Haitian Creole

how to say order in creole

order (organisation, neatness, classification, command) → lòd

I put everything in order.

Mwen mete tout bagay nan lòd.

Put order in disorder.

Met lòd nan dezòd.

We have an order to shut this place down.

Nou gen otorizasyon pou fèmen plas sa a.

We have to mail all these orders by Chritsmas.

Fòk nou poste kòmand sa yo anvan Nwèl.

order (verb) → kòmande, otorize

I ordered some toys online.

Mwen te kòmande kèk jwèt sou entènèt la.

Who gave you the order to take down the flag?

Kilès ki otorize w desann drapo a?

Ask me anything

I'm writing a one page paper for my professor and I am trying to say...Mwen te tande ke pwofese Ayisyen mwen te pote manje pou yon lot klas semen pase. I am trying to say, "I heard that my haitian professor brought food for his other class last week.

You've got it right. Ou byen tradui li :)

There's a little variation:

...for his other class → pou lòt klas li a

...for another class → pou yon lòt klas

Konpliman!

Ask me anything

Witty comment. Quick-witted person.

Witty comment

remak entelijan

repons byen kalkile

Quick-witted person.

Yon moun entelijan.

Yon je kale.

Yon je klere

Ask me anything

I'd like to end a letter with "lots of love to everyone" in Creole. What would be appropriate? Mesi!

Anpil lanmou pou nou tout

Lots of love to you all

Avèk anpil lanmou

with love

with lots of love

Ask me anything

What do you call those luggage racks on top of the big tap-taps?

luggage racks or roof racks

pòtchay

Ask me anything

Kou → neck
Kou m ap fè m mal.
My neck hurts.

Kou → class, session, or seminar
Ki kou w'ap pran trimès sa?
What courses are you taking this semester?

kou → a blow, a disppointment
Madanm mwen fè m yon dènye kou, m'oblije kite l.
My wife dealt me one last blow, I had to leave her.

Kou → a punch
Li ban m yon kou.
He punched me.

piss somebody off.

piss off → enève, anbete, anniye, eksite

piss someone off → enève yon moun, eksite yon moun

You're pissing me off.

W'ap enève mwen.

She pissed me off.

Li enève m.

Ask me anything

i miss you daddy in haitian creole

Mwen sonje w papa.

Ask me anything

Mandaly, what is your favorite kreyol radio station...you can name few, si ou vle ;)

I listen to a slew of Haitian radio programs on the internet, but I usually end up spending the most time on VOA news Lavwadlamerik.

Ask me anything

Cheers!

Cheers! → Ochan!, Bravo!, Konpliman!, Onè Respè!, Kout Chapo!, Bòn sante!, lonjevite!

Ask me anything

Mwen we yon neg ap mache - I see a black man walking...?

No.

Nèg (in Creole) does not necessarily mean black man.

Mwen wè yon nèg k'ap mache...

I see a man walking.

black man → nèg nwa, mesye nwa

white man → nèg blan, mesye blan

Ask me anything

how do you say real in creole

real → reyèl, vre, tout bon, tout bon vre

It's real (It's true). → Se tout bon, se tout bon vre

He's really mad. → Li fache tout bon vre

He's really dead. → Se tout bon li mouri vre.

Is this real?
Is this true?

Eske se vre?

Eske se tout bon?

Eske se tout bon vre?

Eske li reyèl?

Ask me anything

More peace, more love, more hugs needed on this earth.

Mwen dakò avè w...

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.

Ask me anything

as a matter of fact.

As a matter of fact

aktyèlman (actually)

dayè (in fact)

an reyalite (in reality)

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.

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?

Nou kontan ou te vini. An reyalite, nou t'ap panse poukisa ou vini ta konsa?

Ask me anything

tell him to come outside

Tell him to come outside.

Di l vin deyò a.

Di l pou l vin deyò a.

Tell him to go outside.
Di l ale deyò a.

Di l pou l'ale deyò a.

Ask me anything

ou poko fini

Poko, ponkò → not yet
Patko → not yet (past tense)

Ou poko fini?

You're not done yet?

More on "poko - not...yet"

Ask me anything

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...

Ask me anything

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.

Ask me anything

you are very pretty

You are very pretty. → Ou trè bèl.

Ask me anything

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.

Ask me anything

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.

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.

Ask me anything

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

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.

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 :)

Ask me anything

suppose

sipoze

Ask me anything

How do you say wrong number in creole

wrong number → move nimewo

You've called the wrong number.
Ou rele yon move nimewo.

Ask me anything

fantastic or wonderful

fantastic → anfòm, sansasyonèl, fantastik, mèveye

Ask me anything

What is "anbachal"

anbachal (adv.) → charlatan, conniving, deceiving

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.

Ask me anything

I miss Haiti → Mwen sonje Ayiti.

I miss Haiti. → Mwen sonje Ayiti.
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 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.

Ask me anything

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.

Ask me anything

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.

Ask me anything

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

Ask me anything

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/

Ask me anything

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

Ask me anything

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:

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"
Ask me anything

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.

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..

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

Ask me anything

"Jèn kore jèn" What is kore?

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

Kore → to anchor

Ask me anything

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.

Ask me anything

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)

Ask me anything

kitchen cupboard

etajè

Ask me anything

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.

Ask me anything

glove

glove - gan

Ask me anything

"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

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.

Ask me anything

january

January →Janvye

Months of the year..

Ask me anything

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.

Ask me anything

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?

Ask me anything

Nou-sonje-ou-anpil-wi

Counter / counter top (in a kitchen)

counter / countertop → kontwa

kitchen countertop → kontwa kwizin

Ask me anything

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

Ask me anything

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)

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

Read the book to her.

Li liv la ba li.

Li liv la pou li.

Send them to me.

Voye yo ban mwen

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
Ask me anything

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.

Ask me anything

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.

Mwen sèl.

Why are you sitting alone?

Poukisa ou chita pou kont ou?

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

Ask me anything

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.

Ask me anything

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

Ask me anything

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 :)

Ask me anything

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!

Ala timoun gen move mès!

Ask me anything

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 :-)

Ask me anything

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.

Li santi l frèt.

He feels cold again.

Li frèt ankò.

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.

Ask me anything

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

Who is Savester?

Ask me anything

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.

Ask me anything

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

Oh, ou konprann Kreyòl sa tou?

Oh, you understand this type of Creole too?

Ask me anything

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.

Ask me anything

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?

Ask me anything

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?

Ask me anything

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.

Ask me anything

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.

Ask me anything

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.

Ask me anything

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.

Ask me anything

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)

Ask me anything

Bonjou! Learn to Speak Haitian Creole

1 comment: