Bonjou! Learn to Speak Haitian Creole

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

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

...Also is it possible to do an audio lesson about pain? Thanks for all you do!

Dakò.  
A little warning:  this audio is lengthy.  So I divided it into little parts to allow you to take a break from listening :)


Downloadable links are at the end of this post.



 Part 1 - Where is your pain?




Press the Play button to listen to part 1 of audio on PAIN
 

1. Depi kilè ou te kòmanse gen doulè a?
     Since when did you start having the pain?    
     When did the pain begin?

2. Eske se yon aksidan ki te fè doulè a kòmanse?
    Is your pain related to an injury/trauma?

3. Ki kote ou santi doulè a? (where do you feel the pain?)
    Montre mwen ki kote doulè a ye. (Show me where the pain is)
    Where is your pain?


4. What's hurting you?
    Kisa k'ap fè'w mal?


Part 2 - When do you feel pain?

Press the  play button to listen to Part 2 of audio on PAIN
 

5. Konbyen fwa, nan jounen an, ou santi doulè a? (How many times, during the day, do you feel the pain?)
    Chak kilè ou santi doulè a?
    How often do you experience the pain?

6. Eske ou santi doulè a tout tan?
    Do you feel the pain all the time?
    Is the pain constant?

7. Eske ou santi doulè a detanzantan?
    Do you feel the pain from time to time?
    Is the pain intermittent?

8. Eske doulè a ale vini?
    Does the pain come and go?

9. Eske ou santi doulè a lè’w fèk leve nan maten?
    Do you feel the pain upon awakening in the morning?

10. Eske ou santi doulè a apre solèy kouche?
   Do you feel the pain after sundown?

Part 3 - What does your pain feel like?




Press the play button to listen to Part 3 of audio on PAIN
 

11. Esplike’m sa doulè a fè’w.
      Tell me what the pain does to you.
      Describe your pain.

12. Eske doulè a tranchan?
      Is it a sharp / shooting pain?

13. Eske doulè a ap ponyade’w?
      Is it a stabbing  pain?

14. Eske doulè a vag?
      or
      Eske se yon doulè ki vag?
      Is it a dull pain?

15. Eske se yon doulè kò kraze?
      Eske se yon kò kraze ou santi?
      Is it body soreness?

16. Eske se yon doulè nan misk ou yo?
      Is it muscle soreness?
      Is it muscle pain?

17. Eske doulè a ap lanse’w?
     Is it a throbbing pain?

18. Eske se yon doulè ki brile’w?    
      Is it a burning sensation?

19. Eske se yon doulè lakranp ou genyen?
     Is it a cramping sensation?

20. Eske se yon doulè pikotman* ou genyen?
      Eske ou gen ti pikotman tankou fomi k’ap mache sou po’w?
      Is it a tingling pain?
      Pikotman* also means itching or tickling sensation

21. Eske ou santi yon angoudisman?
      Eske ou pèdi sansasyon nan manm ou yo?
      Is it numbness?

22. Eske doulè a peze'w tankou yon pwa senkant?
      Does the pain feel like a fifty-pound weight?
      Is is a pressure-like pain?

Part 4 -What makes the pain feel better and what makes it feel worse?

Press the play button to listen to Part 4 audio on PAIN
 

23. Kisa ki agrave doulè a?
      Kisa ki fè doulè a vin pi mal?
      What aggravates the pain?
       What makes the pain feel worse?

24. Kisa ki ba’w soulajman?
      Kisa ki amelyore doulè a?
      What ameliorates the pain?
      What makes the pain feel better?

25. Eske ou santi'w miyò lè’w chita?
      Do you feel better when you're sitting down?
                                
26. Eske ou santi'w pi mal lè’w kanpe?  
      Do you feel worse when you're standing?

27. Eske li pi mal lè’w kanpe pou anpil tan?
      Is it worse when you’re standing for a long period of time?              

28. Eske li pi mal lè w’ap mache?             
      Is it worse when you're walking?            

29. Eske li ba'w soulajman lè’w mete glas sou li?
      Do you get relief when you apply ice on it?

30. Eske li miyò lè’w mete yon konprès cho sou li?
     Is it better when you apply a warm compress on it?

31. Eske li ba'w soulajman lè w’ap fè mouvman?  
      Do you get relief when you're moving around?

32. Eske doulè a amelyore lè’w kouche?
      Eske ou jwenn soulajman lè'w kouche?
      Is the pain better when you lay down?

33. Eske doulè a pi mal lè’w touse?
      Is the pain worse when you cough?

34. Eske doulè a pi mal lè w’ap redi?                   
      Is the pain worse when you’re straining?


Part 5 - Are you taking medications for the pain?



Press the  play button to listen to Part 5 and Part 6 audio on PAIN
 


35. Eske'w pran medikaman pou doulè a kounye a?
      Are you currently taking medications for the pain?

36.  Ki medikaman w’ap pran pou doulè a kounye a?
       What medications are you currently taking for the pain?


       or...  Omit KOUNYE A... and say:


       Ki medikaman w'ap pran pou doulè a?
       What medications are you taking for the pain?

37. Eske medikaman yo soulaje doulè a?
     Do the medications relieve the pain?

hang on for PART 6.....

Part 6 - How strong is the pain?
               
38. Ki entansite doulè a?
       How strong is the pain?

39.  Eske se yon doulè ki leje?
       Is it a mild pain?

40.  Eske se yon doulè ki mwayèn?
       Is it moderate pain?

41. Eske se yon doulè ki  ekstrèm / entolerab?
      Is it severe pain?


42. Eske doulè a leje, mwayèn, oubyen entolerab?
      Is the pain mild, moderate, or severe?


Salutations and Kout chapo :)
Enben mezanmi, se te tout sou zafè doulè a. Mèsi anpil anpil paske nou t'ap koute.  Se te yon gran plezi.  Orevwa e n'a wè.

