What is the phrase used to make sure someone is paying attention to a story being told?

Are you paying attention?

Are you following?

W'ap swiv? 

or
Eske w'ap swiv?

This question is directed at a single person.




Are you paying attention?

Are you following?

N'ap swiv

or

Eske n'ap swiv?

This question is directed at a group of people.

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Creole word for 'remember' - "Remember who you are"

Remember → sonje, chonje


Sonje is Creole for "to remember" and to "miss"


Remember who you are.
Sonje ki moun ou ye.


We will always remember you.
N'ap toujou sonje w.


You may not remember me, but I used to ...
Ou ka pa sonje m, men mwen te konn ....


Do you remember me?
Eske ou sonje m?
Eske ou sonje kilès mwen ye?


Remember to buy milk.
Sonje achte lèt.  


Remember me Lord.
Sonje m Senyè


Remember when we use to play like kids?
Ou sonje lè nou te konn jwe tankou timoun?


Do you remember where you put it?
Eske ou chonje kote ou te mete l?

what does al chita mean

Al chita. or Ale chita. → Go sit down. or Go make yourself scarce.

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what is your name?

Kouman ou rele?

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"touche" in 'M pa touche jodi a'? (thank you)

Touche → to get paid, to obtain payment for work done,  to have a payday, to collect money


I didn't get paid today.
M pa't touche jodi a.


He didn't pay me, so I did not get paid.
Li pa't peye m. konsa mwen pa't touche.


Today is payday.
Jodi a se jou nou touche.


When will we have a payday?
Kilè n'ap touche?


I get paid biweekly.
Mwen touche chak kenzèn.


I've worked hard, but I haven't received any money.
Mwen travay di, men m poko touche okenn lajan.


Every time Fefe gets paid, he heads straight to the bar.
Chak kou Fefe touche, l'ale tou dwat nan ba a.

What is "fè sirèt"?

Mezanmi o!

"fè sirèt" is a mishap that many Creole speakers experience when speaking French.  They swap the French "u" for "i", and the "i" for "u".

It sounds awful. It is funny and embarrassing especially for an "intellectual" who's speaking French in a public/social setting.

If this happens while speaking Creole, it's no biggie.  

But some Haitians will never forgive you for scorching their ears like that.  Some will even make fun of you.

Students have been merciless to teachers trying to teach a class in French when they can't even handle their French. 

"Fè sirèt" ~ to speak with a sour mouth

how do say what i said in creole

what I said
Sa m te di.

That's not what I said.
Se pa sa m te di.


Oh yes, that's what you said.
Men wi, se sa w te di.


I agree. That's what we said.
M dakò. Se sa n te di.

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"We'll see about that."

We'll see about that!
Na wè sa!

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Is there a Haitian word for Mamajuana (DR drink) or do they use the same word?

yes, you'll hear "mariguana, mariwana, or marijuana"

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"Don't dwell on it."

Don't dwell on it.
Pa rete sou sa.
Pa pede repete sa.
Pa kenbe sa sou kè w.
or
Bliye sa non!

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"Don't pout."

Don't pout.
Pa boude.
Pa boude figi w.
Pa mare figi w.
or 
Pa mare min ou.

You can use any of the three.

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"Grant me a more understanding heart."

Grant me a more understanding heart.
Ban m yon kè ki gen bon konprann

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Always and forever (in Creole)

Always and forever
Tout tan e pou tout tan.
or
Toujou e pou tout tan

I want to say "I don't %&*! speak Creole" In Creole to people who think I look Haitian and start speaking Creole to me at work. is there a mild Creole cuss word I could use in there that won't offend people too much?

The whole point of cussing is to offend.
In my opinion, you either offend or you don't.
There's no halfway zanmi :)

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'It's time for a change' Is it 'li le pou yon chanj"?

It's time for a change.
Li lè pou yon chanjman.
Li lè pou sa chanje.

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Based on what you said, 'Here they come' will be translated as 'Men yo'.

Wi, se sa!

Here they come!
Men yo!
Men y'ap vini!

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how do you say do you want to be friends in creole?

What is this about anyway? Are you asking someone to be your friend? I was under the impression that friendship occurs naturally? If you guys click, then you're friends. And if you don't, then "orevwa!". Now, I will shut my mouth :)

Do you want to be friends?
Eske ou vle nou fè zanmi?

Do you want to be friends with me?
Eske ou vle fè zanmi avè m?

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how do you say grandma in haitian

grann

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Expression "Give me my ears!" means to "shut up" in Creole?

Yes,  It's a very nice way of asking someone to quiet down and let you enjoy some peace.

Ban m zòrèy mwen.
Ban m zòrèy mwen non!
Be quiet.
Stop nagging me.


Also,


Ban m repo m.
Ban m repo m non!
Leave me alone.
Stop bugging me.

leave her alone (in Creole)

Leave her alone.
Kite l anrepo.

