Bonjou! Learn to Speak Haitian Creole

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

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

When the verbs lese-frape are put together what does it mean?

lese frape → pushing and shoving; usually happens in an excitable group of people at a gathering.  People use their body to push, shove, slam and bang on each other which inevitably can lead to a group fight. It can be used as verb or noun.

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

What does 'nan kad' and 'an palan de' mean and how would you use them in a sentence?

Keep in mind that kad,  from French cadre,  means frame, enclosure, border

nan kad → in the category of, in association with, in the inner circle, about, in the subject of
mete nan kad → to classify, to categorize

1. Ou mete'm nan kad moun ki pa serye.
     You put me in the circle of people who are not serious.
     You associate me with people that are unreliable.

2. Mwen poko gen yon repons sou kesyon nan kad zafè finans lan.
     I don't yet have an answer for the questions regarding finances.

3.  Ou pa nan kad moun sa yo.  Ou pi bon pase sa.
     You are not in the category of these people. ...
     Yon don't belong with these people.  You're better than that.
_________________

an palan de (anpalan de) → speaking of, speaking of which, concerning, by the way

4. Anpalan de Jackie, eske w te wè li?
    Speaking of Jackie, have you seen her?

5. Anpalan de lajan, eske w ka di m kilè m'ap touche?
    Speaking of money, can you tell me when I'll get paid?

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

How would you say 'way over there'? He is standing way over there.

way over there → jis laba a, jouk laba a

He is standing way over there.
Li kanpe jouk laba a.

Why did you go sit way over there?
Poukisa w'al chita jis laba a?
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

What does this mean? "sa l ye la menm" (Creole)

Sa l ye la menm?
Kisa li ye la menm? (uncontracted)
What is this there even? (literally)
What is this?
What the heck is this?
What the heck do you think this is?
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Mezon Moun Ki Mouri A (translation from Creole)

mezon moun ki mouri a
house of the dead person

or did you mean a haunted house (yon kay hante)?
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

What does the idiom 'mete dlo nan bouch li' mean?

mete dlo nan bouch → cautious, tactful and reserved in speech

Jenny pa yon moun ki mete dlo nan bouch li pou li pale.
Jenny is not someone who puts water in her mouth so she can talk (literally)
Jenny is an outspoken person.

Misye pa mete dlo nan bouch li pou'l pale.
The man does not put water in his mouth in order to speak. (literally)
He's not afraid to speak his mind.

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

comment on dit en français : " Pi bonè se granm matin " ?

kreyòl: Pi bonè se granm maten.
Angle: The early birds catches the worm.
Franse: Le monde appartient à ceux qui se lèvent tòt.
Franse: L'avenir appartient à ceux qui se lèvent tòt.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Good to see you (in Creole)

what does ou ka relem mean?

Ou ka rele m.
You may call me.
You can call me.

M'ap lakay mwen pita.  Ou ka rele'm si w vle.

Non m se Emmanuel, ou ka rele'm Manno.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

"Days of bread" in Creole?

Is it "Days of unleavened bread"?

Days of unleavened bread
Jou pen san leven yo
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

HAPPY BIRTHDAY IN CREOLE

Happy Birthday Bòn Fèt, Bòn Anivèsè

See other posts with HAPPY BIRTHDAY

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

A YEAR OLDER (in Creole)

a year olderyon ane anplis, ennan anplis

She is a year older than me.
Li gen ennan anplis mwen.
Li gen yon ane anplis mwen.

I am a year older than her.
Mwen gen yon ane anplis li.

That makes you a year older, right?
Sa fè w genyen yon ane anplis, pa vre?
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

kijan sa tradwi an angle:ou gen dwa di ou pa'p ede'm, men ou pa kapab di ou pa't konnen sa ap fini mal pou mwen.

You may say you won't help me, but you cannot say that you didn't know it was going to end badly for me.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words


Degaje is the first pronominal verb I have seen in Kreyòl? Are there others?