Download link for PART 1 - 
 

Download link for PART 2 - 
 

Download link for PART 3


 

Downloadl link for PART 4 - 
 

Download link for PART 5 & 6


 

what is Creole's "mankèm dega"?

Manke dega (transitive verb) to show lack of respect for, to insult, to upset, to provoke
Note:  When using this expression, the H.Creole direct object is placed between the words manke and dega.


He showed lack of respect for my mom.
Li te manke manman'm dega.

I punched her because she was provoking me.
Mwen te ba'l yon kout pwen paske li t'ap manke'm dega.

He insulted our people.
Li manke pèp nou an dega.


I divorced her because she was insulting me in public all the time.
Mwen te divòse li paske li t'ap manke'm dega devan moun tout tan.


Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

it doesnt make sense (Creole)

It doesn't make sense.
Li pa fè sans.
Sa pa fè sans.

It doesn't make any sense.
Li pa fè okenn sans.
Sa pa fè okenn sans.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

how do you say you dont have to know

You don't have to know.
Ou pa oblije konnen.
Ou pa bezwen konnen.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Mwen pa konnen :) ...and other stuff

Mwen pa konnen.
I don't know.


Mwen pa rekonèt li.
I don't recognize her/he/it.


I don't recall.
I don't remember.
Mwen pa sonje.


I don't really care.
Sa pa gade'm..
S pa regade'm


That's none of my business
Sa pa regade'm.
Sa pa gade'm.
Sa pa konsène'm.


That's your business (It is not my problem)
Zafè'k gade'w


I don't get it.
I don't understand this.
Mwen pa konprann


I don't believe you.
Mwen pa kwè'w.

Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Mwen pa renmen pran pòz pwofesè moral.

Mwen pa renmen pran pòz pwofesè moral
I don't like to pretend to be a 'moral' professor.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Se komsi tout zetwal yo tenyen. Nuit lan te layite ko l an chat pent.

Whatever you're reading sounds interesting :)


Se kòm si tout zetwal yo tenyen.  Nuit lan te layite kò l an chat pent.
It's as if the stars were turned off.  The night diffused itself surreptitiously.


Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

How would you say the equivalent of "I'm looking forward to it!" or "I can't wait!" ? Thank you so much!

I am looking forward to it.
Mwen pa ka tann pou sa
Mwen pa ka tann pou sa pase.
Mwen pa ka tann pou sa fèt.


I am looking forward to the holidays.
Mwen pa ka tann pou jou fèt yo rive.


I am looking forward to working with you.
Mwen pa ka tann pou'm koumanse travay avèk ou.
Se va yon plezi pou'm travay avèk ou.


I am looking forward to speaking with you tonight.
Mwen pa ka tann pou'm pale ak ou aswè a.
Se va yon plezi pou'm pale ak ou aswè a


I am looking forward to meeting you.
Se va yon plezi pou nou rankontre. (I imagine this would better fit a professional 'meeting')
Mwen pa ka tann pou nou rankontre. (I imagine this could be for casual occasion)


I am looking forward to finally meeting you. 
Se va yon plezi pou'm finalman fè konesans ou.
Mwen pa ka tann pou'm finalman fè konesans ou.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

whats this mean? lobèy ak deblozay sa yo!

Lòbèy and deblozay are synonymous with ruckus, racket, riots, scuffle, disturbances etc...
lobèy ak deblozay sa yo! these scuffles!
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

men anpil , chay pa lou

Men wi!  Se gwo la verite wi!


Men anpil, chay pa lou
Many hands, the load is not heavy (literally)
Many hands make the load lighter
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Please explain to me what DO TOUNI is. mèsi!

Do touni, do toutni → barechested or shirtless (Applies to males)

Rete do touni.
Remain shirtless.
Remain barechested.


L'ap mache do touni.
He's walking around shirtless.


Li refize mete chemiz.  Se do touni sèlman li vle rete.
He refuses to wear a shirt. He only wants to go shirtless.

Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

I wanted to ask you how to say a few things: You are loved. God cares for you. You were fearfully and wonderfully made. Jesus died for you. Your sins are forgiven. There is hope. Jesus is our hope. God is sovereign. God is in control. There will

You question got cut off at 'There will.......'


'You are loved.' is written in a passive voice, but I'll have to translate it with an active voice in Creole.

You are loved.
Nou renmen ou. (we love you)


You are loved (by God?)
Bondye renmen ou.
Ou se yon moun Bondye renmen.


You are loved (by God?)
Ou se piti cheri Bondye (You are God's darling child)


God cares for you.
Bondye gen sousi pou ou.


God cares for you very much.
Bondye gen anpil sousi pou ou.
Bondye sousye'l pou ou anpil.


You were fearfully and wonderfully made.
Bondye fè ou avèk anpil ladrès.
Bondye fè ou ak de pla men'L.


Jesus died for you.
Jezi te mouri pou ou.


Your sins are forgiven.
Peche ou yo padone.
or 
Bondye padone peche ou yo.


There's hope.
Genyen espwa.


Jesus is our hope.
Jezi se espwa nou.


God is sovereign.
Se Bondye k'ap reye.


God is in control.
Se Bondye k'ap dirije.
Tout bagay sou kontwòl Bondye.

Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words


What is 'kase tèt tounen'?

Kase tèt tounen is an expression that means to turn around, to suddenly go in the opposite direction.