Leave me alone and mind your own business

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Fanm se MOVE

Se pa vre :)

Tout fanm pa menm.

Se lavi a ki move.

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is "Genator" a Haitian name, or word?

It's not a Haitian Creole word.
I do not know if it's a name or not..

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"paid in full"

Paid in full
peye konplètman

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Here they are! → Men yo!

Download link for this audio:


 



To play this audio clip, press the play button and follow along :)

  

Listen to the short greeting :)


Yon bèl bonjou a tout moun k'ap koute
A beautiful hello to all listening


Kouman nou ye?
How are you?


M espere jounen nou ap pase trè byen
I hope your day is going well


Men → hand (your hand → men ou)
Men → but, however, 
Men → here, here is, here come (NOT a synonym for Creole "isi" or "isit")


1. Men li!
    Men ni!
    Here it is!
    Here it comes!


2. Men nou.
    Here we are.


3. Men lapli a!
    Here comes the rain


4. Men papa m.
    Here's my dad.
   Here comes my dad.


5. Men y'ap vini.
    Here they come.


6. Men mwen! (Eske ou te rele m?)
    Here I am! (Did you call me?)
    
     Men mwen Senyè!
    Here I am Lord!


7. Men liv ou t'ap chache a.
    Here's the book you were looking for.


8. Men enfòmasyon ou te mande a.
   Here's the information that you requested.


9. Men sa ki te pase
    Here's what happened.    


10. Men kouman sa te pase.
      Here's how it happened.


Se tout.  Mèsi e orevwa.
That's all. Thanks and goodbye.

This lady tells me 'mwen gen yon rhim'. Can you translate that?

Mwen gen yon rim.
I am congested.
I have a head / nasal congestion

Why is there a recent past and a definite past in Creole? Recent past uses the present while the definite past uses the TE marker?

You know, this in not a slam dunk case where you'll know whether or not you should use "te" to indicate some form of past tense in Creole.
Haitians are just comfortable not using "te" to indicate the past tense whether they're talking about a recent or a "definite" past.

If you want to be sure that people understand that you're talking about the past, go ahead and use the indicative "te" which is the accurate form of the past tense, especially in formal writing.

You'll hear in Creole (mostly in spoken form):

1. Mwen manje deja → I ate already
2. Mwen fèt Okap → I was born Okap
3. M'ap tann ou depi maten → I have been waiting for you since morning.
4. Li mouri setan pase → He died seven years ago
5. Tout bagay byen pase → Everything went well

When these sentences should have had the "te" because they are all past tense.

1. Mwen te manje deja → I ate already
2. Mwen te fèt Okap → I was born Okap
3. M t'ap tann ou depi maten → I have been waiting for you since morning.
4. Li te mouri setan pase → He died seven years ago
5. Tout bagay te byen pase → Everything went well

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how do you say help me get my cindy back in creole

Help me get my Cindy back
Ede m retwouve Cindy mwen an


Is Cindy a girlfriend? Then you should write:
Ede'm retwouve menaj mwen Cindy.
or

Help my Cindy to come back to me.
Ede Cindy mwen retounen vin jwenn mwen.

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How do you form the past progressive with ALE? Is it TE + AP + ALE=TE PRALE or T APRALE?

Usually it's "t'ap prale"
And what you hear is "t'a prale" when people fuse the "p" at the end of "t'ap" with the "p" at the beginning of "prale".
Very often people get rid of the "e" at the end of "prale" and say: "t'ap pral"


Mwen t'ap pral Okap.
I was going to Okap.

Nou t'ap prale lekòl lè lapli te koumanse tonbe.
We were going to school when it started raining.

Ki kote ou t'ap prale lè m te wè w la?

Where were you going when I saw you?

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Let's sing a song (in Creole)

Let's sing a song.
Ann chante yon chan.
or
Ann chante yon chante

what does bobbing chicken head mean in haitian

I had no idea this was a Haitian thing.
Is the chicken Haitian?

Ask me anything

Kouman vs. Kijan

Use either when asking a question.

Use kouman, kòman, or kijan for how
Kouman ou ye?
Kijan ou ye?
Kòman ou ye?
How are you?


Kouman w santi w?
Kijan w santi w?
Kòman ou santi w?
How are you feeling?


Kouman ou rele?
Kijan ou rele?
Kòman ou rele?
How are you called?
What's your name?


Kouman yo di "book" an Kreyòl?
Kijan yo di "book" an kreyòl?
Kòman yo di "book" an kreyòl?
How do they say "book" in Creole?
________
But, use Creole "Konsa" when you want to say "how as in the way"


That's how it is.
Se konsa li ye.


This is how we party.
Se konsa nou fete.


This is not the way to do it.
Se pa konsa pou fè li.

Thank you the cross Lord (in Creole)

Thank you for the cross Lord.
Mèsi pou lakwa Senyè.


