What kind / what type (in Creole)

What kind / what type → ki kalite

What type of car do you have?
Ki kalite machin ou genyen?

What kind of school is this?
Ki kalite lekòl sa ye?

What is "ata"?

ata → even, not even
a Haitian Creole synonym for "ata" is "menm"


Ata papa m p'ap ka vini lakay mwen.
Menm papa m p'ap ka vini lakay mwen. (also used = menm)
Not even my father can come to my house.


Mwen tèlman rich, ata chen mwen gen pwòp kont bankè li.
Mwen tèlman rich, menm chen mwen gen pwòp kont bankè li.
I am so rich, even my dog has his own bank account.

Explain "afòs"

afòs → as a result of, due to, because of

Afòs mwen kriye, je m anfle.

I cried so much, my eyes were swollen.

Afòs li jene, li pèdi vennsenk liv.

As a result of fasting, she lost twenty-five pounds

Afòs nou kouri bisiklèt, dèyè nou fè nou mal.

We rode our bikes so much our buttocks hurt.

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After can also be translated as deye?

Yes.

to be after, to attempt to get → dèyè

He's after one thing.

Li dèyè yon sèl bagay

She went after him.
L'ale dèyè li.

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Fann deye - to run after?

Fann dèyè → to tun after, to chase, to track down

After they left the bank, the police gave them a good chase.

Apre yo kite bank lan, lapolis fann dèyè yo.

Yo fann dèyè m.

They ran after me.

She chased the burglars with a broomstick.

Li fann dèyè vòlè yo ak yon bwa bale.

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Is it sonje or chonje?

Both.

From the French songer → to think about, to remember, to dream

Haitian Creole's sonje or chonje → to miss, to remember

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Hi.My name is Olga and I,m a linguist. I'm studing creole languages and Haitian Creole is very interesting for me. If it isn't difficult for you, can you help me to find basic information about syntax,morphology and vocabulary of Haitian Creole.

Best place to start is: http://www2.ku.edu/~haitiancreole/

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Re: "panyen pesi" in previous post. Doesn't that expression also mean "dumb"

Yes.

It is used in the expression equivalent to:

English expression: As dumb as a doorknob.

Creole expression: Sòt pase yon panyen pèsi.

Literally:                Dumber than a bunch of parley

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a bunch of...(in Creole)? As in "a bunch crooks". Would bunch be translated as "panyen"?

First of all, Haitian Creole panyen, grap, or bouke best describe a bouquet, a posy, or an assemblage of branches

Example:
yon panyen pèsi
A bunch of parsley

yon bouke flè
a flower bouquet

yon grap rezen
a bunch of grapes


A bunch of  (batch, collection) → yon bann, yon bann kalite or yon pakèt

Mwen wè yon bann kalite moun.
I saw a bunch of different people
She wrote a bunch of words that I did not understand.
Li ekri yon bann mo mwen pa't konprann.

They're a bunch of irresponsible people.
Yo se yon bann manfouben.

They're a bunch of crooks.
Yo se yon bann vòlè.

They're nothing but a bunch of phonies!
Se yon bann magouyè yo ye!

They are a bunch of crazy people.
Yo se yon bann moun fou.

This is a bunch of baloney.
Sa se yon bann tenten.

1 comment:

1. 
   kalJanuary 23, 2013 at 1:11 PM

   I have a list that I have collected. Feel free to post it for everybody to see. I want everybody to learn as much about as I am. Here is the list:
   The * respresent the word may or may not belong in this category.
   yon makòn
   yon rado
   yon makrèy
   yon gagòt
   yon galata
   yon grenn*
   yon tablati*
   yon kanaval
   yon kanal
   yon katredal
   yon kin
   yon kiriyèl
   yon kolonn
   yon lakoloni
   yon lapopilas
   yon larivyè
   yon lata
   yon mas
   yon mazenga
   yon mòlmèk
   yon nich
   yon peyi
   yon pil
   yon piyay
   yon pleyad
   yon rafal
   yon ras
   yon rasanble
   yon rat
   yon rejiman
   yon kay
   yon seri
   yon ta
   yon tonm
   yon lame
   yon lamadèl
   yon latriye
   yon tabènak
   yon gouf
   yon valiz
   yon valè
   yon volim
   yon voum
   yon nonm

I am wondering on which occasions you use 'ki' in Creole. And when you are to say something like "He is the one that helps us" Do you use ki for 'that'? And is 'ke' also used for 'that'?

