sun → solèy cho

hot girl → fanm byen kanpe (can't use "cho" for this kind of "hot":-)

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Sticky fingers (Creole)

Sticky fingers (expression) → dwèt long (expression)

Im hungry, lets eat

I'm hungry. Let's eat.

Mwen grangou. An nou manje.

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where was i on 9/11/01? I was in college. this day was so terrible for americans who lost their loved ones. Not just for those american who lost their loved ones but for all american.

Let's never forget.

An nou pa janm bliye.

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Still, as in: we're still standing (Creole)

still → toujou

I'm still alive.
M'ap viv toujou.

We're still here.
Nou la toujou.

I still love you.
Mwen renmen ou toujou.

I'm still waiting for you.
M'ap tann ou toujou.

I'm still on my way.
Mwen nan wout toujou.

I'm still mad as hell.
Mwen fache toujou.
___________________

Still (as in quiet) → kal, trankil, dousman

Be still.
Rete dousman.

I was sitting by the waters.  Everything was still...
Mwen te chita bò dlo a.  Tout bagay te kal...

Why won't you be still?
Poukisa ou pa rete trankil?

Without a fuss (Creole)

A few Haitian Creole will translate that:

Without a fuss
San bri san kont
San traka, ni dlo nan je
San goumen san batay

They surrendered without a fuss.
Yo bay legen san bri san kont.

Give me my money without a fuss.
Ban m lajan m san bri san kont.

Since it was their fault, they accepted it without a fight.
Paske se te fòt yo, yo asepte l san bri san kont.

se me ou ye

Do you mean "mè" with the accent on the "e"?

Me → month of May

Mè → nun

Se mè ou ye?

Are you a nun?

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Can you tell me a typical Haitian joke?

Check out wwww.belblag.com

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woule de bò (expression)

expression → woule de bò
literally → rolling both sides
meaning → not being straight/direct with someone, to deceive someone, being two-faced, double-dealing

How to use this expression: Insert the pronoun after the word woule.

L'ap woule m de bò.
He's playing me.

Y'ap woule n de bò.
They're deceiving us.

Poukisa w'ap woule m de bò?
Why are you being two-faced with me?

Li gen menaj, men li di l'ap sòti avè w.  L'ap woule w de bò.
She has a boyfriend, yet she said she'll go out with you.  She's deceiving you.

Lè li avèk Levanjil, li di li se Levanjil,
Lè li avèk Katolik, li di li se Katolik.
L'ap woule n de bò.
When she's among Christians, she says she's a Christian,
When she's among Catholics, she says she's a Catholic.
She's deceiving us.

Good night, I love you (Creole)

Good night, I love you
Bòn nwi, mwen renmen ou.

Have a good night.
Pase bòn nwit.

Sweet dreams and good night.
Fè bon rèv e bòn nwi.

Sleep well.
Dòmi byen.

wa al di label woz sa a, mwen konen'w!

Is "labèl wòz" the name of an individual?

Translation: Go an tell this to label woz, I know you!

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konfiti (pronounced kon-fee-tee)

Konfiti (pronounced kon-fee-tee) → from the French word confiture.  It is a marmalade.  It is a preserve usually made from the pulp of grapefruits.

blèz

http://sweetcoconuts.blogspot.com/2011/10/alez-kom-blez-nan-chez-san-pinez-who-or.html

blèz as in Alèz kon blèz?

Can you give me the context please?

The word "Blèz" is acually a proper name "Blaise".
Other than being a proper name, I've heard this word mainly in the following puns and expressions (which is in the likes of: Easy breezy):

Alèz kòm Blèz.
(literally: As relaxed as Blaise)
and
Alèz kòm Blèz ki chita sou chèz san pinèz.
(literally: As relaxed as Blaise sitting on bugless chair)

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"to miss" and "to remember", USE SAME CREOLE VOCAB WORD?

miss (to long for) → sonje
remember → sonje

We miss you.
Nou sonje ou.