We thank you for the cross.
N'ap di w mèsi pou lakwa.

Have you ever ...? simple sentences in Creole

Have you ever...?
Eske ou janm/jamè...?


Have you ever seen rara in Haiti?
Eske ou janm wè rara Ayiti?


Have you ever gone up a coconut tree in Haiti?
Eske ou janm monte yon pye kokoye Ayiti?


Have you ever sung a Creole song?
Eske ou janm chante yon chan Kreyòl?


Have you ever ridden in tap-tap?
Eske ou janm monte yon tap-tap?


Have you ever called! psst! to signal the tap-tap driver to stop ☺?
Eske ou janm rele psst! pou fè chofè tap-tap la kanpe?

Seize the day :)

Seize the day.
Pwofite jounen an
Pwofite tan an.

My car broke down

anpàn (pran pàn, gen pàn) - to break down (car)
pàn - breaking down, trouble, problems

pàn machin - car trouble pàn kawoutyou - flat tire
pàn gaz - out of gas
pàn motè - motor trouble
pàn lajan - to be broke
leve pàn - to repair
leve pàn yon machin - to repair a car

1.
Pa gen pàn (same as Pa gen pwoblèm) - No problem.
Nou pa gen pàn, nou genyen Jezi - We're alright, we got Jesus

2.
My car broke down.
Machin mwen pran pàn.


3.
My car broke down on the road.
Machin mwen pran pàn sou wout la.


4.
My car ran out of gas.
Machin mwen an pran pàn gaz.


5.
My car is broken down.
My car does not run
Machin mwen anpàn

6.
Can you fix my car?
Eske ou ka repare machin mwen an?
Eske ou kapab leve pàn machin mwen an?


7.
What's wrong with the car?
Ki pàn machin nan genyen?
Sa machin nan genyen?

what is hatian word for yes

"Yes" is simply "wi" in Creole

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how to spell 30 in creole

30 (trant)

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kokorat

a bum, good-for-nothing, scamp, or crook

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"Tou cho tou bouke" is expression for?

Tou cho tou bouke
all out of breath

Li parèt sou nou, tou cho tou bouke, pou ban nou move nouvèl la.
She came to us, all out of breath, to give us the bad news.

"Nou pral DJAYI!" What is "djayi"?

Djayi → to have fun, to hit the streets and have some serious fun, to lose yourself in the moment


Nou te djayi nèt nan kanaval la.
We had some serious fun at the carnival

Ou bon, ou gen zantray. Ou pran lanmo w bay lavi ou pot lape lajwa. Ala ou gran. Ou renye nan fon ke m. Ala ou bon Senye (nan Angle..mesi)

Ou bon, ou gen zantray.
You're good, you have entrails/heart?
Ou pran lanmo w bay lavi ou pot lape lajwa.
You take death, you give life, you bring peace joy
Ala ou gran.
How great you are 
Ou renye nan fon ke m.
You reign deep in my heart 
Ala ou bon Senyè
How good you are Lord

Ask me anything

Se sèl ou k’ te ka ou (Nan angle tanpri)

Se sèl ou k’ te ka ou 
Only you could be you

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as haitians would like to say

Do you mean: As the Haitians say...

As the Haitians say...
Kou Ayisyen yo di...
Menm jan Ayisyen yo di...

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I have to water my plants. I have is under the scope here...m gen, m dwe...it's more like some activity i urgently need to do

Yes.
I have to (I must, I ought to, I should)
Fòk mwen wouze plant yo
Fò m wouze plant yo
or
M dwe wouze plant yo.

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How do you write " Jesus loves you" intended for children?

Jesus loves you
Jezi renmen ou.(uncontracted)
Jezi renmen w. (contracted)

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bannana tree? pye bannann oubyen pye fig mi Pye bannann should be plantain tree

You got it.
banana tree → pye fig, or pye fig mi
plantain tree → pye bannann

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bender, carousel, drinking spree? say just one or two most common words for this cool activity :)

Activity for me? Yay ☺!!!!!

bender, drinking spree, carousal? (as in to go on a drinking binge?)
voye kleren/tafya desann
deboche nan kleren/tafya
banboche

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tell me, can grapevine plant grow and also produce fruits in haitian climate? M ap mande ou kesyon sa paske kek moun di'm ke gen jaden rezen yo nan plenn lan bo kote Montruis(kijan ou di Montruis an kreyol)

Repons lan se "Wi!"
Gen bon kalite jaden rezen Ayiti.
Rezen yo pa donnen Monwi sèlman non! Yo kapab donnen tout kote Ayiti.

Montruis pwononse tankou Mon-wi

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Kijan ou di "jungle" an kreyol?

Jungle → rakbwa, raje, forè, jeng

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sak genla

Sa ki genyen la?
Sa'k gen la?
What's going on here?