We are discouraged from using the relative pronoun "ke" in Creole.

You do not need to use "ke" unless you're speaking French.
This does not mean that Creole speakers won't attempt to use it.

Examples:
The dress that you bought is pretty.
Best way to say it: Rad ou achte a bèl.
What some will say: Rad ke ou achte a bèl.

This is the man that I saw.
Best way to say it: Sa se mesye mwen te wè a.
What some will say: Sa se mesye ke m te wè a.

He told me that he loves me.
Best way to say it:  Li di m li renmen m.
What some will say: Li di m ke l renmen m.

She didn't tell me that she was pregnant.
Best way to say it:  Li pa't di m li te ansent.
What some will say: Li pa't di m ke l te ansent.

The relative pronoun "ki" is used usually when it acts like a subject in a sentence.
Example:
The house that burned down was new.
Kay ki te boule a te nèf.

The girl who has the yellow dress is my daughter.
Ti fi ki gen rad jòn nan se piti fi mwen.

A man who has no eyes is blind.
Yon nèg ki pa gen zye avèg.

A house that is divided cannot stand.
Yon kay ki divize pa ka kanpe.

Foods that contain a lot of proteins are healthy.
Manje ki gen anpil pwoteyin bon pou lasante.

Rekative pronoun "ki"
Relative pronouns "ki" and "ke"
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by the time

by the time → distans or distans pou, tan pou, anvan, lè

1. By the time she woke up, I was already gone.

    Distans li reveye, m te gentan ale.

2. By the time I arrived in Haiti, she had already passed.

    Distans m rive Ayiti, li te gentan mouri.

3. By the time the police got to the store, the burglars had already fled.
    Tan pou lapolis te rive nan magazen an, volè yo te deja chape.

4. Before we could take refuge under the table, the roof of the house had already come down on us.
    Tan pou nou te pran refij anba tab la, twati kay la te deja tonbe sou nou.

5. I will be waiting for you by the time you get home.

    M ava ap tann ou anvan ou rive lakay.

    or

    M'ava ap tann ou distans pou w rive lakay.

6. By the time she was fifteen, she was already working.

    Lè l te gen kenzan, li te gentan ap travay.

    Anvan l te gen kenzan li te gentan ap travay..

    or

    Distans li te gen kenzan, li te gentan ap travay.

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"Jèn kore jèn" What is kore?

kore → to anchor, to support, to back up, to stand behind

Kore → to anchor

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Pa take pòt la m ap toune

take (pronounced tah-kay) → to lock

The Creole words klete, take, and kadnase may be used to translate the verb: to lock, to secure.

Usually take would mean to lock with a latch.  Klete would mean to lock with a key.  And kadnase would mean to lock with a padlock.

Pa take pòt la. M'ap tounen.

Don't lock the door. I'll be back.

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All is well / I'm fine / It's all good

I'm fine.
Mwen byen.


I'm very well.
Mwen trè byen.


We're doing well.
Nou byen.


All is well with me.
Tout bagay byen avè m.


Things are well.
Bagay yo ap mache byen.


I'll be fine.
Ma va byen.
Ma degaje m.


It's all good.
Tout bagay byen.

"Byen" as an adverb and as a verb

I need to differentiate between a sheep (older) and a lamb (younger). The Bible uses mouton and brebi interchangeably for both. Ideas?

I had learned that brebi (from French brebis) is the female of mouton.

Mouton → sheep

brebi → sheep (female)

anyo → lamb (young sheep)

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kitchen cupboard

etajè

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I would have been driving at that time if I had not lost my keys.

I would have been... → Mwen ta ap .... (not contracted), Mwen t'ap .... (contracted)

 Mwen  | ta         | ap kondwi                | lè sa            |

     I      | would  | have been driving | at that time |

si | mwen  | pa            | te     | pèdi  | kle mwen |

if  | I           | negative | past | lose  | my keys  |

 

 I would have been driving at that time if I had not lost my keys.

