Haitian Creole

I am looking for examples of idioms in Creole. Phrases that when translated literally would not be understood very well. For example in English one can say, "I have a bone to pick" which has nothing to do with picking bones, but about confronting someon

I can think of a few. Here they are:

1.
gate san (used as a transitive verb)
literally: spoil blood
meaning: upset
Ou ap gate san'm.
You're upsetting me.

2.
Sou de chèz (used as adverb)
Literally: on two chairs
meaning: thoroughly, in depth, in great details, quickly
M'ap ba ou li sou de chèz.
I'll give it to you in great details.

3.
Chape poul (used as verb)
Literally: to escape one's chicken
meaning: to escape, to run away, to flee
Li te chape poul li.
He ran away.

4.
al bwa chat ( used as inrtansitive verb)
Literally: go wood cat
Meaning: to die.
L'al bwa chat. or (l'al bwachat)
He died.

5.
Ale nan peyi san chapo (used as intransitive verb)
Literally: go in country without hat
meaning: to die.
Li ale nan peyi san chapo.
He died.

6.
achte figi (used as transitive verb)
Literally: to buy one's face
meaning: to flatter someone
Mwen p'ap achte figi'w.
I will not flatter you.

7.
met dlo nan diven (used as verb)
Literally: put water in wine
Meaning: calm down, simmer down, relax
Si'w pa met dlo nan diven'w, wa di bagay ou pa dwe di.
If you don't calm down, you'll say things you're not supposed to say.

8.
pran nan twa wa (used as intransitive verb)
literally: take in three kings
meaning: to be in trouble, to be stuck, to be in a jam
Mwen pran nan twa wa.
I'm in a jam.

9.
pran fil (used as intransitive verb)
literally: take thread
meaning: to succeed, to become popular, to flourish
Biznis li a pran fil.
Her business is flourishing.

10.
rache zèb anba pye (used as transitive verb)
literally: cut grass under someone's feet
meaning: prevent someone from succeeding
Fè atansyon ak Fito, se zèb l'ap koupe anba pye'w.
Be careful of Fito, he's trying to make you fail.

11.
tet nèg (used as adjective)
literally: head of man
meaning: expensive
Mont sa koute tèt nèg.
This watch is expensive.

12.
Bat laponyèt (used as intransitive verb)
literally: beat arm (wrist)
meaning: masturbate
Gason kanson pa bat laponyèt.
Real man don't masturbate. (this is just a sentence example)

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

Se pa fot mwen...?

Se pa fòt mwen.
It's not my fault.

1 comment:

AnonymousSeptember 15, 2012 1:38 PM

How would you say "whose fault is it?". Is it "~~ki fault se ye~~?"

Whose fault is it?

Fòt kilès li ye?

or

Fòt ki moun li ye?

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koman ou kapab interest mwen nan kontinye pou aprann creole? Eske ou kapab ede mwen to continue aprann?

Li sanble w'ap mande'm pou nouri anbisyon ou pou aprann lang Kreyòl la....eske se sa?
Si se sa, Adye Bondye o!, chay sa ta twò lou pou'm pote. Mwen pa gen tout pouvwa sa.
Kèlkeswa rezon ki te fè'w koumanse a, se li ki pou fè'w kontinye.
Anplis, ou p'ap janm kapab aprann pale yon lang etranje pou kont ou. Si ou pa gen zanmi ki pou ede'w pratike lang nan, yon klas ki gen elèv menm jan avè'w ki pou ankouraje'w, ak yon pwofesè ki pou gide'w, ou va tonbe dekouraje lè materyèl w'ap aprann yo koumanse vin difisil. Mwen swete'w anpil ankourajman zanmi. Kenbe la, pa lage.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Dante said in his monumental work "Non ti curar di lor ma guarda e passa" which vle di in english "Let us not speak of them, but look, and pass." or "Don't care about them, just look and go on." how to say it in kreyol

"Let us not speak of them, but look and pass"
"An nou pa pale osijè yo, men gade e pase."

"Don't care about them, just look and go on."

"Pa okipe yo, sèlman gade e kontinye."

