Bonjou! Learn to Speak Haitian Creole

Bonjou! ...Mèsi! ...E Orevwa! Search for English or Haitian Creole words translation. Also search the whole site for expressions, idioms and grammar rules. And ask questions about the language in the ASK QUESTIONS HERE section.

Most requested translations added here for your convenience: I love you → Mwen renmen w. I miss you → Mwen sonje w. My love!Lanmou mwen!

Nou la wi!

Nou |  la      | wi   |
We  |  here  | yes  |


"Nou la wi" is same as "Nou la"  meaning "We're here."  or "we're still here."

Let's try:

I am here.
Mwen la.

I am still here.
Mwen la toujou.

Are you here?
Eske ou la?
or
Ou la?

I'm hanging in there.
Mwen la.
Mwen la toujou.
M'ap kenbe.
M'ap boule.

We're hanging in there.
Nou la.
Nou la toujou.
N'ap kenbe.
N'ap boule.
N'ap mennen

You may use the above two translations to answer to "Sa'k pase? - What's up?"

See more about responses to "Sa'k pase?"

Happy birthday, enjoy your day... love you (in creole?0

Happy birthday. Enjoy your special day. I love you.
Bòn fèt. Anmize w byen nan jou espesyal ou a. Mwen renmen w.

Tet chaje, tèt cho, tèt pa la

tèt chaje → troublemaker, someone or something that causes trouble

Stay away from that girl.  She's trouble.
Rete lwen fi sa.  Li se yon tèt chaje.

What a nuisance!
Ala tèt chaje!

I got rid of the car because it was a lemon.
Mwen te debarase m ak machin nan paske li te yon tèt chaje.


tèt cho → impulsive, nuts, wild, sometimes unpredictable

Janine is nuts.  She threatened her boss with a knife when she lost her job.
Janine se yon tèt cho.  Li menase bòs li a ak yon kouto lè li te pèdi travay li a.

I don't want to deal with her.  She's too wild.
Mwen pa vle annafè avèk li.  Tèt li twò cho.


Tèt pa la → forgetful, preocupied

He's a forgetful person.
Li se yon tèt pa la.

I'm sorry I didn't come the party.  I've been preocupied this week.
Eskize m mwen pat vin nan fèt la.  Tèt mwen pa la semèn sa.

Is Haitian Creole that different from Louisiana creole?

I have only heard a little bit of the Louisiana Creole.
I do not know enough to compare it to Haitian Creole.

i love you and i miss you

Mwen renmen w e m sonje w. (contracted)
Mwen renmen ou e mwen sonje ou. (non contracted)

Ask me anything

to confess love (in Creole)

to confess to someone that you love her?
Fè deklarasyon
Mande renmen

Rigo confessed his love to Marianne.
Rigo Marianne deklarasyon.
Rigo mande Marianne renmen.

Is it voodoo or vodoo?

In Creole, it is neither.

The French word is vaudou.
The Haitian Creole is vodou.
Voodoo is English.

A Haitian voodoo priest is called a ougan.
The priestess is called a manbo.
They conduct ceremony is a peristil.
People who practice Haitian voodoo may be called all of these names: zobòp, chanpwèl, baka, lougawou
Voodoo worshippers worship many many different gods called lwa.
Each lwa is said to have dominance over a realm (water, crops, love, wealth, etc...)

A rara is group of people armed with the following musical instruments and more: bamboo sticks, congas, cow horns, whistles.  They take the streets, usually at night, singing and dancing.  Not all raras are voodoo worshippers.

mwen pa vle papa soufri ankor paske li kormanse granmounn e mwen minister li grandi

This is meant to be Haitian Creole right?

Mwen pa vle papa soufri ankò paske li kòmanse granmoun. E mwen "minister" li grandi.

Minister?

Ask me anything

What's the best expression for referring to the World Trade Center towers' destruction?

Destriksyon bilding Sant Komès Mondyal New York yo.
The destruction of the New York' s World Trade Center towers.
or
Destriksyon bilding World Trade Center yo.
The World Trade Center towers' destruction.

Ask me anything

Where can I find the words to the song "Eske ou vle ale lakay papa mwen"?

