Haitian Creole

Truly, Really, For real!

Click here to download the audio in this post :)
Click here to download…

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

Bonjou tout moun! Kouman nou ye? M'espere tout bagay anfòm.

How do you say the words truly or Really in Haitian Creole?
Vrèman → truly
Reyèlman → really
Reyèlman vre → truly, really

tout bon → adv: really, truly, genuinely; adj: true, real

tout bon vre → adv: really, truly, genuinely; adj:real, true

pou debon (or pou tout bon) → (from French Pour de bon) for real, really

1. Sa se yon zanmi tout bon.
This is a real friend.

2. Eske se tout bon?
Is it true?

3. Men wi se tout bon!
Of course it's true!

4. Eske li malad tout bon?
Is she really sick?

5. Eske ou renmen'm tout bon?

Do you really love me?

6. Eske li te di sa tout bon vre?
Eske li te di sa tout bon?
Did he really say that?

7. Sa rive tout bon vre.
Sa rive tout bon.
It really happened.

8. Eske se tout bon Beethoven te soud?
Is it true that Beethoven was deaf?

Pou debon (poudebon) or Pou tout bon (also used) → for real

9. Fwa sa a l'ale pou debon.
Fwa sa a l'ale pou tout bon.
This time he's gone for real.
This time he's really gone.

10. Se pou debon m'pale wi. (notice nuance in my voice b/c of the WI emphasis :)
Se pou tout bon m'pale wi.
I'm for real.
or
I'm not joking.

Se te tout pou jodi a. Mèsi anpil anpil. Pase yon bon jounen e orevwa.

Track: Sa Sa Ye la by Pokito and Jean P. JAM

Lyrics

Sa sa ye la? e e! what is this?

Sa sa ye la? o o! what is this?

Ou vini lakay mwen you come to my home

Mwen byen resevwa’w I received you well

M te konnen te genyen lanmitye I thought there was friendship

Bay tout kay la pou ou Give the whole house to you

Fè’w santi ou se lafanmi make you feel like family

Epoutan ou vin pou kontwole however you came to control things

Ou di se zanmi’m you say you're my friend

Tout chanm, tout lasal pou ou all bedrooms, all living rooms at your disposal

E poutan anyen’w pa laverite however nothing of you is the truth

Aprezan m’vin jennen now I’m in a bind

M’al frape nan pòt ou I go knock at your door

Ou, poutan, pran mwen a kout pye you, however, kick me out

Ou di m p’ap sa pase you say I can’t come in

Pou jan m konnen For how I know

M fè byen pou ou I did good deeds for you

Sonje kou lè’m vin frape nan pòt ou remember when I come knock at your door

Ede’m fè sa help me do this

Meprize scorned

Maltrete mistreated

Imilye humiliated

Gade sa’w fè look at what you did

Ou pa ta fè’m sa You should not have done this to me

Sa’k ta di sa who would have said that (or who knew?)

Pou jan’m goumen pou ou I fought so much for you

M pa ta kwè sa I would not have believed it

Ou fè mwen sezi you surprise me

Se lèzòm That’s man (that's the human way)

O Bondye papa! Oh God!

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

I need the Creole translation for: “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” ~Ephesians 2:10 Can you help me? Thank you!

Se Bondye ki fè nou ak men'l, Li te kreye nou nan Jezi kri pou nou kapab fè bon zèv ke li te prepare davans pou nou te fè.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

What does "foultank" mean? "Foultank nan prezans manman m" - title of Chapter IX "Zig Lavi"

This word foultank or foul tank is derived from the English full tank.
The author might say this of someone who's being brash, cheeky or defiant (as in a full tank of explosive gasoline ready to explode). That's the only thing I can come up with.
Creole speakers do say Foul tank mwen → Fill up my car
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Is the creole verb BAY (to give) used as the preposition TO sometimes? as in: Pote liv la BAY papa'w (bring the book TO your father)? I see this often...

Yes. In these sentences it will translate prepositions like TO (or IN THE CARE OF), TOWARD, and sometimes FOR

1. Pote liv la bay papa'w.
Bring the book to your father.

2. Pote liv la ban mwen.

Bring the book to me.

3. Pote'l ba yo.
Bring it to them.

4. Pa vin kriye ban mwen.

Don't come crying to me

5. Kite l ban mwen. M'ap regle li.
Leave it to me. I'll take care of it

6. Lonje** bebe a ban mwen.

Hand the baby to me.

Hand me the baby.

lonje ba, lonje bay, or lonje ban → to hand over
Lonje papye a ban mwen → hand me the paper
Lonje kle a ba li → give him the key

7. Mwen te santi Bondye te vire do ban mwen.
I felt as if God turned his back on me.

8. Travay sa te ouvè anpil pòt ban mwen.
This job opened many doors to me.

9. Paulette lage machin li a bay travayè yo, pou yo kab pote sak siman yo.

Paulette left her car to the workers, so that they can carry the bags of cement.

10. Tanpri voye liv la ba yo pa lapòs.
Please send the book to them by mail.

Please send them the book by mail.

11. Mwen pa konprann pati sa. Esplike'l ban mwen.

I don't understand this part. Explain it to me.

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

How would you translate this in Creole, "The good Lord never give us more than we can handle."? thanks

The good Lord never give us more than we can handle
Bondye pa janm ba nou yon chay ki twò lou pou'n pote.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Can you translate this for me in Kreyol? Please - "For this child I prayed, and the Lord has granted me my petition that I made to him. Samuel 1:27"

"Pou timoun sa mwen te lapriyè, e Senyè a te akòde mwen demann mwen te fè kote li." 1 Samyèl 1:27
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Moin ganyen 17 an, manman m pwal anvoye mwen retournen Haiti pou korije. Eske ou gen l'enfomasyon sou pi bon cell company ki fonksyonen Ayiti san oken pwoblèm pou kominike avek peyi USA?

