Instead of saying "He died. - Li mouri." Is there an expression similar to "kicking the bucket", "bought the farm" in Creole?

Sure :)

to have died
al bwachat
ale nan peyi san chapo
fè vòl pou peyi san chapo (or fè vwèl pou peyi san chapo)

Peyi san chapo (lit: country with no hat)

L'al bwachat.
He/She died.

Li fè vòl pou peyi san chapo.
He/She died.

L'ale nan peyi san chapo.
He/She died.

Also, I look forward to working with you in the office and with the charities for the kids in Haiti.

Mwen pa ka tann pou nou koumanse travay nan ofis la e ansanm ak òganizasyon sipò pou timoun Ayiti yo.

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How do you say "I wish I was with you today"

I wish I was with you today.

Mwen swete m te ka avè w jodi a.

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Ogenki Deska

Unable to unscramble this... I'm not sure what type of Creole this is :(

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i know bits of this song in creole. everyone seems to know it. do you happen to know all the lyrics? "ak tout ke mwen, map chante....mwen adore e mwen lourae(sp?) ou sacrifice jezu pou mwen.."

I am not familar with these lyrics. I'll research it and see.... Do you know any more of the lyrics?

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please take me to the hospital

Please take me to the hospital.

Tanpri, mennen m lopital la.

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I want to engrave "Cheers!" or a similiar expression on a flask as a gift. What would make the most sense written on it? Thanks!

Based on the sentiment you want to channel:

Ochan!, Bravo!, or Onè Respè! (applause)

Kout Chapo!, or Chapo Ba! (Hats off)

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how do you say the word so?like he told me to do it, so i did.

so (therefore) → se pousa, se poutèt sa, or konsa

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Mwen renmen tout moun anpil....

I love everyone very much.

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how do you say I love you honey in Haitian Creole

ahh... so many different ways...

Mwen renmen w cheri.

Mwen adore w chouchou.

Mwen apresye w doudou.

Mwen fou pou ou cheri kè m.

etc...

Here's 15 different ways to say I LOVE YOU in Haitian Creole...

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to urinate is also "pise"?

Yes.
To urinate → pipi, pise (pronounced pee-say)
Urine → pipi, pise

I got to pee.
Pipi kenbe m.

to wet the bed
pipi nan kabann

bed wetter
pisannit

i love you

I love you.

Mwen renmen w.

Lanmou, lanmou, toujou lanmou! ☺

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warrior

sòlda, grenadye

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Whoops, my question got cut off - anyway just wanted to say thanks for your info & hope to chat soon! Been on the lookout for ways to learn creole or programs where I can put my skills to use in the future one day. Would love to chat: briangecko@gmail.com

Thanks Brian. Love your questions and answer sessions on Formspring.

Mèsi anpil!
Thank you very much!

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Can you please explain when to use the short vs long forms of pronouns in Haitian Creole? I have searched all over and just cannot find it. Thank you

Hi Brian,
Basically you could use contractions whenever you feel like it. But there ARE some rules about where you cannot use them. Here's a link :
http://sweetcoconuts.blogspot.com/2011/11/contractions-contracting-haitian-creole.html

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In what part of the town do you live?neighborhood = katye?

Yes. Neighborhood is katye or vwazinaj.

But your choice of the word katye for this sentence is right.

In what part of town do you live?

Nan ki katye ou abite?

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Can I pray for you? (In Creole)

To pray can be translated as priye or lapriyè

Can I pray for you?
Eske mwen ka priye pou ou?

I want to pray for you.
Mwen vle priye pou ou.

I want to pray with you right now.
Mwen vle priye avèk ou kounye a menm.
or
Mwen vle lapriyè avèk ou.

Let's pray together.
An nou priye ansanm.
or
An nou lapriyè ansanm.

I am looking forward to our future conversation.

I am looking forward to our future conversation.

Mwen pa ka tann pou nou pale ankò.

or

M'ap tann pwochen konvèsasyon nou ak antisipasyon.

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all 3 means happy birthday?

