Mwen dakò avè w...
Plis lapè
Plis lanmou
Plis akolad
Plis padon
Plis souri
Plis konfyans
ak plis bo, definitivman :)
Plis lapè
Plis lanmou
Plis akolad
Plis padon
Plis souri
Plis konfyans
ak plis bo, definitivman :)
Where I can buy Christmas decorations that depict Tonton Nowèl as Haitian (rather than Caucasian)? I have a single plastic image and can't find any others!
By Haitian, you mean ethnic?
You can always google the words "ethnic santas", "ethnic christmas ornaments".
Amazon.com has a few of them.
JCPenney has some.
The ornaments from the Haitian websites are mostlly "xmas flag ornaments and stuff" - Not too christmasy.
But the best place to find ethnic ornaments at a really cheap price are the thrift and antique stores.
I have yet to buy brand new ethnic ornaments.
All the ones I have so far, I got from the thrift and antique stores in the Tarpon Springs, Florida.
You can always google the words "ethnic santas", "ethnic christmas ornaments".
Amazon.com has a few of them.
JCPenney has some.
The ornaments from the Haitian websites are mostlly "xmas flag ornaments and stuff" - Not too christmasy.
But the best place to find ethnic ornaments at a really cheap price are the thrift and antique stores.
I have yet to buy brand new ethnic ornaments.
All the ones I have so far, I got from the thrift and antique stores in the Tarpon Springs, Florida.
as a matter of fact.
As a matter of fact
aktyèlman (actually)
dayè (in fact)
an reyalite (in reality)
or
annefè (in fact)
1.
You know, I'm not going to help that girl. In fact she's not even my friend.
Ou konne, m p'ap ede tifi sa a. Dayè li pa menm zanmi'm.
2.
I want you to talk to Zette. As a matter of fact let's call her right now.
I want you to talk to Zette. As a matter of fact let's call her right now.
M vle ou pale ak Zette. Aktyèlman ann rele l kounye a.
3.
We're glad you came. As a matter of fact, we were wondering why you came so late?
We're glad you came. As a matter of fact, we were wondering why you came so late?
Nou kontan ou te vini. An reyalite, nou t'ap panse poukisa ou vini ta konsa?
tell him to come outside
Tell him to come outside.
Di l vin deyò a.
or
Di l pou l vin deyò a.
Tell him to go outside.
Di l ale deyò a.
Di l ale deyò a.
or
Di l pou l'ale deyò a.
in the same talking.
On that same note...
Sou menm pawòl sa...
Sou menm sijè sa ...
While we're on this subject...
Pandan n'ap di sa...
Pandan nou sou sijè sa...
no matter what.
no matter what (In any case, anyway) → kanmenm
No matter what happen → kelkeswa sa ki rive, kelkeswa sa ki pase
No matter who (whoever) → kelkeswa moun
No matter where (where ever) → kelkeswa kote
In spite of everything → malgre tout
1. Mèsi kanmenm.
Thanks anyway.
2. No matter what happens tonight, remember that I love you.
Kelkeswa sa ki pase aswè a, sonje mwen renmen w.
3. I'll stand by you no matter what.
M'ap kanpe avè w, kelkeswa sa ki rive.
4. He loved her no matter what.
Li te renmen li malgre tout.
Which is best for "from" in "From Miami, this is the broadcast of..." -- apàti / depi / sòti nan ?
For this particular phrase,
Sòti nan Miami, sa se repòtaj /emisyon televize ..... would be the best one (if the broadcast is done in true Creole)
But if the braodcast is a mixture of French and Creole, or even a "French-ised" Creole, "Depi" would fit nicely too.
what is the difference between epi and depi...do they both mean "then?" i've also heard depi used as depi maten...
depi → since, from, whence
Depi maten l'ap pale.
Since this morning she's talking (literally)
She's been talking since this morning.
Mwen pa wè li depi mwa desanm.
I haven't see him since December.
M'ap vin la depi lendi...
I have been coming here since Monday...
Depi papa li mouri, li pa vin wè nou ankò.
Since his dad died, he doesn't come to see us anymore.
Depi mari l pa la, li sòti.
Once her husband is not home, she goes out.
Depi chyen yo tande pòt la sonnen, yo koumanse jape.
Once the dogs hear the doorbell ring, they start barking.
Depi ou peye m, m'ap ba ou machandiz la.
Once you pay me I'll give you the merchandise.
Nou ouvri depi lendi jiska vandredi.
We're open from Monday till Friday.
Mwen kondui depi Pòtoprens jiska Okap.
I drove from Port-au-Prince to Au Cap.
Sezon siklòn se depi mwa jen jiska novanm.
Hurricane season is from June to November.
Tout moun nan ka, depi pi pitit jiska pi gran an.
Everyone is in trouble, from the smallest to the oldest.
Depi ou peye m, m'ap ba ou machandiz la.
Once you pay me I'll give you the merchandise.
Nou ouvri depi lendi jiska vandredi.
We're open from Monday till Friday.
Mwen kondui depi Pòtoprens jiska Okap.
I drove from Port-au-Prince to Au Cap.
Sezon siklòn se depi mwa jen jiska novanm.
Hurricane season is from June to November.
Tout moun nan ka, depi pi pitit jiska pi gran an.
Everyone is in trouble, from the smallest to the oldest.
