examination of conscience, "Have I respected my parents and elders?, Have I lied?, Have I not loved God above all."... any others you can think of? Thanks :D

Mwen panse ou vle mwen tradui sa.  Se sa?

Egzaminasyon* konsyans
Eske'm respekte paran'm ak granmoun?
Eske'm bay manti?
Eske'm pa mete Bondye anvan tout bagay?
Eske'm trete pwochen'm menm jan ak tèt pa'm?
Eske'm respekte lavi?
☺

*egzaminasyon oubyen egzamen

I told you so. (Creole, best way to say it :)

I told you so.
Mwen te pale w.


We told you so.
Nou te pale w.


You were warned.
Yo te pale'w.
Yo te avèti'w.

When is tankou preferable over "menm jan ak"?

1.
If you mean to say 'as if' , use 'tankou'
example:
I remember it like it was yesterday.
Mwen sonje sa tankou se te yè.


2.
Between 'tankou' and 'menm jan ak', tankou it will be your best choice when you mean 'such as'.
example:
A important person like myself, ...
Yon moun enpòtan tankou'm, ...


3.
If you want to have a contracted pronoun after the prep (as in: He's tall like me → Li wo tankou'm.), use tankou.  You may not use a contracted pronoun after menm jan ak, unless you're from North Haiti. (People from northern Haiti naturally use their pronouns a little different).

Expressions,in Haitian Creole, that are use to say similar to, like, equal to, as, same as, resembling, just like:
tankou (like, similar to, equal to, as, such as, just like)
Menm jan ak (same way as, the same as, same as)
Menm jan avèk (same way as, the same as, same as)
kòm (like, similar to, as)
kou (like, similar to, as)
kon (like, similar to, as)


Tankou link

I can't seem to get the meaning of this sentence: "N' pa konn sak blan sak nwa" Is it 'we don't know a white sack from a black sack'?

No.  I'm not reading it that way.  I think it's missing a couple of apostrophes.  Maybe if I rewrite it (the way it should have been written) you might get it:  There it is: Nou pa konn sa'k blan sa'k nwa.

Blest to be a blessing. How do you say that or something similiar?

Wow,  let's see how we can translate that in Creole :-|

Translating with similar wording:
Blessed to be a blessing.
Mwen rann gras dèske m'se yon gras. (I give grace because I'm a blessing)

And then there are many other ways to say this too:
Blessed to be a blessing
Mwen rann gras deske mwen se yon benediksyon.
Mwen rekonesan dèske mwen se yon benediksyon.
Mwen rekonesan deske mwen se yon gras pou tout.

What foods are 'ble' and 'nwa'?

Ble is coarse wheat or wheat.  It looks like rice or barley grains and has a brownish color
nwa is nuts and cashews

There's no more (in Creole)

There's no more.
Pa gen ankò.
or
Nanpwen* ankò.


There's no more water.
Pa gen dlo ankò.
or
Napwen dlo ankò.

There's no more crying.
Pa gen kriye ankò.
or
Nanpwen kriye ankò.


There was no more doubt.
Pa't gen dout ankò.


There will be no more suffering.
P'ap gen soufrans ankò.

Use Nanpwen instead to translate there is no/there are no in the present tense.

The line. The line is long. I stood in line for an hour.

The line → Liy lan

The line is long. → Liy lan long.

I stood in line for an hour.
Mwen te kanpe nan liy lan pou inèdtan.

What does Podjab mwen mean?

Podyab mwen! → Poor little me!, Poor me!
Podyab ou! → You poor thing!
Podyab! → You poor thing!

did you have another baby?

Did you have another baby?
Eske ou te fè yon lòt bebe?

What is expression "koke shot"?

koke chòt → to put someone in a tough spot, to ask tough questions that you know the 'answerer'  might not be able to answer

what is 'can't' in creole

can't → pa kapab

Kapab can be written in Creole as ka, kab, or kapab, please, click on the link.

I can't speak.
Mwen pa ka pale.
Mwen pa kab pale
or
Mwen pa kapab pale.


You can't do that to us.
Ou pa ka fè nou sa.
Ou pa kab fè nou sa.
or
Ou pa kapab fè nou sa.

"praise God, come all people praise God."

Praise God, come all people praise God.
Louwe Bondye, vini tout moun pou louwe Bondye.


Praise the Lord.  Come all people to praise the the Lord.
Louwe Letènèl.  Vini tout moun pou louwe Letènèl.


Give God the glory.  Come everyone to give God the glory.
Bay Bondye glwa. Vini tout moun pou bay Bondye glwa.


Some links:
Praise the Lord.  God is good.  God bless you.  Be thankful.

Mandalay, are there any other derivatives for your name?

Yes, I think so.

The name is Mandaly.  But people have called me Mandalay ☺, Mandly, Mandalie, Mandarine, Magdalie, Magalie, Magdalène, Mangdalie, Mandy, Manda, Daly, and even Dada.  Now, you have to know that this last one, Dada, is a Haitian Creole nickname for buttocks :).  

How do I say, "Grandma, I don't know a lot about Haiti, but I am no less your grandchild. Thank you for loving me. Rest in peace" ?

Grann, mwen pa konn anpil sou Ayiti, men mwen pa pi piti pase pitit pitit ou.  Mèsi deske ou te renmen m.  Repoze anpè.

what does "mwen renmen ou Kris, plis ke janmin tanpri pa kitem egare mean?

Mwen renmen ou, Kris, plis ke jamè.  Tanpri pa kite'm egare*.
I love you Christ more than ever.  Please do not let me stray away.

*egare, here, means to stray away, to wander off, to be lost, to get off your path, to lose your way

Mandalay, what's best way to say expression 'back to back' as in "I work two days back to back"

back to back (is it anything like 'two consecutive days'?) → swivi swivi, youn apre lòt, youn dèyè lòt

I worked two days back to back.
Mwen te travay de jou swivi swivi.
Mwen de travay de jou, youn apre lòt.