Did you miss me?
Eske ou te sonje m?

I missed so much while you were away.
Mwen te sonje ou anpil pandan ou pa't la.

I miss home.
Mwen sonje lakay mwen.

Remember to bring the milk.
Sonje pote lèt la.

Do you remember where you were on 9/11/01?
Eske ou sonje kote ou te ye 11/9/01?

Do you remember me?
Eske ou sonje m?

I don't remember anything.
Mwen pa sonje anyen.

I'm praying for you (Creole)

to pray → priye or lapriyè

I am praying for you.
M'ap priye pou ou.
or
M'ap lapriyè pou ou

I will pray for you.
Mwen va priye pou ou.
or
Mwen va lapriyè pou ou.

I have not heard anything from you. (in Creole)

I haven't heard anything from you.

Mwen pa tande anyen soti kote ou.
or
Mwen pa tande anyen bò kote ou.

You will also hear:

Mwen pa tande anyen de ou.

But you should know that the word "de" is considered a French word and is being eliminated from accurate translations.

I haven't heard from you.

Mwen pa tande ou.
or
Mwen pa tande ou menm.

I haven't heard from you at all
Mwen pa tande ou ditou.

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peze-nen

expression → peze nen

literally → to cover the nose

meaning → turn a blind eye

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thankou yon bél

Do you mean: tankou yon bèl or tankou yon bèt?

(Note: The accent on your "e" should go the opposite direction.  That makes a difference in the word sound.  Compare your accent to mine)

tankou yon bèl... → like a pretty....

tankou yon bèl flè... → like a pretty flower

But

Tankou yon bèt → like an animal.

Li te aji tankou yon bèt. → She acted like an animal.

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to exchange, to trade

To trade → boukante (pronounced boo-kanh-tay)

Ala yon sovè espesyal mwen genyen!

Link: Ala yon sovè espesyal mwen genyen HYMN & LYRICS


Ala yon sovè espesyal mwen genyen.
What a special /wonderful savior I have.

Ala yon bèl jounen!
What a beautiful day!

Ala yon bèl ti chen!
What a cute puppy!

Ala yon move jounen mwen pase!
What a bad day I had!

Ala yon jwèt lèd!
What an ugly toy!

Arcahaie bèl peyi

Wi se sa!

Akayè bèl vil!
Akayè beautiful city!

Akayè tè zansèt mwen.
Akayè land of my ancestors.

Akayè, mwen regret mwen te kite w.
Akayè, I'm sorry I deserted you.

Akayè, yon jou na rankontre ankò.
Akayè, one day we'll meet again.

Akayè va akeyi m.
Akayè will welcome me.

Let me go (let go of me)

Let go of me. Lage m.

Let me go.
Kite m m'ale.

how is citrus spelled?

Citrus (oranges, lemons, limes, grapefruits, mandarin, tangerines and others)

oranges → zoranj
lemons → sitwon
limes → sitwon vèt
grapefruits → chadèque
mandarins → mandarin

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Mwen pase men mwen yo nan kou w, mwen anbrase w e mwen di w mwen renmen w ak tout ke m. a demen si D vle.

Mwen pase men m nan kou w.

I put my arms around your neck.

Mwen anbrase w.

I embraced / kissed you.

E mwen di w, "mwen renmen w ak tout kè m".

And I said to you, "I love you with all my heart".

A demen si Dye vle.

See you tomorrow God willing.

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How do you say: you are someone special in creole?

Ou se yon moun espesyal.

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How do you say I'm sorry in creole?

Mwen dezole.
eskize mwen.
padone mwen.

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Lean on me

To lean → apiye

Lean on me.
Apiye sou mwen

Lean on the wall
Apiye sou mi an.

Don't lean on the table.
Pa apiye sou tab la.

It's me. (Creole)

It's me
Se mwen.
Se mwen menm.

It's me again.
Se mwen ankò.
Se mwen menm ankò.