Marco Pellitteri has left a new comment on your post "Dante said in his monumental work "Non ti curar di...":

The correct verse is “Non ragioniam di lor, ma guarda e passa”, that is, “let us not reflect about them, but watch and move on”. Inferno, Canto III.
I suppose you have now the chance to update and correct this post... :-)
Marco from Italy

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

What is the Haitian term for a baby sitter?

babysitter, nanny → gadò timoun
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Is that so?

Se konsa?
Se sa l ye?
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Ke'm

Ti cheri a,
KE'M, san kontèks, ka vle di anpil bagay.
Si ou te ban mwen fraz kote li soti a, petèt mwen ta genyen yon lide sou sa li vle di egzateman. Mèsi wi!
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

the distinguishing character, sentiment, moral nature, or guiding beliefs of a person, group, or institution; also: ethic

Hi. I'm trying to figure out if this an answer to a previously asked question..... Or is this a question?
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

How do you say crow in Creole?

crow, the bird? → kaw, kònèy
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

what is NEN NAN FIGI as an expression?

nen nan figi? ...
It could mean decency, modesty, or self-respect in Creole.

Li pa gen nen nan figi'l.
He has no self-respect.

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

Children say a word that sounds like "teetee". What is the meaning?

I am not too sure about that one.
I asked around, but got 'unsure' answers.
Does anyone else have any idea?
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

How do you say "train" as in " I train the dog (or horse)"? How about "The mouse was trained to avoid cheese" I am not looking for the word for "teach".

to train → antrene, displinen, fòme, prepare, anseye, edike, fè mache ès-ès

Since 'antrene' is best used as an intransitive verb, your best choice here would be 'disiplinen'
I trained the dog to use the litterbox..
Mwen disiplinen chen an pou'l itilize bwat lityè a.

The mouse was trained to avoid cheese.
Yo te disiplinen sourit la pou'l refize fwomaj.

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

I was told that if a Haitian person runs his finger across hi neck, it means he is hungry. In this country ( the US) it means something much more threatening. What is your take on this?

A hungry Haitian is more likely to hold on to his belly or stretch his hand out as a sign of begging than run his finger across his neck.
If a Haitian, or anyone else, gestured me by running his finger across his neck I would ask my little legs to take me away from that individual as fast as possible: Pye, sa'm te manje m pa't ba ou!
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

What time do you work today? / At what time do you work today? / When do you work today?

At what time do you work today?
A kilè'w pral travay jodi a?

When will you go to work?
Kilè'w pral travay?
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"This place is crazy" (busy, crowded, noisy, etc.)

This place is crowded (busy).
Kote sa a plen moun.
Kote sa a chaje ak moun.

This restaurant's always crowded.
Restoran sa a toujou chaje ak moun.
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"It's OK" or "Everything will be fine" to provide reassurance to a shy or scared individual.

Everything will be fine.
Tout bagay va byen.
Tout bagay va pase byen.

Don't worry, everything will be ok.
Pa enkyete'w, tout bagay va ale byen.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

...about the LETTER....

e-mail me. Thanks.
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how do you say I'm not going anywhere?

I'm not going anywhere.
Mwen pa pral okenn kote.
Mwen p'ap fè yon pa.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

how do you say car windshield in creole

The car windshield → vit devan machin nan
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

How do you say "it is cheaper" ?

cheap → bon mache
cheaper → pi bon mache
it is cheaper → li pi bon mache

It is cheaper in the other store.
Li pi bon mache nan lòt magazen an.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

I'm not sure what this verb form is called... but I'm looking for the grammar of things like: ...are being broken.. ...are being taught... ...are being eaten... etc.

What you have it here is the PASSIVE VOICE in the (present) PROGRESSIVE FORM.
You won't find this in Haitian Creole. You will find the ACTIVE VOICE in Creole:

I am being eaten alive.
Y'ap manje mwen tou vivan.

I am being watched.
Y'ap siveye mwen.
or
Gen yon moun k'ap siveye mwen.

I am being replaced in my job.
Yo ap ranplase mwen nan travay mwen an.
Y'ap ranplase'm nan travay mwen an.

