The web offers few resources that I can find at this time.
But if you google the term "Bahamian dialect" or "Bahamian English", you'll find some helpful resources.
http://www.bahamasgateway.com/bahamas_lingo.htm
Mesi anpil! Mwen rele Theresa. I am engaged to a man from Bahamas (I will use this Creole there). Do you know of a site like this for Bahamian English?
How do you say best like: You are the best brother. OR I want the best for you.
best → pi bon, miyò
You are the best brother.
Ou se yon trè bon frè.
You are my best friend / brother.
Se ou ki pi bon zanmi m / frè m.
You're the best friend / brother I've ever known.
Ou se pi bon zanmi / frè mwen te ka konnen.
I want the best.
Mwen vle sa ki pi bon an.
I want the best for you.
Mwen vle sa ki miyò pou ou.
Mwen vle yon pi bon opòtinite pou ou.
and
and - e, epi, enpi, epitou, ak
You and I
Mwen menm ak ou.
He believed in God and he was always praying.
Li te kwè nan Bondye e li te toujou ap priye.
He's tall and he's skinny.
Li wo epi li mèg.
She arrived late, she's disturbing the class, and she's not even ready.
Li rive anreta, l'ap deranje klas la, epitou li pa menm pare.
chou like when someone says it as a name: mwen la pou ou kounyea chou. (chou in english please)
Chou - same as honey, sweetie or darling
Mwen la pou ou kounye a chou.
Honey, I'm here for you now.
se pa
se pa → Literally: it's not
Se pa yon machin.
It's not a car.
Se pa liv sa mwen vle non.
It's not that book I want (literally)
This is not the book I want.
Se pa yon kay sa ye.The lady made a big fool out of herself.
Is not a house that is. (literally)
That's not a house.
Se pa manman w mwen ye non.
Is not your mother I am. (literally)
I am not your mother.
Se pa ti kontan mwen kontan non.
Is not little happy I am happy. (literally)
I am VERY happy.
Se pa ti tenten madanm nan fè non.
Is not little foolishness the lady made. (literally)
The lady really went berserk.
Is "fè tenten" = "to throw a fit" or "to tantrum"?
Yes.
Fè tenten is a broad term that includes to act out, to mess up, to screw up, to make funny faces, to clown around.
Tenten itself means idiocy, baloney, ridiculousness, crap, etc...
"mele" as in "Yo mele."
mele (v.) → mix, fuse, intermingle
Yo mele.
They are entangled. (If you're talking about shoelaces or other similar things)
They are in jam.
Yo mele.
They are entangled. (If you're talking about shoelaces or other similar things)
They are in jam.
Piwili is PERFECT!! Thanks! Do you have any suggestions for Thimothee??
I hope he doesn't mind the sweet candy-derived name :)
tito, toto, tilo, tilou, teo, etc... for Thimotée
My name is Rochelle but my Haitian friend calls me Rachou as a nickname. I like it. Now I want to give him a nickname. His actual name is Wickly...any suggestions?? Feeling creative?? :)
You should call him Piwili (Creole for lollipop).
Piwili
Piwouli
kinou
loulou
dadou
patou
Tchitchi :)
besides the obvious
how do you translate i didnt mean to hurt you i wish i can turn back the hands of time to creole?
I didn't mean to hurt you. I wish I could turn back the hands of time.
Se pa fòt mwen si m fwase w. Mwen ta renmen rekile tan an aryè.
what does this mean bagay yo red la pou mwen we neg
Bagay | yo | rèd | la | pou | mwen | wi | nèg
Things | the | hard | there | for | me | yes | man
Things are hard for me man.
"Fè lobo" as in "L'ap fè lobo."
lobo → ruckus, brawl, clash
Fè lobo → to raise hell, to bring about an argument, to make trouble
L'ap fè lobo.
He / She's being rowdy.
He / She's making trouble.
Boy, can you raise hell!
Ala ou ka fè lobo!
Ala ou ka fè deblozay!
Ala ou ka fè zen!
Other Haitian Creole synonyms for lobo are: eskandal, briganday, lòbèy, deblozay, akwochay, zen
Fè lobo → to raise hell, to bring about an argument, to make trouble
L'ap fè lobo.
He / She's being rowdy.
He / She's making trouble.
Boy, can you raise hell!
Ala ou ka fè lobo!
Ala ou ka fè deblozay!
Ala ou ka fè zen!
Other Haitian Creole synonyms for lobo are: eskandal, briganday, lòbèy, deblozay, akwochay, zen
How was your day?
How was your day?
Kouman jounen ou te ye?
How was your day today?
Kouman jounen ou te ye jodi a?
How's your day?
Kouman jounen ou ye?
Kouman jounen ou te ye?
How was your day today?
Kouman jounen ou te ye jodi a?
How's your day?
Kouman jounen ou ye?
how do I say Beauty is everywhere in Creole?
Beauty is everywhere.
Bote a tout kote.
Cham nan tout kote.
how do i say she is busy in creole?