Examples:

1. Li kase tèt tounen.
    He turned around.

2. Li t'ap prale nan magazen an. Lè li reyalize li te bliye lajan li, li te kase tèt tounen.

3. Li t'ap kondi machin nan sou wout la.  Lè li te wè lapolis yo devan li, li te kase tèt tounen.

4. Avyon an te deja rive nan mitan wout, men pilòt la te kase tèt tounen lè yon pasaje te fè kriz kadyak.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

I have a few sentences i want you to look at: 1. You're trying to SABOTAGE my relationship with girlfriend. 2)The Bible says a wife has to be SUBMISSIVE to her hersband. 3) You're so pathetic. 4) That's HILARIOUS. What do you think about these senteces?

Some of these vocabulary words (and the other ones you had sent me  from this group of words) may have a different Creole translation depending on the sentence.  And in #2, the Creole translation calls for verb rather than an adjective.

I think I would have preferred to see you put these sentences in Creole.  It would have been fun to read them :)

Kenbe la, zanmi.

1. You're trying to SABOTAGE my relationship with my girlfriend.
     W'ap eseye KRAZE relasyon mwen genyen ak menaj mwen.


2. The Bible says a wife has to be SUBMISSIVE to her husband
     Bib la di "Yon madanm dwe SOUMÈT bay mari li."


3. You're so PATHETIC.
     Ala ou DETESTAB
     Ala ou DEGOUTAN.


4. That's HILARIOUS.
     Sa VRÈMAN KOMIK.
     Sa KOMIK ANPIL

Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Hey girl, listen the vocabulary words are very helpful. I'm trying to get comfortable with their meaning. after that i can start using them in my every day language. Thanks...!

bonjou eske w gen yon paj avek proveb yo tanpri? mesi anpil

Malerezman non, mwen  pa genyen.
Mwen gen kèk "posts" ki pale sou pwovèb Ayisyen, men yo pa anpil.
Ou kapab jwenn kèk pwovèb sou http://creolelingo.com/,
oubyen
Ou kapab tcheke sit entènèt sa: http://www.haitianproverbs.com/
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Help (best way to say?)


help (n.) → èd, sipò, asistans, kout men, bra fò
help (v.) → ede, sipòte, bay kput men, bay jarèt, depane
Help! (interj.) → Ede'm!,  Sekoure'm!, Anmwey!

Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

What are the uses for "ou menm" (and nou menm by extension)? I know it can mean "yourself?" Such as in "byen e ou menm?", but I've heard it in a lot of statements in videos on RTG Haiti.

Ou menm does not only translate a reflexive pronoun. Sometimes it may act as a subject pronoun, sometimes it  puts emphasis on the pronoun (as in Ou menm menm), sometimes it could mean your own (as in Se fòt ou menm It's your own fault), and sometimes it could mean as for you (as in Ou menm menm as for you)

See the following examples:
mwen menm →  I, me, myself, my own, as for me
ou menm → yourself, your own, as for you
li menm → him, himself,  she, her herself
nou menm → us, ourselves, our own, as for us
yo menm  → them, themselves, their own, as for them


1. Ou menm avè'm va kondi machin nan.
    You and I will drive the car.

2. Ou achte yon sèl kola?!  E mwen menm?  Kisa'm va bwè?
    Did you buy just one soda?!  What about me?  What will I drink?

3. Mwen byen.  E ou menm?
    I'm fine.  How about you?

4. Se mwen menm ki nan pòt la!  Kite'm antre.
    It's me at the door!  Let me in.

5. Se  ou menm menm ki te di sa.
    It was none other but you that said that.

6. Se ou menm menm ki dwe chwazi moun ou vle marye a.
    It's none other but you that must choose the person you want to marry.

7. Se nou menm menm ki dwe chanje sitiyasyon peyi a.
    It is none other but us that must change the country's condition.

8. Nou menm menm, kisa nou vle?
    As for you, what do you want?

9. Yo menm menm, kilè yo va aprann ede tèt yo?
    As for them, when will the learn to support themselves?

10. Se kay mwen menm ki te boule a.
      It is my own house that got burned.

11. Se pitit mwen menm yo te arete a.
      It was my own child that got arrested.

Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

How do I say "I have hope" in Haitian Creole?

I have hope.
Mwen gen espwa (optimism, aspiration)
Mwen gen esperans (faith, hope, certitude, belief)
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

very little stress (in Creole)

stress → tansyon, estrès,  kriz, twoub, presyon, or kè sou biskèt

very little stress
ti tansyon tou piti


FYI: sometimes, I translate sentence fragments a little differently than  if I had the whole sentence before me :)


Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Baby, I love you. You are the love of my life. I will forever cherish and adore you. Forever and always, my love. (in Creole)

Wololoy, se bèl bagay!  ...Bagay moun de byen :)

Cheri, mwen renmen'w.  Ou se lanmou lavi'm.  Mwen va toujou ancheri'w e adore'w.  Pou tout tan e toujou, lanmou mwen.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

We are happy to see you and to worship with you tonight in Creole?

We are happy to see you and to worship with you tonight.
Nou kontan wè'w.  E nou kontan adore avèk ou aswè a.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Glwaradye!

...pou pa fè sa mwen

It's very hard to translate a fragment of a sentence like this one without seeing the context....

...pou pa fè sa pou mwen
...to not do it for me
...in order not to do this for me
...for you not to have done this for me
this could be many different things ... :)

Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

"You will have a room of your own" Maybe: Ou pral gen yon chanm selman pou ou ?

Your translation is perfect :)  Let me just give more ways to translate this...