Mwen ta ap kondwi lè sa si m pa't pèdi kle m.

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glove

glove - gan

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"gentan" and "deja" are synonyms

Already → gentan, deja

Examples.

They're already here.
Yo gentan la.
Yo deja la.

I've already bought one.
Mwen gentan achte youn.
Mwen deja achte youn.

We're already done.
Nou gentan fini.
Nou deja fini.

How do you say "dear"?

Dear
monchè (masculin)
machè (feminine)
chè
cheri or ti cheri

My dear

cheri mwen

monchè

or

machè

My dear child,

Pitit cheri mwen,

My dear Julie,

Julie cheri*, or
Chè Julie,

My dear Patrick,
Patrick cheri  or
Chè Patrick,

Dear mom

Manman cheri or
Chè manman,

*If someone were to call me dear, I would prefer "Mandaly cheri" over "Chè Mandaly".  The latter sounds French. The first one is definitely more endearing. 

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january

January →Janvye

Months of the year..

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May all your dreams be fulfilled ?May your wishes be fulfilled this new year. (Creole)

fulfill → akonpli, reyalize
May... → Se pou

May all your dreams be fulfilled this new year.
Se pou tout rèv ou yo reyalize nan nouvo ane sa.

May your wishes be fulfilled this new year.
Se pou dezi ou yo akonpli nan nouvo ane sa.

nose (place your finger on your nose) (Creole)

nose → nen
nosy → jouda

Mete |   dwèt  |  ou    | sou    |  nen  |  ou.   |  (uncontracted)
Met   |   dwèt  |  ou    | sou    | nen   |  w.     |  (contracted)
Put     |  finger   | your   | over   | nose  | your. |

Place your finger on your nose.
Met dwèt ou sou nen w.

we love you

We love you.

Nou renmen w.

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when are you coming home?

When are you coming home?

Kilè w'ap vin lakay ou?

Kilè w'ap rantre lakay ou?

Kilè w'ap rantre?

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Nou-sonje-ou-anpil-wi

Nou | sonje | ou   | anpil  | wi
We  |  miss  | you | a lot   | yes

Nou sonje ou anpil wi.
We miss you a lot.

Counter / counter top (in a kitchen)

counter / countertop → kontwa

kitchen countertop → kontwa kwizin

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Weak bone (in Creole)

Weak bone → zo fèb

Her bones are brittle.
Zo li delika.
Zo li frajil.

Your bones are weak.
Zo w fèb / frajil / delika.

Enjoy your afternoon. / Have a great afternoon

Enjoy your afternoon.
Have a great afternoon.
Pase yon bon apremidi

nou ka ban mwen lyrics se la vi a

http://sweetcoconuts.blogspot.com/2010/11/exercise-45-we-are-singing-se-la-vi.html

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I see that sometimes the word "to" is translated as "bay" which is the verb to give.

That happens sometimes when some verbs are followed by the preposition "to". That word "to" is then translated as "bay" or "pou":

Examples:

Bring it to me.

Pote l *ban mwen. (uncontracted)

Pote l ban m. (contracted)

or

Pote l pou mwen. *(no contraction after "pou" when it indicates possession)

Read the book to her.

Li liv la ba li.

or

Li liv la pou li.

Send them to me.

Voye yo ban mwen

or

Voye yo pou mwen.

Return it to them.

Retounen li ba yo.

She came crying to me.

Li vin kriye ban mwen.

Explain it to them.

Eksplike l ba yo.

Let me hear it. Sing it to me.

Kite m tande l. Chante l ban mwen.

*Rules for using: ba, ban, or bay
*Rules for using contractions
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How do you say in english"M' rele konsenan yon aplikasyon pou travay mwen te ranpli sa gen plispase 2 semen.M' ta renmen konnen komansa ye pwiske m' weyo pa janm rele'm.