He / She is busy.
Li okipe. (uncontracted)
or
L'okipe. (contracted)
What is the Haitian name for Ancestry Day or Hero's day (the January 2nd holiday)? And what are some traditional customs related to the holiday?
Ancestors' Day is called Jour des Aieux (pronouced jur-deh-zayeh) in Haiti.
It's a day of remembrance of the heroes who served and died for freedom.
In Haiti, there's usually a presidential speech and a service commemorating our courageous ancestors.
The celebration of the 2nd of January seems more like a continuation of the festivities of the previous day (January 1st, Independence Day). Lots of roasted chickens, turkeys, cow meat, or goats will grace our tropical tables on that day. Some people would cap their evening by attending a bal and others would end up on an outdoor terrace at a small table drinking rums and tafia with friends while playing dominoes.
It's a day of remembrance of the heroes who served and died for freedom.
In Haiti, there's usually a presidential speech and a service commemorating our courageous ancestors.
The celebration of the 2nd of January seems more like a continuation of the festivities of the previous day (January 1st, Independence Day). Lots of roasted chickens, turkeys, cow meat, or goats will grace our tropical tables on that day. Some people would cap their evening by attending a bal and others would end up on an outdoor terrace at a small table drinking rums and tafia with friends while playing dominoes.
Is this/that correct?, How do you say...?, What is the word for...?
How do you say ...?
Kijan ou di ...?
Kouman ou di ...?
What is the word for ...?
How do they say ... ?
Kijan yo di ... ?
Is this/that correct?
Eske sa kòrèk?
Did I say it right?
Eske mwen byen di l?What does that mean?
Kisa sa vle di? (uncontracted)
Sa sa vle di? (contracted)
What is the Haitian word for Child?
Child (kid) → timoun, pitit, ti pitit, ti gason (boy), ti fi (girl)
today is one of the biggest day clebration in haiti we r celebrating our heroes
Jodi a n'ap selebre youn nan pi gran jou nan peyi Ayiti. Nou ap selebre ero nou yo.
mwen te tande yon chant nan creole ki mwen renmen anpil. mwen pa sonje tout, eske ou konnen res la?"mesi, pou kote ou te prann mwen, pou kote ou te jwenn mwen, pou kote ou mete mwen..."
Ou pale bon Kreyòl :)
Mèsi, pou kote ou te pran mwenn
Pou kote ou te jwenn mwen
Pou kote ou mete mwen
Mèsi pou kote ou te jwenn mwen
Pou kote w ranmase mwen
Mèsi, Senyè, mèsi
Other ad lib:
Mèsi pou jan ou ranmase mwen
Pou jan ou pran lavi mwen
Pou jan ou transfòme mwen
Mèsi pou jan ou te sove mwen
Pou jan ou delivre mwen
Mèsi, Senyè, mèsi
A Pye Nou Ye! (Happy New Year)?
No, not at all.
A pye nou ye, We are on foot, may be considered a pun. It is a Haitian Creole phrase which sounds like the English new year greeting: Happy New Year. When you say this phrase in Creole, English speakers (who dosen't know Creole) hear it in English.
My non-English speaking grandmother, Manmansousoule, used to do that all the time. Every new year's day she was proud to have that one Creole conversation with her English speaking African-American neighbors. She'd say "A pye nou ye!" and the neighbors would respond "Happy New Year to you too!".
A pye nou ye, We are on foot, may be considered a pun. It is a Haitian Creole phrase which sounds like the English new year greeting: Happy New Year. When you say this phrase in Creole, English speakers (who dosen't know Creole) hear it in English.
My non-English speaking grandmother, Manmansousoule, used to do that all the time. Every new year's day she was proud to have that one Creole conversation with her English speaking African-American neighbors. She'd say "A pye nou ye!" and the neighbors would respond "Happy New Year to you too!".
what does gin youn zanmi kap di ou sa pou ou di
Gen yon zanmi k'ap di ou sa pou ou di.
There's a friend or someone telling you what to say.
What is the English translation of: Kè kontan ane nouvo
Kè kontan → happiness, contentment, delight (literally it reads heart happy)
ane nouvo, nouvo ane, or nouvèl ane → new year
Mandaly cheri, Mwen swete w kè kontan nan ane nuovo. Mèsi pou tout ansèyman ou
Mèsi anpil anpil.
Mwen swete w yon bòn ane tou.
Happy New Year! We love you. Wishing you peace, good health, and happiness in this new year (In Creole)
Happy New Year! We love you. Wishing you peace, good health, and happiness in this new year.
Bòn ane! Nou renmen ou. Nou swete w lapè, lasante, ak kè kontan nan nouvèl ane sa.
Bòn ane! Nou renmen ou. Nou swete w lapè, lasante, ak kè kontan nan nouvèl ane sa.