"Jesus, all for Jesus. All I am and have and ever hope to be. All of my ambitions hopes and plans I surrender these into your hands. For it's only in your will that I am free." for a retreat Thank you! We'll sing it in english/but want them to undstnd

Jesus, all for Jesus.
Jezi, tout pou Jezi.
All I am and have and ever hope to be.
Tout sa mwen ye, sa mwen genyen, e sa mwen ta vle ye.
All my ambitions, hopes and plans,
Tout anbisyon, lespwa, ak plan mwen yo
I surrender these into your hands.
Mwen lage sa yo nan men ou.
For it's only in your will that I am free
Paske se sèlman nan volonte ou mwen gen lalibète

Lyrics to 'Batay la se pou Letènèl'

Batay la se pou Letènèl pouki sa wap kraze kò'w? 
Batay la se pou L'etènèl rete ansilans. 
Ou mèt eseye depi jodi pou rive demen se pa anyen w'ap regle 
Pito'w lage batay la nan men Letènèl


Izrayèl te devan lamè wouj
Farawon dèyè l, l'ap mache al rankontre l
Kijan pou yo fè?  Ki moun ki kab delivre yo?
Te gen yon men envizib ki t'ap gide Moyiz avèk pèp Izrayèl la
Touswit Letènèl pale, se te delivrans.


Amalèk parèt sou Izrayèl pase pa dèyè'l atake'l ak gwoup li yo
Moyiz monte sou montay, moun yo te desann al batay
Amalèk pa't kapab reziste chak fwa Moyiz leve men'l anlè bay Bondye
Viktwa batay la te la nan men Letènèl.


Sayil pa't kab sipòte David paske Bondye te chwazi'l pou'l t'al ranplase'l
David pran lafuit, Sayil dèyè'l pou touye'l
David epanye lavi Sayil pandan'l t'ap dòmi
Li pa't mete men sou li.
Sayil mouri, Letènèl te delivre David


Anpil fwa Kretyen yo konn panse se yo menm ki kapab mennen batay la.
Se sa ki fè pafwa yo konn pèdi batay la
Aprann lage batay la nan men Letènèl
Se li menm ki konnen sa l'ap fè
Bay Letènèl batay la, w'a gen laviktwa

Ou samble Avek yon zombi.

Podyab.  Sa se pa yon konpliman.

Ou sanble ak yon zonbi.
You look like a zombie.
You look like you're at death's door.

how to prepare dried lima beans ?

Are you making it into a sauce or is it mixed with rice?
Is it the green or dried white beans?
Either way, if it's dried, you'll have to boil it until tender.
Then you can mix it with rice, add it to your chicken sauce, spinach legumes, etc...

Save a spot at your table for me when it's ready.  I'd bring the grenadine :)

Where can I attend a class live to learn Creole?

Check with your local library, public schools, or any Haitian Clubs or Association in your area.

how to write 'discourage' in creole

discourage (v.) → demoralize, dekonseye, dekouraje, detounen
discouraged (adj) → lase, about, delala, dekouraje, demoralize

"Come, now is the time to worship. Come, now is the tiem to give your heart. Come, just as you are to worship. Come, just as you are before your God." Thank you!!!

Translating this so you can sing might have a different "prose" than if you just wanted to say it.

Come, now is the time to worship
Vini, kounye'a* se tan pou adore


Come, now is the time to give your heart
Vini, kounye'a se tan pou bay kè ou


Come, just as you are to worship.
Vini, pou adore jan ou ye


Come, just as you are before your God.
Vini, jan ou ye la devan Bondye'w.


*Say kounye'a as a two-syllable word if you're singing this: Kou-nya

In one of the examples "sa yè" is translated as everyday. Is this phrase interchangeable with "chak jou"? ~yfs

Hi :)

Would you happen to have the whole sentence which included "sa yè"?  Thanks.

Every day → chak jou, toulejou

how would I write " God " in creole?

It's one word:  Bondye
Bondye, comes from the French Bon Dieu which means good God.


See links: God bless you, God is good

Do you have a lesson on conjunctions in Creole?

There are some... scattered in the blog posts :(   Here are some of them:
They are all under the label: but and conjunctions
because - paske and deske
because of
unless, only if, except if, save that
untill, till
since, once, as soon as, 
But, however, and

don't be a show off?/attention getter/ drama queen??...

A show off (attention getter, drama queen) → enteresant, fè wè, patespere, grandizè, gran chire, gran limena, gran lajè


Don't be a show off.
Sispann fè enteresant.
Sispann fè moun wè.
Sispann fè grandizè.
Sispann fè gran chire
etc...


She's just a show off.
Li se yon patespere
Li se yon fè wè.
Li se yon enteresant.
Or you can say it the popular way Haitians say it.
She's just a show off.
Enteresant ki nan kò l.
Fè wè ki nan kò l.


She's showing off.
L'ap fè enteresant.
L'ap fè moun wè.
L'ap fè gran panpan.

Congrats (in Creole)

Congrats → konpliman, chapo ba, felisitasyon, bravo, ayibobo!
see links: Congratulations

how do you say "nobody greater than you" in Haitian creole

No one is greater than you.
Nanpwen pi gran pase w.
or
Pa gen pi gran pase w.


You could say either one :)

"I'm sorry I didn't know that was still broken"

Oh my!  did you sit in the broken chair again ☺?

I'm sorry I didn't know that was still broken.
Eskize'm, mwen pa't konnen li pa't fonksyonen toujou.

does thebtea helps promote healthier skin, when consumed durnig pregnancy

What is thebtea?

You're welcome (in Creole)

You're welcome (from a 'thank you'?) - padekwa, deryen, etc...