You will have you own room.
Ou pral gen pwòp chanm pa'w.


You have a room all to yourself.
"Ou pral gen yon chanm sèlman pou ou." (your translation... perfect!)
or
Ou pral gen yon chanm pou ou sèl. 


Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words


Ou sou deja?

"Lesson 1..."

Are you trying to call the lessons in a class ...?

Lesson 1 - you could say leson En or leson nimewo EN
Lesson 2 - you could say leson De or leson nimewo De
Lesson 3 - you could say leson Twa or leson nimewo Twa
etc...
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

"When you yell it doesn't help the children to listen." Mesi anpil!

When you yell it doesn't help the children to listen.
When you raise your voice like that, that doesn't help the children to listen to you.( literally)
Lè ou leve vwa'w konsa, sa pa ede timoun yo koute'w.

When you yell it doesn't help the children to hear you.
Lè ou rele konsa, sa pa ede timoun yo tande'w.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

"When you yell it doesn't help the children to listen." Mesi anpil!


M- I asked you about the lyrics to Ti Ca. I was in Haiti this weekend, and found out that they are filthy. I am mortified. Mwen regret! I am very sorry. I love your blog, though. It is helping me learn Creole. Thanks!!!

Pa gen pwoblèm :)
I thought that you probably didn't know.
Yes, this song will make even the most unscrupulous womanizer blush...

Hope you had a nice time in Haiti :)
Keep up with the Creole.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words


What is the order of using superlatives in a sentence?: "You are the sweetest woman." Ou se fanm pi dous nan or Ou se pi dous fanm nan In other words, would the order follow the rule for that particular adjective? mesi! mesi!

You are the sweetest woman.
Ou se fanm ki pi dous lan.

For superlatives, the order goes like this:  pi + modifier + article
When the superlative adjectives modify a noun in H. Creole, if that adjective is of the group which usually come after the noun, then the best way to translate that sentence is to add the relative pronoun 'ki' before 'pi'.  See the following examples.

Examples made with adjectives that usually come before the noun in H. Creole
the most beautiful → pi bèl la
the most beautiful flower → pi bèl flè a
the most beautiful flower → flè ki pi bèl la

the oldest → pi gran an
the oldest girl → pi gran fi a
the oldest girl → fi ki pi gran an

the tiniest → pi piti a
the tiniest seed → pi piti grenn nan
the tiniest seed → grenn ki pi piti a

Examples made with adjectives that usually come after the noun in H. Creole.
the whitest → blan an
the whitest teethpi blan dan an  (can't translate it like that)
the whitest teeth → dan ki pi blan an

the sweetest → pi dous la
the sweetest moment pi dous moman an (can't translate it like that)
the sweetest moment → moman ki pi dous la

the tastiest → pi gou a
the tastiest foods pi gou manje a (can't translate it like that)
the tastiest foods → manje ki pi gou yo

the tallest → pi wo a
the tallest man pi wo mesye a (can't translate it like that)
the tallest man →mesye ki pi wo a

the most wicked → pi mechan an
the most wicked actspi mechan zak la (can't translate it like that)
the most wicked acts → zak ki pi mechan an

Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

how do you say 2:00 p.m.

Can I learn to speak creole in ten days?

If, by 'learn to speak', you mean to just learn the Creole diction and articulation, I think, possibly, yes.
It might even be easier to 'learn to speak'  this language in ten days if you speak other languages, such as French and/or Spanish.
But, why ten days!?
Why not take your time to learn the life, culture and history of this island, and enjoy the journey :)

Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

to say 'heartbeat', do I say 'pou kè a'?

Yes, you could say 'pou kè a', but to avoid confusion, you might consider the following H. Creole translations for heartbeat

Heartbeat
batman kè a
rit kè a
palpitasyon kè a
and even
woulman kè a
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

mandaly, Haiti is my treasure. I miss Haiti but for personal reason i can never go back. Sad hein?

Well if Haiti's your treasure, and one's treasure's always close to his heart, then Haiti will be in your heart forever.  Pa gen okenn bagay oubyen okenn moun ki kapab retire sa nan men'w.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

I am fine how about you (in Creole)

99 (pronounciation in Creole)

Let me have your attention please. You can see we are all girls but you need to know we are not weak. We are going to carry our own bags. Thank you, friends!!!

Let me have your attention please!
Mezanmi, pote atansyon souple!
Mezanmi, ban mwen atansyon nou souple!


You can see we are all girls but you need to know we're not weak.  We are going to carry our own bags. 
Kòm nou kapab remake,  nou tout se fanm, men nou pa fèb.  Nou pral pote pwòp valiz nou.


Thank you, friends!
Mèsi mezanmi!
Mèsi zanmi nou yo!
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words


How do you say: That doesn't matter I don't know what you are talking about I don't know what to say Thanks in advance!

That doesn't matter.
Sa pa fè anyen.

I don't know what you're talking about.
Mwen pa konn sa w'ap pale a.
Mwen pa konn anyen sou sa w'ap pale a.

I don't know what to say.
Mwen pa konn sa pou'm di.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

cherie mwen desole mete chaine nan pyem fem prisonye what does it mean


cherie mwen desole mete chaine nan pyem fem prisonye what does it mean


Honey, I'm sorry,  put shackles on my feet and make me a prisoner


Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

how do you say tablet nwa in english

yum yum! Bouch mwen ap koule dlo :)

Tablèt nwa candied cahews or candied cashew bar (I guess that would be made locally in Okap or Okay?)
same for tablèt pistach candied peanut bar, peanut bar

Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

thank you god for another beautiful day

Wi! Amèn :)

Thank you God for another beautiful day.
Mèsi Bondye pou yon lòt bèl jounen.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

"stop screaming" or "stop talking so loudly"..."talk quietly "

Talk quietly
Pale ba.
Pale pi ba.