I'm being abused by my wife.
Madanm mwen ap abize'm.

See other posts about active voice / passive voice
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

what does koutwazi mean?

Koutwazi → courtesy
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Eske koutwazi oubyen bon lizay pa ta endike ke lè pasaje ap moute kamyonèt sou gran wout, yo ta dwe kite fanm yo monte anvan? Se pa ti bouskilad mwen te pran lotrejou lè mwen t'ap seye moute yon taptap.

Mwen pa fin twò save nan zafè savoir-vivre ak bon etikèt non, men mwen panse genyen yon tan pou chak bagay. Yon ti koutwazi ta bon vre, men si gen yon gwoup 20 fanm ak 2 nèg ap tann yon kamyonèt, enpi nèg yo tonbe ap fè galan, kite fanm yo monte nan chak kamyonèt chaje ki pase, enben mesye yo p'ap janm gen chans monte non. Yo p'ap janm gen mwayen rive nan destinasyon yo.
Mwen ta panse nan yon sitiyasyon konsa, se kite sa ki te la anvan monte an premye.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

I searched your lessons on possessives but couldn't find this: what is the difference between "kay mwen" and "kay pa mwen"? Is there any difference in meaning or where they are used?

Grammatically,
mwen, in kay mwen, means my and is a possessive adjective.
Sa se kay mwen.
This is my house.

and,
pa mwen, in kay pa mwen, means mine and is a possessive pronoun.
Sa se kay pa mwen. (non contracted)
Sa se kay pa'm. (contracted)
This house is mine.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

what does KEM mean

Is it ke'm or kè'm?
and... in what context?
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Chak ti gout dlo plizyé milyon Ayisyen itilize pou yo bwé fók yal bouske tribòbabò dlo, ki kab kòz disantri.eske fraz sa kòrék

You're trying to say, "Every drop of water that many millions of Haitian use to drink, they must go fetch from different places water that may cause dysentery"?

Li kòrèk konsa:
"Chak ti gout dlo plizyè milyon Ayisyen itilize pou yo bwè, fòk y'al bouske tribòbabò dlo ki kab koze dizantri."
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"Men, sa map tann pou mwen kòmanse chèche vre rezon ki fè m'la, lakòz ki fè mwen rete kole sou teren lavi."

But, what am I waiting for to start looking for the real reason I'm here, the reason that keeps me stuck on the terrain of life
or
But what am I waiting for to start looking for the real reason I'm here, the reason that keeps me clinging to life????

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

In a recent post, you wrote "Eske ou ka ban mwen'l a yon pi ba pri." The use of "a" to me in this seems a bit Frenchy? Can you state some other constructions that use "a" in this way?

Yes, your observations are right.
You're talking about the French preposition "à".

You'll also see this preposition "a" when Creole speakers indicate time:
Nou vini a midi.
We came at noon.

Yo te rive a lè. (also 'alè' from French 'à l'heure')
They arrived on time.

N'ap koumanse a sizè.
We'll start at six o'clock.

Creole speakers might use it when talking about distances.
Pye bwa a te a yon distans twa pye konsa.
The tree was at about a three-feet distance.

Also when talking about manner or mode
Machin nan t'ap kouri a tout vitès. (from French à toute vitesse)
The car was going at great speed.

Others instances that you'll find may be written as one word in Creole.
alamen (from French à la main) → by hand;
Yo te koud li alamen.
It was sewn by hand.

apye (from French à pied) → on foot;
Mwen t'ale travay apye paske machin mwen anpàn.
I walked to work because my car is broken down.

afòs (from french à force de) → by dint of
Afòs mwen te mache pye'm fè'm mal.
I walked so much my feet hurt

akoz (from French à cause de) → because of
Reyinyon an ap fèt anndan akoz lapli a.
The meeting will go on indoors because of the rain.