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-first guy from the left side -first guy from the right side

The first guy to the left /right
Premye mesye a goch /dwat la

First guy from the left / right side
Premye mesye sou bò goch / dwat la

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what does mwen mean

Mwen → I, me, my, ...

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Pretty little liars. (female if that makes a difference)

Yeah, Creole speakers say: mantè (for males and females), and mantèz ( strictly for females)

Pretty little liars
Bèl ti mantèz

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translate hello friend in creole

Hello friend
Bonjou zanmi
Alo zanmi
Sali zanmi
Sa'k pase zanmi
Kout chapo zanmi

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what does Mwen fou pou ou mean

Mwen fou pou ou.
I'm crazy for you.

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to "pay tribute"? (respect, honour, that sort of thing)

to pay tribute → onore, bay omaj, selebre

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sanble w se swaf mwen tou vi mwen (is this something like I'm thirsty to appear like you all my life?)

yes.  

I thirst to be like you in all my life.

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faone m jan w vle tout vononte m se bel tankou w (nan angle)

fasone m jan w vle
fashion me the way tou want

tout volonte m se bel tankou ou
all my will is as beautiful as you

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Sentete se sa m vle tout vi mwen (nan angle tanpri)

Holiness is what i need all my life

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anfom kou bas- what is the back-story of this phrase? mwen konnen sa vle di "excellent" oubyen "great" - men, poukisa? tou, sa ke fe "adye" "koulangit" and "wipip" vle di literalman? mwen pa vle di nan madichon pa aksidan! :)

Anfòm kou bas → "bas" may have something to do with a bass drum or conga. Where it would literally mean :as awesome as a bass drum

Dye (from French: Dieu) → God

Adye (A Dieu!) → to God (literally)

Bondye (Bon Dieu) → good God (literally)

Wipip! → Wow! Geez!

Koulangit (is a more tame version of Koulangèt)
Koulangit is acceptable
Koulangèt is bad

Depi w'ap pale Kreyòl, w'ap di yon madichon kanmenm :)

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Nothing he says is stupid = Anyen li di estipid. Nothing he says isn't stupid = Anyen li di pa estipid. Correct? Or does "Anyen" demand "pa" to complete the negative?

Nothing he says is stupid.
There's nothing he says that is stupid (literally).
Pa gen anyen li di ki estipid.

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"to prod" -- not just to push (i.e. use something blunt), but to use something pointed (and, thus, painful)

that would be "dige" or "djige" in creole.  (yes, that can be iritating, painful and provoking)

To prick → dige, djige

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i give myself away

I give myself away (by William McDowell?)

I give myself away

Mwen renmet ou tèt mwen
So you can use me
Pou ou sèvi ak mwen


Here I am, Here I stand
Wi, men mwen, men m kanpe
Lord my life is in your hands
Senyè, lavi mwen nan men w
Lord, I'm longing to see you desires revealed in me
Senyè, m'anvi wè dezi ou yo revele nan mwen


Take my heart take my life
Pran kè mwen, pran lavi'm
as a living sacrifice
Tankou'on sakrifis vivan
all my dreams, all my plans
Tout rèv mwen, tout plan mwen
Lord I place them in your hands
Senyè m'plase yo nan men w


My life is not my own, to you I belong
Lavi mwen pa pou mwen, Se pou ou li ye
I give myself, I give myself to you
Mwen renmèt mwen, Mwen renmèt tèt mwen ba ou

_____________

I give myself away (to someone?, to something?)

I give myself to (someone)
Mwen remèt tèt mwen bay (someone)
Mwen lage tèt mwen nan men (someone)

I give myself to (something)
Mwen lage tèt mwen nan (something)

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ti moun yo

timoun, ti moun → kid, child

timoun yo, timoun yo → the kids

Timoun yo grangou.
The kids are hungry

Timoun yo kontan.
The kids are happy.

Timoun yo ap jwe.
The kids are playing.

Timoun yo se fiti nou.
The kids are our future.

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Bon jou, Mandaly, Is there a Creole term for "rain-check?"

I cannot think of a specific Creole term for rain-check (n.)

Haitians use garanti, randevou

As for to take a raincheck → reflechi sou sa, revni sou sa, retcheke avèk

I'll take a rain check.
M'a reflechi sou sa.
M'a revni sou sa.
M'a retcheke avè w.

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mwen santi m' byen le w touchem nanm mwen tresayi. mwen vle viv yon lot moman damou avek ou. (in English)

mwen santi m' byen le w touche'm

I feel well when you touch me

nanm mwen tresayi.

My soul thrills with excitment.

mwen vle viv yon lot moman damou avek ou.

I want to live another moment of love with you ....Jesus?