Premyèman, ou pale kòm si Ayiti te yon pigatwa. Anpil Ayisyen konsidere peyi yo kòm yon kote pou w'al fè penitans. Lè yo fin kite Ayiti pou antre nan peyi etranje, yo bliye Ayiti nèt! Men lè pitit yo koumanse gen move konpòtman, yo menase pitit la, "Si ou pa vle korije m'ap voye'w Ayiti wi!"
Kisa sa vle di?
Kisa Ayiti ye la a? yon pigatwa? Yon penitansye? Juvie?
Ala de koze!
Eske'w konn tande sa deja: "Voye pitit la fè de jou an Ayiti, l'ap korije."?
Ou gen enpresyon lè timoun nan rive Ayiti, yo drese'l byen drese ak yon fè cho, enpi yo voye'l tounen byen dwat e poli nan peyi etranje.
Ala yon ti peyi gen sou do'l papa!
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

how do you pronounce Port de Paix in haitian creole

Port-de-Paix an Franse
Pòdepè an Creole. Yo pwononse li: (pɔ-day-pɛ)
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

rayi chen di dan li blan

Wi. Rayi'l jan'w vle, men fòk ou admèt li gen sa ki bon nan li.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

bon chen pa jwenn bon zo

"Bon chen pa jwenn bon zo."
Se yon reyalite ki regretab, men mwen kontan paske sa pa rive tout tan.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

How do you say, I'm doing very well Thanks in creole

I am doing very well thanks.
Mwen trè byen mèsi.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

bege?

bege → to stammer, to stutter in speech
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

How would you say: " I probably won't have time". Would it be "Mwen pwobab pap gen tan." or "Mwen pap gen tan pwobab" I'm thinking the second and that you treat "pap gen tan" all as the verb, but I'm second guessing myself!

malere pa vle di chen

Pa ditou.
Malere pa chen, e chen pa malere tou.
Gen de chen ki pi rich pase malere.

Eske se menm pou chen k'ap viv Ayiti yo?
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Bonswa Manday, mwen vle di "We were promised an interpreter, but we didn't get it" , I'm having trouble translating the passive voice here. Thanks.

We were promised an interpreter, but we didn't get it.
You te pwomèt nou yon entèprèt, men nou pa't jwenn li.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

I'm mad at you and I'm tired of your actions

Mwen pa kontan ak ou e m fatige ak move zak ou yo.
Mwen pa kontan ak ou e m fatige de aksyon ou yo.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Am stil waiting on you to teach me creole

Si ou tann twòp, wa fin tounen pwatann :)

I am still waiting on you to teach me Creole.
M'ap tann ou pou montre'm pale Kreyòl toujou wi.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

How do you say "May I take your photograph?"

May I take your photograph?
Eske mwen mèt pran foto ou?
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

if you were going to the wedding of a dear friend in Haiti, what do you think would be an appropriate gift for the bride & groom? and what are some typical haitian wedding traditions?

I have seen people give gifts of household items, beddings, cookbooks, house ornaments, etc...
But I love the idea of a personalized / engraved gift item such as picture frames, wedding picture frames, his and hers bathrobes, etc....
I also love the idea of solar powered anything such as solar powered fans, radios, cell phone chargers; these can come pretty handy in Haiti.
Haitian wedding traditions vary by regions and religion. I WOULD ASK marenn maryaj la (the maid of honor) about what to expect during the ceremony and reception.
Will there be any fidonè (flower girls)?
Should you bring your gift to the location of the wedding reception which my be a hall or most often someone's home?
If it's in the countryside, how will the bride and groom get from the church to the reception hall? By car? By horse? On foot?
How will YOU get from the church to the reception hall?
Parenn maryaj la (the best man) usually give a VERY long speech at the reception.
The church ceremony is usually long too. It's like the pastor is trying to cram one more pre-marital counseling session in the service
There's usually lots of food, kremas, likè, music, and dancing (unless it's a Christian wedding)
You should expect to have a great time
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

what is hatian in where are you?

There's nothing Haitian about it.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

We are having a Haitian midwife come to a conference near San Francisco. Do you know any interpreters avail Sept 26-30? Mesi

Please contact Ewòl at info@creoleclasses.com, from the Kreyolab.
He would love to help you find someone, but he needs more info.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Bonswa Mandaly. mwen pale kreyol tre bien, men eske ou kapab di m si li kòrèk pou yon moun ekri 'Li se zanmi an mwen' olye de 'Li se zanmi'm'?

Pou koumanse, li sanble ou annafè avèk yon moun ki sot bò zòn Nò yo.... Okap petèt?
Dapre sa mwen konnen, Ayisyen akeyi e asepte varyete rejyonal ak endividyèl lang Kreyòl la, sitou nan pwezi ak nan bèl kantik.
Si pou'm ta di'w li pa kòrèk, sa ta vle di ke nou dwe rasanble tout Ayisyen ki pale avèk yon aksan enpi aprann yo pale ak ekri tankou moun Pòtoprens.
Li ta bon anpil si ta genyen yon fòm estanda pou ekri chak mo, chak fraz, chak liy... Men si sa ta fèt, eske lang lan va toujou kenbe idantite yon lang KREYÒL?
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

a "delightful' woman

yon fanm chaman / chamant
yon fanm atiran / atirant
ypn fanm kòrèk
yon fanm kòdyòm
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

"Be careful! Don't drop it!" referring to something fragile

Be careful! Don't drop it!
Fè atansyon! Pa lage'l atè!
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

pito'm mande pase'm vole

O O! Apa ou pa fini l :)

Pito'm mande pase'm vòlè, pito'm travay pase'm mande .... (it's in a song)
I rather beg than steal, I rather work than beg ...
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Eske ou ka esplike "rive sou fal," kòm "Tijan rive sou fal." Mèsi!

fal is Haitian Creole for belly, stomach, chest
Was that the complete sentence?
Sounds like Tijan had gotten to the peak/depth of a location?

Sometimes we also say "rive sou tèt" which means to arrive at a location in a rush
I wonder if that's what the author meant.

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

bon zanmi toutan sa bon

Yes, it's absolutely true.

Bon zanmi, tout tan sa bon.
A true friend is good in all times
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Could you exclain "tan" in this quote: "Sèl bagay m sonje, jou sa a, figi tan an te oun tijan fennen." From pg 1 of "Epi oun jou konsa tèt Pastè Bab pati,"

tan, here, means weather as you probably know.
The first sentence is poetic almost:

sèl | bagay | m | sonje | jou | sa | a
only | thing | i | remember | day | that | the
The only thing I remember on that day

figi | tan | a | te | oun | ti-jan | fennen
face | weather | the | past tense | a | little bit | faded
The face of the weather was a little bit faded

The only thing I remember, on that day, the weather was a little bit murky / gloomy.

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

Mandy, here I go again asking you a question. Need to clarify that kokot is the name of a female body part AND it can be an endearing name for a PERSON?

Sa'w di a se sa.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Aprann Kreyòl se yon pelerinaj :)

Ouch!
Mwen panse se yon avanti :)
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

how best to say 'what's mine is mine'? Will 'sa ki pou mwen se pou mwen' work? And can I do the same with 'what's yours is yours'?