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

where is L'azile locate in Haiti

Did you try Google map?
http://www.olgp.net/ministry/haiti/lasile/lasile.htm
http://www.maplandia.com/haiti/grand-anse/l-asile/

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

do you know a free translation site that is accurate from English to haitian creole

Free and accurate most of the time, that's Google Translate
Freelang.net does word translation
The next best thing is human translation.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

do you know where i can find the haitian creole version of 'How Great Is Our God' by Chris Tomlin. I went to haiti this summer and i love this version of the song but i can't seem to find it anywhere

I have not been able to find a more complete lyrics for this song.

What I have found so far translates the English portion below.

I figure that posting this with a request that anyone familiar with the full Creole lyrics may post it in the comment section. We would greatly appreciate it :)

Si yon moun konnen chante sa a an Kreyòl (Bondye Nou an Gran), tanpri ekri li nan seksyon kòmantè a pou nou. Nou va apresye sa anpil. Mèsi.

Bondye nou an gran

Chante avèk mwen, Bondye gran

Tout moun kapab wè

Koman Bonye gran

Non li pi wo tout lòt non

Li trè diy, pou nou louwe’l

E ke mwen chante

Bondye nou au gran

How great is our God, sing with me
How great is our God, and all will see
How great, how great is our God

Name above all names
Worthy of our praise
My heart will sing
How great is our God

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

In saying "I am very hurt by this" (hurt as in mentally bruised), I know that the Creole translation for hurt is 'blese'. Is there a better way to say this other than 'mwen blese pou sa'?

Yes, you can say:

Sa te atriste'm anpil. (This saddened me a lot)
or
Sa te fwase'm anpil. (I was very offended by this)

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

How would you phrase the following?: -That's too much -That's too expensive -Can you make it cheaper? -What would you like to call me?

That's too much.
Sa twòp.
Li twòp.

That's too expensive.
Sa twò chè.
Li twò chè.

Can you make it cheaper?
Eske ou ka desann pri a? (Can you lower the price?)
Eske ou ka ban mwen'l a yon pi ba pri? (Can you give it to me at a lower price?)

What would you like to call me?
Kijan ou ta renmen rele'm?

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

Please explain 'Jezu ou devan m dèyè' uttered by a group of people in unison on our way to a mission trip. Thanks

Jezi ou devan, m dèyè
Jesus you are in front, I'm behind you
Lord, lead and I'll follow
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Do you know of any Advanced Haitian grammar / textbooks? Thank you!

Albert Valdman's Ann Pale Kreyòl (book and audio) is a good one
The most complete that I know of.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Hello, I reviewed the exercise on adjectives, is there any rule to make it easier to recall which adjectives typically go before the noun and which ones go after? Or is it just a matter of memorizing them?

The group of adjectives that come before a noun are few.
So, you could memorize the ones in that group.
I am posting this list here. If anyone out there knows of any more Haitian Creole adjectives that's usually placed before a noun, please add them to the comment section and I'll bring them to this post. Thanks
I'll be sure to add some more as I think of them.

all tout

any nenpòt

bad move

big gwo

good bon

great gran

humongous katafal

last dènye

many anpil

old vye

other lòt

pretty bèl

same menm

several plizyè

small ti (not, piti)

huge gwo

young jèn

some kèk

Shane WendelSeptember 10, 2012 11:25 AM

I've seen it stated generally holds true that the following categories come before the noun:

Size (Big, small, humongous)
Order (First, second, last)
Number (one, two, three, some, many, few, all)
Beauty (beautiful)
Age (young, old,)
Goodness (good, bad, great, evil)

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

ti jwèt?

Ti jwèt → little game, little games, or small toy

egzanp:

1. Nou pa dwe kite timoun piti jwe ak ti jwèt piti.
2. Mwen pa renmen ti jwèt sa yo w'ap jwe avè mwen.

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

moune kap gade bet kijan yo rele

Yo rele yo gadò, oubyen gadè bèt
Gadinaj oubyen gadinay se metye gade bèt la.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Sa Sa Ye La, Mandaly :)

Men wi :)

Sa sa ye la?
Ki koze sa?
Ki bagay sa?
Ki pawòl sa?
Ki tenten sa?

☺ Are there any additional ways to say this?
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Saying ALL OF US in Creole, Is it TOUT NOU? How about 'all of us are excited that you've arrived safe' . thanks.