Haiti: Independence Day 2012
Premye janvye*
N'pral bwè soup joumou*
Pou nou fete
Tankou moun ki sou*
Yon libète
Ki bay lavi gou*
Gras a* Tousen
Ki te konn pale fen*
E Desalin
Ki te yon nèg rasin*
Ak anpil lòt
Ki pa't nan lamayòt*
Ayiti cheri
Peyi lamizè
Ou pa pè defi*
Ou fè m toujou fyè*
Men, ti paradi,
Kilè wa fè flè?
Selebre libète
Respekte li souple!
Fete ak anpil gete*
Fete, men pa janm bliye
Tout san* ki te koule
Pou yon pèp libere
Mandaly.
Mandaly.
bliye (v.) - forget
defi (n.) - challenge
fen (adj.) - cultured, refined
fyè (adj.) - proud
gete (n.) - glee
gou (n.) - taste
gras a - thanks to
gras a - thanks to
joumou (n.) - squash (the vegetable)
koule (v.) - spill
lamayòt (n.) - clown
premye janvye - January first
premye janvye - January first
rasin (n.) - root
san (n.) - blood
san (n.) - blood
sou (adj) - intoxicated
kom yon jeun Realtor,ou fe travay moun ki ladan-l lontan pa ka fe... avek dezi, determinasion ke ou ginyin fe lot moun rinmin travay avew.se te yon gro plezi pou m te travay ansanb avec ou nan lane sa, sonje,ane sa map nan ofis la moins akoz de klas ke m
Like a young realtor, you have done the work that veteran realtors could not do. Because of your desire and determination, your co-workers like to work with you. It was a great pleasure to have worked with you this year. Remember that I'll work less in the office because of my classes this year.
It seems that 'domi pati ave m' and 'domi ale ave m' means the same thing? do they?
Dòmi pati avè m. or Dòmi pat 'avè m.
Dòmi ale avè m. or Dòmi al avè m.
I fell asleep.
Just to be sure, "file lang" means "to stick one's tongue out" right?
yes.
L'ap file lang li ban mwen.
He's sticking his tongue out at me.
what is money in creol
money → lajan, kòb, lamama, tyotyo, mago, grennbak, and even poud kafe :)
cents → santim, kòb
10 cents → di santim or dis kòb
50 cents → senkant santim or senkant kòb
$1.75 → yon dola swasannkenz santim or yon dola swasannkenz kòb
change → monnen
Do you have any change?
Eske ou gen monnen?
Give me back the change.
Remèt mwen monnen an.
cents → santim, kòb
10 cents → di santim or dis kòb
50 cents → senkant santim or senkant kòb
$1.75 → yon dola swasannkenz santim or yon dola swasannkenz kòb
change → monnen
Do you have any change?
Eske ou gen monnen?
Give me back the change.
Remèt mwen monnen an.
please help translate, ma che,ou pwouve m sa ou knonnin konplimen
Machè, ou pwouve m sa ou konnen. Konpliman!
My dear, you prove to me what you know. Compliments! (literally)
My dear, you prove to me what you know. Compliments! (literally)
Dear, you've proved to be knowledgeable. My compliments!
malerez pye blanch
malerèz → poor person possibly living in misery.
pye blanch → ashy looking legs
malerèz pye blanch → a bum, a derelict, indigent, homeless, or a person of low-class in society
ou merite tout glwa lyrics
Within the posts in the following links are two songs with the lyrics 'ou merite tout glwa'. Check and see if what you're looking for is in there:
do you have the same po box, because I mailed you a christmas card and it came back. Please send me your po box again.
Eske ou toujou gen menm bwat postal la? Mwen te voye yon kat Nwèl pou ou e lapòs la retounen l ban mwen. Tanpri voye adrès bwat postal ou pou mwen ankò.
a demen
A demen (from French à demain) → See you tomorrow
Another way to say see you tomorrow is N'a wè demen which is the contracted form of Nou va wè demen (Literally: We will see tomorrow).
I have trouble with the "ò " sound. What would pòt rhyme with in English?
Concerning the sound of "o" and "ò" in Haitian Creole,
Pòt (door) rhymes with rot, bought, lot, dot, not of the English language
whereas
Po (skin), without the accent, would rhyme with beau, low, row, mow
How do you say "I'm thinking about you."?
The followings are the translation for I'm think about you. or I'm thinking of you. The translations include contracted and non-contracted forms. You can use any one of them. There's not one that's favored over the other.
Mwen ap panse avèk ou.
M'ap panse a ou
M'ap panse ak ou.
M'ap panse avè w.
mezanmi!!moun yo move oui la.....
I wouldn't translate that literally.
The base of the sentence moun yo move people are bad / angry (literally) could mean many different things depending on the setting.
It could mean:
The crowd is unsettling.
People are enjoying themselves.
The atmosphere is heating up.
etc...
I do not live in Miami anymore so I do not have anyone to talk to me in Creole everyday.So I can talk to you and learn from you.