Yes, most definitely.  Here are some of them:

Absteni → to abstain from
Si nou absteni nou de moun sa yo, n’ap mennen yon lavi pezib.
If you abstain from these people, you'll live a peaceful life.

Adonnen → to devote self to
Apre mari l te mouri, li te adonnen li a timoun li yo.
After her husband died, she devoted herself to her kids.

Atann → to expect, to foresee
Mwen pa’t atann mwen a sa.
I wasn't expecting this.

Debouye → to manage
Apre li te jwenn travay la, li te debouye li ase byen.
After he found the job, he managed quite well.

Depeche → to hurry up
Si ou pa depeche ou, m’ap kite w dèyè.
If you don't hurry, I'll leave you behind

Kalme → to calm down, to take it easy, to maintain composure
Lè ti bebe a wè manman li, li te kalme l byen vit.
When the baby saw his mom, he quieted down quickly.

Konpòte → to behave
Li te konpòte li byen.
He behaved well.

Konfòme → to conform
Apre patwon an te ba li yon avètisman, li te konfòme li ak inifòm travay la
After the boss gave he a warning, she finally conformed to the work dress code.

Kontante → to be satisfied, to be gratified
Li pa’t gen premye pri a, men li te kontante li ak sa yo te ba li a.
He didn't win the first prize, but he was gratified with what they gave him.

Pèmèt → be bold enough, take a risk, dare

Apre sa li te fè a, li te pèmèt li vin pale avè’m.
After what she did, she had the nerve to come and talk to me.

Pran plezi → to enjoy self
Nou te pran plezi nou nan fèt la.
We enjoyed ourselves at the party.

Raple → to recall
Mwen pa raple mwen.
I don't recall.

Reziyen → to give in, to relinquish
Li sispann lite ak maladi a.  Li reziyen li pou l mouri.
She stopped fighting the disease.  She accepted that she will die.

Twonpe → to miscalculate,  to misjudge, to make a mistake
Mwen te panse ou te papa tifi a.  Mwen te twonpe m.
 I thought you were the girl's father.  I made a mistake.


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

Do you have the lyrics for Holiness Holiness is what I long for in Creole

I have found the Creole version (or one of the Creole versions) in the GSC (Groupe Soldats de Christ) songbook. It's #76 in the Volume 2 portion of the book.

Sentete, sentete se sa m'ap chèche
Sentete, sentete, se sa mwen vle
Sentet, se sa ou vle nan mwen

Pran lavi'm e chanje'm
Pran kè mwen e fòme'm
Pran volonte'm, transfòme'm
Nan ou, pou ou Senyè
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Glad to see this blog. My children grandmother speaks Creole and trying to teach them some basic. Where should I start?

Glad to meet you :)

How old are the kids?  Do they spend a lot of time with their grandmother?  Does their grandmother speak mostly Creole and some English?  Does she speak Creole to them? Perhaps you may reinforce (in your home) the Creole phrases that they learn at their grandmother's by repeating it to them at the dinner table,in the car on the way to school, or as you say good night at bedtime.  You may also post on the door of your fridge, each week, a couple of Creole words or sentences you want them to master for that particular week. Also there are some great children's books at the Haitian bookstores (educavision.com).  A Haitian Creole bedtime story would be awesome (even if they hear the same story every night :)
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

please translate.. ap gen anpil blan kap la wap tou jwen youn tou destin manje trop baz

The last four words don't make sense

Ap gen           | anpil  |   blan               | k'ap            | la.
There will be | many | white people  | that will be | there.
There will be many whites there.

W'ap      |  tou                 | jwenn | youn | tou
You will | conveniently | find    | one   | also
You will conveniently find one too.

destin   | manje  | twòp         | baz
destiny  | eat      | too much  | base
does not make sense to me :-\

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

What is Sa k te fe mean? I'm trying not to translate word for word, but I always have trouble with these. To me, it says that had happened, or it had happened. Is this correct?