Lower your voice.
Desann vwa'w.


Stop talking so loudly.
Pa pale fò konsa.
Pa leve vwa'w konsa.


Stop Screaming.
Sispann rele.
Sispann fè deblozay.
Sispann fè bank.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

How to say "Don't be bossy, stop having an attitude." THANK YOU!

O my!

A "bossy" person in Haiti is a 'tonton makout', a 'diktatè', a 'kontwolè'

Don't be bossy!
Sispann fè makout!
Sispann fè otoritè!
Sispann fè kontwolè!
Sispann fè diktatè!


Stop with the bad attitude.
Sispann bay move mannyè
Sispann fè movèz mannyè
Sispann fè malelve.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

How to say "My boss, the director, organization, manager"


my boss - bòs mwen, patwon mwen
the director - direktè a
organization - òganizasyon
manager - manadjè, patwon, bòs

Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

What are these/those? (Creole)

What are these/those?
Kisa sa yo ye?
or
Sa sa yo ye?


What is this/that?
Kisa sa ye?
or
Sa sa ye?
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

How do say thank you, Please, and you are welcome

I am taking your advice and watching Youtube videos from RTGHaiti. This word "sansiblizasyon" comes up a lot and I cannot find a definition.

Mèsi anpil :)

Sansiblizasyon → awareness, receptiveness

You may have heard of "kanpay sansiblizasyon" which is an 'awareness campaign' to get people involved in whatever program being introduced.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Tu es belle


O O!
Ki koze sa ?

I have the feeling that we're not in Haiti anymore.
We probably landed on a "francophone" island :)
If we were in Haiti, that sentence would say "Ou bèl"


Tu es belle is French for You're beautiful.

Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

AS LONG AS YOU DONT RING THE BELL THE DOG WON'T BARKK

As long as you don't ring the bell (doorbell), the dog won't bark.
Depi ou pa sonnen sonnèt la, chen an p'ap jape.



If you don't ring the bell (doorbell), the dog won't bark.
Si ou pa sonnen sonnèt la, chen an pa jape.

If you don't want the dog to bark, don't ring the doorbell.
Si ou pa vle chen an jape, pa sonnen sonnèt la



Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

how to spell "i suspend judgment" in creole?

Do you mean I stop judging or I no longer condenm?

I have stopped judging...
Mwen sispann jije...




I no longer condenm...
Mwen p'ap kondane ...
Mwen p'ap jije...
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

how to say "save the date" in haitian creole?

Save the date → Make dat la (pronounced Mah-kay daht lah)
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

What does it mean when the letter 'o' appears before a noun or adjective as in 'o serye' or 'o kontre'

This Haitian Creole 'o' is borrowed from the French 'au' which could translate at, with, to the, etc... as in Café au lait, Coq au vin, Au contraire...

You will find this "o" in the following Haitian Creole expressions and others:
okontrè, o kontrè (borrowed from French Au contraire)to the contrary
omwens, o mwens (borrowed from French Au moins)at least
olye, o lye (borrowed from French Au lieu de)  → instead of
onondipè (borrowed from French Au nom du Père)in the name of the father
Okap (borrowed from French Au Cap) Cap Haitian
omilye (borrowed from French Au milieu)between, among

Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

How do you say "be quiet!"

Be quiet! → in a nice way or not so nice way 

Be quiet. (in a nice way)
Fè yon ti silans tanpri.
Fè silans tanpri.
Fè yon ti pe bouch ou. (to a single person)
Fè yon ti pe bouch nou. (to a group of people)

Be quiet. (not so nicely)
Ban'm zòrèy mwen tanpri.
Ban'm lapè'm.
Pe la.
Pe bouch ou.
Fèmen bouch ou
Sispann pale.

See post on QUIT NAGGING ME
See post on BE QUIET or SHUT UP
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

I have two 'tense' questions: 1) when 'ta pral' is written together does it mean "maybe or might"? and 2) under what circumstances does 'ap' come between the verbs as in komanse ap vole?

t'a pral (contracted) te ap pral (uncontracted) → indicates a past action that intended to happen in the future.
Examples:
Mwen t'a pral manje, ...
I was going to eat, ...

Nou t'a pral soti, ...
We were going to go out, ...

Li t'a pral kite madanm li, men madanm li te tonbe malad.
He was going to leave his wife, but she fell ill.

Maybe or might sentences are made with ka, kab, or kapab
Check out this post on MAY and MIGHT


"Under what circumstances does 'ap' come between the verbs as in komanse ap vole?"

This happens when the first verb 'acts' as a helping verb, and the second verb (which becomes the main verb) is in a progressive or infinitive form.  The main verb would indicate a continuing action occurring for the length of time indicated in the sentence.

Li kòmanse ap vole.
It started flying.
It started to fly.

Li te kontinye ap kriye.
She continued crying.
She continued to cry.

Li plede ap pale.
She kept on talking.

Lè timoun yo te tonbe dòmi, li te koumanse ap ranmase jwèt yo atè a.
When the kids fell asleep, she started picking up the toys off the floor.


Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Hi... To 'gather' at a church, and To 'gather' all you stuff... How would you say GATHER? Thanks.

To gather together (to convene, to meet up) → rasanble, reyini


We gathered at the church.
Nou te rasanble nan legliz la.
Nou te reyini nan legliz la.


To gather stuff up (to pick stuff up) → ranmase, sometimes rasanble


Gather all your stuff.
Ranmase tout zafè w yo.