Yes. It'll work.
You can also say: Pa'm se pa'm

The same for "What's yours is yours", including the contracted version, you can also say:
Sa ki pou ou se pou ou.
Sa'k pa'w se pa'w.
Pa'w se pa'w.

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

how do u say female in Haitian

femèl oubyen fenmèl
How do you plan to use it?
Creole speakers have a tendency to use these two words mostly to refer to "animals", as in "yon fenmèl chen", "yon fenmèl kabrit".
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

What would be the best way to say "clear" before administering a defibrillator shock?

I'm thinking "rekile" which means to move back, draw back
and "rale kò nou" which means to step back a bit, clear out
or "pa touche" which means hands off
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

"Chak jou bondye mete li te vin manje avè nou." ...I'm not getting this. Im thinking 'everyday God puts him with us to eat'?

Not really ... Try translating chak jou Bondye mete as every God given day..., then you'll get it :)
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Is there a traditional protestant pre-meal blessing in Haiti that you could share?

Unfortunately no, we do not have a traditional pre-meal blessing.

Here's a few that I got from a couple of pastors:

"Senyè, beni repa sa a, e sa yo ki te prepare li.

Aprann nou pataje ak sa yo ki pa gen anyen.

Se konsa nou priye Amèn."

"Senyè, nou mande’w pou beni manje sa nou pral manje a.

Nou resevwa li ak anpil gratitid.

Ede sa yo ki grangou kapab jwenn manje tou

Nan non Jezi, Pitit Ou. Amèn"

"Bondye, mèsi pou manje ou ban nou an.

Beni sila yo ki te prepare li.

E bay sila yo ki pa genyen tou

Nan non Jezi nou priye’W. Amèn"

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

Attach the AED pads to the victims bare chest.

Tache tanpon AED yo sou po kòf lestomak viktim nan
or
Plake tanpon AED yo sou po kòf lestomak viktim nan.

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

Don't worry about it

Don't worry about it.
Pa enkyete'w pou sa.
Pa okipe'w de sa.
Pa trakase'w pou sa.

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

What does "bat ba" mean? Some context: "Lesèk tonbe. Gazon sèch... Zèb ginen bat ba. ... Lesèk bat ba." Zig Lavi pg 49

bat ba → to give up, to surrender, to quit
zèb ginen → type of wild grass, tough grass, or "true grasses" which can survive very hot climates real well.

Lèsèk tonbe → drought has come , or the dry season has come
Gazon sèch.... → The grass (lawn) has dried out, or the grass had died
Zèb ginen bat ba. → The zèb ginen have given up, or stopped growing, or succumbed to the heat?
lèsèk bat ba ... → The dry season has surrendered

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

How to say: "We got married in July!"

Nou te marye nan mwa Jiyè! (We got married in July)
Nou te marye nan mwa Jiyè a! (We got married in the month of July!)
Nou te marye an Jiyè! (We got married in July!)
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Tale is a contraction of te + ale past tense marker "te" plus the verb "to go" ale. So which is the correct way to say "I went to Haiti" because I've seen it done several ways! 1.) Mwen te Ayiti. 2.) Mwen te ale Ayiti. 3.) Mwen tale Ayiti.

Don't forget that the H. Creole ale can be contracted to al also.
I went to Haiti.
Mwen te ale Ayiti.
Mwen t'ale Ayiti.
Mwen t'al Ayiti.
and you can contract the subject pronoun mwen. So that makes six different ways to say that sentence in Creole :)

now,
Mwen te Ayiti would translate I was in Haiti.
You'll either see it as:
Mwen te Ayiti
or
Mwen te an Ayiti.
both above sentences are correct to translate I was. in Haiti
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Can "Sousi" mean something other than eyebrow? A creole book has the question "Eske Bondye gen sousi pou ou toutbonvre?" and the english version say's "Is God really interested in you?" Does sousi mean something else to or is that an expression?

Yes, it does mean translate to something other than 'eyebrow'
sousi (from the French noun souci - worry or care; and the French verb soucier - to care about, to worry about)

sousi n → care, concerns
sousye v. → to care for, to be interested in
gen sousi pou → to care for

1. Eske Bondye gen sousi pou ou?
Does God care about you?

2. Mwen gen anpil sousi pou ou.
I care a lot about you.

3. Moun sa yo pa sousye de anyen.
These people don't care about anything.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

I'm wondering about how to use an adjective modifier on a groups of nouns such as "your Christian brothers and sisters" without having to repeat the adjective.

Place the modifier (adj.) before or after the groups of nouns according to the rules of the adjectives in Creole

1. your Christian brothers and sisters
frè ak sè Kretyen ou yo

2. your Ameriken brothers and sisters
frè ak sè Ameriken ou yo.

3. your big brothers and sisters
gran sè ak frè ou yo

4. I saw your little brothers and sisters during my trip. They are fine.
Mwen te wè ti frè ak sè ou yo pandan vwayaj mwen. Yo byen.

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

how to say i hope it went well

I hope it went well.
Mwen espere sa te pase byen.
Mwen espere li te pase byen.
M'espere l'te pase byen. (with contractions)

I hope everything went well.
Mwen espere tout bagay te pase byen.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

can i see you tonight?

Can I see you tonight?
Eske mwen ka wè'w aswè a?
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Which is the best way to translate 'lift high, lift it real high', do i say 'leve li anlè' or 'leve li wo'? thanks

Lift it high, lift it real high.
Leve'l wo, leve'l byen wo (lift it up high)
Leve'l anlè, leve'l anlè nèt (lift it in the air)
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Kisa vle di 'gen dwa'? Mwen wè li anpil nan liv istwa mwen. Mwen panse li vle di 'HAVE RIGHTS', men mwen vle konfime sa avè ou.

Wi, sa'w panse a se sa. (Yes, you're right)

Ou gen dwa itilize gen dwa pou di: have permission, be allowed to, may, have the right to. Tankou egzanp sa yo:

1. Eske yon moun gen dwa monte avyon avèk yon boutèy dlo nan valiz li sèjousi?

2. Ou pa gen dwa kondi machin san lisans. Si'w fè sa lapolis va arete'w.

3. Lalwa Etazini di yon komèsan nan yon magazen pa gen dwa vann alkòl bay yon moun ki poko gen 21 ane.

4. Anvan ane 1900, fanm pa't gen dwa pou yo vote.

5. Ou gen dwa vin lakay mwen nenpòt lè ou vle. M'ap toujou akeyi'w.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

You seem to use the Creole "refè" to mean 'healing'. Could that also be used to translate 'redo', as in "please, redo the work."?