Wap ban m travay pou m fè zanmi :-)

Si ou vle kontinye avèk menm jan de kesyon travay sa a, ou mèt kontinye li nan fòm kòmantè, sizoka yon moun ap swiv tout liy kesyon ou yo, ya jwenn tout menm kote a tande zanmi?

Men tradiksyon an:

I'm calling regarding an application that I filled out about two weeks ago. I would like to know if you're still hiring.

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How do you spell the Creole words for "full" and "alone". "Fèl" and "sèl" can't be right (the latter means "salt").

full (to have a lot of) → plen or ranpli.

It's full.
Li plen.

I'm full. I can eat anymore.

Vant mwen plen. Mwen pa ka manje ankò.

He's full of the Holy Spirit.

Li ranpli ak Sentespri.

Alone → sèl, pou kont

I am alone.

Mwen pou kont mwen.

or

Mwen sèl.

Why are you sitting alone?

Poukisa ou chita pou kont ou?

or

Poukisa ou chita sèl?

Sèl also translates the English words salt, only, only one

You're the only one I love.
Se ou sèl mwen renmen.

He's the only one I see.

Se li sèl mwen wè.

That's the only thing I want.

Se sèl bagay mwen vle.

I need more salt.

Mwen bezwen plis sèl.

Here's link to more info on how to use sèl or Pou kont:
http://sweetcoconuts.blogspot.com/2011/06/alone-isolated-unattached-unmarried-by.html

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How could you say in creole"m rele konsenan yon aplikasyon pou travay ke m' te renpli sa plis pase 2 semen.M' ta renmen konnen koman sa ye?pwiske m' we yo pa janm rele'm.

Ou gentan byen di l an Kreyòl bon zanmi m.

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I don't understand "Sa sa ye la?" How could it mean "what is this?" Please, please explain.

Sa     |  sa   |   ye |  la    |  (contracted)

Kisa  |  sa   |   ye |  la    |  (uncontracted)

What |  that |   is   |  here |  (translation in English)

Thus,
Sa sa ye la? → What is that / this?

Sa sa yo ye la? → what are these/those?

Can I get that song in kreyol? Nan tout pawol ki ekri nou jwen youn ki bel. Chorus: " Li la bib ou e va grandi nan bone ki pap jan'm fini.

This version performed by Caribbean Gospel.

Nan tout pawòl ki ekri nou jwenn youn ki pi bèl

Li simen nan lanati bèl chan zwazo nan syèl

Ki fè lawouze tonbe sou tout zèb ki fleri

Ki fòtifye nanm nou ak pwomès ki soti kote Bondye

Lè nou li de vèsè chak moman nan ti piwèt nou

Li la bib ou, e w va grandi

Nan bonè ki pap janm fini

Ke Jezi monte ale prepare

Pratike pawòl sou tè sa

Ou va ere pou letènite

Wa gen lajwa e la felisite

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How do you say?" you are my haitian flower?

Ou se flè Ayisyèn mwen.

Ou se flè kreyòl mwen.

I think "flè kreyòl" sounds better :)

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How to best translate "vices" in Creole?

vice → vis, mès or move mès, move abitid.

He's got two great vices, women and drugs.

Li gen de move mès, fanm ak dwòg.

Abitid se vis. (Haitian Creole idiom)

Habits are vices

What spoiled child!

Ala timoun gate!

or

Ala timoun gen move mès!

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Ki gagòt sa? (What is this mess?)

Yes.

Ki gagòt sa?
What is this mess?

What is this crap?
Ki tenten sa?
See more...

I am Haitian Muslim and some non muslim haitians ask why do sme Haitians become Muslim.

I guess that's a question for you to answer. There are many different reasons why people choose a religion over others. Yo sèlman ki konnen :-)

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What about if a person feels cold and I am talking about him and I say "he feels cold again" ? Thank you!

He feels cold.

Li frèt.

or

Li santi l frèt.

He feels cold again.

Li frèt ankò.

or

Li santi l frèt ankò.

If the coldness is due to physiological changes because of impending death, then you'll say:

He feels cold.

He's cold.

Kò li frèt.

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Alo I am Haitian American. Some peopke ask me why do us Haitians like Savester the cat.

Who is Savester?