See links:  Thank You and You're Welcome, Thankful

Is there some way you can translate a personal letter for me?... do you have an email address?

limanecasimi@aol.com

Eske m byen di sa? 1.Pou kisa ap kriye bebe a? 2. Bebe a kriye akòz li pa gen bibon li. 3. Bebe a kriye akòz li vle domi nan bèso li. 4. Li te netwaye chanm mwen. Kounyeya chanm mwen pwòp. ~yfs

A big WOW! ☺

In number one, say instead:  Poukisa bebe a ap kriye? (Why is the baby crying)
Everything is perfect.  Good job!

'Soul' in Creole

Soul → nanm, bonnanj, sometimes lespri

see link: Nanm

what would “pap jam ger lot” mean? (not sure if I spelled it correctly)

It's probably spelled "pa'p janm gen  lòt" or with the contracted indefinite article 'yon', "P'ap janm g'on lòt" contraction for "P'ap janm gen yon lòt" which means in English  "There will never be another one".

P'ap janm gen lòt tankou l.
There will never be another like him/her/it.


P'ap janm g'on lòt tankou w.
There will never be another like you.

adult

adult → granmoun, pèsonaj, grandèt


See these links: Elders, family members

how do you say "nobody greater than you" in Haitian creole

No one is greater than you.
Pa gen moun ki pi pase w.
Nanpwen moun ki pi gran pase w.


or also,


Pa gen pi gran pase w.
Napwen pi gran pase w.

to say "no more" or "there's no more" (in Creole)

There's no more.
Pa gen ankò.
Pa rete anyen.
Pa rete anyen ankò. 


There's no more food.
Pa gen manje ankò.
Pa rete okenn manje.


There's no more cake.
Pa gen gato ankò.
Pa rete okenn gato.

how do you say your picture was beautiful in creole

Your picture was beautiful.
Foto w la te bèl.

Sa vle di, foto a te bèl, men moun ki nan foto a pa't bèl?

Hello is there any way you can please list the steps of the game " do" the one that is play with the 5 medium rocks

Yes  It's called Jwèt Woslè or Do Kre I ÈS
I did write a post on it. See this link:  Jwèt Woslè

Telling your child: Don't touch that...it's not a toy. (in Creole)

Don't touch that... It's not a toy.
Pa manyen sa ... se pa yon jwèt li ye.

How to say kisses

kisses → bo, bobo, beze, bizou

pwevwa pwosperite vag vas nan riches

Is 'vag vas nan riches' the correct spelling?
It doesn't seem right.
Let me know

avek ou mwen santi beni

With you I feel bleesed

Are you tired? (Creole)

Are you tired?
Eske ou fatige?
Eske w bouke?
Eske w delala?
Eske w afebli?

what does wap fe efo mean in creole

W'ap fè efò.
W'ap fè jefò.
W'ap fè zefò.
You're making an effort.
You're getting there.

what does anvi mean in creole

Anvi v. → to desire, to want

See link:
Anvi 

there was a pic of a truck packed full of bananas and this was the cation: me gig bannann kiyez k'ap tonbe ranmas enpe sa pase an afica men konpayi sa konn fe machin vre li joli tou bon vre..(in english please)

Well, this truck had a badly written Creole caption.
Was the first half really written as you have it here?

Sa w'ap fè la?

Sa w'ap fè la?
What are you doing?
see link:
What are you doing?

What is the word for calf (back of lower leg)?

calf (of the leg) → mòlèt, or the street name kokoye (as in coconut)


I have a pain in my calf.
Mwen gen yon doulè nan mòlèt mwen.

Bonswa Mandaly! Kouman ou di: "Most of the time" Mèsi! Doug

Most of the time → pli souvan, le pli souvan, anpil de fwa, anpil fwa, plizyè fwa

Different ways to say wait?

do you mean wait v. as in to pause?

tann, ret tan, or pasyante

MrsChaddie - Bonjou! This was posted on Facebook by some of my Haitian friends. Can you help me understand it and the cultural feelings behind it? Un nègre riche est un mulâtre et un mulâtre pauvre est un nègre Mesi e Bon Fet Drapo!

Hi MrsChaddie, It actually says: 'A rich negro is a mulatto and a poor mulatto is a negro.'  It's an idiom from way back, when there where different social classes in Haiti based on the percentage of black blood running  in one's vein.

This idiom mainly states that Wealth is important, or Money talks.  Or you can even translate it as:  Money is power (in Haitian colonial times of course).

Is haitian creole your language?

Is haitian creole your language? (Creole)
Eske Kreyòl Ayisyen se lang ou?

What's the best way to say 'what about" as in "what about me?", "What about you?"

Say: E


What about me?
E mwen menm?


What about the car? Do you still want it?
E machin nan?  Ou vle l toujou?


What about the meeting?  Do you want me to cancel it?
E reyinyon an?  Ou vle m anile li?

Bòn Fèt Drapo Ayisyen

Koulè peyi m
Fyète peyi m
Se pwen bousòl mwen
Se pwen komen nou
Monte wo
Monte pi wo!
Konsa, tout kote ou ye
Zye nou va toujou leve sou ou ☻

ou fin tounen ayisyen net

Ou fin tounen Ayisyen nèt.
You've completely turned into a Haitian.

How would you say 'on the dot'. I want to say 'Be there at nine on the dot.'

On the dot → pil, egzak


Be there at nine on the dot.
Vini a nevè pil.

What is Creole's 'toupi'?

toupi (used as an adverb) → exact likeness, spitting image

Li sanble ak papa l toupi.

He's looks exactly like his dad.

Ou sanble ak manman w toupi.

You're the spitting image of your mother..

toupi or topi (the toy) → spintop, spinning top, or top

how do i say your people is my people

Your people are my people.
Pèp ou se pèp pa'm.
or 
Pèp ou se pèp mwen.


Your people shall be my people.
Pèp ou va pè pa'm.
or
Pèp ou va pèp mwen.

so, mandaly, 'ke kase' really means to be nervous. Even though 'kase' means 'to break'. So 'ke kase' has none to do with a "broken heart' . Am i right?