Yes.
refè (intransitive verb) → to recover, to recuperate, to be improved health-wise
example:
1. M'ap rete avè'w jouk lè ou refè.

2. Depi manman'l te mouri a, li te tonbe malad. Malerezman li pa't janm refè.

3. Si ou vle refè, ou dwe pran tout remèd yo jan doktè a te preskri yo.

refè (transitive verb) → to redo, to do over
example:
4. Bòs la te bay yon travay ki te sitèlman gwosomodo, nou te oblije peye yon lòt moun pou refè li.

5. Si ou pa refè tout devwa ou yo, ou p'ap pase klas la.

6. Poukisa ou te refè twati kay la? Eske li te koule?

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

are being verbs like am is and are just skipped in Creole?

Are you talking about progressive forms?
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

"In writing"? as in 'Can you give me your word in writing?'

In writing → alekri, sou paye

Can you give me your word in writing?
Eske ou ka ban'm pawòl ou alekri?
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Tout sa ki fet, si se pa pou yon byen se pou yon mal.

Yeah... Sounds better :)
It sounds like a MAKE YOU or BREAK YOU kind of thing.

Tout sa ki fèt, si se pa pou yon byen se pou yon mal
Everything that happens, if it's not for the good it's for the bad (LITERALLY)
Whatever happens, if it doesn't make you, it'll break you.
Everything that happens to you will either strengthen you or weaken you

Any other ideas for an English translation?

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

tout sa ki fet se pa pou yon byen se pou yon mal. How can i said it in english,please?

Did you, perhaps, mean to say this the other way around?

This is what you have here:
Tout sa ki fèt, se pa pou yon byen se pou yon mal.
Everything that happens, it's not for a good it's for a bad (LITERALLY)
This seems to say that:
Things don't happen for a good reason.

But if you're trying to say that we learn better from our misfortunes, then we would probably have to rephrase the Creole sentence.
Dakò.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Bonjou Mandlay, Map eseye di nan kreyol: "They look the other way and they sweep it under the carpet." Eske gen yon ekspresyon kreyol pou sa: "to sweep under the carpet?"

Wi Wi.
to sweep it under the carpet (as in trying to hide or ignore something?)→ kase fèy kouvri sa.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

what does tout moun sou do mean

Is it "Tout moun so do'm." or "Tout moun so do."?
There's a difference:

Tout moun sou do'm.
Everyone's on my back.
Everyone's gossiping about me.

Tout moun sou do.
Everybody's on their back.

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

Let me clarify this with you Mandy, 'koko makak' is not an offensive word?

Yon kokomakak se yon gwo baton (a club, a heavy stick). Lapolis yo, sitou, konn pote baton sa yo.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Does "mache rive" form another noun or expression when used together?

Wi.
It denotes the action of walking towards a goal.
Mache rive → to arrive on foot, to get to a location by walking, to walk, to walk to arrive

Mwen te mache rive la.
I walked to get there.

Nou pa't gen machin, se poutèt sa nou te oblije mache rive legliz la.
We didn't have a car, that's why we had to walk to get to the church.

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

M' renmen Kreyol Ayisyen. M’ te fè Kreyol pastan mwen è te sispann tout lòt yo ki mwen te gen. Mèsi pou ap fè blog sa. Se trè avantaje!

Mèsi anpil :)
Mwen kontan tande sa.
Sa fè'm plezi pou tande Kreyòl la se pastan ou.
M'espere ou anmize ou anpil lè w'ap aprann lang sa.
E m'espere ou va jwenn kèk bon zanmi Ayisyen pou pratike pale tou.

M'ankouraje ou pou kontinye konsa.
Chapo ba!

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

When I hurt the ones I love I wish for a shower of grace and forgiveness to wash away the pain making beauty from our brokenness.

Lè mwen ofanse moun ke'm renmen, mwen swete yon beny lagras ak padon ta lave lapenn nan pou ekspoze bote ki fòme nan enpèfeksyon nou.
onswa
Lè mwen ofanse moun mwen renmen, mwen swete yon beny favè ak padon ta lave lapenn nan, sa vin pwodui yon bote ki fòme nan enpèfeksyon nou.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Hi there -- Can you tell me what "jiskounye" means, please? Mesi!

Jiskounye, also joukounye a, jiskensi, joukensi → to date, thus far, so far, up until now
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Kisa "tilititi' ye? Did I spell it right?

Tulututu se fè nen pwenti, fè granpanpan, fè gwo zouzoun, se pale Franse pou fè moun wè etc... Nan lang Angle a, yo rele sa pomposity, grandiosity
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Mandalie, eske ou konnen konbyen lajan Ayisyen an ye parapò ak lajan Ameriken an?

Non, mwen pa fin sèten konbyen li ye jodi a, men ou kapab tcheke sit travelinghaiti.com nan. Yo genyen yon kalkilatris ki kapab di'w konbyen li ye. Ou kapab relye ak sit la nan lyen sa: Travelinghaiti

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

"Ni rigwaz ni rele ni movesan, sa pa briding gwo bonnanj mwen ki pran lyann al jouke langinen." Zig Lavi,36. Translation thoughts? (particularly "jouke langinen")

rigwaz - whip
movesan (or move san, literally bad blood) → upset, vexation, bitterness
briding → intimidate, flinch
bonnanj → ghost, spirit, soul
lyann → tree vine
pran lyann (literally take a vine), picture a tarzan-like individual taking a swing on a vine
jouke → roost, perch
langinen (also written in Creole as nan Ginen, nan Gine) means in Guinea, Africa. Guinea is believed to be the origin or motherland of all Haitians. Haitians also use the word Ginen to mean beginning, origin, genesis. In the times of slavery, many slaves believed that after their death their soul returned Nan Ginen.

Ni rigwaz ni rele ni movesan
Neither whip, neither cry, neither bad blood (LITERALLY)

sa pa briding gwo bonnanj mwen
that not intimidate big (main) spirit my (LITERALLY)

ki pran lyann al jouke langinen
who take vine to go perch in Guinea (LITERALLY)

Ni rigwaz ni rele, ni movesan, sa pa briding gwo bonnanj mwen ki pran lyann al jouke langinen.
Neither the whip, nor tears, nor bitterness does not move my soul who's ran away to rest in Guinea.
the translation might be slightly different based on the context.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

I'm trying to say 'You're not cut out for this'. I have 'Ou pa koupe deyò pou sa'. Does that sound right?