Ki twa?

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Turn on the light.

Turn on the light. → Limen limyè a.

See more about TURN ON and TURN OFF

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tintin translate

tenten (Haitian Creole) → baloney, poppycock, crap

Do not confuse Haitian Creole word tenten with Georges Prosper Remi (Hergé)'s cartoon character Tintin.

More usage for the word "tenten"...

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This question may be silly. but what is the different between "in the US" and "in US"

"In the US" seems to mean "whithin the United States".

and

"In Us" seems to mean "within ourselves"

How about you, what do you think?

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You have everything in the Christmas post except how to say "celebrate Christmas" in Creole :)

Celebrate Christmas
Fete Nwèl.
or
Selebre Nwèl.

We won't celebrate Christmas this year.
Nou p'ap fete Nwèl ane sa.

Do you celebrate Christmas?
Eske ou selebre Nwèl?

LETS GO

Let's go
Ann ale.
or
An nou ale.

Let's eat
Ann manje.
or
An nou manje.

Let's dance.
Ann danse.
or
An nou danse.

Let's pray together.
Ann priye ansanm.
or
An nou priye ansanm.

Let's work together.
Ann mete tèt nou ansanm.
or
Ann travay ansanmm.

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If a creole person says the word kadejak, what does it mean?

Kadejak (n.)

rape, taking by force, pillage

Fè kadejak sou, vyole (v.)

to rape

Yo fè kadejak sou ti fi a.

They raped the girl.

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travay housekeeping mwen te ye te gen anpil pression ladann.Adwat agoch yo te konn ap relem poum pot dra vini.

Ou redi kont ou podyab :-(

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"Pap padap"?

Sounds like a conga rhythm. Or is it a djembe?

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"Granneg" and "rich man" same?

Wi.

Grannèg → wealthy person / people.

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Danm! (in Creole)

Danm!
Ayayay!
Wipip!
Koumanman!
Koulangit!
Wifout!
Tonnè!
Wifout tonnè!

It is what I said. (Creole)

It is what I said.
Sa'm di a se sa.

What's you see is what you get. (Creole)

What's you see is what you get.
Sa'w wè a se sa.

I only hang around with weird and crazy people..I mean in real life...

☺Great, then you'll love to hang around me too!

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that's the last straw.

That's the last straw. (as in: the last of a series of blow?)

Sa se dènye kou a.

or

Sa se dènye bagay ou fè m.

or

Sa se dènye kou ki pou touye koukou a. (expression and pun)

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use

itilize

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koute m koute w koute l.

Koute m.

Listen to me.

M'ap koute w.

I'm listening to you.

Koute l non!

Listen to him!

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how do you say tiger in creole

tiger → tig

konpè tig :)

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mwen retounen yon apel m' we ki sot relem tale a,se tekiyes s.v.p?

I'm returning a call that I just had. Who was it/this?

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They are trying to nickel-and-dime me right out of business.

recovered...

nickel-and-dime?

Annonymous said:
Webster's: "involving or offering only a small amount of money". In this context, per me: "To extract money a little bit at a time with great frequency".

Mandaly said:
I see. The Haitian Creole word "Koutay" means to embezzle, to skim, to defraud. I am not sure I'd use it in your specific sentence.

They're trying to nickel-and-dimed me out of business.
They're trying to take (steal) the business from me for peanuts.
Y'ap eseye pran biznis la nan men'm pou yon ti kras kòb.

or
Rephrasing:
They're trying to con me right out of business.
Y'ap fè m pèdi biznis la tank yo fè koutay.

Should I tiptoe around the expression "sou sa"?

I don't see why you should.

Sou sa (expression) → to be aroused, to be interested, to be in a pleasant mood, to be willing.

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SINCERELY

sensèman

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daughter, son (creole)

daughter → pitit fi
son → pitit gason

I have two daughters.
Mwen gen de pitit fi.

I don't have a son.
Mwen pa gen pitit gason.

tell me about Jeremi?I am posing this question because of preposition about! That word constantly keep bothering me while trying to speak kreyolplease, ede m!! :)

about → osijè, sou or sou ki sijè

about also have other meanings: almost, around, approximately...