Mwen pa rete Miyami ankò. Sa vle di mwen pa gen moun ki pou pale Kreyòl avè m chak jou. Mwen ka pale e aprann nan men ou.
how do i say i am going to get money for food and josh will take you
Mwen pral pran lajan pou m achete manje a e Josh va mennen w.
or
Mwen pral pran lajan pou m fè makèt e Josh va mennen w.
Go Over and above (in Creole), include a sentence please :)
Go over and above → sipase, ale odela, fè anplis
He went over and above what was expected.
Li sipase tout sa nou te espere.
Li ale odela sa nou te espere.
Li fè plis ke sa nou te espere.
He went over and above what was expected.
Li sipase tout sa nou te espere.
Li ale odela sa nou te espere.
Li fè plis ke sa nou te espere.
crazy man, crazy woman, cuckoo, lunatic, eccentric person
lunatic → moun fou, debòde, anraje, pèdi fèy, bonèt chavire, or dechennen
swears, curses, dirty words
These group of words are generally called betiz (n.), jouman (n.), move mo
to swear (to cuss and say dirty words) → di betiz, joure
example:
She cussed me out.
Li joure m.
On her Facebook page there's nothing but dirty words.
Nan paj Facebook li a se betiz sèlman ki genyen.
He's teaching the kids too many bad words.
L'ap montre timoun yo twòp betiz.
Why are you cussing me out?
Poukisa w'ap joure m?
how do you say but in haitian creole
There are many ways to say "but" in Haitian Creole.
You will often hear "men"
example:
I like them but they don't like me.
Mwen renmen yo men yo pa renmen m.
I am lying down but I'm not asleep.
Mwen kouche men mwen p'ap dòmi.
Other Haitian Creole words that you will hear for "but" are: epoutan, poutan, sepandan
See more on Haitian Creole translation for the conjunction "but"...
Ask me anything
You will often hear "men"
example:
I like them but they don't like me.
Mwen renmen yo men yo pa renmen m.
I am lying down but I'm not asleep.
Mwen kouche men mwen p'ap dòmi.
Other Haitian Creole words that you will hear for "but" are: epoutan, poutan, sepandan
See more on Haitian Creole translation for the conjunction "but"...
Ask me anything
what do demande 2500 desfrais de service mean
This is not Creole, it's French: Request for a 2500 service fee
I look forward to working with you this year and thank you for encouraging me to stay in school.
Mwen pa ka tann pou m travay avè w ane sa, e mèsi deske ou te ankouraje m rete lekòl.
"Makak pa janm kwè pitit li lèd." Is this about having an ugly child?
Makak pa janm kwè pitit li lèd.
A monkey never believes his offspring is ugly (literally).
Hmm.. I always thought this was about standing by and encouraging your loved ones no matter what the challenge.
A monkey never believes his offspring is ugly (literally).
Hmm.. I always thought this was about standing by and encouraging your loved ones no matter what the challenge.
Peace of mind (in Creole)
Peace of mind.
Lapè nan lespri
Kè poze
or
Trankilite
The opposite of that would be
Upset / distress
Kè sote
Kè kase
Panik
Lapè nan lespri
Kè poze
or
Trankilite
The opposite of that would be
Upset / distress
Kè sote
Kè kase
Panik
moun ou renmen se pa li ki renmen w.
A very sad truth indeed.
Now I am depressed :)
Moun ou renmen se pa li ki renmen w.
Literally: Person you love is not he who loves you.
Meaning: The one you love is not the one who loves you.
Now I am depressed :)
Moun ou renmen se pa li ki renmen w.
Literally: Person you love is not he who loves you.
Meaning: The one you love is not the one who loves you.
you look so good
You look so good.
Ou chèlbè wi.
Ou bèl wi.
Ou anfòm wi.
Ou bwòdè wi.
Ou kòkèt wi.
or
Ou sanble ak yon flè dizè!
how do you make dous kokoyes
Do you want the coconut grated, cut-up in thin slices or melted?
Yummy :)
Check out page 404 to 408 of this Haitian Cuisine google book:
Check out page 404 to 408 of this Haitian Cuisine google book:
Can you help me with some phrases start of a sentence?Such as: I'm going…. I'm doing…, I'm eating …. etc..
Progressives?
Use subject + ap + verb
Mwen | ap | chante | Uncontracted
M | ap | chante | Contracted
I | Progressive marker | sing |
I am singing.
Li | ap | pale | Uncontracted
L | ap | pale | Contracted
He/She | Progressive marker | talk |
He's talking.
Nou | ap | manje | Uncontracted
N | ap | manje | Contracted
We | Progressive marker | eat |
We're eating.
Eske | ou | ap | dòmi | Uncontracted
Eske | w | ap | dòmi | Contracted
Interrogative | you | progressive marker | sleep |
marker
Are you sleeping?
See more on progressive form part 1 thru 4 here...
Use subject + ap + verb
Mwen | ap | chante | Uncontracted
M | ap | chante | Contracted
I | Progressive marker | sing |
I am singing.
Li | ap | pale | Uncontracted
L | ap | pale | Contracted
He/She | Progressive marker | talk |
He's talking.