Gather all your clothes.
Ranmase tout rad ou yo.

Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

how to spell welcome to philadelphia

The Creole language would have it as: Byenveni nan Filadèlfya, or Byenveni nan vil Filadèlfya
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

What is a bout bwa?

Whats up girl I've gotten a few Voc. for you. Pathethic, Conscious, Hilarious, Demeanor, Bogus, Obnoxious, Authentic, Sabotage, Pessimism, Submissive. Creole translation...! thank you and you have a good evening...!

Hey...
I got to admit. This was a challenging group :)

Pathetic → deplorab, tris, dou, fenyan, mizerab
conscious (sensible) → sansib, pridan, rezonab 
conscious (aware) → eveye
hilarious → amizan, ekstrèmman komik, "se kouche atè pou ri"
demeanor → konpòtman, kondwit, tanperaman
bogus → fo, fo manmit, magouy
obnoxious → malveyan, tòsyonè, rayisab
authentic → reyèl, orijinèl, ofisyèl
sabotage (verb) → demoli, detui, kontrarye, demontibile, domaje
sabotage (noun) → destriksyon, demolisyon, masakray, toupizay
pessimism → apreyansyon, dout, nevrozite
submissive → obeyisan, dosil, soumisan


Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

God's house

God's house
Kay Bondye a (The house of the God)
Mezon Letènèl la  (The house of the Lord)
Sanntyè Tou Pisan an (The sanctuary of the most Powerful)
Demè Letènèl la (The dwelling of the Lord)
Legliz  (Church)
Katedral (Cathedral)
Chapèl (Chapel)
Tanp Letènèl la (The temple of the Lord)
Mezon Adorasyon (House of Worship)
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Mwen bezwen ou Cherie! !! Pa Fe sa what is this in english

Mwen bezwen ou cheri. Pa fè sa.
I need you darling. Don't do that.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

"I'll make your dreams come true", Is it "Mwen pral fe rev ou yo vini verite" or "Mwen pral fe rev ou yo vini tout bon vre"?u

I'll make your dreams come true.
M'ap fè rèv ou vini reyalite.
Mwen va fè rèv ou vini reyalite.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

response to 'mèsi anpil'

When someone says THANK YOU, You can answer and say:

You could say:
Deryen (it was nothing)
Padekwa (don't mention it)
Se te yon plezi (It was a pleasure)
Se te tout plezi'm (The pleasure's all mine)
Se pa't gran choz (It was no biggie)
Se pa't anyen ditou (It was nothing at all)
Pa gen pwoblèm (no problem)
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

how to say hello katherine

Katherine, I'll let you decide that :)

Pase bon jounen ti cheri a!
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

tight "Could you braid tighter, it's too tight, pull tightly"


tight → sere
very tight → sere sere (two words is for emphasis), sere anpil

Could you braid tighter?
Eske ou ka trese'l pi sere?
or 
Braid it tighter.
Trese'l pi sere.
or
Make it tighter.
Fè'l pi sere.

It's too tight.
Li twò sere.

Loosen it up a bit.
Fè yon ti lache li.

Pull tightly.
Sere'l plis. (make it tighter)
Sere'l. (make it tight)

Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Vinn Pran Nò

What you're actually hearing is:  Vin pran'l non! or Vin pran'n non! which is contracted from Vin pran li non! or Vin pran ni non!.
It literally means: Come get it, won't you?
Generally it's translated as: Come and get it.  or Come get it.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

pot?

pòt (with an accent) door, opportunity
examples:
Louvri pòt la.
Open the door.


Fèmen pòt la.
Close the door.


pot (without the accent)can be a derivative of pote (to carry, to bring)
examples:
Pot manje a pou mwen.
Bring me the food.


Kisa ou pot la?
What do you carry there?
What did you bring?
What do you have there?


Also 
Some Haitians say pot instead of po to mean a jar, a vase, a clay pot, etc...
The word for jar or vase can be translated as  PO in H. Creole.


Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

What does this mean in English......please tell.....renmen fè U fè kèk bagay dwòl ....... Men, si li vo li ou pral kenbe sou


Unfortunately, this sentence doesn't make complete sense.

I'm going to blame it on google translate :)
Do you have the original sentence?

Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Eske ou konnen liv yo m'ka komanse li pou apran Kreyol konsa m'te apran angle?

Tonton Liben by Carrié Paultre from the University of Kansas Library
Istwa ak Kont Kreyòl by Maud P. Fontus
Jan Sòt ak Jan Lespri by Bob Lapierre
Fòs Lawouze Adaptasyon Kreyòl by Maude Heurtelou
Creole Story booklets from the Koleksyon Sanmba

You might enjoy these books more if your Creole comprehension level is intermediate to advanced.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Can you translate these lyrics from Ti Ca by Althiery Dorival: Depi Maten ....

if I were to teach this verse to children: Sòm 143:8 “Se ou menm m’ap lapriyè. Montre m chemen pou m pran an.” where would I break it up to say shorter sayings in chant form for easier memorizing? Does that make sense? Thanks :)

If I understand you correctly, you want to break up the verse into smaller portions for easier memorizing.... But you want to break it up at some 'spots' in the verse where it would make the most sense.  Is that right :)

Here's  how I would do it.  I could already hear the children repeating after you  :)

Sòm sankaranntwa ...
Vèsè uit...
Se ou menm..
m'ap lapriyè....
Montre'm...
chemen pou'm pran'an...
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Do you know the lyrics and translation to the song Kenbe Fem

Is that the one?