Wi, ou korèk.  Ou byen di.

Kè kase (as a verb) → to be antsy, to be tense, to be panicking, to be anxious.

Kè m kase.
I have a bad feeling.

Kè m pa janm kase.
I never worry.

Chak kou l'ale kay doktè, kè'l ap kase.
Every time she goes to the doctor's, she gets nervous.


Poukisa kè'w ap kase konsa?
Why are you so worried?



Kè kase (as a noun) → anxiety,  fear, apprehension

Ou ban m kè kase.
You frightened me.

Ou pa bezwen gen kè kase.
You don't need to worry.


Mwen dòmi ak kè kase.  Mwen leve ak kè kase.
I go to sleep with fear.  I wake up in fear.

Another expression, kè sote is used in the same manner.

Other Haitian Creole expressions for kè kase (n.) are: kè sote, laperèz, anksyete, kè sou biskèt, enkyetid, lafreyè, sousi, or lakrent (all are used in everyday conversation)

Now if you wanted to say a broken heart, then you would say kè brize

where were you? (in Creole)

Where were you?

Kote ou *te ye? (non contracted)

Kote w te ye? (contracted)


Kote ou te ye? (non contracted)
Kote w te ye? (contracted)

Ki bò ou te ye? (non contracted)

Ki bò ou te ye? (contracted)


*te indicates past tense


Where are you? link
Where? link

WHat are some terms of endearment for a child?

ti cheri, ti chouchou, ti choupèt, ti kè, kè mwen, bebe, amou kè, boubou, bou, cheri amou kè mwen
Check this link: Endearing names

rèz, pran rèz, bay rèz

AnonymousMay 17, 2012 10:47 AM

What does pran rez mean? I heard it in a song. Ayiti pran rez, famn yo pran rez, something like that ...

MandalyMay 17, 2012 4:14 PM
pran rèz → to be duped, to be hoaxed, to be deceived, to be played, to be fooled, to expect something and not receive it.

rèz, n. → a hoax, a spoof, a prank, trick, deception 

bay rèz (literally: to give a hoax) → to prank someone, to give a hoax, to dupe someone, to deceive

sak passe wa bu le

O O!  I think you're trying to tell me something :)
Check this link out :) Sa'k Pase?

Mandy, can you explain the expression Li 'pa manje anyen frèt'? thanks!

Pa manje anyen frèt (literally who do not eat anything cold) → to be a spitfire, to be a hell raiser, to be of very strong will and conviction, to be bold and daring.

Don't play with that lady.  She's a little spitfire.
Pa jwe ak fanm sa.  Li pa manje anyen frèt non.

se sa wi la

Se sa wi la!
That's it!
That's what it is!


Generally it's Se sa! That's it!, but sometimes people add wi or wi la after it.

how do you say answer your phone (an Creole?)

Answer the phone.
Reponn telefòn nan.


Answer the phone danm it!
Reponn telefòn nan fout!

Haiti, how I miss you! My heart is with you forever!

Ayiti, Ala m sonje w!  Kè mwen avè w pou tout tan!

You are amazing! And it would be nice if you translate that too.

Dakò :)

Mèsi wi!

You're amazing!
Ou anfòm!
Ou fòmidab!
Ou pa mal ditou!
Ou eksepsyonèl!
Ou mayifik!

What is kwasans,Seyans, Antwot, Asoupli mean. if you can explain them and give the English translation.

kwasans (from the French croisssance) can mean growth, advancement, development.
Kwasans, in Haitian Creole, also means puberty
Fè kwasans → to reach sexual maturity and be capable of having children.  To begin menstruation.


Seyans (from French séance) → a session,  a stage/concert hall / movie  performance, a theater act

Antwot (from French Entre autres literally means amongst others → among others, moreover, amongst others

Asoupli (from the French assouplir) → soften, polish, refine

Are there multiple translations for: Mwen pat gen le chwa.

Mwen pa't gen lechwa.
Mwen pa't gen chwa.
or 
Mwen pa't gen okenn chwa.
all mainly translates:
I didn't have a choice.

How do you say Happy Flag Day in Creole?

Happy Flag Day!
Bòn Fèt Drapo!


Happy Haitian Flag Day!
Bòn Fèt Drapo Ayisyen!

What is a 'gangan'?

gangan is a popular nickname for a houngan (voodoo priest)

IM TRIED OF PEOPLE FOR GETTING THERE ROOTS WHEN THEY COME TO AMERICA OR LOSING THEMSELVES REMEMBER MONEY DON'T MAKE YOU, YOU MAKE MONEY.

I think you mean, "I'm tired of people forgetting their roots ....."  right?

Well, can you blame them?  America is fascinating.... land of opportunity and freedom ...
I don't know about other countries, but there are over a million Haitians, living in America today, who are professionally working in diverse fields.  If they had stayed in Haiti, what kind of opportunities do you think they'd have?

Now I have never met one Haitian who' s not proud of their roots and doesn't have hope of a better and more productive Haiti.  But, what can they do?  The country's been mismanaged, and sometimes even human rights is threatened.  But I do see light at the end of that tunnel.  How far would we have to go to reach it?  We'll see...

is mimi a creole word and if so what is it's meaning?

mimi is what Haitians call a cat, kitten, or pussycat.

When Americans are trying to get a cat's  attention, they say, "Here, kitty kitty!"
When Haitians are trying to get a cat's attention, they'd say, "Mimi! Mimi!..."

Remember that the generic Haitian Creole term for cat is chat

how to say i will hit you

That sounds scary.....

I will hit you - M'ap frape w

What's the difference between nenpot and okenn? - yfs

nenpòt - any, anything, whichever
nenpòt sa, nenpòt kisa, nenpòt bagay → anything
nenpòt kote, nenpòt ki kote → anywhere
nenpòt lè → whenever


Nenpòt moun kapab jwe gita.
Anyone can play guitar.