Nou | ap | manje | Uncontracted
N | ap | manje | Contracted
We | Progressive marker | eat |
We're eating.
Eske | ou | ap | dòmi | Uncontracted
Eske | w | ap | dòmi | Contracted
Interrogative | you | progressive marker | sleep |
marker
Are you sleeping?
See more on progressive form part 1 thru 4 here...
could you help me translate this expression in creole"get it over with".MERCI!
Get it over with.
Fini avèk sa.
or
Fini ak sa.
It's time to get this over with.
Li lè pou w fini ak sa.
Get it over with!
I'm confused about 'from.' How do you say 'I'm from the US' and 'This is from me to you?' Mesi anpil!
I am from the US.
Mwen soti Etazini (I come from the US)
or
Mwen se moun* Etazini (I am a native of the USA)
The word "moun*" above specifically translates "being a native of".
I am a native of New York.
Mwen soti New York. (I come from New York)
Mwen se moun New York. (I'm a native of New york)
She's a native of the town of Omaha.
Li se moun vil Omaha.
She's from Haiti.
Li soti Ayiti.
or
Li se moun Ayiti.
Where do you come from?
Where did you originate from?
or
Where did you just come from?
Ki kote ou soti?
We come from Jamaica.
Nou soti Jamayik.
or
Nou se moun Jamayik.
Also.
I came from the store, and I saw your friend .
Mwen soti nan magazen an, e mwen te wè zanmi w la.
We just came from the church.
Nou fèk soti legliz la.
I just came from her house. I saw her crying.
Mwen fèk soti lakay li. Mwen te wè l'ap kriye
You may also want to check the prepositions nan, to, ...
prepositions in, at, and from
Ask me anything
If i were a bird, i could flap my wings to give GOd glory. If i were a tree i would sing my branches to give GOd glory. Im not a tree and Im not a bird, but with my hands I will give GOd glory.
Yes, it’s a very short song
Si m te zwazo, mwen ta vole
Ak zèl mwen yo m’ap bay Bondye glwa
Ak zèl mwen yo m’ap bay Bondye glwa
Si m te pye bwa, m ta balanse
Ak branch mwen yo m'ap bay Bondye glwa
Ak branch mwen yo m'ap bay Bondye glwa
Mwen pa zwazo, mwen pa pye bwa
Ak men mwen yo m’ap bay bondye glwa
Ak pye mwen yo m’ap bay Bondye glwa
Mèveye, Mèveye, Sovè mwen mèveye
Wonderful, wonderful, my savior is wonderful
or
Mèveye, mèveye, Sovè ou mèveye
Wonderful, wonderful, savior you're wonderful
or
Mèveye, mèveye, Jezi ou mèveye
Wonderful, wonderful, Jesus you're wonderful
Jezi ou merite glwa
Jesus you're worthy of glory
Pou m ba ou glwa
To give you glory
Jezi ou merite vre
Jesus you're truly worthy
Pou m ba ou glwa
To give you glory
El shaddai ou merite vre
El Shaddai you're truly worthy
Pou m ba ou glwa
To give you glory
Sovè mwen merite vre
My savior is truly worthy
Pou m ba ou glwa
To give you glory
There's also another Creole song (Michael Benjamin's Si m te gen zèl) which is somewhat similar to the one above. Truly beautiful lyrics by Renond
Mèveye, Mèveye, Sovè mwen mèveye
Wonderful, wonderful, my savior is wonderful
or
Mèveye, mèveye, Sovè ou mèveye
Wonderful, wonderful, savior you're wonderful
or
Mèveye, mèveye, Jezi ou mèveye
Wonderful, wonderful, Jesus you're wonderful
Jezi ou merite glwa
Jesus you're worthy of glory
Pou m ba ou glwa
To give you glory
Jezi ou merite vre
Jesus you're truly worthy
Pou m ba ou glwa
To give you glory
El shaddai ou merite vre
El Shaddai you're truly worthy
Pou m ba ou glwa
To give you glory
Sovè mwen merite vre
My savior is truly worthy
Pou m ba ou glwa
To give you glory
There's also another Creole song (Michael Benjamin's Si m te gen zèl) which is somewhat similar to the one above. Truly beautiful lyrics by Renond
http://youtu.be/iJQb4-9MexQ
audio button ...you may pause to learn lyrics
Vole, vole...
fly, fly...
Vole, vole keyi zetwal nan syèl
fly, fly, gather the stars in the sky
Vole, m ta vole...
Fly, I would fly...
Si m te gen zèl,
I I had wings,
tankou yon zwazo, m ta vole, al keyi zetwal nan syèl.
like a bird, I would fly , to gather stars in the sky
Si m te lapli,
If I were the rain
Mwen ta jete dlo, pou m wouze flè k pouse anba solèy.
I would drop water to spray the flowers growing under the sun
Si m te lajwa,
If I were joy.
M ta antre nan kè, tout malere pou yo kapab jwenn lespwa.