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What's the difference between understand and understanding in creole?

to understand (comprehend) → konprann

I understand you.

Mwen konprann ou*.

*(Do not put a contraction after the verb "konprann". This word ends with a consonant, threfore, we cannot have a contraction after it.)

I don't understand you.

Mwen pa konprann ou.

Do you understand me?

Eske ou konprann mwen?

Understanding (comprehension) → bon konprann, entelijans

His spirit gives us understanding.

Lespri li ban nou bon konprann.

You're acting like you have no understanding at all.

W'ap aji tankou yon moun ki pa gen bon konprann.

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"Oh ou konprann Kreole sa tou." What does this mean?

Oh, ou konprann Kreyòl sa tou?

Oh, you understand this type of Creole too?

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what is "saw" in creole?

You mean the verb "to see" as in "I saw him"?

to see → wè

saw → te wè (te is indicative of past tense)

I saw him.

Mwen te wè li.

I saw you.

Mwen te wè w.

We saw it with our own eyes.

Nou te wè li ak pwò zye nou.

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How about "He feels cold again today." Thanks you!

It feels cold again today.

Li fè frèt ankò jodi a.

How's the weather today?
How'stthe weather?

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I want to say, "did you remember to bring the money?"

Did you remember...? → Eske ou te sonje...?

Did you remember to bring the money?
Eske ou te sonje pote lajan an?

Did you remember to turn off the stove?
Eske ou te sonje etenn fou a?

Did you remember to pray?
Eske w te sonje priye?

Did they remember to leave water for the dog?
Eske yo te sonje kite dlo pou chyen an?

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Get up

Get up → leve (pronounced lay-vay)

Rise up → leve kanpe

stand up → kanpe, leve kanpe, mete w debou

how do you say "yes it will be good for us"

Wi, L'ap bon pou nou.

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dribble (noun and verb), as in to dribble a soccer ball or basketball, or to lose your dribble (i.e. by grasping the basketball).

dribble (v.) → mate (pronounced mah-tay)

bounce (v.) → rebondi

dribble, bounce (n) → rebondisman

Dribble the ball → Mate boul la.

Keep dribbling → Kontinye mate boul la. or Kontinye mate l.

Do not lose your drible → pa sispann mate l.

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travay se libete..yon moun pa ka viv san li.sinon ou pral tombe nan tout sak pa bon.

Monchè, sa se laverite!

Travay se libete.. Yon moun pa ka viv san li.  Sinon, ou pral tonbe nan tout sak pa bon.

Work is freedom...One cannot live without it.  If you do, then you'll get into all sort of mischiefs.

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Explain: "Ki sa sa ye"

Kisa → what
Ye → to be
sa → this, that, it

Kisa sa ye?
What is that?

Kisa sa yo ye?
What are those?

Kisa yo ye?
What are they?

Kisa li ye?
What is it?

bo ou → to kiss you

bo → to kiss, a kiss

Give me a kiss.
Ban m yon bo.

Kiss me.
Bo m.

Go ahead, kiss the frog :)
Ale non!  Bo krapo a! (this is so funny! :)

smells good/smells bad

smell (v.) → santi, gen sant
smell (n.) → sant, odè

smells good → santi bon, gen bon sant, gen bon odè
smells bad →  santi, santi move, gen move sant, gen move odè

The shoe smells bad. (Haitians may say this many different ways)
Soulye a santi. (The shoe smells)
Soulye a santi move. (The shoe smells bad)
Soulye a gen move sant. (The shoe has a bad smell.)
or 
Soulye a gen move odè. (The shoe has a bad odor.)

This leaf smells good.
Fèy sa santi bon.
Fèy sa gen bon sant.
Fèy sa gen bon odè.

I smell something. (I detect an odor)
Mwen pran yon sant.

I smell cake.
Mwen pran sant gato.

We smell food.
Nou pran sant manje.

It smells like ...
Li gen sant...

It smells like burnt food.
Li gen sant manje boule.

Your perfume smells like fruits.
Pafen ou gen sant fwi.

It smells like a zoo in here!
La a gen sant pak bèt!
_____________________________________

Santi is also the Haitian Creole word for to feel

Mwen santi m malad.
I feel sick.