You almost got it.... :)
Usually when you see the "SA" used like that in an interrogative sentence, chances are it is a contracted form of  H.Creole interrogative pronoun KISA (what).

Just like these examples:
Sa k pase?
Which is contracted from
Kisa ki pase?
What's happening?

another example:
Sa w vle?
Which is contracted from:
Kisa ou vle?
What do you want?

One more example:
Sa sa ye?
which is contracted from:
Kisa sa ye?
What this is? (literally)
What is this?

So
Sa k te fèt?
is contracted from
Kisa ki te fèt?
What had happened?
What happened?

or, if not used in question form, may be translated as that which (what):

Sa k te fèt lopital la se te yon mirak.
Sa ki te fèt lopital la se te yon mirak.
That which happened at the hospital was a miracle.
What happened at the hospital was a miracle.


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


...people with an excellent spirit (in Creole)

What is an "excellent" spirit?

people with an excellent spirit
moun de konfyans ki gen bon jan ak bon mannyè  (earnest people with good manners)
moun serye ki frengan (earnest and highly spirited people)
moun frengan (highly spirited people)

I wonder what you're using this phrase for?
ex:
We're looking for people with an excellent spirit.
N'ap chache moun de konfyans ki gen bon jan ak bon mannyè.


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

No question, but I am so excited to have found your blog, and I am happy that it is still active. I listened to a couple of lessons last week, but will start digging in this week. Good luck to you.


Mèsi anpil.
I hope the blog wlll be useful to you.

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

Sometimes I hear "senyè" or "le senyè", Is "le senyè" written as one or two words?

Lesenyè will be written as one word.

Mwen te deside pou m suiv Lesenyè.
I had decided to follow the Lord.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

The love of my life and I

Will using asosi help to clean my urine for a drug test?

Oh man! If asosi could do that, it would be a wonder drug.
Some Haitians swear that asosi removes toxic substances from your blood, but I haven't met a doktè fèy who can confirm this.
If you want to give a "clean" urine sample for a drug test, and you do have illegal drugs in your system, you probably would have wait up to 30 days to do that.  In the mean time, exercise, drinks lots of water and  behave :)

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

what's the creole word "anvanlè" or "anvanlè l"? mesi

anvan lè (anvan-lè - before-time)prematurely, before one's time
anvan lè l prematurely, before his/her time ("L" is a possessive adj. here)

Li te mouri anvan lè l.
He died before his time.
He died prematurely.

Si w kontinye ap viv nan enpridans, w'ap mouri anvan lè'w.
If you continue to live recklessly, you'll die before your time.

Si ou retire lajan an anvan lè l, bank lan ap enpoze w yon frè.
If you  withdraw the money  too early the bank will charge you a fee.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Can you provide an audio of John 3:16 in Haitian Creole? We are doing an eye ministry outreach later this year and that is what we use as part of the eye chart. Thank you

Awesome :)

Jan 3:16 - Paske Bondye sitèlman renmen lèzòm, li bay sèl Pitit li a pou yo.  Tout moun ki va mete konfyans yo nan li p'ap pèdi lavi yo, men yo va gen lavi ki p'ap janm fini an.
 
Click here to download…


another slightly different version

Jan 3:16 - Paske Bondye tèlman renmen lemonn, li bay yon sèl Pitit li a, pou nenpòt moun ki kwè nan li pa peri, men pou li genyen lavi ki pap janm fini an.
 
Click here to download…

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

Mwen anfom e ou menm?


Mwen anfòm e ou menm?
also written as
M'anfòm e ou menm?
I am doing well, how about you?

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

Where exactly does haitian language come from?

You seem to be asking for a more in-depth answer, which is more than I can answer at this time.
Here are some links on the net:
The National Language of Haiti by Albert Valdman
Istwa lang Kreyòl la
Haitians - Their History and Culture
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

I really enjoy your page. I have moved away from my family and I have lost a lot of my Kreyol. I never could write because I only learned to write in french so it also helps to see what I say. Great Blog page.