Tell me about Jeremie.

Pale m osijè Jeremie. (grammatically correct)
(Sometimes, you'll hear: Pale m de jeremie.)

Tell me about you.
Pale m osijè ou menm. (grammatically correct)

(Sometimes, you'll hear: Pale m de ou.)

It's a story about my family.

Se yon istwa sou fanmi m.

The book is about burial in Haiti.

Liv la pale sou antèman Haiti.

What is the movie about?
Sou kisa fim nan ye?

What are you talking about?
Sou kisa w'ap pale?

What is your book about?
Sou ki sijè liv ou a pale?


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librery-library.. then what is biblioteca.

libreri → book store (where they sell books)

bibliyotèk → library (where you may borrow books)

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please don't complain to me right now

Tanpri pa plenyen ban mwen kounye a.

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Aswè a, nou pral "djayi" nèt! (What is djayi?)

djayi → to lose yourself in the fun.  It could be any type of fun.  Usually it's about dancing and music.

Haitian Creole synonyms for "djayi": banboche, pran plezi, anmize, bay payèt, danse

Ala moun yo anbachal!

Mwen ta dakò avè w si m te konn osijè ki moun w'ap pale :)

15 different ways to say I love you in Haitian Creole

1. Cheri mwen renmen w.

2. Doudou, mwen fou pou ou.

3. Ou okipe tout panse m.

4. Ou pote lajwa nan kè m.

5. Ou se tout lavi mwen.

6. Mwen pap ka viv san ou.

7. Ou menm avè m, nou fè youn.

8. Ou fè lòlòj mwen chavire.

9. San ou m ta pèdi.

10. Ou se tout sa m bezwen.

11.Chouchou, ou se rèv mwen.

12. Ou se tout dezi mwen.

13. Ou se trezò mwen.

14. Ou se sèl moun pou mwen.

15. Kè m ap boule pou ou.

If I forgot how to say 'biwo transfe', how would I literally say ...something like Western Union?"

Eske nou gen yon kote tankou Western Union isit la?
or
Eske nou gen yon plas tankou Western Union isit la?
or

Eske nou gen yon biwo tankou Western Union isit la?

or

Eske nou gen yon biwo transfè tankou Western Union isit la?

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How to say "Do you have something like a Western Union here?"

Something like a Western Union → Biwo transfè

Do you have something like a Western Union here?

Eske nou gen yon biwo transfè la?

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I'm up. (in Creole) → Mwen reveye?

Wi wi, se sa.

I'm up.
I'm awake.
Mwen reveye.


I'm still up.
Je m ouvè toujou.

I haven't gone to bed yet.
Mwen poko al kouche.

I'm not asleep yet.
Mwen poko dòmi.

How do you say King in Haitian creole?

King → wa

the three kings → twa wa yo

King David → wa David

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Haiti translation for "Have a good evening everyone"

Have a good evening everyone.

Pase yon bòn sware tout moun.

Creole sware is from French soirée.

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I do not have the financial means right now (in Creole)

I don't have the financial means.
Mwen pa gen mwayen.

I'm broke.
Mwen razè.
Mwen sou po dèyè m. (literally: I am on the skin of my buttocks.  May make allusion to an empty pocket.)

I'm broke this week.
Mwen razè semèn sa.

I am penniless.
Mwen pa gen senk kòb.

move out my way

Move out of my way.

Rale kò w la. (singular - addressing one person)

Rale kò nou la. (plural - addressing more than one person)

or

Get out of the / my way.

Deplase la.

Sòti la.

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You owe me 138.00. How would you like to pay.Can you also spell out the annunciation. Thanks!

Ou dwe m san trantuit dola ($138). Kouman w'ap peye?

dwe (pronounced dway)

peye (pronounced pay-yay)

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Idon't see the relevance.

Mwen pa wè enpòtans lan non.

Mwen pa wè relasyon an non.