M santi m fèb.
I feel weak.

Kijan ou santi w?
How do you feel?

Poukisa w'ap swe?  Ou santi w cho?
Why are you sweating?  Do you feel hot?

This feels good. 
Sa bon.
(can't say: "Sa santi bon." because that would mean "This smells good.")

"seconds" as in "who wants seconds?"

to have seconds → rebise

who wants seconds?
Kilès ki vle rebise?
Kilès ki vle yon lòt?
Kilès ki vle double?
or
Kilès ki vle yon dezyèm?

Soccer (in Creole)?

Soccer is translated as foutbòl in Haitian Creole.

It's time to let go.

Let go → lache, lage, kite ale, kite tonbe

It's time to let go.
Li lè pou lache kè w.
Li lè pou kite sa tonbe.

It's time to let go of her.
Li lè pou kite l ale.

I can't let go of him yet.
Mwen poko ka kite l ale.

Let go of me.
Lage m.

Let go of the door.
Lage pòt la.

Don't let go of his hand.
Pa lage men li.

Don't let go. (don't give up)
Pa lage.

brush your teeth

Brush your teeth.
Bwose dan ou.

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I need a Creole equivalent to the expression "quick as a wink" or "in a flash".

Sure.

some of these expression might not make sense literally :)

Expressions for "in a flash"

Nan detan twa mouvman (in no time)

San pran souf (without taking a breath)

Brid sou kou (in a flash)

Rapido-presto (immediately)

Plop plop! (quick quick)

Vit vit! (quick quick)

Prese prese! (quick quick)

Nan yon klendèy,from the French en un clin d'oeil (in the blink of an eye)

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Kids

Kids → timoun, pitit, ti pitit

How many kids are coming?

Konbyen timoun ki ap vini?

These kids are smart.

Timoun sa yo entelijan.

Look at that kid. He's so sad.

Gade ti pitit sa. Li tris konsa.

There are 200 kids at the school.

Gen 200 timoun nan lekòl la.

How many children do you have

Konbyen pitit ou genyen?

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We wish you a merry christmas in haitian creole

We wish you a merry Christmas.
Nou swete w yon Jwaye Nwèl.

More Chritsmas holiday greetings in H. Creole...

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In common parlance, does "sendomeng" usually refer to Santo Domingo or to the whole DR?

It usually refers to the country, the Dominican Republic.

but,  Dominican Republic in Creole is Repiblik Dominikèn, or Dominikani

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Does one drink ice cream (bwe krèm) or eat ice cream (manje krèm)?

Oh gee!   :-|

Mwen bwè krèm mwen!

Most Haitians say bwè krèm.

But I've also heard manje krèm.

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How do you say "I am going to paint your fingernails" in Kreyol?

to paint fingernails → woze dwèt

I'm going to paint my fingernails.

Mwen pral woze dwèt mwen.

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pafwa mwn chita map panse de sa wi frem pitom t rete timoun tjr.. what mean in english

Sometimes i think about it and it makes me wish I still a child.

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'Label' is that a creole because i don't understant it.

labèl (from the French La belle) → beautiful

sometimes you'll also hear:

mabèl (from the French Ma belle) → beautiful

Example:

Sa'k pase labèl?

How are you doing beautiful?

Bonjou Mabèl!

Hello beautiful!

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How do you say "he walks to school" or "he walks to the store"? Thank you!

He walks to school.

Li mache al lekòl.

or

Li mache pou al lekòl.

al is contraction for ale which means to go

He walks to the store.

Li mache al nan magazen an.

Li mache pou al nan magazen an.

Here are some links about preporitions:

Prepositions "to"

Prepositions in, at, from

Prepositions

Prepositions in

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How do you say My country is colder than yours! ?

My country is colder than yours.

Peyi m pi frèt pase peyi w.

It gets colder in my country than in yours.

Li fè pi frèt nan peyi m pase nan peyi w.

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"Si ou te renmen m ', ou ta di m' konsa?" Do you need konsa at the end or not?

Most Haitians would have that word "konsa" there.
But you could have this particular sentence without it, too.