Senyè, gade mizè'm yo. M'pa ka pale
Senyè tande soupi'm yo. M'pa ka pale
Anmwey! Anmwey! Anmwey o! M'pa ka pale

Senyè tande kri mwen yo. M'pa ka pale
Jiskilè m'ape rive.  M'pa ka pale
Senyè m'santi m'pa gen fòs m'pa ka pale
Senyè tande soupi'm yo. M'pa ka pale

Menm si loray kon vye van ap soufle
Kanpe la, met espwa'w nan Bondye
Lè lavi a parèt tou nwa pou ou
Rele Bondye, l'a fè limyè pou ou
Pinga w dekouraje lè wap soufri
Priye Bondye, met lafwa ou pou nan li

Kenbe fèm! Hang in there
Rete fèm! Remain steadfast

Pa kite'w twouble pou sa ka pase
Tout bagay yo anba kontwòl Bondye
Menm si w'ap soufri Bondye pa bliye'w
Se sèl nonm ki konn siye dlo nan je
Jou an pa twò lwen pou nou delivre
Kenbe lafwa nou, gen yon gran Bondye

Pèsònn pa ka bloke delivrans ou
Nenpòt kote'w ye, je Bondye sou ou
Pa koute gwo bri sapat enmi an
Ak pisans Bondye, n'ap pike devan
Pran kouray zanmi'm, menm si ou meprize
Gen yon jou fikse pou nou delivre

Gen bèl palè k'ap prepare pou nou
Kanmenm ou konnen viktwa se pou ou
Bèl kay, bèl oto yo, tout va pase
Se pawòl Bondye sèlman k'ap rete
Se pasaje nou ye, fòk nou soufri
Nan'on ti tan ankò nou prale rejwi

Nan mitan gwo pwoblèm
Li toujou la avè'n
Se pou nou kenbe fèm
Lè ou pa gen senkòb
Pou mete yon bèl wòb
Sonje Bondye Jakòb

Kenbe fèm
Rete fèm

Lè chimen an fènwa
Sonje se li k' sèl wa
Se li k' gen tout pouvwa
Lè'w santi'w meprize
Pinga w dekouraje
Nou se moun destine

Na kenbe fèm
Lè chemen an tou nwa
Se pou nou rete fèm
Piga'n dekouraje
Na rete fèm
Apiye sou Bondye

Kenbe, fòk nou kenbe
Rete, se pou nou rete fèm
Kenbe, wi fò nou kenbe
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

how do i say I dont know why but i miss you - in creole

Man! you got to know WHY you miss her :)

I don't know why but I miss you.
M pa konn poukisa, men m'sonje'w.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

ou pa parway pou sa fam

I think you meant to say:  Ou pa pare pou sa fanm You're not ready for this Man'm.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Yon Bagay Trè Bèl

Can you translate this sentence for me? "M konn yon planet kote gen yon mouche wouj kou oma." Does 'yon mouche wouj kou oma' somehow translate to 'accountant'?

No.
The word "oma" or "woma" means 'lobster'

M konn   | yon planèt  | kote     |  gen yon mouche  | wouj kou oma.|
I know     | a planet      | where  | there's a man        | red as lobster|
I know a planet where lives a man that is as red as a lobster.

Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

how do you say pitimi in french

The French word is millet.
The English word is millet.
The H. Creole word is pitimi.  Yum :)
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

how do u say thank u for caring in creole

Thank you for caring.
Mèsi pou sousi ou.
Mèsi pou jantiyès ou.
Mèsi pou konsiderasyon'w.
Mèsi pou tandrès ou.
Mèsi pou konpasyon ou.
etc...
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

I'm confused about using "pa" for possession rather than negation. How do you say "the car is not mine" vs the "the car is mine" (Machin nan pa m')? It's confusing because "The car is not good" would be "Machin nan pa bon" right?

You are right.  This can be confusing.
And yes, you got the translation right on "The car is no good"


Whenever you see the word "pa" in Creole, there's always a great possibility that it might be a possessive pronoun, especially if it's followed by a pronoun (contracted or non contracted) like this: pa mwen or pa'm, pa ou or pa'w, pa nou or pa'n, etc...

You'll especially be alerted when you see the Haitian Creole  negative indicator  "pa" right next to a possessive pronoun pa'm, pa'w, or pa'l, etc... in a sentence, like this:  Se pa pa'm nan. That's not mine.

Just remember that with all the contractions (pa'm, pa'w, pa'l, pa'n) if you stumble on the contracted "pa't", this last one is not a possessive pronoun, it'S the contraction of the negative indicator 'pa' and the past tense indicator 'te'.

Here are some examples:

Sa se pa'm nan. (contracted)
Sa se pa mwen an. (non contracted)
This is mine.


Kote pa'w la? (contracted)
Kote pa ou a? (non contracted)
Where's yours?


Pa'm nan pi gwo. (contracted)
Pa mwen an pi gwo. (non contracted)
Mine is bigger.


Have you heard the expression:
Jodi a se tou pa'w, demen se ka tou pa'm.
Today is your turn, tomorrow might be my turn.


also,
There's a popular slogan in Haiti that says: Pa'm pi bon. Mine is better
People use it especially when they talk about religion :)


Sa se pa pa'l la. (contracted)
Sa se pa pa li a. (non contracted)
That's not his / hers.


Sa se pa ti bebe pa'n nan. (contracted)
Sa se pa ti bebe pa nou an. (non contracted)
This is not our baby.


Sa se pa't pa'w la.  Poukisa ou te pran'l?
That wasn't yours.  Why did you take it?


The car is mine.
Machin nan se pa'm.