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I'm really pulling for you.

I'm really pulling for you. (as in: sticking by you, rallying for you?)

M'ap redi avè w.

M'ap kanpe avè w.

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I've been framed.

I've been framed.

Yo ban m kout ba.

Yo pran m nan yon pyèj.

Yo pran m nan yon pèlen.

It was a trap.

Se te yon pyèj.

Se te yon mannigèt.

Se te yon pèlen.

Se te yon magouy.

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punch it up.

Punch it. ( as in: Hit it.)

Frape l.

Ba l yon kou.

Punch it up. (as in: Make a hole in it.)

Pèse l.

Fè yon twou ladan l.

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I was taught that Creole has no passive voice. Now I'm told that it's OK. "Roger te frape Pierre" = "Pierre te frape pa Roger". That seems like bad Creole. What do you think?

Yes you're right, it does. It sounds French.

The Creole language is spoken mostly in an active voice:

Example

1. The book was read by Lisa.

    Lisa li liv la.

2. The chairs are donated by the John family.

    Se fanmi John ki te bay chèz yo.

3. That box was delivered by FedEx.

    Se Fedex ki te delivre bwat sa a.

Even when we don't know who's behind the "action" in Creole, you should continue to use the passive voice with the pronoun "yo".

Example:

4. My car was stolen.

    Yo volè machin mwen.

5. I'm being cheated on.

    Y'ap twonpe m.

6. The letter was sent.

     Yo te voye lèt la.

7. You're being lied to.

    Y'ap ba w manti.

8. A new president was elected.

   Yo te chwazi yo nouvo prezidan.

Some rare exceptions:

9. I saw houses being destroyed, marriages being broken, and children left alone.

    Mwen wè kay ap detwi, maryaj ap kraze, and timoun abandone

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my sister in Cap Haitian

My sister in Cap Haitian...

Sè mwen ki Okap...

My sister in Cap Haitian has three children.
Sè mwen an ki Okap gen twa pitit.

or

Sè m nan ki Okap gen twa pitit.

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HAPPY HOLIDAYS

Holiday Greetings...

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what is popular church language in creole. Are there any specific terms that they would use to refer to grace, sanctification, justification, law, gospel, hymns or psalms?

Church service conducted mainly in Creole.

Songbooks, Christian or Catholic, are in both French and Creole.

grace → gras, bonte, benediksyon, konpasyon

sanctification → sanntifikasyon, konsekrasyon

sanctified → sanntifye,  mizapa

justification → jistifikasyon

law → lalwa, kòmandman, presèpt

God's word → pawòl Bondye

gospel → Levanjil, Bòn Nouvèl

hymn → chante

psalms → sòm (refers to the book in the bible)

fellowship → fratènite

sermon → prèch

worship service → sèvis adorasyon

Bible study → etid biblik

More on church...

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how does haitian money compare to american money? how do you convert it mathematically?

basic monetary unit in Haiti → goud (1/5 of the American dollar)
money → lajan, kòb, lamama, tyotyo, mago
The Haitian goud also called pyas in Creole is about 20 cents.

Right now, at today's rate, the American dollar is equivalent to about 7.00 Haitian goud (ht.)

More on money...

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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?

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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!

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Witty comment. Quick-witted person.

Witty comment

remak entelijan

repons byen kalkile

Quick-witted person.

Yon moun entelijan.

Yon je kale.

Yon je klere

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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

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

luggage racks or roof racks

pòtchay

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"Kou" in Creole

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.

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i miss you daddy in haitian creole

Mwen sonje w papa.

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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.

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Cheers!

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

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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

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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?

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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.

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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.

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?

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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.

or

Di l pou l'ale deyò a.

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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"

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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...

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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.

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you are very pretty

You are very pretty. → Ou trè bèl.

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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.

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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.

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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 :)

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suppose

sipoze

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How do you say wrong number in creole

wrong number → move nimewo

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

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fantastic or wonderful

fantastic → anfòm, sansasyonèl, fantastik, mèveye

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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.

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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.

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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.