I would enter the heart of the unfortunates to give them hope.
Si m te lanmou,
If I were love
M ta met ajenou, devan Bondye pou lèzòm kabab sispann goumen.
I would kneel before God so that humanity would stop fighting
Yo ta renmen.
They would love
M ta fè tout mòn blanch yo rebwaze,
I would reforest the barren hills
Tout sous ki seche, rekòmanse koule,
All dried up springs, start flowing again
Si m te gen pouvwa pou mwen chanje,
If I had power to change
Tout sa m dezire.
Whatever I desire
Mwen ta bani tout trayizon,
I would bannish all treason
Tout sa ki malad ta jwenn lagerizon,
All the sick would find healing
Tout sa ta pwouve saj yo te gen rezon.
All that would prove the wise were right
M' ta fè tout sa k' grangou jwenn manje,
I would give food to the hungry
Sa k' nan lesklavaj, ta va jwenn libète,
The captives would go free
Si m te gen pouvwa pou mwen chanje,
If I had power to change
Tout sa m dezire.
Whatever I desire
Mwen ta fè tout zam tounen jwèt,
I would turn weapons into toys
Move zentansyon, santiman disparèt,
corrupt intentions and ambitions disappear
Si m te ka chante pou m chase mechanste
If I could sing to chase away naughtiness
audio button ...you may pause to learn lyrics
Vole, vole...
fly, fly...
Vole, vole keyi zetwal nan syèl
fly, fly, gather the stars in the sky
Vole, m ta vole...
Fly, I would fly...
Si m te gen zèl,
I I had wings,
tankou yon zwazo, m ta vole, al keyi zetwal nan syèl.
like a bird, I would fly , to gather stars in the sky
Si m te lapli,
If I were the rain
Mwen ta jete dlo, pou m wouze flè k pouse anba solèy.
I would drop water to spray the flowers growing under the sun
Si m te lajwa,
If I were joy.
M ta antre nan kè, tout malere pou yo kapab jwenn lespwa.
I would enter the heart of the unfortunates to give them hope.
Si m te lanmou,
If I were love
M ta met ajenou, devan Bondye pou lèzòm kabab sispann goumen.
I would kneel before God so that humanity would stop fighting
Yo ta renmen.
They would love
M ta fè tout mòn blanch yo rebwaze,
I would reforest the barren hills
Tout sous ki seche, rekòmanse koule,
All dried up springs, start flowing again
Si m te gen pouvwa pou mwen chanje,
If I had power to change
Tout sa m dezire.
Whatever I desire
Mwen ta bani tout trayizon,
I would bannish all treason
Tout sa ki malad ta jwenn lagerizon,
All the sick would find healing
Tout sa ta pwouve saj yo te gen rezon.
All that would prove the wise were right
M' ta fè tout sa k' grangou jwenn manje,
I would give food to the hungry
Sa k' nan lesklavaj, ta va jwenn libète,
The captives would go free
Si m te gen pouvwa pou mwen chanje,
If I had power to change
Tout sa m dezire.
Whatever I desire
Mwen ta fè tout zam tounen jwèt,
I would turn weapons into toys
Move zentansyon, santiman disparèt,
corrupt intentions and ambitions disappear
Si m te ka chante pou m chase mechanste
If I could sing to chase away naughtiness
Making progress with Creole, but I have no one to practice with so I can barely improve. I'd love to chat over IM/email if you're interested/have time :) If not would you know where else I'd find lang partners? I tried sites like italki, but no success :/
I'm glad to hear of your progress.
I'm not too big on chatting, but if you can catch me on FB, Skype, or IM I would be happy to exchange some Creole greetings with you :)
How long have you been learning Creole? and
What are your main goals in learning the Creole language?
I'm not too big on chatting, but if you can catch me on FB, Skype, or IM I would be happy to exchange some Creole greetings with you :)
How long have you been learning Creole? and
What are your main goals in learning the Creole language?
Kenbe la Brian
Keep it up Brian
Could you write about use of k ap and also bó. Thanks. SAre you going to post any audio lessons soon? They are great!
Thanks :)
Yes , I will. I plan to continue uploading audio post by second week of January. The recordings on my computer has been full of loud staticky noise even though I replaced my headphones. I finally took care of that :)
Yes , I will. I plan to continue uploading audio post by second week of January. The recordings on my computer has been full of loud staticky noise even though I replaced my headphones. I finally took care of that :)
K'ap is a contraction for ki ap.
Ki is the relative pronoun that, who, which, whom
Ap is the marker for progressive and / or future tense.
This is the woman who is carrying my baby.
Sa se fanm ki ap pote bebe mwen an. (uncontracted)
Sa se fanm k'ap pote bebe m nan. (contracted)
The girl who's dancing is my girlfriend.
Ti fi ki ap danse a se menaj mwen. (uncontracted)
Ti fi k'ap danse a se menaj mwen. (contracted)
Who is knocking at the door?
Ki moun ki ap frape pòt la? (uncontracted)
Ki moun k'ap frape pòt la? (contracted)
The cup that is leaking is mine.