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si m ta we gen dlo tombe ate a,map mete yon ansey ki fe konnen ke ate a gen dlo.Answit m pral deye yon mop poum ka seche dlo a.

If there were water on the floor, I would post a sign which says that the floor is wet. Then I would use a mop to wipe it off.

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si m'jwenn yon bous ate a map pote-l nan biro a.

If I find a purse on the floor I'll bring it to the office.

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are there Christmas caroles and music in haitian creole or are they in french?

There are many Christmas Carols in Creole.
Away in a manger #117
We sing a song of Chritsmas time #120
The first Noel #121
O holy night #82 (MJ
Long time ago in Bethlehem
and more...

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Gramoun lontan

Granmoun lontan (literally: older people from previous generation)
ancestors
older generation
ancients
elders

What is "lezom"? Is it "man"?

Lèzòm or Lòm → mankind, man, people, humanity

Kisa ki ka sove lèzòm?
What can save mankind?

Lèzòm planifye men Bondye deside.
Man plans but God decides.

Pa mete konfyans ou nan lòm.
Do not put your faith in man.

Li fè sa pou tout lèzòm.
He did it for all mankind.

"Lòm pa ka viv ak pen sèlman..."
"Man cannot live by bread alone..."

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how do you say im going out

I'm stepping out.

M'ap soti.

I'm going out.

M'ap soti.

Mwen pral soti.

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It's hard to understand - Se du a konprann?

It's hard...
Li difisil...
Li di...

It's hard to understand.
Li difisil pou konprann.

It's hard to understand why he chose that road.
Li difisil pou konprann pouki li chwazi wout sa.

It's hard to say these words.
Li difisil pou pwononse mo sa yo.

It's easy to see why he loves that girl.
Li fasil pou wè pouki li renmen ti fi sa.

what does the Haitian word merde mean? i am Haitian and so is my mom and she says it all the time.

That's a cuss word my dear. It could mean: crap, dammit, sh*t, etc...

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fanm creole yo dous?

Se sa m tande.

Mwen pa nan pozisyon pou mwen kòmante sou sa :-)

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Paske ou di mesi an kreyol - sa ve di ou kon'n kreyol...

Because you say thank you in Creole - this means you know Creole...

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How would you finish this sentence "Ala madichon ...

... ou gen sou tèt ou.

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any girl that says, 'Do it for me', is a trick.

Is that right?

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kite tonbe

Kite tonbe → abandon


1.
Kite sa.
Drop it.
Let it go.

2.
Kite sa tonbe.
Forget about it.
Let it go.

3.
Yo kite m tonbe.
They bailed out on me.
They deserted me.

Also:  Kite tonbe nan dlo → abandon

4.
Yo kite pwojè a tonbe nan dlo.
They abandoned the project.

What is "pran pwen".

To have/obtain a good luck charm so you may excel in an area of life.

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Please Translate "Fel Pou Lanmou"

"Fè l" is contraction for "Fè li" wich means "do it".

Fè l pou lanmou.

Do it for love.

Fè l pou ti moun ou yo.

Do it for your children.

Fè l pou peyi w.

Do it for your country.

Fè l pou mwen.

Do it for me.

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Isn't "koupe" used to translate the expression "I don't mean to interrupt"?

Yes. If you want to cut into a conversation and bring in your ideas or something, you'll say: San koupe pawòl ou... (which means I don't mean to cut through your words, but...)

San koupe pawòl ou, m panse ke se pa vre.

Sorry to interrupt, but I think you're wrong.

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how do u say i love you

It's right there, top of the screen: I love you. → Mwen renmen ou. or Mwen renmen w.

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If "Gade" means " to look", what makes it a good word?

LOL, RMR, ☺

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If "koupe" means "to cut", what makes it a bad word?

"koupe" in Creole is not a bad word. But it can be used as a slang for "having sex".
Should you then tiptoe around this Creole word? No way.
As always, the meaning is in the context.

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What's new my brother?

What's new my brother?
Kisa ki gen de nouvo frè m?

What's new my friend?
Kisa ki gen de nouvo zanmi m?

What's new?
Kisa ki gen de nouvo?