The car is not mine.
Machin nan pa pa'm.
or 
Machin nan pa pou mwen (to make it easier)

Here is some links to other posts, including an audio one, about possessive pronouns.
'PA' is not always NEGATIVE
POSSESSIVE PRONOUNS
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

mezanmi ....mwen nan mitan ...zin !!

zen → gossip, disturbances, brawl,  fuss, cat fights, racket, etc....


Mezanmi, mwen nan mitan zen.
Oh dear, I am in between the gossip. (literally)
Oh dear, I'm caught right into a brawl.
or just...
Oh dear, I'm in a riot. (or something like that)
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Eske ou tradui faz sa yo pou mwen.. Mwen te fyè pou m te aprann li m te konn pran syèl la pou mwen" "yon tristès toujou ap fè yon lago kache avè w"

I'll translate this literally...

Mwen te fyè pou'm te aprann li te konn pran syèl la pou mwen.
I was proud/happy to learn that he took heaven for me.


Yon tristès toujou ap fè yon lago kache avè'w.
A sadness is always playing hide and seek with you.

Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words



I am here

I am here.
Mwen la.
Mwen la wi.
Men mwen la.


Here I am.
Men mwen.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference (a work in progress at this time)

M'ap site yon liv..."M'ap ezite pou koulè kostim li an. Alós, m ap tatonnen. Padone m pou sa." Kisa vle di mo a ´tatonnen´?

tatonnen → to grope, to feel your way around blindly, to fumble, to touch
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference (a work in progress at this time)

How do you say, 'I wonder' in Kreyol? As in the sentence: I wonder what he is doing.

wonder → imajinen, mande, reflechi, poze kesyon

I wonder ... → M'ap imajinen..., M'ap mande'm..., M'ap poze tèt mwen kesyon...

I wonder what he's doing. 
M'ap mande'm sa l'ap fè.

This makes me wonder.
Sa fè'm reflechi.

Éske faz la 'sa pa fé anyen' vle di 'that doesn´t mean anything'?

Sa pa fè anyen.
It does nothing. (literally).
It doesn't bother me.
It's not a problem.
It's not a concern.


Sa pa fè'm anyen.
It doesn't bother me.
It does nothing to me.
That doesn't worry me.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference (a work in progress at this time)

get marinne nou

Oh my!  What did you do :)

Gèt marenn ou! is definitely not a good thing.  It's means the same as Gèt manman'w!
They are both curse words.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference (a work in progress at this time)

Alo m deja konnen ke se paj selman pou kreyol men m tap panse si konn pale franse. Si w pale l, eske w ka di m sa "c'est och" vle di? Se de yon chanson pa M'wayne. Mesi!

"Och", in that song, seem to be an interjection which might describe "anything".
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference (a work in progress at this time)

Don't forget to let me know when you are ready to move back to Florida. So I can be the one to sell you and your family your house.(Creole)


Don't forget to let me know when you are ready to move back to Florida. So I can be the one to sell you and your family your house.


Pa bliye kite'm konnen lè ou prèt pou tounen Florida.  Mwen ta renmen pou se mwen ki vann ou menm ak fanmi'w kay ou a.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference (a work in progress at this time)

I am weak (in Creole)

I am weak.
Mwen fèb.
Mwen afebli.
Mwen delala.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference (a work in progress at this time)

Mwen sonje ou, epi tout moun te di'm pou di yo t'ap mande pou ou


Mwen sonje ou, epi tout moun te di'm pou di yo t'ap mande pou ou

I miss you, and everyone wanted you to know that they're asking about you.


Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference (a work in progress at this time)



how to say graduation

graduation → remiz diplòm, gradyasyon

the graduation ceremony → seremoni remiz diplòm nan
to graduate → diplome

Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference (a work in progress at this time)

M fék koute chante alfabèt kreyòl la epi m'ap eseye kounye a kalkile diferans la ant 'o' epi 'ou'. Lè m itilize lét sa yo pou eple yon mo m pa ka koute yon diferans. Èske ou ta eksplike plis pou mwen diferans la?

o is pronounced like the sound of o in the English words go, slow, no
ou is pronounced like the sound of oo in the English words  too and boo
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference (a work in progress at this time)

One hand can't clap alone.


One hand can't clap alone.

Ou pa ka bat bravo ak yon sèl men.
or
Yon sèl dwèt pa manje kalalou.

Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference (a work in progress at this time)

God is great

God is great.
Bondye gran.


God is good.
Bondye bon.


God is wonderful.
Bondye mèveye.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference (a work in progress at this time)

tèt (Creole)

tèt in Creole can translate head, self, leader, commander
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference (a work in progress at this time)

June 2012 (Creole pronounciation)

WE SPEAK CREOLE

Kisa ki diferans la ant 'mo' epi 'pawol'? Èske ou bezwen itilze yo nan yon fason diferan oubyen èske ou kapab ranplase youn ak lót? (M espere m poze kesyon sa a kòrèkteman).

Ah wi!  Ou byen poze kesyon an :)

mo in Haitian Creole means word or promise (spoken promise)
pawòl in Haitian Creole means a word, a promise, a pact, a vow, language, conversation, babbling, rambling, etc...
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference (a work in progress at this time)

Mwen pa wè'w vini ditou an Haiti EN ESPANOL


Oh dear... In spanish!!!!  :-/ 


Mwen pa wè'w vini ditou an Haiti.
Usted no ha visitado Haiti no mas. (I am not good with Spanish accents :)

Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference (a work in progress at this time)

Éske fraz la ´Laj antre sou mwen´ vle di ´I am getting old´?

Yes, it does :)

Laj ap antre sou mwen.
I am getting old.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference (a work in progress at this time)