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


Mwen p'ap manje nan nenpòt restoran.
I will not eat in just any restaurant.




Okenn - none, no, not any


Okenn moun pa vini.
No one came.


Pa gen okenn lajan nan kont lan.
There's no money in the account.


Mwen p'ap pale ak okenn moun.
I will not talk to anyone.
I'll tak to no one.

success

success → siksè, reyisit, triyonf

I would like to learn Our God (song) in Creole, but I'm unsure of pronunciation. Where can I hear a clear pronunciation of all these words/song?

Is it Our God is greater, Our God is stronger by Tomlin or Our God is an awesome God?

"Once bitten, twice shy" do you have this idiom in Creole?

Wi wi.

Chat chode nan dlo cho pè dlo frèt. (a scalded cat fears cold water)

how do you say will you marry me or will you be mine

Will you marry me?
Eske ou vle marye avè m?


Marry me.  You will be mine, and I will be yours.
Marye avè m.  Mwen va pou ou, e ou va pou mwen.

Will you be my wife?
Eske ou dakò pou vin madanm mwen?

four ways to say Please" in Creole

Please
Tanpri
Souple
Silvouplè
Tanpri souple
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

How do you say, "Shuffle the cards and cut the deck."

Bwase kat la, e melanje l (literally: stir it up and mix it up)

also

Bwase kat yo e mele pil la.

Is 'pran nanm' the same as 'pran lespri'?

Wi wi :)

See link: Pran nanm

What does mwen renmen nou renmen ak manke ou ton mean in english

It's trying to say:  We love you and miss you too.

Why is the word 'pyès' used to signify 'no one'?

Pyès ( pièce, pièce de monnaie) → piece, a simple piece of coin

When PYÈS means NONE;  It literally means Not even one PIECE, Not even one UNIT

So you would hear in Creole:

Pa gen pyès moun la.
There not even one piece of a person there. (literally)
There's no one there.


Mwen pa gen pyès lajan.
I don't even have one coin. (literally)
I don't have any money.


See more on PYÈS

Daughter → Pitit fi
See this link please:  Family Menbers

How can you use PINGA? As a noun or as a verb?

You could use it as a noun and auxillary.

The best English translation for "PINGA!" that I can't think of is 'DON'T!",  "DON'T YOU DARE!", or "YOU BETTER NOT..."
PINGA is always used as a warning, with the understanding that there might be consequences.

Examples:

As auxillary
Pinga ou fè sa!
Don't you do that!

Pinga ou pale ak moun sa yo.
Don't talk to these people.

Pinga ou kite nonm sa pran tèt ou.
Don't let this man take your head (literally)
Don't be taken by this man.

As a noun:
Mache sou pinga w.
Walk on your pinga. (literally)
Be vigilant.

Yo te ba l yon pinga.
They gave him an warning.


See more sentences with PINGA 

what is the Haitian creole expression for 'biological clock'

The term used most often is almanak.
Rarely, you would hear òlòj byolojik

what does vini non vini non pak pase mean?

vini non → come, come here

I'm not sure what 'pak pase' would refer to.  It's probably a typo.  Check the link Sak Pase.  Maybe that's what they meant.

"Are feelings what we should go by"

Eske se sou santiman n'ap aji?
Eske se sou santiman n'ap boule?

"Then, Than..." I don't know how this translate if it does... thanks!

Yes, they both translate.

Than → pase


pi cho pase solèy la
hotter than the sun


pi frèt pase glas.
colder than ice


pi presye pase lò
purer than gold.


then → alò, atò, alèkile, enpi,e, lè sa, lò sa, apre, apre sa, etc...


N'ap priye, enpi n' ava manje.
We'll pray, then we'll eat.


Lè nou fin fè tout travay, se alèkile yo parèt.
After we're done working, it is then we got there.

Anyen menm?

1. anyen menm 
   anyen ditou  
   nothing at all  
   nothing

2. M pa santi anyen menm.
    I don't feel anything at all.

3. Mwen pa gen anyen ditou.
    I have nothing at all.

4. Li pa't ban m anyen menm
    He gave me nothing at all.

5.  Sa pa't anyen menm.
     Sa pa't anyen ditou.
     That' was nothing at all.

Differentiate when to use rete, sispann, and kanpe for 'stop'

At some point in time they all can be translated basically as 'stop'.
They all can be used as nouns or verbs.

As nouns, they would be translated as the English's pause, stop or rest
M'ap fè yon ti kanpe.
I'm taking a rest.


Lapli a fè yon ti sispann.
The rain has stopped a little.


Machin nan fè yon rete.
The car made a stop

Now, as verbs
kanpe → rest, pause, settle, position, place, stand, bring to an end, stop, halt
example:
Yo pa't kapab fini travay la akoz lapli a.  Yo kanpe nan mitan wout.
They couldn't finish the job because of the rain.  They stopped halfway.


Poukisa ou kanpe chante a?
Why did you pause the song?


Sispann → discontinue, halt, end, suspend
Sispann is the your best choice when you want to use the verb 'to stop' with another verb.
example:
Sispann pale.
Stop talking.


Yo te sispann ekri.
They stopped writing.


Rete → come to a stop, wait, stick around, stop, halt
example:
Rete la.
Stop right there.


Ou dwe rete sou limyè wouj la.
You must stop on the red light.

"Why is the rum always gone?"--Jack Sparrow

Hmm... probably because it's Barbancourt :)

"Did I say that right?" "Am I making sense?"

Did I say that right?
Eske m byen di sa?
Eske m byen di?
Eske m byen pale?


Am I making sense?
Eske sa'm di a fè sans?

Am I correct?

'plop plop' ?

plop plop, vit vit, prese prese, rapido presto  →  rapidly, swiftly, in no time

Apa w chanje foto w ! (in English)

I noticed you changed your picture.
or
How come you changed your picture?