New (in Creole) - Is it "nèf" or "nouvo"

Poverty, humility, charity, and obedience (in Creole)

Oh... these words scare me!
I haven't learned how to turn the other cheek yet :)

poverty, humility, charity, and obedience
povrete, imilite, charite, ak obeyisans.

how to say " are you trying to give me problem?"

W'ap eseye ban m pwoblèm?

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our papi is the greatest

What is "greatest"?

Papa nou se sa nèt.

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I need a pet name for Patrick

Pat, Patty, Pato, Patou, Patyouko, Pepe, Choupa,... any middle name?

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To lower - Can you use "mete ba"?

To lower → desann, (sometimes) koupe

Lower the volume.
Desann volim nan.

They stood as he lowered the flag.
Yo te kanpe pandan li t'ap desann drapo a.

It will help to lower your blood pressure.
L'ap ede ou desann tansyon w.

It lowered my light bill in half.
Li te koupe bòdwo limyè m a mwatye.

Have to do? (Creole) as in: What does that have to do with you?

Have to do (be relevant to, to concern) → gen pou wè

What does that have to do with me?
Kisa sa gen pou wè avè m ?

What does one have to do with the other?
Kisa youn gen pou wè ak lòt?

How is she relevant in this.
Kisa sa gen pou wè avèk li?

m'plis ke pre pou travay la

M'plis ke pre pou travay la.

I'm more than ready for the job.

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what can you tell me about being the godmother (marenn) in a Haitian wedding? I will stand in as the godmother on December 9th for a friend and don't want to be caught off guard. I've never been to a Haitian wedding, much less participated in one...help

A wedding’s marenn (godmother) and parenn (godfather) is the same as Maid or Matron of Honor and Best Man respectively.

It is also said that the marenn and parenn baptize the wedding.

The marenn’s duties in a Haitian wedding can be overwhelming especially if the wedding is happening in Haiti.

Besides the traditional Maid of Honor’s duties, the marenn can be expected to pay for the bride’s dress, shoes, and sometimes the cake. And the parenn will foot up the bill for the groom’s suit, the reception hall and sometimes the wedding transportation. This happens less overseas and more in Haiti. This also depends on how well the bride and groom and their family are doing financially. The poorer the bride the more that is expected of you.

This may seem unfair and it is! It is common practice in Haiti that some bride and groom-to-be seek out people that are well off and ask them to baptize their wedding.

Since your friend’s wedding is in approx 5 days I’m assuming that all these things are already taken care of.

You are probably working on the Bridal Shower and/or the Bachelorette Party. The marenn may give a speech at the Bachelorette Party. Usually it is the parenn who presents a toast at the wedding reception. No other surprises, other than the usual stuff, should be thrown at you at this point in time.

I cannot think of anything out of the ordinary that would happen at the ceremony that you may not already know about.

The next few days, you should be expected to take care of last minute changes if there are any, complete the details of the rehearsal dinner, get the bridesmaids organized, finish last minute details, and help make your friend’s wedding day memorable.

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Can you translate in English: Ou konnen nou telman kole, ke nou fonn ansanm.

Ou konnen nou telman kole, ke nou fonn ansanm.

You know, we're so close we're melted together.

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to hate, to be hateful, full of hatred (creole please). Gracias por este blog.

to hate → rayi, deteste, degoute
to be hateful (full of hatred) → rayisab, gen kè nwè (have a black heart)

hate (n.) → hèn, lahèn

I hate to get up early.

Mwen rayi leve bonè.

I hate this movie.

Mwen rayi fim sa.

He's so full of hatred.

Li rayisab konsa.

Is hate a sin?

Eske lahèn se yon peche?

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Are you excited about The Adventures of Tintin?

It looks like Tintin has finally made it to America :)

Do you remember: Tintin Au Tibet, Tintin Au Congo, Tintin En Amerique?
After so many years of reading it in French, I am not sure I should go see it in English. I'll see...

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Close, score, and tie. As in: The score was close and he tried to tie it.

For a game,

score → pwen, rezilta

tie (n.) → nil

close → nil, preske

The score was a tie.

Match la te nil.

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