Ou menm tou fè mal. Ou te gen image tradiktè a rapidement

Ou menm tou fè mal. Ou te gen image tradiktè a rapidement 
You too didn't do well.  You had obtained the translator's image quickly.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

manje an byen map tann lè ou fini

Eat well.  I'll wait until you're done.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Kijan yo di: "which one is better?" Mesi

Which one is better?
Kilès ki pi bon?
Kilès ki miyò?

Which one them is better?
Kilès ladan yo ki pi bon?
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Do you have the song Ou Se Tout Pou Mwen?

Are you referring to the Creole version of you are my all in all?

You should be able to find this on youtube also.

Ou se fòs mwen le ke'm kase

ou se trezò ke m'a chèche

Ou se tout pou mwen

Mwen te jwenn yon kado presye

Si'm kite ou m'ap egae'w

Ou se tout pou mwen

Non ou diy e sen

Jezi anyo Bondye

Lè mwen tonbe ou ranmase'm

Lè'm pou kont mwen ou vin kote'm

Ou se tout pou mwen

Yo te di, mwen p'ap janm anyen

Ou fè mwen yon gran sitwayen

Ou se tout pou mwen

Ou pran tout wont mwen ak peche'm

Lè'm kriye ou toujou tande'm

Ou se tout mwen

Ou pran lanmò, ou ban'm lavi

Lè'm boulvèse ou soulaje'm

Ou se tout pou mwen

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

Bonjour, Est-ce que vous avez les paroles que Mr. Toussaint Louverture avait prononcé lorsqu'il etait arrêté. Elles font réference à une racine je crois... Merci.

Vous parlez de ces phrases là? "En me renversant, ils n'ont abattu que le tronc de l'arbre de la liberté. Il repoussera par les racines parce qu'elles sont profondes et nombreuses."

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

and until that day, african continent will not know peace, we africans will fight we find it necessary and we know we shall win as we are confident in the victory

E jouk lò sa a kontinan Lafrik la p'ap janm konn lapè.  Nou menm Afriken va goumen, nou trouve sa nesesè. E nou konnen nou va genyen konba a paske nou konte sou laviktwa.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

How do you say "Jesus does" in creole?

This definitely will have to be translated within context.

Try this answer:

1 comments:

1. 
   Shane WendelSeptember 19, 2012 10:06 AM

   I'm guessing that this is in response to a statement like "No one loves me" or "No one cares about us"
   
   Just in general I think you could say:
   
   Jezi fè sa (Jesus does that/this)

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

What measure do Haitians use for temperature? Fahrenheit or Celsius? How would I say this in creole according to their measurement. "In Haiti it is usually 80 or 90 degrees, but here it is only around 35 degrees."

They use both.
Celsius → degre sèlsiyis or degre santigrad
Fahrenheit → degre farennayt

In Haiti it is usually 85 or 90 degree F, but here it is only 35 degrees.

Dabitid, an Ayiti li fè 85 oubyen 90 degre Farennayt, men isit la li fè sèlman 35 degre.

In Haiti it is usually 29 or 32 degree Celsius, but here it is only 2 degrees.
Dabitid, an Ayiti li fè 29 oubyen 32 degre santigrad, men isit la li fè sèlman 2 degre santigrad.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

How can I say: I will help you with anything you need. There are several ways to say "anything" right?

Yes, but in your sentence you can translate anything as nenpòt sa, nenpòt kisa, or nenpòt bagay
I will help you with anything you need.
Mwen va ede'w avèk nenpòt sa ou bezwen.
or
M'ap ede'w ak nenpòt sa ou bezwen.

Is this pretty much the translation you had? 
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Do you know the lyrics to children's song Passez pa la fenetre

Do you know this song
"passer par la fenêtre (bis),
comment tu peux deja?"

I would like to teach it to my kid, but I can't recall the lyric.
Thanks for helping.

ReplyDelete

Replies

MandalyMay 14, 2012 3:45 PM

Passez par la fenêtre (3 fwa)
Comment tu peux dejà.

Allons Allons, on va danser (3 fwa)
Comment tu peux dejà.

Debout debout chers enfants (3 fwa)
Comment tu peux dej♪.

Bayo bayo palaso! (3 fwa)
Comment tu peux dejà

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

How would you say, "I would like to share an encouraging thought from the Bible with you?"

Mwen ta renmen pataje avèk ou yon pawòl ankourajan ki soti nan labib la.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

mwen gen pou'm deplase. Men se pa kounye'a. What is GEN POU?

gen pou, gen entansyon, planifye, konte  indicates future tense here.

example:
Mwen gen pou deplase, men se pa kounye a.
Mwen gen entansyon deplase, men se pa kounye a
Mwen planifye pou m deplase, men se pa kounye a
Mwen konte deplase, men se pa kounye a
I plan to go out, but not now
I will go out, but not now

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

on your Property?

Sounds like a physical property like your own residence.  Is that what it is?

...on your property?
...sou teren'w lan?
...sou bitasyon'w lan?
...sou tè'w la?

You know, I could've nailed this if you had given me more info :)
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Is this kreyole anything like swahili? How long does it take to learn kreyole? Where can I find some classes?

#1. I do not speak Swahili so I couldn't answer that.  I'm not even sure you can compare these two languages.  And I am sensing that you may be talking about another type of  "creole" (other than Haitian Creole?).  Are you planning a trip to St Lucia, Haiti, Martinique, or ...Seychelles?  There are some differences in the creole spoken in these places and others.