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Pa lafwa mwen jwenn tout sa m’ bezwen Nan prezans ou Senye pa lafwa mwen gen tout sa m’ bezwen pa la fwa mwen pran tout sa w’ kite pou mwen nan prezans ou pa la fwa mwen pran tout sa m’ bezwen (in English)

Pa lafwa mwen jwenn tout sa m’ bezwen Nan prezans ou Senye

By faith, I find all that I need in your presence Lord

pa lafwa mwen gen tout sa m’ bezwen

By faith, I have all that I need

pa la fwa mwen pran tout sa w’ kite pou mwen nan prezans ou

By faith I take all that you have left for me in your presence

pa la fwa mwen pran tout sa m’ bezwen

By faith, I take all that I need.

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Tout sa w’ genyen, tout se pou mwen Nan Jezi kri ou te banm tout Latè avek tout sa k’ ladann Se pou ou, Se pou mwen, Se pou nou (in English) THANK YOU!!

Tout sa w’ genyen, tout se pou mwen

All that you have, all is mine

Nan Jezi kri ou te banm tout

In Jesus Christ  you gave me all

Latè avek tout sa k’ ladann

The earth and all that is in it

Se pou ou, Se pou mwen, Se pou nou

It's yours, it's mine, it's ours

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What does the haitian name Derline mean?? What does the Haitian name Juvens mean??

Derline looks like it's a derivative of Darline (cheri)
Juvens looks like it's a derivative of Joven (young one)

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ban mwen blague paste-a ki tap pete pandan lap preche

LOL!!!

Pa bon ditou!!!

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li te bien oumen

Is it: Li te byen, e ou menm?

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What does "Sew sa!" mean?

Do you mean "sou sa"?

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How do you pronounce the Haitian name "Georges"?

Jòj

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Are okenn and anyen the same thing.

anyen → nothing, not anything, none
Mwen pa gen anyen.
I have nothing
I don't have anything.

Anyen pa'p rete m.
Nothing will stop me.

Mwen pa't ba li anyen.
I gave him nothing.
I didn't give him anything

Okenn → no, not, not any,
Mwen pa wè okenn moun.
I didn't see anyone.


Pa gen okenn bis ki prale Okap jodi a.
There isn't any bus going to Okap today.

Li te ban m lajan an san okenn pwoblèm.
He gave me the money without any problems.

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what dose honneur mean

Creole "onè" from French: honneur → honor

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wat does c toujou konsa mean

Se toujou konsa → It's always like that.

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ANPIL? When it modifies a noun it becomes an adjective, and therefore is before it. When it modifies a verb, it becomes an adverb and goes at the end. e.g. Mwen anpil manje vs mwen manje anpil. How can I help students understand this?

You, pretty much, got it. 

But your given examples should be:

Mwen gen anpil manje (adj)
I have a lot of food.

Mwen manje anpil.(adv.)
I eat a lot.

manje is a verb and also a noun in Haitian Creole. So this example might be confusing to some students.
______________

As an adjective, anpil is placed before the noun.
Anpil (adj.) → many, a lot of, lots of, several, numerous, abundant, a great deal of



Examples:
Nou gen anpil konfyans nan ou.
We have a great deal of faith in you.

Mwen te ba li anpil lajan.
I gave him lots of money.

Anpil moun te panse li te mouri.
Many people thought he had died.

Gen anpil bagay ou pa'p ka konprann kounye a.
There are a lot of things you can't understand now.

Mwen te rele'l anpil fwa, e li pa't reponn.
I called her many times, and she didn't answer.


As an adverb, anpil modifies a verb or an attribute.

Mwen sonje w anpil. (modifies verb)
I miss you a lot.


Yo te fache anpil. (modifies attribute)
They were very angry.


Nou te mache anpil, anvan nou te rive. (modifies verb)
We walked a great deal before we arrived.

Mwen priye anpil jou sa yo.(modifies verb)
I pray a lot these days. 


Li te kontan anpil, lè li te wè w. (modifies attribute)
He was very happy when he saw you.

Mwen te panse anpil sou sa, e repons lan se "non". (modifies verb)

I thought a lot about it, and the answer is "no"

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Hi Mandaly~ I got some Christian Creole praise music in Haiti last week...but no lyrics with them :( Do you know the song Ou se Bondye on the album Fasone m' Jan w vle?

You'll find this piece on Youtube, with the lyrics included: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TbkrNFHRer8

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What's a sensitive (but concise) way to say "a special-needs baby"?

Is Special needs the politically correct term, in the US, for people with disability?

If yes, then a "special-needs baby" is yon ti bebe enfim or yon ti bebe andikape in Creole.

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"Cuba contributes more money per capita than the U.S." How do I say "per capita"?

per capita → pa pèsòn, pa pèsonn, or pa grenn moun

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Where do I place the definite article!?

Download link for audio:  

To listen to this audio clip, click the play button and follow along :)
 

Bonjou tout moun!
Kouman nou ye?


"Where do we place the definite articles in a sentence in Haitian Creole?"