It's in the "kè Kreyòl" #23. Kè Kreyòl is the group of short Creole hymns in Chants d'Esperance that comes after the longer 145 Creole hymns.

Tout bagay va byen
Lakay Papa mwen (twa fwa)
Tout bagay va byen lakay Papa mwen
Genyen jwa jwa jwa

Pa va gen peche
Lakay Papa mwen (twa fwa)
Pa va gen peche lakay Papa mwen
Genyen jwa jwa jwa

Mwen vle ale la
Lakay Papa mwen (twa fwa)
Mwen vle ale la lakay Papa mwen
Genyen jwa jwa jwa

Eske w vle ale
Lakay Papa mwen (twa fwa)
Eske w vle ale lakay Papa mwen
Genyen jwa jwa jwa

how do you say fine or sexy

anfòm, seksi, chèlbè, bwòdè

sister of my heart

sè kè mwen (literally)

My sister in faith.
Sè m nan la fwa.

My dear sister
Sè cheri mwen

Ask me anything

have fun → Pran plezi w. or Anmize w.

what does npu poze and sak regle mean?

Nou poze.
We rest. (literally)

S'ak regle?
Wha'ts up?

Ask me anything

Eske ou sonje non gwo legliz ki nan antre Arcahaie a?

Legliz Sen pyè, anfas plas Desalin nan.

Ou gen rezon → you're right?

You're right.
Ou gen rezon
Sa w di a se sa.

lyrics yellow bird (Creole?)

Choukoun (also called Ti Zwazo and Yellow Bird)


1. Dèyè yon gwo touf pengwen*   Behind a mass of penguin
Lòt jou m rankontre Choukoun  The other day I met Choukoun
Li souri lè li wè mwen                  She smiled when she saw me
Mwen di: "Syèl, ala bèl moun!"  I said, "Heavens, what a beauty!"
Mwen di: "Syèl, ala bèl moun!"  I said, "Heavens, what a beauty!"
Li di m li twouve sa chè              She said She held that dear.

Ti zwezo nan bwa              Little birds in the woods
ki t'ape koute m                 Who were listening
Ti zwezo nan bwa              Little birds in the woods
ki t'ape koute m                 Who were listening
Lè mwen sonje sa              When I thought of that
Mwen genyen lapenn         It gave me such pain
Ka depi jou sa                   For, since that day
De pye mwen nan chenn    Both my feet were in chains

Choukoun se yon marabou  Choukoun is a beauty
Je li klere kòm chandèl      Her eyes are bright like candles
Li gen ti tete doubout        She has erected breasts
Ay! si Choukoun te fidèl    If only she was faithful
Ay! si Choukoun te fidèl   If only she was faithful
Jan mwen ta renmen li     How I would have loved her

Ti dan Choukoun            Choukoun's teeth
blan kou lèt                     Are white like milk
Bouch li koulè                Her lips are the same color
kayimit                          as kayimit*
Li pa gwo fanm,            She's not a big woman
li gwosèt     This could mean she's petite
Fanm konsa                 women like that
plè mwen touswit        I find very pleasant
Fanm konsa               women like that
plè mwen touswit        I find very pleasant
Tan pase                     The time of yesterdays
pa tan jodi!                is not the time of today


*pengwen might also be a dense bushy tree
*Kayimit is a fruit that has a mauve color

my heart's chosen one

That would be:

Moun kè mwen chwazi a.
or
Sa kè mwen chwazi a.

where

where → ki kote, kote, or kibò

Where is it?
Kote li ye?
or
Ki kote li ye?
or
Kibò li ye?

Where should I meet you?
Kote mwen dwe rankontre w?
or
Ki kote mwen rankontre w?
or
Kibò mwen dwe rankontre w?

I don't where I am.
Mwen pa konn kote mwen ye.
or
Mwen pa konn kibò mwen ye.

This is the place where I found it.
Sa se plas kote mwen te jwenn li a.
Sa se plas ki kote kote mwen te jwenn li a.
Sa se plas kibò kote mwen te jwenn li a.

HOW DO YOU SAY i NEED YOUR SUPPORT IN HAITAIN CREOLE?