Mèsi anpil wi :)
I am glad you're getting reacquainted with Creole again.
Kenbe la.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Does "li" refer to a male or female?

Twòp lapriyè fè jenou kwochi (meaning) - mèsi!

idiom: Twòp lapriyè fè jenou kwochi. (Too much prayer makes the knee crooked)
is synonymous with
idiom: Chita pa bay. (Sitting around doesn't give)

Both these idioms means laziness is not productive
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Can you explain "Je pete klere"? thanks

je      |  pete        |  klere
eyes |  ruptured  |  open wide
blind eyes open wide
illiterate

je pete klereilliterate, birdbrain
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

"Are you near....?" as in Are you near somerville? ....(In Creole)

Are you near?
Eske ou pre?
Eske ou tou pre?

Are you near Somerville?
Eske ou tou pre Somerville?

Are you almost there?
Eske ou preske rive?

How far are you?
Ki distans ou ye?

How far are you from Somerville?
How far are you out of Somerville?
Ki distans ou ye sot Somerville?
Ki distans ou ye soti Somerville?

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

C vre wi ....?

C vre wi.
or
Se vre wi.
or
Se tout bon wi.
It's true.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

jesus rescue me (in Creole)

Jesus, rescue me.
Jezi, sove'm.
Jezi, pote'm sekou

or is it:
Jesus rescued me.
Jezi te sove'm.
Jezi te pote'm sekou.

or is it :)
Jesus, you rescued me.
Jezi, ou te sove'm.
Jezi, ou te pote'm sekou.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

"mwen degage mwen nan kreyol" sa sa vle di epi sa vle di mo degage? Mesi anpil, Mandaly btw, how to say thank you in advance or my warmest regards or you have been very helpful

degaje (pronominal verb) to get by, to do fairly well

Mwen degaje mwen nan Kreyòl.
I get by in Creole.

Mwen wè ou degaje'w ase byen.
I see that you get by quite well.

Nou degaje nou trè byen pou kont nou.
We get by very well on our own.

Frè m nan te degaje li trè byen depi li te rive New York.
My brother did fairly well since he arrived in New York.

Thank you in advance :)
Mèsi davans 

My warmest regards.
Salitasyon
or
koudjay
or
Chapo ba

You have been very helpful.
Ou te ede'm anpil.
or
Ou te ban'm anpil èd.

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

Si ou ka tradwi: Kò imen: esplike fenomèn kwasans lakay moun. Human body: explain the phenomenon of human growth? What is "lakay" doing there?

Kò imen (from French corps humain)human body
In Creole sometimes, you will also see imèn which also comes from the French humaine which itself is the feminine of French word humain.

lakay, in Creole, does not only mean house or home; it also means deep within ourselves or within

You will hear Creole speakers say:
Li gen yon gwo defo lakay li.
He has a big fault/vice in him.

You will often hear preachers say:
Fòk nou retire vye abitid sa yo lakay nou.
You must remove these bad habits from within yourselves.

Or you might hear:
Ou gen twòp rankin lakay ou.
You have too much resentment within yourself.
You are very resentful.

SO,
kwasans lakay moun
maturation within people.
growth within the human body.

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

Regarding previous post about "lavichè", is there another way to say "hardship"?

hardship (as in poverty?) → povrete, lavi di, zafè pa bon, boukannen dlo, bat dlo pou fè bè

We fell into hardship. (Is that correct in English :-\ ?)
Nou te tonbe nan povrete.
Nou te tonbe nan boukannen dlo.
Nou te tonbe nan lavi di.
Nou te tonbe nan zafè pa bon.
etc...


hardship (as in distress, suffering, trials) → zeprèv, difikilte, peripesi, tribilasyon, tray, traka

We will get through the hardships and trials in our lives.
Nou va andire difikilte ak zeprèv yo nan lavi nou.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Kisa vle di 'lavichè'? Li pral bat grangu epi lavichè.

lavichè (lavi chè), literally means life expensive
If it is one word, lavichè, it means hardship, hard times, suffering,  inflation, bad economic times
If it is two words, lavi chè, then it is a sentence, Life is expensive.