There is / There are (present, past, future, and others...)

Download link for this audio clip.


 


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

  

Bonjou mezanmi!  Kouman nou ye?
Hello!  How are you?


M'espere tout bagay ap mache trè byen.
I hope everything is going very well.

There is / there are
Gen  or genyen

Examples:

Singular

Gen fòs nan tèt ansanm.
Genyen fòs nan tèt ansanm.
There's strength in unity.

Plural
Gen 2 kalite moun nan monn nan...
Genyen 2 kalite moun nan monn nan...
There are two types of people in the world...



Present tense
1. Gen klas apremidi a. 
     There's class this afternoon.

     Pa gen klas apremidi a. 
     There's no class this afternoon.

Past tense 
in this order↓
Affirmative: te (past tense marker) + verb
Negative: Pa (negative marker) + te (past tense marker) + verb


 2. Te gen klas apremidi a. 
      There was class this afternoon


      Pa te gen klas apremidi a. (non contracted)
      Pa't gen klas apremidi a.  (contracted)
     There was no class this afternoon

Future  

in this order↓

Affirmative: ap/pral/va (future tense marker) + verb

Negative: Pa (negative marker) + ap/pral/va (future tense marker)

 + verb

3.  Ap gen klas apremidi a. 
     There will be class this afternoon.


     Pa ap gen klas apremidi a. (non contracted)
     P'ap gen klas apremidi a. (contracted)
     There'll be no class this afternoon.


4.  Pral gen klas apremidi a.
      There will be class this afternoon.


     Pa pral gen klas apremidi a.
     There'll be no class this afternoon


5.  Va gen klas apremidi a.
      There'll be class this afternoon.


      Pa va gen klas apremidi a.
      There'll be no class this afternoon.

Using other auxillaries

6. *Ka gen anpil kriye nan antèman sa.
    There might be a lot of crying at this funeral.
    *Ka, kab, kapab → may, can


7. Ta va gen batay si lapolis pa't la.
     There would have been a fight if the police had not been there.


8.  Pa ta gen libète, si zansèt nou yo pa't goumen.
      There would be no freedom if our ancestors did not fight.


9.  Ta dwe gen yon gad nan baryè a.
      There should be a guard at the gate.


10.  Fòk gen yon fason pou fè sa.
       Fò gen yon fason pou fè sa.
       Dwe gen yon fason pou fè sa.
       There must be a way to do this.


Se te tout pou jodi a mezanmi.  Mèsi e n'a wè.
That was all for today.  Thanks and see ya.

Track: Ede m chante chante sa (Help me sing this song) by Boukan Ginen

Lyrics

Hey….

Gen lontan n’ap chèche

Yon kote pou n viv

Yon kote pou nou tout ka viv anpè vre

W’a ede m chante chante sa

Monkonpè mwen!

Ah!  woulo woulo woulo

Monkonpè mwen! (4 liy, 3 fwa)

Hey….

Se chita m chita, n’ap gade

Nou wè se tout bon l’ap vin menase vre

Fò n  ede m chante chante sa

Monkonpè mwen!

Ah! woulo woulo woulo

Monkonpè mwen! (4 liy, 2 fwa)

Moun chowou -l o

Frè mwen!

Monkonpè mwen!

Hey….

Twòp pwoblèm nan peyi mwen

Fè nou pa ka jwenn

Yon kote pou nou tout ka viv anpè vre

M’oblije chante chante sa

Monkonpè mwen!

Ah! woulo woulo woulo

Monkonpè mwen! (4 liy, 2 fwa)

Moun chowou-l o

Frè mwen!

Monkonpè mwen!

Hey….

Mezanmi!

Kouman nou ye?

Anba tèt chaje* sa yo!

Kouman nou ye?

Kouman nou ye?

Anba vant kòde* sa yo!

Kouman nou ye la?

Kouman nou ye?

Anba maswife* sa yo?

Tèt chaje, n → inconvenience, grief, torment, distress, problem, hindrance

Vant kòde, n → reeling stomach, calamity, suffering

Maswife, n → greased pole, dilemma, impediment, obstacle

is there any easier way to say No one cares besides this Napwen yon moun ki gen yon ti considerasyon

Yes sure.

No one cares.

Pèsonn pa sousye yo.

Pèsonn pa mele.

Pèsonn pa konsène

Tout moun manfou


☺Mezanmi, that was a long translation I previously gave for No one cares.

How can I say, "There is a picture and story about my Haitian papa and manman in our local news paper today."

Genyen yon foto ak yon atik sou papa ak manman Ayisyen mwen nan jounal lokal la jodi a.

For papa ak manman Ayisyen mwen you can also say : fanmi Ayisyen mwen

Is it Mother's Day in Haiti? I want to wish my Haitians moms a Happy Mothers day!

Haiti celebrates Mother's Day on the last Sunday of May.

Happy Mother's Day link.

Have you ever heard the word TANMEN before? e.g. Si li sispann fe mal epi li TANMEN mache dwat, n ap lage l nan prizon an.

Tanmen (from the French entamer) → to begin, to commence, to initiate, to inaugurate, to cut into 


Lè mwen te wè koulèv la, mwen tanmen kouri.
When I saw the snake, I started running.


Elèv yo tanmen pale lè pwofesè a te soti. deyò a.
The students started talking when the teacher stepped out.

Sa ki regle? (meaning)

Sa ki regle? or Sa'k regle? is the same idea as Sa'k pase?

Sa ki regle?
What's up?
What's going on?
What's the deal?
How are you doing?

Sa ou regle?
What's up with you?
What have you been up to?

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day!
Bòn fèt dè Mè!
Bòn fèt Manman!


Happy Mother's Day link

how do i say "Praise The Lord!", In the Haitian language?

There are many ways to say  'Praise the Lord.' in Haitian Creole.