It's me, your friend.
Se mwen menm zanmi ou.

It is me they're looking for.
Se mwen yap chache.

i have to get ready for work so call me later.

I have to get ready for work so call me later.

Fò m pare m pou m'al travay, rele m pita. (contracted)

Fò mwen pare mwen pou mwen al travay, rele mwen pita. (uncontracted)

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i miss you more (Creole)

I miss you more.
Mwen sonje w plis.

I miss you.
Mwen sonje w.

I miss my mom.

Mwen sonje manman m.

I miss my children.

Mwen sonje timoun mwen yo.

I miss my baby.

Mwen sonje bebe mwen.

I miss my girlfriend/boyfriend.

Mwen sonje menaj mwen.

Do you miss me?

Eske ou sonje mwen?

Will you miss me?

Eske w'ap sonje m?

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Flower

flower → flè

You are a beautiful flower.
Ou se yon bèl flè

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what does Mwen renmen sa zanmi Pam mean in english

Mwen renmen sa zanmi pa'm.

pa'm is a contraction for pa mwen.

pa mwen or pa'm means mine

zanmi pa'm → friend of mine, my friend

Mwen renmen sa zanmi pa'm
I like that my friend

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how do you say bon fet and I hope enjoy your special day! in Kreyol

Happy Birthday! I hope you enjoy yourself well on your special day!

Bòn Fèt! Mwen espere ou anmize ou byen nan jou espesyal ou a!

Happy Birthday!  Enjoy your special day!

Bòn Fèt! Pran plezi ou nan jou espesyal ou a!

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how to say happy birthday my friend

Bòn fèt zanmi mwen.

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Let's see (Creole)

Let's see.
Kite n gade.

Kite n wè.

Or

Te n gade.

Te n wè.

Or

An nou gade.

An nou wè.

Let me see.
Kite m gade
Kite m wè
or
Te m gade
Te m wè
   

Also....

Look  and see.

Gade pou wè.

Come look and see.

Vin gade pou wè.

Let's look and see.

An nou gade pou wè.

And also...

Wait and see.

Tann pou wè.

Wait and see what will happen.

Tann pou wè sa kap pase.

Wait and you will see.

Tann epi wa wè.

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You're handsome

handsome → bo, bo gason, galan, chèlbè, byen kanpe

You're handsome.

Ou galan.

Ou chèlbè.

Ou byen kanpe.

Ou bo gason.

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MakawonA friend used to spout expressions akin to English's "See you later, alligator / in a while, crocodile." One ended with "di di / makawon / matchavèl / karamèl." It was accompanied by a vigorous handshake. I always wondered about those words.

I see. I haven't heard that term in a while.

Matchavèl karamèl is an expression shared among good friends.
Especially when you have good history together.
I guess it shouldn't be translated literally then.
Thanks for your response.

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(The page does not allow comments because no profiles are selectable. Donk, it displays an error message "Please choose a profile" and provides no remedy.)

It should let you post anonymously.

If you choose anonymous in the list, click preview after you're done writing your comment.

It should let you post then.

I'll look more into that:)

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nap gade. (what does it mean?)

Expression: → N'ap gade.
literally means → We're looking.
meaning → We're hanging on, we're doing ok, not too good not too bad

You'll hear this expression when you ask someone:  How are you doing? in Creole.
The answer is usually: Nou la, n'ap gade.  or just  N'ap gade.

Is Haiti the poorest country in the Hemisphere?

You know, I question this statement every time I hear it.
How many decades or centuries has it been since Haiti was given this title?
If you take a camera and you point it to all the devastated places in Haiti, then all you see is devastation, misery, and poor people.
Sure, unemployment rate is high.  And, it doesn't help that money acquired by the wealthy in Haiti doesn't stay in the country.  It goes to a foreign bank.
The small amount of tax collected in the country is diminished considerably by the time it reaches its destination.
The larger monetary supply that enters the country when the diaspora financially support their family doesn't make it to Haiti's banks either.
Haiti, in my opininon, is not the poorest country in the hemisphere, but it is the most poorly managed country in the hemisphere.