This literal translation that you have will not work for that sentence.
Try instead: Ou pa't fèt pou sa.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

"kote'w ye" and "Kote ou ye?" are the same.

Kote'w ye is a contracted variant of Kote ou ye? which means where are you?
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Are there any rules about the use of w in place of ou?

You: "Ou" or "W"
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Jan ou gen bon ke sa a! (kisa fraz sa vle di nan angle? Mwen pa fin konprann "bon ke sa a") Mesi!!

Premyèman, bon kè vle di good hearted, compassionate

Li gen bon kè.
He has good heart (literally)
He's compassionate.

Dezyèman, Haitian Creole expressions that start with "Jan ..." or "Pou jan ..." indicates the modifiers SO, SO MUCH, FOR SUCH A ...

Example:
1. Jan ou gen bon kè sa, poukisa li ta fè'w sa?
The way you have this good heart, why he would fo you that (LITERALLY)
For such a compassionate person like yourself, why would he do that to you?
You are so compassionate, why would he do that to you?

2. Jan' m te anvi wè'w sa enpi ou pa vin vizite'm.
The way I wished to see you, and you not come visit me (LITERALLY)
I wanted to see you so much and you didn't come to visit me.

3. Pou jan'l te bon timoun sa, mwen pa't janm panse li ta fè sa.
For the way he was this good kid, I didn't never think he would do that (LITERALLY)
He was such a good kid, I never thought that he would do this.

3. Jan nou t'ap konte sou prim sa, enpi nou pa't resevwa'l. Sa dekourajan!
The way we counted on this bonus, and we didn't receive it. ....(LITERALLY)
We were counting on that bonus so much, and we didn't receive it. That's discouraging!

4. Jan'w se yon moun ki gen lòd sa, kijan fè ou pa't prevwa sa?
The way you are this person that has order, how happen you didn't foresee this (LITERALLY)
For such a organized person like yourself, how could you have not foreseen this?

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

I sin. I repent. I repeat. I'm getting dizzy. (how can I say this in Creole?)

☺life cycle ?

I sin. I repent. I repeat. I'm getting dizzy.
Mwen peche. Mwen repanti. Mwen repete. Sa ban'm tèt vire.
or
M peche. M repanti. M repete. Sa fè'm toudi.

to get dizzy → gen tèt vire, gen vètij, or toudi.

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

koman yo rele "savon" yo itilize pou pase rad oubyen lave asyet yo?

Ou vle di pou lave rad? Savon lesiv, savon lave; powder detergent would be savon an poud or fab
For dish soap it's savon vesèl or likid vesèl
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

What is "Se pa rans non."? Thanks

Se pa rans non.
This is no joke.
It's not a game.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Beze ak lanmou pou ou tou

Beze ak lanmou pou ou tou.
Kisses and love to you too.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

what we had has been broken beyond repair. .. or I didn't think what we had could break beyond repair but I see I was wrong (nan kreyol tanpri)

I didn't think what we had could be broken beyond repair, but I see I was wrong.

Mwen pa't panse sa nou te genyen an te kapab kraze nan dènye eta, men mwen wè mwen te tronpe'm.

Our lien/friendship had be broken without hope of reparation.

Lyen nou / zanmitye nou brize san espwa reparasyon.

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

kiles mwen dwe di pou di "what I did"...sa m te fe oswa sa m fet. Example: I want to tell you what I did. Mwen vle di w sa m te fe ou sam te fet???

Itilize premye a: Sa'm te fè
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

kòm, kon, tankou, menm jan → Just as, as, like, since?

Download link for this audio:

Click here to download…

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

Bonjou zanmi mwen yo. Kouman nou ye?

Kòm → like, as (prepositions)

Kòm → as (conjunction)

Kòm si → as if

Kòm comes from the French:

Kòm ( from French comme)
kòm si (from French comme si)
kon (from French comme)
konsa (from French comme ça)

Kòm / antanke → in the role of, as, like

1. Kòm bon zanmi ou, mwen ta konseye’w pou rele’l.
Antanke bon zanmi'w, mwen ta konseye'w pou rele'l.

As your good friend, I would advise you to call her.

2. Kòm yon papa, kijan ou ta regle sa?
Antanke yon papa, kijan ou ta regle sa?

As a father, how would you handle this?

3. Mwen renmen'w kòm zanmi, pa kòm yon menaj.
Mwen renmen'w antanke zanmi, pa kòm yon menaj.

I like you as a friend, not as a boyfriend.

Kòm (kon, kou, tankou, menm jan) → comparison

4. Doulè a te si tèlman sevè, li te kriye kon yon ti bebe.

Doulè a te si tèlman sevè, li te kriye tankou yon ti bebe.

Doulè a te si tèlman sevè, li te kriye menm jan ak yon ti bebe.

The pain was so severe, he cried like a little baby.

5. Se te yon nuit trè klè. Lalin nan te klere kon solèy midi.

Se te yon nuit trè klè. Lalin nan te klere kou solèy midi.

Se te yon nuit trè klè. Lalin nan te klere menm jan ak solèy midi.

It was a very clear night. The moon shone like the noon sun.

6. Mwen renmen vwa’w. Ou chante kòm yon zanj.

Mwen renmen vwa’w. Ou chante tankou yon zanj.

Mwen renmen vwa’w. Ou chante menm jan ak yon zanj.

I like your voice. You sing like an angel.

Kòm → (seeing that) since

7. Kòm se konsa ou vle fè li, mwen swete’w bòn chans.

Since that's the way you want to do it, I wish you luck.

8. Kòm nou pa’t gen machin, nou te oblije mache.

Since we didn't have a car, we had to walk.

Kòm si (kòmsi as one word, konmsi, tankou si) → as if

9. Lè’m te wè li nan landmen, nou te pale kòm si anyen pa’t pase.

When I saw her the next day, we spoke as if nothing happened.

10. Li te anbrase'm kòm si’l te konnen li pa t’ap janm wè’m ankò.

She hugged me as if she knew she would never see me again.

And.... zanmi'm yo, se te tout pou jodi a, mèsi anpil anpil. Orevwa e pase yon bon jounen.

Mizik Poukisa w'pa pale manman? pa Manno Charlemagne

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

Madame, mwen sonje ou te pale de bel Haitian kont. Ki moun ki rakonte ou tout Haitian kont yo ou te tande? Manman ou onswa papa ou?