Epi (or epitou) → and, and then
Li wo, li bèl, li emab epi li entelijan.
She's tall, beautiful, easygoing and she's smart.
Li vle pou m fè manje, epi pou m lave asyèt yo tou.
She wants me to cook, and then to wash the dishes.
Is it "KOURAJ" or "KOURAY"?
It is both.
Some Haitian Creole words that end in "j" also have an alternate ending with the letter "y".
examples:
mesaj or mesay → message
pasaj or pasay → passage
kouraj or kouray → courage
zoranj or zorany → orange
gaspiyaj or gaspiyay → misuse, expenditure
sonj or sony → dream
Some Haitian Creole words that end in "j" also have an alternate ending with the letter "y".
examples:
mesaj or mesay → message
pasaj or pasay → passage
kouraj or kouray → courage
zoranj or zorany → orange
gaspiyaj or gaspiyay → misuse, expenditure
sonj or sony → dream
Tet kale?Tet chaje?Tet panye?Will you go out tonight? How's nightlife in haitian capital?yes, really how's nightlife in Port-au Prince Mandaly...
What is tèt panye anyway ☺
In Port-au-prince, you’ll find plenty of excitement.
You might want a tourist’ point of view of Port-au-Prince’s nightlife for visitors.
For travelers who wants to play it safe, the fun is concentrated in the areas of Kenscoff, Petionville, and Delmas (generally in downtown Port-au-Prince) where the hotels, restaurants, night clubs are alive with a mixture of Konpa, Twoubadou, and Merennge music. You can also have as much Barbancourt, Guiness, and Heineiken as you want while sampling the many varieties of spicy Caribbean dish offered. Movies in theaters are played in French or they might be dubbed in French mostly.
For travelers who wants to play it safe, the fun is concentrated in the areas of Kenscoff, Petionville, and Delmas (generally in downtown Port-au-Prince) where the hotels, restaurants, night clubs are alive with a mixture of Konpa, Twoubadou, and Merennge music. You can also have as much Barbancourt, Guiness, and Heineiken as you want while sampling the many varieties of spicy Caribbean dish offered. Movies in theaters are played in French or they might be dubbed in French mostly.
But the areas where tourists are cautioned not to approach at night have a charm of their own.
Whether there’s electricity or not, the fun goes on. On the big streets, you can count on finding a fritay stand in each corner where the fried plantains, fried fish, patat, griyo and pikliz smell so good that you’d have to stop and get a dish for yourself.
If you’re not into fried foods there are plenty of wine colored sugar cane in the street corners, and the vendors always peel off the husks.
Radios from the shops are always blasting some konpa music. You’ll hear the music whatever street you’re on.
And if you’ve ever been to Haiti, you know the streets are always crowded with walkers. It doesn’t stop after sunset. People hang out at store fronts, in the streets, on their rooftops, and there’s always a crowd in front of houses that are equipped with televisions. Some people would hide their TVs, but God bless those who put their TVs on their porches especially when there’s a soccer game.
So the night atmosphere, whether in the center of town or in the suburbs, is usually energetic especially on the weekends.
Now, you got to tell me what tèt panye is :)
How do you say wrong number in creole
wrong number → move nimewo
You've called the wrong number.
Ou rele yon move nimewo.
Writing a note to my husband. Trying to surprise him by writing it in Creole :) Can you translate "Here's to the first month of forever. I love you"
Here's to the first month of forever. I love you.
Sa se pou premye mwa nan yon etènite ansanm. Mwen renmen w.
I miss Haiti → Mwen sonje Ayiti.
I miss Haiti. → Mwen sonje Ayiti.
I miss my country. → Mwen sonje peyi m.
I miss my country. → Mwen sonje peyi m.
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 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.
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.
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.
She went after him.
L'ale dèyè li.
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.
Is it sonje or chonje?
Both.
From the French songer → to think about, to remember, to dream
From the French songer → to think about, to remember, to dream
Haitian Creole's sonje or chonje → to miss, to remember
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/
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
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.
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:
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.
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:
This is the man that I saw.
Best way to say it: Sa se mesye mwen te wè a.
What some will say:
He told me that he loves me.
Best way to say it: Li di m li renmen m.
What some will say:
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:
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.
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.
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.
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
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)
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.
"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.
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
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,
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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
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.
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
Have a great afternoon.
Pase yon bon apremidi
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.
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.
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.
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
http://sweetcoconuts.blogspot.com/2011/06/alone-isolated-unattached-unmarried-by.html
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?
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
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 :)
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!
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 :-)
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.
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.
"Oh ou konprann Kreole sa tou." What does this mean?
Oh, ou konprann Kreyòl sa tou?
Oh, you understand this type of Creole too?
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.
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?
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?
Get up
Get up → leve (pronounced lay-vay)
Rise up → leve kanpe
stand up → kanpe, leve kanpe, mete w debou
Rise up → leve kanpe
stand up → kanpe, leve kanpe, mete w debou
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.
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.
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?
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! :)
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.")
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?
who wants seconds?
Kilès ki vle rebise?
Kilès ki vle yon lòt?
Kilès ki vle double?
or
Kilès ki vle yon dezyèm?
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.
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.
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)
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?
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...
Nou swete w yon Jwaye Nwèl.
More Chritsmas holiday greetings in H. Creole...
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
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.
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.
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.
'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!
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:
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.
"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.
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.
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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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