Singular definite articles are: a, an, la, lan, nan
Plural definite articles: yo


Example:
Chemiz la → the shirt
ze a → the egg
kapitenn nan → the captain
nimewo yo → the numbers


"Where do we place the definite article in, say, a relative clause or a sentence subject?" 


Example:
The book that I want  is blue
Liv la mwen vle ble (not correct)
Liv mwen vle a  ble (correct)




1.  Flè a
     The flower.


2. Flè jòn nan
    The yellow flower


4. Flè jòn ou te ban mwen an trè bèl.  
    Flè jòn ou te ban mwen an            |  trè bèl.
    The yellow flower that you gave me  | is very beautiful.




5.  kay la
    The house.


6. Kay anbwa a 
    Kay anbwa a  
    The wooden house    


7. Kay anbwa ki te fèk bati a te boule
    Kay anbwa ki te fèk bati a                 | te boule
    The wooden house that was just built  | got burned




8. dans lan
    The  dance


9. Premye dans lan pa't bon.
    Premye dans lan  | pa 't bon.
    The first dance       | wasn't good.


10. Premye dans gwoup la te pèfòme a pa't bon.
      Premye dans gwoup la te pèfòme a             | pa't bon.
      The first dance that the group had performed  | wasn't good


11.  Ti gason ki t'ap kriye a gen setan.
       Ti gason ki t'ap kriye a    | gen setan
       The boy who was crying    | is seven years old.


12. Mwen te renmen kado ou te ban m nan.
      Mwen te renmen | kado ou te ban m nan. (contracted)
      Mwen te renmen | kado ou te ban mwen an.(uncontracted)
      I loved                   | the gift that you gave me.


13. Rad ou te achte a bèl.
      Rad ou te achte a              | bèl
      The dress that you bought  | is pretty.


14. Mwen pral pale ak moun ki te la yo.
      Mwen pral pale ak  | moun ki te la yo.
      I will speak with      | the people who were there.

15. Kenbe sa ki nan men w lan
      Kenbe   |  sa ki nan men w lan.
      Hold      | that / the one which is in your hands
      Hold on to what you've got.


Enben se tout.  Mèsi e orevwa
Well that's all.  Thanks and goodbye

birds

birds → zwazo, zwezo

flying birds → zwazo k'ap vole

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how is everyboby doing

How's everybody doing?
Kijan tout moun ye?

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debat. Poukisa l ap debat?

debat → to struggle, to fight, to go up against

debat a lavi a → to fight the daily struggle of life.

L'ap debat → He / She is hanging in there.

Ou konprann sa?

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The noun "potential": "potensyèl" or "potensyalite"?

Wi, "potansyèl" oubyen "potansyalite"

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"fraz" -- Is there an easy way to distinguish between "sentence" and "phrase"? (e.g. "Fix the second phrase of the sentence.")

Haitian Creole "fraz" is a "sentence"

Haitian Creole "fraz" does not have the same definition as English "Phrase"

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urinate in bed

:)
to wet the bed → pipi nan kabann, pise nan kabann

someone's who wets the bed → pisannit

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WHATS YOUR NAME

http://sweetcoconuts.blogspot.com/search/label/what%27s%20your%20name%3F

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is a haitian

...is a haitian.
...se yon Ayisyen.

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how do you say lover

lover → anmoure, anmourèz, boubout, menaj, fanm, nonm, kòkòt

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"My mind went blank."

My mind went blank
Tèt mwen pa't la.

or

Tèt mwen te pati.

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"The most distinguishing feature of the house"

The most distinguishing feature of the house
Detay ki mete kay la apa (the details that stand the house apart)
Karakteristik ki fè kay la pi atiran (the features that makes the house more appealing)

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I'm looking for a Creole word that captures the breadth of meaning in the English word "momentous". "Enpòtan", "santral", "sengilyè" just don't do it. Any ideas?

momentous → fondamantal, kritik, konsekan, prensipal, esansyèl, karakteristik, or siyifikatif (significant)

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kijan poum fe poum pran tes la an kreyol

se yon kesyon ou poze?

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"men and boys" and "a boy or a man"

man → mesye, gason, nèg, nonm, jenonm, konpè, mouche, tip, frewo
boy → ti gason, tibray

men and boys
mesye ak ti gason yo
or just
gason yo


a boy and a man
yon ti gason ak yon mesye

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how do you say stop in creole

stop! (as in Don't move!)
Kanpe la!
Rete la!

Stop right there! Do not take one more step!
Kanpe la! Pa pran yon pa anplis!

stop (to end, to cease)
sispann
kanpe

The car had stopped.
Machin nan te kanpe.

She stopped singing.
Li te sispann chante.

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Does one use the definite article when addressing God thusly -- "Pè Selès" v. "Pè Selès la" ?