Pifò nan kont ak devinèt mwen konnen, se te yon bòn ki t'ap okipe mwen menm ak sè'm yo, ki te rakonte'm yo. Li te plis pase yon bòn. Li te soti nan zòn Nò. Li te genyen yon bèl aksan kapwa.

Madanm sa a pa't manje anyen frèt. Li te kapab manje nenpòt gwo bout piman pike san pwoblèm. Li te gen vyann sou li. Lè l'ap mache, tè a te tranble. Kote'l pase, gason pa kanpe :) Se te gwo koze!

Lè l'ap tire kont, li te konn chante byen bèl. M poko janm rankontre yon moun ki kab tire kont kon li. Mwen p'ap janm bliye'l.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

ki jan'w ta tradwi tek tek nan kreyol e anglais

tek tek, pou mwen, se bri dlo k'ap degoute.
Se sèl nan sikonstans sa a, mwen konn tande Ayisyen itilize mo tèk tèk la.
Mo tek tek la fè'm sonje lè dlo lapli ap degoute soti nan twati kay tòl mwen ki koule, pou tonbe nan bokit aliminyòm ke mwen mete la pou evite inondasyon anndan kay la.

Nan ki kontèks ou te tande mo sa a?
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Hey Mandaly, do you know the lyrics to this song? Is it in Chant D'Esperans? "... Li soutni mwen. Ak men byen dous Li leve mwen. Sot nan vwazen vin nan limye, gras a Bondye Li leve mwen" mwen pa konnen si se konsa li ye, men se sa m sonje

Yes, it's #75 on the Creole side of the Chants D'Ésperance.
It's one of my favorite song :)

Nan bonte Li Jezi vini
Pou rachte nanm mwen pa lagras
Nan bafon peche ak lawont
Konpasyon'L leve mwen

Kè
Nan tè danje, Li soutni mwen
Ak men'l byen dous, Li leve mwen
Sot nan nwasè, vin nan limyè
M'ap adore'l, Li leve mwen

Depi lontan Li rele mwen
Anvan kè mwen te repanti
Men lè'm kenbe nan pawòl Li
Ak padon, L'leve mwen

Anpil pikan te pèse fwon'L
De klou terib te pèse men'L
Men lè mwen bandone peche'm
Amou Li leve mwen

Kounye a men L'anlè byen wo
Nanm mwen ape jwi yon repo
Kijan? Pouki? mwen pa konnen
Kouman Li leve mwen
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

translation for rigwaz and cec like that t-vice video CEC la qualite

'rigwaz' is Haitian Creole for 'a whip'

As for CEC, it's not a word. It's probably a T-Vice inside joke or punchline.

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

how would you say something like "I will not talk back to you again." As in talking without respect to their parents. Is there a way Haitian children say this?

to talk back → bay replik, fè repons

I will not talk back to you again.
Mwen p'ap fè'w replik ankò.
Mwen p'ap ba'w repons ankò.

or
I won't disrespect you again.
Mwen p'ap derespekte'w ankò.

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

good translation for 'cagou'

It's kagou.
kagou → sick, weak, feeble, feeling down
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Mandaly, Can you tell me please if the "Creole Made Easy Pronunciation Guide" by Wally Turnbull's 2 audio CDs are in MP3 format? Do you know how I might contact Mr. Turnbull? Thank you very much.

You know what, my friend Carlo at www.HaitiHub.com is the go-to guy when it comes to the 'audio' series of the Wally Turnbull Creole learning books. HaitiHub also has an audio lab created in conjunction and for use with the Wally Turnbull Creole books. Send him an e-mail and he'll direct you in the right direction.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Have you heard of a song that goes like this, "pa kite satan twouble ke'w vinn benyen nan sang jezi"

Yes, it's a very old song

Vin benyen nan san
vin benyen nan san Jezi
Vin benyen nan san
Vin benyen nan san Jezi
Pa kite Satan twouble kè'w
Vin benyen nan san Jezi

other verses go like this:

Vin lave'w nan san
Vin lave'w nan san Jezi....

Vin kache'w nan san
Vin kache'w nan san Jezi...

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

Mandaly.. this is my question. When do I say 'chimen' and when do I say 'chemen'? When do I say 'abiye' and when do I say 'biye' Is there a rule? Why are there so many ways to say just one single word?

It's a variation. In some regions of Haiti, people are used to saying 'chimen' and in other regions people say 'chemen'. Or, people from the Haitian Capital usually say 'abiye' and some people from the countryside say 'biye'.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

In a recent post you wrote: "Yon klas Kreyòl enpòtan pou kapab aprann gramè Kreyòl la kòrèkteman." In this sentence, how is "kapab" functioning? It seems to be a noun like "ability/capacity."

pou kapab → in order to
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

gad'on salopri means....

Gad'on salopri.
Gade yon salopri
What a crock of crap
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

hey i'm trying to teach someone to speak kreyol but i was wondering how you think i should do so. i'm sending them weekly lessons and i already gave them a lesson in introducing yourself, askinghowsomething is and articles what's next?

Ankouraje moun nan pou'l pran yon klas Kreyòl nan kominote li, si li kapab jwenn youn. Enpi kontinye pratike konvèsasyon Kreyòl avèk li.
Yon klas Kreyòl enpòtan pou kapab aprann gramè Kreyòl la kòrèkteman.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

can you say m ta swete ke nou ka DEVENI bon zanmi

Men wi. Ou kapab di sa.
Depi ou konprann mwen e mwen konprann ou, Kreyòl la pase :)

Ou kapab di tou:
Mwen ta swete nou ka vin bon zanmi.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Would it be weird to say in kreyol "bon apre midi"?

Non.
That's how we say 'Good afternoon' or 'Have a good afternoon'
☺ Bon apremidi!

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

hey i can't think of a way to translate these two. i understand them but can't exactly translate them for people. w'ap kite sot w, and w'ap konn joj.

W'ap kite sòt w...
you will leave your stupidity ... (literally)
You'll stop the foolishness.

W'ap konn Jòj. (same as W'ap gentan konnen)
Soon you'll know. (said as a warning or intimidation)
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

how do you translate ....rive'm. for example, m t'ap pale de le manman'm mouri e yon sel latranblad rive'm.

...rive'm - happen to me, came over me

...yon sèl latranblad rive'm.
...one bout of trembling happen to me (literally)
... I started shaking.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Mwen renmen Ayiti cherie nou pa bliye

Non, nou pa ka bliye.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

sou fimen woch is one being asked do u smoke crack?