Support (n.) → sipò, èd, or asistans

I need your support.
Mwen bezwen sipò ou. (singular)
Mwen bezwen sipò nou. (plural)

Let's work together.
An nou mete tèt ansanm.
An nou kole zepòl nou.
An nou pote kole

Air conditioning - èkondisyone or friz?

èkondisyone or klimatizè

Ask me anything

how could you say that in creole"She'sdumping you for me"

Oh dear...

She's dumping you for me.
L'ap kite w pou mwen.

how do you say please share the joy

Please share the joy.
Tanpri, pataje lajwa a.
Tanpri, pataje jwisans lan.

More natively speaking...
Tanpri, pataje lajwa a non!
Tanpri, pataje jwisans lan non!

In a good mood (Creole)

In a good mood
nan bon san
sou san
sou plezi

He's in a good mood.
Li nan bon san l.
Li sou san l.
Li sou plezi.

I am in a good mood.
Mwen nan bon san m.
Mwen sou san m
M sou plezi.

what is the meaning of stupid in haitian creole

Stupid, in Haitian Creole, means the same as in English: unitelligent, idiotic, or foolish. This word, in Creole, will be translated as: estipid, sòt, egare, gaga, kannannan, bègwè, and even bouki

from english to haitian creole

Soti nan Angle ale nan Kreyol.

Bel fi Lakaye, kijan ou ye jodi a?

Bèl fi Lakayè anfòm wi!

Ask me anything

how do you say dear in Kreyol

my dear (to a female) → machè

dear → chè, cheri, chou

darling → cheri, chouchou

My dear John → John cheri 

my dearest Jeanette → Jeanette chouchou 

my little darling → Ti cheri mwen 

my dear (dearest) → cheri mwen, chouchou mwen, doudou mwen, etc...

What animal scares you the most?

microscopic vermins

Ask me anything

Depi tanbou frape pye m pèdi tè!

O O mezanmi!

A conga beat will draw any Haitian out of their shell :-)
Depi tanbou frape tout moun leve danse.
Sa ki pa danse pa Ayisyen. LOL :)

Toto Laraque's Frape Tanbou

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.

Ask me anything

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.

Ogenki Deska

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

Ask me anything

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?

Ask me anything

please take me to the hospital

Please take me to the hospital.
Tanpri, mennen m lopital la.

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)

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

Mwen renmen tout moun anpil....

I love everyone very much.

Ask me anything

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...

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!

warrior

sòlda, grenadye

Ask me anything

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!

Ask me anything

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

Ask me anything

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?

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.

all 3 means happy birthday?

Turn on the light.

Turn on the light. → Limen limyè a.

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"...

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?

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.

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.

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 :-(

Ask me anything

"Pap padap"?

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

Ask me anything

"Granneg" and "rich man" same?

Wi.

Grannèg → wealthy person / people.

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!

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)

use

itilize

Ask me anything

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!

how do you say tiger in creole

tiger → tig

konpè tig :)

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?

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.

Ask me anything

SINCERELY

sensèman

Ask me anything

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?


Ask me anything

librery-library.. then what is biblioteca.

libreri → book store (where they sell books)

bibliyotèk → library (where you may borrow books)

please don't complain to me right now

Tanpri pa plenyen ban mwen kounye a.

Ask me anything

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?

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?

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

Ask me anything

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.

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.

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)

Idon't see the relevance.

Mwen pa wè enpòtans lan non.
Mwen pa wè relasyon an non.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

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

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...

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?

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!

Witty comment. Quick-witted person.

Witty comment
remak entelijan
repons byen kalkile

Quick-witted person.
Yon moun entelijan.
Yon je kale.
Yon je klere

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

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

luggage racks or roof racks
pòtchay

"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.

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!

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 mannèg nwa, mesye nwa
white mannèg blan, mesye blan

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?

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.



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?

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.

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"

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.

you are very pretty

You are very pretty. → Ou trè bèl.

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.


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

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 :)

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

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.

I miss Haiti → Mwen sonje Ayiti.

I miss Haiti. → Mwen sonje Ayiti.
I miss my country. → Mwen sonje peyi m.