Praise the Lord
Beni swa Letènèl!
Glwaradye!

See these links for more:  Praise the Lord,  Religious Sayings , Thank you Jesus

I am happy that you are not overwhelmed (using tèt chaje if it makes sense).

Yes.  You could use tèt chaje.


I am happy that you're not overwhelmed.
Mwen kontan ou pa gen tèt chaje.
or
Mwen kontan tèt ou pa chaje.


Tèt chaje link

you don't have any reason to cry

You don't have any reason to cry.
Ou pa gen oken rezon pou kriye.

is there any word for compassion, empathy, or, sincerity?

compassion → konpasyon, byenveyans, bonte, bon kè
empathy → sansiblite, bon santiman, santiman, byenveyans
sincerity → senserite, seryozite, franchiz, dwati, bòn fwa

Maid → bòn, sèvant

Maid, servant, helper (female)
bòn
sèvant
rèstavèk
domestik

servant (male)
domestik
gason lakou
jeran
jeran lakou

how to say: times are hard, I wish they were better

Times are hard.  I wish things were better.
Tan yo difisil.  Mwen swete bagay yo te miyò.

Sometimes we say love, joy, and peace...what is that in Creole and are there any other words the Haitians say altogether as a phrase that are encouraging.

Haitians say: lapè, lanmou, lajwa (peace, love, and joy)
See this link: Peace, Love and Joy


Regarding the second question, I'm not sure I understand it.
Would it been encouraging word they say to each other regarding their collective circumstances?

What does hinghang mean?

hinghang → quarrel, disagreement, feud, bickering, fight


Yo toujou nan yon hinghang.
They're always quarreling.

Is there a Creole expression for a jack-of-all-trades?

jack-of-all-trades → toutist, toutis

shame on you? (Creole please) Thanks

Shame on you → Mwen wont pou ou.  or   M wont pou ou

What is 'rough' in Creole?

Rough → di, rèd, tyak (personality), malouk (personality)

'Li fè yon va sou mwen', What is "va" here?

expression Fè yon va → to intimidate, to scare, to take by surprise;  also: to suddenly crowd or swarm someone /something all at once.

Li fè yon va sou mwen.
He jumped at me.
He tried to intimidate me.


Yo te tèlman swaf yo fè yon va sou machann nan.
They were so thirsty, they all at once crowded the merchant

Nan ki kontinan Ayiti ye?

Amrik di Nò

MARRY ME

Lucky girl  ... or guy :)

Marry me → Marye avè mwen.  or  Marye avè m.

Do you know the Creole translation of Amazing Grace? Thank you so much for your help, it is greatly appreciated.

Amazing Grace is most popularly sang in French in Haiti.

You will find the French lyrics at #98 of the Melodies Joyeuses (the blue pages of the Chants D’Esperance)

A few churches do sing the Creole version.

Here it is in Creole and French.

Creole

Gras enfini, ala yon don!

Pou mwen pechè ki kwè

Mwen te pèdi, mwen genyen padon

Mwen t’avèg, men mwen wè

Gras la mete lakrent nan mwen

E li te delivre m

Ala yon gras presiye pou mwen

Lè’m te lage’m nan men l

French

Grâce enfinie, ô quel beau don

Pour moi pécheur qui crois;

J’étais perdu, j’ai le pardon

Aveugle, mais je vois

La grâce a mis la crainte en moi

Et m’en a délivré

O grâce précieuse à ma foi

Lorsque j’y ai cédé

Au travers des temps infinis

Les chants de tes élus

Seront toujours ta grâce ô Christ

What do these words mean: kanmè, peskè

Are you sure about the spelling?

Kanmè may be kanmèm / kanmenm (anyway, by any means), lanmè (ocean), kannèl (cinnamon)

peskè may be either paske (because), piskèt (small fish, sardines)

But girl i got a few vocabulary for you. So take out you kreole dictionary. Here we go: Rude, Sarcastic, Joking, Cruel, Initiate, Brawl, Encourage, Easy, Shaken, And Surprised.

Oh my!  I hope my Creole dictionary has THAT many words in it :)

Rude → malelve, frekan, fwonte, san lizay

Sarcastic → sou jwèt, awogan, mokan

joking (to joke) → plezante, ranse, blage, odyanse, bay blag, fè komedi

cruel → tyak, mechan, tòsyonè, brital, kriyèl, san kè, malfezè

initiate → koumanse, kòmanse, derape

brawl → goumen, batay, kerèl, briganday, deblozay, dezòd, meli melo, bri

encourage → ankouraje, bay bourad, aplodi, konplimante, felisite, bat bravo

easy → fasil, dlololo, senp

shaken (as in frightened?) → tranble, tresayi, gen kè sote, gen kè kase, gen laperèz

surprised → sezi, pantan, sote, etone

It has been a long time since i log in to your website.

Well, welcome back :)

What do you call that band they put around the horses mouth? They also use it to keep a dead person's mouth close as they get stiff? Thanks.

Oh, I think you're talking about a baboukèt

what is his name

Kouman l rele?
How is he called?
Kouman ou rele l?
How do you call him?
or
Ki non l?
What's his name?

How would you say 'otherwise' in Creole

Otherwise adv. (in a different circumstance) - apadesa, otreman, san sa, sinon
Otherwise adj. (different) - otreman, yon lòt fason

You should wear a hat, otherwise you can't enter here.
Ou dwe mete yon chapo, otreman ou pa ka antre la.


We must leave now, otherwise I'd be late.
Nou dwe kite kounye, san sa m'ap anreta.


They thought otherwise.
Yo te panse otreman.

I love you

Lanmou se rekonfò ni rich ni pòv.
Si solèy te klere sou chemen moun rich sèlman,
Si lanmou te tonbe nan kè bèl moun sèlman,
Si lèzòm te ka kontwole nan ki kè pou yo mete lanmou,
Nou t'ap nan tout sa ki pa bon...