Gode ki ap koule a se pa m nan. (uncontracted)
Gode k'ap koule a se pa m nan. (contracted)
Bò (with an accent on the "o") means side, place, location, area...
Bò is a synonym for the creole words kote and plas
You could ask the question "where..." by saying "kibò..."
Bò also means near, next to, close to
You could say:
Ki bò ou prale?
Literally: What location are you going?
meaning: Where are you going?
You can also ask in Creole: Ki kote ou prale?
Ki bò ou rete?
literally: What location do you reside?
meaning: Where do you live
You can also ask in Creole: Ki kote ou rete?
Ki bò ou vle chita?
Literally: What location do you want to sit?
meaning: Where do you want to sit?
You can also ask in Creole: Ki kote ou vle chita?
Bò as next to, near, close to.
Vin chita bò kote m
literally: Come sit near my side.
meaning: Come sit near me.
Li abite bò kote nou.
literally: She lives near our side.
meaning: She lives next to us.
Mwen te wè yon chyen bò dlo a.
I saw a puppy by the water.
Li te mete liv li a bò kote liv mwen an.
He placed his book next to my book.
back
back (as in a body part) → do
My back hurts.
Do m fè m mal.
Back (n.) → ke, dèyè
He's way in the back of the line.
Li jis nan ke liy la.
back (v.) → sipòte, ede, bay lebra
Back me up.
Ede m.
How do I find lesson 1?
To the right top of screen, FEBRUARY 2010 have lesson 1 thru 19
Here's the link:
http://sweetcoconuts.blogspot.com/2010_02_01_archive.html
how do you say phrases like, "you look good" and "you sound sick"
You look good is not such a good example of these type of sentences.
You look good is a different expression.
You look good. → Ou chèlbè, Ou anfòm, Ou anpenpan, Ou bòzò, etc...
But in general you would used "genlè" or "sanble" to translate such sentences.
genlè literally means to have the air of...
sanble literally means to seem to...
Examples:
You look / sound sick.
Ou genlè malad.
You look good is a different expression.
You look good. → Ou chèlbè, Ou anfòm, Ou anpenpan, Ou bòzò, etc...
But in general you would used "genlè" or "sanble" to translate such sentences.
genlè literally means to have the air of...
sanble literally means to seem to...
Examples:
You look / sound sick.
Ou genlè malad.
(Literally: You have air sick)
You look mad.
Ou genlè fache.
You look mad.
Ou genlè fache.
(Literally: You have air mad)
You sound scared.
Ou sanble pè.
You sound scared.
Ou sanble pè.
(Literally: You seem scared.)
He sounds sad.
Li genlè tris.
(Literally: He has air sad)
They look ripe.
Yo sanble yo mi.
(literally: They seem they're ripe)
how do you cat daddy?
I think that's a question for Chris Brown.
He must know some Creole...
Cat daddy does not translate to Creole.
Is it standard to answer "yes" and "no" with "men" preceding them? I saw this in a Kreyol course I'm using, e.g. "Men wi" for "Yes"
Yes it is.
Men wi! (is literally But yes!) is the equivalent of But of course!
Men non! (is literally But no!) is the equivalent of But of course not!
If pa yo means theirs and pa mwen means mine, how do you say not mine? pa pa mwen?
Actually yes :)
Does it sound weird to you :)
This is not mine.
Sa se pa pa mwen an. (uncontracted)
Sa se pa pa m nan. (contracted)
This is not yours.
Sa se pa pa w la.
Can you just imagine all the beautiful puns you can create with verbiage like these!
Can you just imagine all the beautiful puns you can create with verbiage like these!
What's the difference between "You have beautiful eyes." and "Your eyes are beautiful"?
Are you asking for the difference in the Haitian Creole diction?
You have beautiful eyes.
Ou gen bèl zye.
Your eyes are beautiful.
Zye w bèl.
Eyes can be zye or je.
I have a question about your post on painting fingernails. You said the expression is woze dwètI'm not familiar with woze is that slang, and doesn't dwèt mean finger? Is this one of those that doesn't literally translate? Would Penti zong ou, also work
Yes, you could also say pentire zong or woze zong.
Woze literally means to render pink or red. It comes from the word woz which means pink.
Mwen renmen lavi → loving life
Mwen renmen lavi.
I love life.
Life is good.
Lavi a bon.
Life is beautiful.
Lavi a bèl.
Life is tough /hard/ difficult.
Lavi a di.
Lavi a difisil.
Life is too short.
Lavi a twò kout.
Life is ironic.
Lavi a dwòl.
That's life.
Se lavi.
I love life.
Life is good.
Lavi a bon.
Life is beautiful.
Lavi a bèl.
Life is tough /hard/ difficult.
Lavi a di.
Lavi a difisil.
Life is too short.
Lavi a twò kout.
Life is ironic.
Lavi a dwòl.
That's life.
Se lavi.