All of us → Nou tout or Nou tout la

1. All of us are excited that you've arrived safe.
Nou tout kontan ou te rive an byen.

2. All of us are praying for you.
Nou tout la ap lapriyè pou ou.

3. He's always been there for all of us.
Li te toujou la pou nou tout

4. This is for all of us.
Sa se pou nou tout la.
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How would you write, " I am a child of God"?

I am a child of God.
Mwen se pitit Bondye.
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How would you translate the followings in Creole: Project Overview: Step 1 Step Deadline Task Task Deadline Thank you

Project Overview → Plan Pwojè a An Granmanchèt or Plan Jeneral Pwojè a
Step 1 → Etap 1
Step Deadline → Dat Limit Pou Etap Yo
Task Deadline → Dat Limit Pou Travay La

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

I do not understand "nan bay" in this sentence: "Nou wè Bouki ak Malis k ap fè lago nan bay yonn lòt ti bwa kenbe."-Zig Lavi, 57

...nan bay → ... in giving

Now, bay bwa kenbe (literally give someone a stick to hold) and sometimes bay yon bwa long kenbe (literally give someone a long stick to hold) is an expression that usually means to scorn, to repudiate, or to reject someone.
...Or the author may just have this literally...

Nou wè Bouki ak Malis k'ap fè lago nan bay yonn lòt ti bwa kenbe.
We see Bouki and Malis playing hide-and-seek in giving each other a little stick to hold.

So this could also have a non-literal meaning:
We see Bouki and Malis taking turn in mocking / ridiculizing each other

or... :), the fè lago part may be making reference to this cat and mouse game that Bouki and Malis usually plays.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

It's about time

1.
Li lè li tan
Li te lè, li te tan
It's about time

2.
Lè a rive.
It's time.

3.
Lè a rive pou m ale.
It's time for me to go.
It's time to go.

4.
Lè lè a rive, m'ap di w sekrè a.
When the time has come, I'll tell you the secret.

5.
Li poko lè.
It's not time yet.

6.
Li poko lè w.
Se poko lè w.
It's not your time yet.

7.
Lè w poko rive.
Lè pa w poko rive.
Your time has not yet come.

8.
Lè m poko rive.
Lè pa m poko rive.
My time has not yet come.

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

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!

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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
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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.

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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.
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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
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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!
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how do you pronounce Port de Paix in haitian creole

Port-de-Paix an Franse
Pòdepè an Creole. Yo pwononse li: (pɔ-day-pɛ)
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rayi chen di dan li blan

Wi. Rayi'l jan'w vle, men fòk ou admèt li gen sa ki bon nan li.
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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.
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How do you say, I'm doing very well Thanks in creole

I am doing very well thanks.
Mwen trè byen mèsi.
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bege?

bege → to stammer, to stutter in speech
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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?
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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.
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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.
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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.
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How do you say "May I take your photograph?"

May I take your photograph?
Eske mwen mèt pran foto ou?
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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
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what is hatian in where are you?

There's nothing Haitian about it.
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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.
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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?
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a "delightful' woman

yon fanm chaman / chamant
yon fanm atiran / atirant
ypn fanm kòrèk
yon fanm kòdyòm
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"Be careful! Don't drop it!" referring to something fragile

Be careful! Don't drop it!
Fè atansyon! Pa lage'l atè!
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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 ...
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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.

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bon zanmi toutan sa bon

Yes, it's absolutely true.

Bon zanmi, tout tan sa bon.
A true friend is good in all times
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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.

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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.
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Aprann Kreyòl se yon pelerinaj :)

Ouch!
Mwen panse se yon avanti :)
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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.

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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".
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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
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"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 :)
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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"

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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.

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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.

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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

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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!)
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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
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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.
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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.

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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.
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can i see you tonight?

Can I see you tonight?
Eske mwen ka wè'w aswè a?
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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)
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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.
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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?

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

Are you talking about progressive forms?
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"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?
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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?

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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.
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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.
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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.

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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.
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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.

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Bonjou! Learn to Speak Haitian Creole

1 comment:

"Pa okipe yo, sèlman gade e kontinye."