I've got more than 116 posts on how to say I love you in Creole
Should I add one more?  Why not... :)

how to write welcome to haiti

Welcome to Haiti.
Byenveni An Ayiti.
Byenveni nan peyi Ayiti.


Welcome links

How do you say "I would have.."

It looks like you are asking about conditional sentences.


Would have (for conditional sentences) → ta va, ta
You'll see that, the English past participle tense is translated as a simple past tense in Creole.


If you had come to me, I would have helped you.
Si ou te vin kote m, mwen ta va ede w.
Si ou te vin kote m, mwen ta ede w.


If you had not held on to me you would have fallen.
Si w pa't kenbe m, ou ta va tonbe.
Si w pa't kenbe m, ou ta tonbe.


If  I had known you were hungry, I would have fed you.
Si mwen te konnen ou te grangou, mwen ta va ba ou manje.
Si mwen te konnen ou te grangou, mwen ta ba ou manje.


If you had kept your mouth shut, this would not have happened.
Si ou te fèmen bouch ou, sa pa ta va rive.
Si ou te fèmen bouch ou, sa pa ta rive.


If he had studied he would have passed the exam.
Si l te etidye, li ta va pase examen an.
Si l te etidye, li ta pase examen an.


What would you have done if you had lost your job?
Kisa w ta va fè si ou te pèdi travay ou?
Kisa w ta fè si ou te pèdi travay ou?

What does 't ap' mean? Is it te ap or ta ap? Also, how do you form the past progressive? For example 'I was reading when I was interrupted.'

T'ap → te ap.


I was reading when I was interrupted.
Mwen te ap li lè yo te entewonp mwen. (non-contracted)
Mwen t'ap li lè yo te entewonp mwen. (contracted)

Links to using progressive forms in Creole.
PRESENT PROGRESSIVE
PROGRESSIVES AND CONTRACTIONS
PAST PROGRESSIVE PART 3
PROGRESSIVE FORM PART 4
PAST PROGRESSIVE WITH THE VERB ALE (TO GO)

Ou rive

Ou rive.
You have arrived.


Ou rive?
Have you arrived?
Have you gotten there?

How do you say come to me in creole

Come to me.
Vin jwenn mwen.
Vin kote m.


I have come to you for help.
Mwen vin jwenn ou pou w ede m.


Links on COME and VINI

how to say did you work hard today?

Did you work hard today?
Eske ou te travay di jodi a?

how do you say your eyes are beautiful

Your eyes are beautiful.

Zye w bèl.

You have beautiful eyes.

Ou gen bèl zye.

Eskize ekri'm m pa't pale kreyòl depi lontan. Kijan ou di "about." Pou ekzamp, "I have a question about grammar." Eske m dwe itilize "sou" o "konsènan" o "aprépo?" Yon lòt kesyon, eske "yap" gen yon lót definisyon anplis "yo ap?"

Hi.  You can use sou (on), konsènan (concerning), apwopo / apropo (regarding), or osijè (on the subject of) to say 'about' in Creole.


Prepositions sou and konsènan are most popularly used.


About 'yap / y'ap', I cannot think of any other translations but as you have it: Yo ap.

Which word does "wisdom"come from?

Do you mean the root of the Creole word for 'wisdom'?

Wisdom (English) → Sajès (Creole)  which is from French Sagesse.

Etymology of word Sagesse 

Is kwedekwekwe a Haitian creole word?

Well, I don't know if it's a Creole word, but I know what it means in Creole.

Kwedekwekwe → cackling, laughing with a shrill cry


M pa konn kouman fanm sa fè okenn travay.  Tout lajounen se kewdekwekwe nan telefòn nan.
I don't know how this woman gets any work done.  All day long she's cackling on the phone.

what is 'tanto si ... tanto sa'?

tanto..., tanto...→ one minute ..., and the next ...

Tanto si, tanto sa.
One minute it's this, and the next it's that.

Tanto ou vle ale, tanto w vle rete. Deside non.
One minute you want to go, and the next, you want to stay.  Make up your mind.


Fanfan pa ka deside ak ki fi pou l renmen.  Tanto l ak youn, tanto l ak lòt la.
Fanfan can't decide which girl to date.  One minute he's with one, and the next he's with the other.


Ou pa ka konte sou nèg sa.  Tanto l cho, tanto l frèt.
You can't count on this guy.  One minute he's hot, and the next he's cold.

Help me to understand this kind of expression: "Fini l fini, ..."

Ah, it's one of those Creole expressions where Haitians seem to emphasize a word by saying it twice.
This particular one would mean:  Once a task is completed, ...
So you will a similar wording arrangement:  VERB - SUBJECT - VERB
Or you'll often see this arrangement for past tense: VERB - SUBJECT - TE VERB


1. Fini l fini ...
    Once he's done...


2. Fini ou fini manje, al fin fè devwa w.
    Once you're done eating, go finish your homework


3. Antre jij la te antre, tout moun te kanpe.
    Once the judge entered, everyone stood up.


4. Parèt pwofesè a parèt, tout elèv va fè silans.
    Once the teacher shows up, all the students will quiet down.


5. Rive m te rive, mwen te al dòmi tou dwat.
    One I arrived, I went straight to bed.


6. Wè li wè nèg la sèlman, li gentan tonbe damou.
    Once she just saw the guy, she already fell in love.
    She only took a look at the guy, and she already was in love.


7.  Gade manman l te gade l sèlman, li te sispann kriye.
    Once his/her mom looked at her only, he/she stopped crying.
    His/Her mom just took one look at him/her and he/she stopped crying.

'Never once' (in Creole). I'm trying to say "Never once did you even lift a finger to help me" I have 'Janm yon faw ...'? Is correct?.

Never once (not even once) → pa menm yon fwa


Never once did you even lift a finger to help me
Pa menm yon fwa, ou te leve dwèt pou ede me.