Mwen pako janm tande koze 'fimen wòch la'....
Men sa mwen konn tande:
Eske ou fimen dwòg?
oubyen
Eske ou fimen mariwana?

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

may god bless your country as this storm approach and hoping and praying for the safety of all.

May God bless your country as this storm approach and hoping and praying for the safety of all.

Se pou Bondye beni peyi nou pandan tanpèt la apwoche a, e mwen espere ak priye pou sekirite tout moun.

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

do ya know what this means? yo ap kite miscad yo nan kanel yo. one more i know what this means but i wanna see what you see. w 'ap gen tan konnen.

Yo ap kite miskad yo nan kannèl yo.
They're leaving the nutmegs in the cinnamon.

W'ap gentan konnen.
Soon you'll know (most often said as a warning)

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

very sweet in creole

trè dous or dous anpil
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

what does moin mean

It is now 'mwen' in Haitian Creole.
It could translate I, ME, or MY

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

Mandaly, what exactly would be the meaning of bonèt chavire?

That depends... It could mean:
having a 'screw loose'
to loose all common sense
or
to be extremely angry
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

kisa mo detounen vle di?

Detounen (from French detourner - divert, reroute), in Haitian Creole means to disrupt, disconcert, to redirect.
Creole speakers might say:
Li te yon bon timoun, men depi li te koumanse fè zanmi ak moun sa yo, li te detounen.
He was a good kid, but once he began hanging around these people, he was disrupted. (meaning his life was disrupted.)
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

What is the name for the massage oil?

Do you mean like a Haitian remedy?
It's called frikson or pomad.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

How would you say "so" in the context of, say: "I want to read a book, so I should go to the library"? Are there multiple ways?

I think that's when we might use donk (so, therefore) or konsa (so), and sometimes pa konsekan (so therefore)
I want to read a book, so I should go to the library.
Mwen vle li yon liv, donk mwen ta dwe ale nan bibliyotèk la.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

ahhh...mwen pa fin konprann. ede'm tanpri!! Sa li vle di isit: Trezor sa se trezor paw. Men nimpot lot moun Ka we Li ,servi ak Li men ,se pa pou yo Li ye

"Tout moun se moun"? Is this "All people are people"?

WI. Tout moun se moun. Pa gen moun pase moun.

Tout moun se moun.
Everybody is human.

Pa gen moun pase moun.
One person is not more important that the other
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Mandaly, does Creole "pi fo" means 'louder, stronger or most'?

It translates all three :)

Pale pi fò.
Speak louder.

Kòd sa a pi fò.
This rope is stronger.

Pifò elèv yo t'ale nan jounen an.
Most of the students went on the field trip.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

is there a word like "soupliye" or something like that stating the action of pleading or begging

Yes. It's sipliye - to supplicate, to plead, to beg
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

M genyen yon kesyon sou mo "anvi" a. Fraz sa yo sòti yon liv ki rele "Zig Lavi": pg 11 "Yo ban m anvi respekte lavi." pg 18 "Yon baye anvi wè." M konprann fraz sa yo kom: "They gave me a feeling of respect for live." "A yawn that was worth seeing."

anvi, as a verb, can be translated in English as to desire, to wish for, to crave, to want, to yearn for
anvi, as a noun, can be translated in English as a longing, an urge, a yearning, a desire

Ou byen tradui premye fraz la.
"Yo ban'm anvi respekte lavi."
"They gave me a feeling of respect for life."
They make want to respect life. (literally)

In the second sentence, anvi wè means yearning to see, longing to see.
But anvi wè is used as an adjective here:

yon baye anvi wè.
a yawning of longing to see (literally)
a languishing yawn
an anxious yawn
or
a wishful yawn
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

is this harmful inside the ear?

Is it harmful inside the ear?
Eske sa fè'w mal anndan zòrèy ou?

Are you hurting inside your ears?
Eske anndan zòrèy ou ap fè'w mal?
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

"pa gen mwayen" and "nanpwen mwayen" se menm bagay?

Wi Wi. Se menm.

Pa gen mwayen.
Nanpwen mwayen.
There are no means.

Pa gen mwayen pou m fè sa.
There are no means by which I can do this.

Mwen pa gen mwayen.
I don't have the means.

Mwen pa gen mwayen pou m nouri tèt mwen.
I don't have the means to feed myself.

Also,
Pa gen fason ... → There's no way ...
Pa gen opòtinite ... → there's no opportunity

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

Bonjou, li ok pou mwen di sa a? "Souple, pliye genou maksimòm. Rete konsa kinz segonn. Repete li dis fwa sou chak janm." Mèsi!

Dakò :)
Souple, pliye jenou'w o maksimòm. Rete konsa pou kenz segonn. Repete sa dis fwa pou chak janm.

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

"I will be back in.." or "I will return in..."

I will be back in ...
M'ap retounen nan ...

I'll be back in fifteen minutes.
M'ap retounen nan kenz minit.

I'll be back in thirty minutes
M'ap retounen nan trant minit.

I will return in one hour.
M'ap retounen nan inèdtan.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Your big sister

Your big sister → gran sè ou, or gran sè'w (contracted)
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Do you know of any Kreyol translation of Martin Luther King's "I have a dream" speech? I am in Haiti and there are some students listening to it to help with English comprehension. We were particularly stuck translating the word "creed" in that context.

Creed, in that context, may be translated as kwayans, doktrin

Here's a link to "I have a dream" speech in Creole:
http://lou9587.wordpress.com/2008/01/21/i-have-a-dream-speech-mwen-gen-yon-rev-in-haitian-creole/

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

Si'm vle di "I'm cleaning your table. Now it's clean." Eske m'ka di "M'ap netwaye tab ou. Kounyea li pwop." Eske sa se, Mandaly? Mesi anpil!

Wi se sa :) Li kòrèk.
Ou kapab ajoute yon atik dèyè mo "tab ou" a: M'ap netwaye tab ou a.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

To say she woke up early/late? Li te leve bone/anreta? Eske se konsa mwen ka di sa?

Wi. Li leve bonè (She woke up early) / Li leve ta.(She woke up late)
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Felisitasyon èske w konnen itilize yon tradiktè sou entènèt, Li ap rasire paske ou bezwen li.

Google translate se yon bon tradiktè Kreyòl Ayisyen. Men, fòk ou konn Kreyòl la byen pou'w kapab jwi avantaj li.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Mandalay, can you tell what it means to say 'mwen fè kwa'. A Haitian parent asked her daughter to say this after the child was punished. Now i know it means 'I make cross', but is there a deeper meaning to it?