#2. That I know of, English, Spanish, French, and Italian speakers pick up the Haitian Creole language really quickly.  You bat your eyes and they're already speaking like natives :)  I do not know about other nationalities because I haven't come in contact with them.  But I'm sure they would learn quickly as well.  I imagine the effort you put into learning a language would dictate how long it takes for you to learn it.  But even after you've become fluent in a language, you will be a student of that language for a lifetime.  I am a lifetime student of H. Creole, French, and English; and an active student of the Spanish language.

#3.  Depending on which creole you want to learn, start looking online for classes offered at colleges, universities, community centers, churches, etc....  You should be able to find Haitian Creole classes you can attend in person in places with high population of Haitians (Florida, New York, Mass., Pennsylvania, the Carolinas, New Jersey, Conn.... Haiti, Canada, France.... there are many locations!)   And if you can't find a class in your neighborhood, you can have a similar experience with online classes offered via Skype.  Just start your search online and find the right class for you.
Bòn chans!
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Here's a question for you dear. the Haitian proverb "bwe dlo nan ve respekte ve", now I know what it says in English but I need to know what it's referring to. Th

Bwè dlo, respekte vè is what I usually hear.  People say it as a warning.  It basically means Be cautious of people you're dealing with.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

What is poison kraze nan bouyon in English?

Do you mean pwason kraze nan bouyon?
FYI:  French's POISON translates POISON and French's POISSON translates FISH
Haitian Creole PWASON (from French's POISSON) means FISH

Pwason kraze nan bouyon is an expression said of people who do everything together, they are very similar in the way they think, act, etc... In English you say two peas in a pod or is it two of a kind?

Pwason kraze nan bouyon lit. fish grounded in soup, fish soup

Think about it: The fish is so grounded into the soup that it disappeared.  You can't differentiate between the two.
Example of sentences you will hear in Creole:
-De moun sa yo se pwason kraze nan bouyon - These two people are inseparable.

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

What is the Creole term for underage? thanks!

That would be: anbazaj, minè
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

"De je kontre manti kaba"

Sa se laverite!

De je kontre manti kaba - (lit. two eyes meet, the lie is put to an end) - When you are caught, you can't lie anymore
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

What is the name of the c'est la vie song?

Are you talking about Se lavi from Alabanza?
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

kouman m ka di "I shouldn't" kom "I shouldn't have done that" mesi anpil

I shouldn't ... 
Mwen pa ta dwe (non contracted)
M pa't dwe (contracted)

I shouldn't have done that.
M pa't dwe fè sa
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

How do you say back?

back n. (your backside in between your shoulders) → do
ex:
My back hurts.
Do'm ap fè'm mal.

back n. (rear) → dèyè, dèyè do
ex:
in the back of the house.
dèyè do kay la.

back adv. (behind) → dèyè
ex:
They left him behind.
Yo te kite'l dèyè.

backwards adv. → devandèyè
ex:
He was walking backwards.
Li t'ap mache devandèyè
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Mandaly, kilès ou pa ka viv san li: lapè nan tèt oubyen lapè nan vant?

O O!  Lè mwen te fèk wè kesyon sa, mwen panse li te fasil.  Men apre anpil kalkil, mwen wè li difisil.
 Mwen panse mwen bezwen toulede pou'm viv.
Si'm pa gen lapè nan vant mwen, se gwo tèt chaje. Grangou va touye'm.
Si'm pa gen lapè nan tèt mwen, se pi gwo tèt chaje. Chagren va touye'm.

To live without either one would be tough for me. But if I had to choose I think I'll chose to live with lapè nan tèt (peace of mind, and tranquility).

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

How would you say: "work hard" "I feel so much better now"

work hard →  travay di, fè kòve, and also bourike
example:
I'm working hard.
M'ap travay di.
M'ap fè kòve.
or
M'ap bourike.

I feel so much better now.
Mwen miyò kounye a.
Mwen fè mye kounye a.

I have recovered (from an illness)
Mwen gaya.
Mwen refè.


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

travay rete travay, pa dwe gen moun pa nan kesyon travay.

Is this a slogan?
Is this the whole sentence?
Is there the word "ki" after the word "moun"?

Travay, rete travay. Pa dwe gen moun ki pa nan kesyon travay....?
Work, keep working.  Everyone should work.

That's how I'm reading this..
Anybody see this differently?  Thanks.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

elus ...?

Did you see this in a Creole sentence? or French?
As a noun this could mean the redeemed, the chosen ones
As a adjective this could mean chosen or elected
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Just checking here, in "Projè a tonbe nan dlo", TONBE NAN DLO in this sentence means that the project did not materialize?

Wi, se sa wi.
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It's kind of sad that I have to ask an English question on the Kreyol site, but what is the difference between an intransitive and transitive verb?

It's not sad.  It's a little funny :)
I can tell you what I know about transitive and intransitive verbs.  How about that?

transitive verbs are action verbs that must have a direct object.
example:
I read a book. (read is action verb; a book is direct object)
He drinks beer. (drinks is action verb; beer is direct object)

intransitive verbs are action verbs that are expressed without a direct object.
example:
He frowned.
She died.

It's helpful to know which H. Creole verbs are used as transitive or intransitive verbs.
Some verbs in H. Creole can be used as both
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

How would you say for your own good, as in "it's for your own good"?

I am understanding this as something like 'It's for your well-being.' Right?
We usually say: For your own good → pou byen w
and sometimes we'd also say: pou avantaj ou, or pou benefis ou

It's for your own good.
Se pou byen'w.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Is there another way to say ELDERLY other than GRANMOUN?

Yes. You can say pèsonaj, vyeya, or yon moun aje.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

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:

1. 
   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?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

How would you write, " I am a child of God"?

I am a child of God.
Mwen se pitit Bondye.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

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!

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