Re: Pè Selès,

It is not necessary to use the definite article when addressing God in a prayer in Haitian Creole.
Pè Selès (from French: Père Céleste) → Celestial Father (literally) Pè Selès la → The Celestial Father (literally)
But, I suspect that if someone uttered "Pè Selès la" in front of a congregation while he's praying, it may be because he's certifying in front of everyone that he's praying to "The God of Heavens"

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how do u say , i just ate now i am happy\

I just ate, now I'm happy.
Mwen fèk manje, kounye a mwen kontan.

sometimes, that's all it takes to makes happy :)

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how do you say, see you tomorrow if god is willing

See you tomorrow, God willing
Na wè demen si Dye vle.
Na wè demen si Bondye vle.

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Knife

Knife → kouto

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WHAT IS SHE MAKING?

What is she making? as in "what is she doing?"

What is she doing?
Kisa l'ap fè?

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"to live up to" something -- to an agreement, to your potential, to God's expectations

to live up to → onore, konfòme, konpòte

To live up to an agreement.
Onore yon negosyasyon.
Respekte yon dizon.
Kenbe pawòl

To live up to your potential.
Mete tout efò w deyò.

To live up to God's expectations
Viv jan Bondye vle' w viv.
Konfòme ou jan Bondye vle a

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glorify your name

glorify your name.
glorifye non ou.

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Is there Creole expression similar to "to make ends meet"?

Trying to make ends meet
Debat a lavi a
Degaje a lavi a
Chache kote lari fè kwen
Boukanen dlo

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pistache

pistach → peanuts

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zamon

Eske ou vle di zanmann (almonds)?

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my family in christ

My family in Christ

Fanmi mwen nan Kris (uncontracted)

Fanmi m nan Kris (contracted)

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Mwen kontan paske mwen te jwenn ou jodi a. M' kapab pale piti Kreyol men m' vle apran plis. Mdm. Kristie, manmi pou twa ti moun Ayitian

Mwen kontan tande ou jodi a tou.
Mwen espere ou va pale plis Kreyòl trè byento,
Pou ou kapab kominike ak timoun ou yo, nan lang Kreyòl la tou :)

Chapo ba!

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how do u thank everyone for wishing you a happy birthday?

Mèsi tout moun pou souwè anivèsè yo.
Thanks everyone for the birthday wishes.

Mèsi deske nou te pataje jou spesyal sa avèk mwen.
Thanks for sharing this special day with me.


Mèsi pou tout souwè anivèsè yo.
Thanks for all the birthday wishes.

Mèsi deske nou te ede m fete nan jou fèt mwen.
Thanks for helping me celebrate on my birthday.

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tout moun alez

Tout moun alèz. Everyone is comfortable

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Mandaly, face to face versus face off?

face to face → fasafas, fas a fas, bab pou bab(literally, beard for beard)


If I meet with her face to face, then she can't lie to me.
Si'm rankontre avè l fasafas, li pa'p ka ban m manti.


To face off → kare(v.), twoke kòn


They faced off against each other, and the fight started.
Youn kare kont lòt, epi batay la te koumanse.


It's a face-off.
Se yon goumen. (It's a fight)
Se yon konfrontasyon. (It's a confrontation)
I think, based on what's going on, a "face-off" can also be translated in Creole as konpetisyon (competition) or a match (match)

Best way to translate "mean", as in "This does not mean anything"

mean (v.) → vle di, siyifi


What does that mean?
Kisa sa vle di?
Kisa sa siyifi?


This does not mean anything.
Sa pa vle di anyen.
Sa pa siyifi anyen.

i want to make love to you (Creole)

make love → fè lanmou
http://sweetcoconutstootsiz.blogspot.com/

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beautiful

http://sweetcoconuts.blogspot.com/search/label/beautiful

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Lakay mwen

Lakay mwen → home.


I am at home.
Mwen lakay mwen.


I want to go home.
Mwen vle al lakay mwen.

tante

Creole "tante" → to tempt
French "tante" → aunt

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mw sezi wew

Mwen sezi wè w.
I'm surprised to see you.

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What does this mean? Eske mwen te begeye?

begeye → to stutter, to stumble on your words, to stammer

Eske mwen te begeye?
Was I stumbling on my words?

Did i stumble on my words?

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sweetheart in creole?

cheri, boubout, amou kè, ti chou, etc...

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what does Eske ou konnen mwen renmen ou?? mean?

Eske ou konnen mwen renmen ou?
Do you know that I love you?
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POU KISA OU DISA

Poukisa ou di sa?
Why did you say that?

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"by remote control" (e.g. She led our efforts by remote control.)

by remote control 

telegide (tay-lay-gee-day)

She led our efforts by remote control.
Li te telegide zefò nou.

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do you feel better/

Do you feel better?

Eske ou santi w miyò?

Eske ou fè mye?

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City

city → vil, lavil

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How do you say in creole ; Did you mean...?

Did you mean...?
Eske ou vle di ...?

Eske ou te vle di ...?