On Tuesdays (as in every Tuesday), is there an expression for that?
On Tuesdays (indicating every Tuesday) → le madi
On Sundays → le dimanch
On Thursdays → le jedi
I visit my mon on Fridays.
Mwen vizite manman m le vandredi.
On Saturdays you won't find him because he's gone to party.
Le samdi ou pap jwenn li paske l'al banboche.
I can only help you on Mondays and Wednesdays.
Mwen la sèlman ede w le lendi ak mèkredi.
I see them on Sunday afternoons.
Mwen wè yo le dimanch apremidi.
On Sundays → le dimanch
On Thursdays → le jedi
I visit my mon on Fridays.
Mwen vizite manman m le vandredi.
On Saturdays you won't find him because he's gone to party.
Le samdi ou pap jwenn li paske l'al banboche.
I can only help you on Mondays and Wednesdays.
Mwen la sèlman ede w le lendi ak mèkredi.
I see them on Sunday afternoons.
Mwen wè yo le dimanch apremidi.
"Mwen pa tyoul ou." What is "tyoul?
In this sentence it means gofer, servant, or minion
Mwen pa tyoul ou.
I'm not your servant.
Mwen pa tyoul ou.
I'm not your servant.
Not sure which HC song is a favorite. I am fairly new here! :) Any more HC audio lessons on the months, the colors, and the verbs and nouns?
Dakò :)
Here are some links on the months of the year in Haitian Creole.
In what month are we?....
How to say the months of the year...
Written list of all the months in Haitian Creole
This group of audio posts include a lot of verbs. Scroll down these posts via the following link:
http://sweetcoconuts.blogspot.com/search/label/%22AUDIO%20LESSONS%22
I also have uploaded a Haitian Creole song at the end of every audio post too. Title of the song and name of artist is posted at the end of audio lessons.
I may be able to answer your specific questions about Haitian Creole too.
Have fun learning Creole!
Anmize w pandan w'ap apran Kreyòl!
Here are some links on the months of the year in Haitian Creole.
In what month are we?....
How to say the months of the year...
Written list of all the months in Haitian Creole
This group of audio posts include a lot of verbs. Scroll down these posts via the following link:
http://sweetcoconuts.blogspot.com/search/label/%22AUDIO%20LESSONS%22
I also have uploaded a Haitian Creole song at the end of every audio post too. Title of the song and name of artist is posted at the end of audio lessons.
I may be able to answer your specific questions about Haitian Creole too.
Have fun learning Creole!
Anmize w pandan w'ap apran Kreyòl!
what does using the name tonton as a title mean? For example Tonton Julian. Is that like saying Uncle Julian?
Yes.
tonton or monnonk is Creole for uncle.
koke is Creole for ...?
koke or kwoke → to dangle, to hook, to be suspended, to fasten, also to embrace, to bear hug
Hang the clothes outside so they could dry.
Koke rad yo deyò a pou yo ka seche.
Help me to hang this chandelier on the ceiling.
Ede m koke chandelye sa nan plafon an.
When she saw her son for the first time she ran to hug him.
Lè li wè pitit gason li an pou premye fwa li kouri kwoke li.
Youn kwoke lòt.
They embraced each other.
Hang the clothes outside so they could dry.
Koke rad yo deyò a pou yo ka seche.
Help me to hang this chandelier on the ceiling.
Ede m koke chandelye sa nan plafon an.
When she saw her son for the first time she ran to hug him.
Lè li wè pitit gason li an pou premye fwa li kouri kwoke li.
Youn kwoke lòt.
They embraced each other.
we are not friends any more because you believe ever thing that people do on face book i got hack yestarday by andy but i aint complain on face book about that mess how to say that in creole
Oh gee, those are some serious words.
You must be "un-friending" someone on Facebook...
Remember this becomes public on this blog page.
I'm so glad you don't have a last name for "Andy" here.
Sad.
You must be "un-friending" someone on Facebook...
Remember this becomes public on this blog page.
I'm so glad you don't have a last name for "Andy" here.
Sad.
We are not friend anymore.
Nou pa zanmi ankò.
Because you believe everything people do on FB.
Paske ou kwè nan tout bagay ou wè sou FB.
Yesterday my FB account got hacked by Andy, but I'm not complaining about that mess.
Yè Andy te vandalize kont FB mwen an, men mwen pap plenyen pou tenten sa yo.
ou bezwen pe pou sa BD ka pance de ou men ou pa bezwen pe de Lom kaz pance de ou ok? (english)
Ou bezwen pè sa Bondye panse de ou, men ou pa bezwen pè sa lòm panse de ou.
Be afraid of what God thinks of you, but don't be afraid of what man thinks of you.
Don't forget to add the accents my friend.
A grammatically correct way to write the above Creole sentence would be:
Ou dwe pè jan Bondye wè w, men pa pè jan lòm wè w.
A grammatically correct way to write the above Creole sentence would be:
Ou dwe pè jan Bondye wè w, men pa pè jan lòm wè w.
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