Yes, it does literally say to make or draw a cross.

Some Haitian parents, after they're done disciplining a child, will ask them to say, Mwen fè kwa mwen p'ap janm fè sa ankò. So here, fè kwa would mean to swear, to vow, to promise

The parent would say,
Fè kwa. or
Fè kwa ou p'ap janm fè sa ankò.
Swear you'll never do that again.

And the child would say,
Mwen fè kwa m'p'ap janm fè sa ankò.
I swear I'll never to that again

Other parents would just ask the child to say,
padon! or
M mande'w padon !
I'm sorry!

Grown ups also use this expression when they vow never to do something.
Examples:
Mwen fè kwa m'pap janm mete pye lakay Betty.
I swear I'll never set foot in Betty's house.

Depi lè papa'l te mouri ak kansè poumon an, li te fè kwa li p'ap janm fimen ankò.
Since the time his dad died of lung cancer, he swore never to smoke again.

Depi lè li te fè aksidan machin nan, li te fè kwa pou li pa't janm monte machin ankò.
Since the time he got into a car accident, he swore never to get into another car.
Sometimes we use prep. 'pou' after this expression.

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

what does pa fwa mean?

It is written as one word 'pafwa' (from French parfois), it means sometimes.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

For the term,"healthy body",is it "sante kò", oswa, "kò sante"?

healthy body
kò an sante

an sante (from the French en santé) which means in health, in good health
an bòn sante (from the French en bonne santé) which means in good health

I am in good health.
Mwen an bòn sante.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

snack stand?

What type of snacks?

snack stand
bak machandiz

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

Sans inquiétude sous son manteau de grâce lyrics

Disciple 23May 23, 2012 2:51 PM

I know this is random but do u have the lyrics to this song......it goes something like this.. Hosanna hosanna satan ou pedi batay ooh ohhhh

ReplyDelete

Replies

MandalyMay 24, 2012 12:17 PM

No, your question is not random at all :)

This song is mostly sang in French, with some ad lib in Creole. Here's the lyrics. You will also find many you tube posts of this song if you search it under this long title "Sans inquiétude sous son manteau de grâce"

French VersionSans Inquiétude
Sans inquiétude sous son manteau de grâce
Au ciel je m’en vais lahaut prendre ma place, hm hm
Inonde de l’amour de mon sauveur
Les vagues de fraîcheur
Déferlent dans mon coeur hmm hmm

Refrain
Plus fier que l’aigle et le condor
Je m’envole vers les cieux
La toute puissance des bras de Dieu
M’environne et me rend fort
Je suis plus que vainqueur, hm hm

Dans cette vallée de l’ombre de la mort
Je marche sans trembler car il est avec moi
Mon père a deja visé mon passport
La-haut bras ouvert
Et il n’attend que moi hmm hmm

Refrain
Les anges du ciel ne peuvent comprendre
Cette grâce infinie qui porte mon âme a crier:
Hosanna Hosanna! je suis plus que vainqueur

Creole version:
Lè m’ap mache anba lonbray lanmò,
M’ pa pè, kè’m pa janm sote
Senyè a avèk mwen, hmmm hmmmm
Papa m deja tcheke paspò lavi hmm hmm
Nan syèl la, se mwen menm l’ap tann

Zanj nan syèl la pa ka konprann
Ki gran gras enfini, ki fè nanm mwen ape kriye
Ozana! Ozana! Satan w pèdi batay hmm hmm

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

Saying 24/7 in Creole

vennkat sou vennkat - around the clock, 24/7

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

may god bless her soul

May God bless her soul.
Se pou Bondye beni nanm ni.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

I love how you're talking about the French derivations of words! Thanks as usual!

Dakò. Mèsi :)
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

I see that you use "se" or "sa se" to say this is/that is...what would "se sa" mean? or is that even proper creole?

Sentence: Se sa!
Literally: It's that!
Meaning: That's it!, There it is!, Yes!, It's correct!, etc...

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

can you explain why "ki te mele'm" means I don't care? Mesi :)

It comes from the French expression De quoi je me mêle? which says I should mind my own business.

Haitian Creole's mele (from French mêler) means to mix, to mingle, to meddle, to get involved
So if I wanted to translate that literally, I would say:

Ki te mele'm?

Ki | te | mele | 'm | ?
What | past tense | involve | me | question mark
What should I involve myself ?( literally)
or more exactly
Why should I meddle?

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

Tou moun poze ... ?

Tout moun poze.
Everyone has calmed down.
or
Everyone is resting.

Poze is Haitian creole for resting, taking a break, settling down, or set down

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

how best to say "fierce" in Creole?

fierce → achane, michan, fewòs
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Usually, what time do families in Haiti sit down to have dinner? or Is it supper? And, what about snack time? Thanks!

Dine (dinner), in Haiti, is anytime between noon and three in the after noon.
It's the biggest meal of the day.
Soupe (supper) is a night time snack, right before bedtime. A lot of people usually have labouyi (porridge) for supper. Also, some people may buy fritay (fried foods) from the many street vendors that you'll find in the street corners cooking usually, under, the light poles.
And... People who have the means, do snack. And those that are less fortunate must wait for dine or soupe time.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Bonjou Mandalay! "yo" se yon artik posesif ki vle di "their" "yo" se yon artik definitif plyriel. là sa a, mwen ka di "kay yo" pou di "the houses" ak "their house". kòman pou mwen di "their houses" ? Kay yo yo?? mèsi anpil.

Bonjou :)

Ou kapab senpleman di "kay yo" si ou vle di "their houses".
Egzanp:
All their houses were destroyed.
Tout kay yo te kraze.

The burglar took all their books.
Vòlè a te pran tout liv yo.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

They are my family, they are my treasure, they are my heart...thank you God. Eske mwen ka di "Yo se fanmi'm, yo se trezo'm, yo se ke'm...mesi Bondye

Wi Wi! Ou kapab di sa :)
Ou di li trè byen.
Pa bliye mete yon aksan sou "o" nan "trezò", avèk sou "e" nan "kè'm".

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

Bonjou! Learn to Speak Haitian Creole

I didn't think what we had could be broken beyond repair, but I see I was wrong.

May God bless your country as this storm approach and hoping and praying for the safety of all.

Se pou Bondye beni peyi nou pandan tanpèt la apwoche a, e mwen espere ak priye pou sekirite tout moun.