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(The Refrain for How Great Thou Art) Then sings my soul my Savior God to Thee how great Thou art

Kè:
Nan mwen chante nan ou Bondye pisan
Ala ou gran! Ala ou gran!
Nan mwen chante nan ou Bondye pisan
Ala ou gran! Ala ou gran!

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you don't have to do it (in creole)

You don't have to do it.
Ou pa bezwen fè l.

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Mandaly, forget koutzam, it's "kout zam" = gunfire, as in "opened fire"

Yes, "kout zam" is about exchanging gunfire.

He opened fire.
Li koumanse tire.
Li voye kout zam.

Li ouvè kout zam (yes :)

Kout zam fè mikalaw! (best one)

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wap frape nou anform isit la (what is this in English)

Based on context, it could mean any number of things.
It has to do, with people chilling with other people.
I cannot be specific unless I know the situation.

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how do you say my babies in creole

my babies → bebe mwen yo

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how to say grass

grass → gazon, zèb

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How do you say "Ashley and Clay will be here on Wednesday?"

Ashley ak Clay ap la mèkredi.
or
Ashley ak Clay va la mèkredi.

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What does new pa la mean? (spelling)

You mean: Nou pa la? → We're not here.

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le m di "neg lakay" kisa sa vle di? please, just in few words

Nèg lakay → a man who remains true/faithful to his roots where ever he is.

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who am i?

Who am I? → Kilès mwen ye?

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how to say judge

judge → jij

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my mom's busy

My mom's busy.
Manman m okipe.

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floor? he sat on the floor. she lives on the second floor.

floor → atè a

upstairs floors → chanmòt, etaj
He sat on the floor
Li chita atè a.

She lives on the second floor.
Li abite nan chanmòt.

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ou jwenn yon ti

you found a little

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How do we use kokenn and kokennchenn in Creole?

kokenn is big, huge
kokennchenn is bigger, more huge, more massive

Mwen te wè yon kokennchenn vag ap vini sou mwen, mwen tonbe kouri.

I saw a massive wave coming at me, I took off running.

Limena se kokenn fanm dyanm.

Limena is a strong courageous woman.

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I had understood 'nenpot' as meaning 'any'... nenpot moun = any/whichever person. Is that incorrect? Or does it have another meaning of 'roughly'. Can you give an example?

You are correct. nenpòt means any. I cannot think of any circumstances where it would mean "roughly" :)

nenpòt → any
nenpòt ki → any which
nenpòt sa, nenpòt kisa, nenpòt bagay → anything
nenpòt fason, nenpòt jan → any way, any which way
nenpòt kote, nenpòt ki kote → anywhere
nenpòt moun, nenpòt ki moun → anyone
nenpòt lè, nenpòt ki lè → any time

Ou mèt vini nenpòt lè.
You may come any time.

Yo kwè nan nenpòt sa li di.
They believe in anything he says.

Mwen p'ap renmen ak nenpòt ki moun.
I will not date just anyone.


Chwazi nenpòt liv ou vle.
Choose any books you want.

Pran nenpòt sa ou bezwen.
Take whatever you need.

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In what situations or contexts is 'seten' used to convey 'some' or 'few' as opposed to 'kek'? Is it used in the same way as saying ' there are certain people...'?

Yes it is.

Sèten → some
Kèk → some, a few
sèten or kèk  is used to translate some


Gen sèten jou mwen pa fouti leve nan kabann.
Gen kèk jou mwen pa fouti leve nan kabann. (is also correct)
There are some days I can't get out of bed.

Gen sèten bagay mwen pa ka di w kounye a.
Gen kèk bagay mwen pa ka di w kounye a. (is also correct)
There are some things I can't tell you right now.


Sèten also means sure, conclusive, clear

Mwen sèten w'ap fè bon desizyon an..
I'm sure you'll make the right decision.

Mwen pa twò sèten si m'ap kapab vini aswè a.
I'm not sure I can come tonight.

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To stand out Haitian Creole. Her dress stands out.

to stand out → distenge, resòti, parèt diferan

Her dress stands out.
Rad li a parèt diferan.

Her dress stands out from among all the others.
Rad li a distenge nan mitan tou lòt yo.
Rad li a parèt diferan pase tout lòt yo.

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I am going to be, e.g.- I'm going to be so tired in the morning

I am going to → mwen pral, m'ap, m'a, or ma va

I am go to be so tired in the morning.
M'ap fatige anpil demen maten.


I am going to be married in two months.
Mwen pral marye nan de mwa.

We're going to be in town tomorrow.
Nou va nan vil la demen.

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In our church we address others as "brother" or "sister" followed by their first name... For example, Sister Larissa. How would I say this in Creole?

Ah yes.
In the Christian churches in Haiti too,
 Frè (brother) for males
Sè (sister) for females (whether they married or not)

Sister Larissa → Sè Larissa
Brother Joseph → Frè Joseph
Sister Carinne → Sè Carinne
Brother Frank → Frè Frank

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