Makawon

Gee, where did you hear that word?  You got to tell me :)

Makawon → ugly, uptight, ill tempered, tense, critical

Nèg sa makawon.

This man is not approachable.

Bagay yo makawon.

Things are critical.

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Dark (in Creole)

dark (as in: unlit) → nwa
darkness → fènwa
to darken → nwasi
example:
It's dark (adj.).
Li fè nwa.

It's too dark outside (adj.).
Li fè twò nwa deyò a.

I don't like to drive in the dark (n.).
Mwen pa renmen kondi nan fènwa.

They're living in darkness (n.).
Y'ap viv nan fènwa.

She darkened (v.) her hair.
Li nwasi cheve l.

Nwa (as in: darker shade) → fonse
example:
She was wearing a dark blue shirt.
Li te mete yon chemiz ble fonse.

I want to paint the walls with a dark color.
Mwen vle pentire mi yo ak yon koulè fonse.

me too (in Creole)

me too (as in: dido, same here, myself also) → mwen menm tou

Let me know when it's done.

Let me know when it's done.
Kite m konnen lè li fini.

What's up with "pick up" in Creole?

To pick up (as in: lift) → Pran, leve
example:
1. Pick up the box.
    Leve bwat la.


2.  She picked up the chair with no problem.
     Li leve chèz la san pwoblèm.


3.  He gently picked up the child.
     Li leve timoun nan tout dousman.


To pick up (as in: collect, gather) → pran, ranmase
example:
1. Pick up all the toys from the floor before you go to bed.
    Ranmase tout jwèt yo atè a anvan w'al dòmi.


2.  Pick them up.
     Ranmase yo.


3.  A strong wind pick up the houses and threw them in the air.
     Yon gwo van ranmase kay yo e li voye yo anlè a.


To pick up (as in:  clean up) → netwaye
example:
1.  Pick up your room a bit.
    Netwaye chanm ou non.

2.  He leaves his socks all over the house.  I have to pick up after him.
     Li kite chosèt li tout kote nan kay la.  Fòk mwen netwaye aprè li.




To pick up ( as in: to go get) → ale chache, ale pran
To pick up (as in: come get) → vini chache, vini pran
example:
1. Come pick me up.
    Vin chache mwen. or
    Vin pran mwen.


2. Can you come pick me up at the school?
     Eske ou ka vin chache mwen nan lekòl la?
     Eske ou ka vin pran mwen nan lekòl la?


3.  Someone from the church will come to pick us up at the airport.
     Yon moun nan legliz la ap vin chache nou nan aewopò a.
     Yon moun nan legliz la ap vin pran nou nan aewopò a.

4.  Are you on your way to pick me up?
     Eske ou nan wout pou vin chache m?

5.  I'm on my way to pick you up.
     Mwen nan wout pou m vin chache w.

6.  They've arrived.  Can you go pick them up?
     Yo rive.  Eske ou ka al chache yo?

7.  Go get me an umbrella.
     Ale chache yon parapli pou mwen.
     Ale pran yon parapli pou mwen.

Mwen kontan messaj ou.

Mwen kontan mesaj ou.
I was glad to get your message.

What is "handwriting" in Creole

handwriting → ekriti
handwrite → ekri alamen
write → ekri

Your handwriting is bad.
Ekriti ou lèd.

I like your handwriting.
Mwen renmen ekriti ou.

This is not your handwriting.
Sa se pa ekriti ou.

This is Joe's handwriting.
Sa se ekriti Joe.

You could handwrite or type the assignment.
Ou kapab tape devwa a oubyen ekri li alamen.

God's kingdom or government (in Creole)

God's kingdom → rwayòm Bondye
God's government → rèy Bondye

summarize

summarize → rezime, bay yon rezime

summary → rezime

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