These are the two translations that might work based on what you have:

as one word:
Li pral bat grangou epi lavichè. (Could it be: Li pral bat grangou ak lavichè?)
He / She will endure famine and bad economic times.

as two words:
Li pral pat grangou epi lavi chè.
He/she will brave hunger, and life is expensive.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

I remember you?

Yeap... it's the same translation as "I miss you"

I remember you.
Mwen sonje w.

I remember who you are.
Mwen sonje ki moun ou ye.

I remember how we used to play together.
Mwen sonje jan nou te konn jwe ansanm.

I remember how we used to be.
M sonje kouman nou te ye.

Remind me ...
Fè'm sonje...

Remind me to take out the trash.
Fè'm sonje pou m mete fatra yo deyò.

Can you remind me of who you are again?
Eske ou ka fè'm sonje kilès ou ye ankò?

This reminded me of you.
Sa te fè'm sonje w.
Sa te fè panse a ou.


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

"...aktivite w" (Ki aktivite'w?)

Someone might say that if they want to know what you've been up to?

Ki aktivite'w?
What have you been doing?
What have been up to?

Kijan ou ye?  M gen kèk tan m pa wè'w.  Ki aktivite'w?
How are you?  I have seen you in a while.  What have you been up to?
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Hi pls can u tell me what does ' no do ' means ?

I am not even sure of that's Creole.
Is the spelling correct?
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

These are just getting worse and worse ... (in Creole)

These are just getting worse
Sa yo ap vin pi mal nèt.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Can you translate this in English? "apa mwen ou banm vag m rezim "

The Creole spelling will make it hard to translate this on Google Translate.
I am not sure what the last word is, but this sentence should have been written this way..

Apa m wè ou ban m vag...
I see that you're giving me the cold-shoulder..

Try it with the correct spelling on Google Translate and see what you get :)
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Ca va?

Hi I was wondering can you do the song Yves et Yvan: Danse Danse lyrics please?


Twa lame pral atake Jida
Za-ka-syèl ranpli ak lespri
Li di Jozafa Letènèl pale
Pandan w’ap louwe m’ap ba ou viktwa

Se konsa m’danse
Se konsa m’louwe
Se konsa m’danse pou Bondye m nan
Se konsa sa ye

M sonje David an Izrayèl
Ki te wè lach la t’ap retounen
Li retire manto li, Michal fache
Se premye fwa li te wè ‘on wa k’ap danse

Chak moun g‘on jan yo danse
Chak moun g‘on jan yo louwe
Chak moun g‘on jan yo danse pou Bondye
Se konsa sa ye

M pa ka bliye ki kote ou  te jwenn mwen
Se sa’k fè lè’m rantre nan tanp lan
Gen de moun ki pa ka konprann mwen
Jan yo wè’m kanpe m’ap danse

Chak moun g‘on jan yo danse
Chak moun g‘on jan yo louwe
Chak moun g‘on jan yo danse pou Bondye
Se konsa sa ye

Ad lib…
Danse’l non
Leve de men w tande!
Louwe’l non, se pa mwen li ye
Leve de men’w legliz!

Chak moun g‘on jan yo danse
Chak moun g‘on jan yo louwe
Chak moun g‘on jan yo danse pou Bondye
Se konsa sa ye

G‘on onksyon ki fè men’m anlè toujou
G‘on onksyon ki fè sa
G‘on onksyon ki fè m’ap louwe l toujou
G’on onksyon ki fè sa
G‘on onksyon ki fè m’a chante l toujou
G‘on onksyon ki fè sa

S’on onksyon k’ fè m pa ka chita lè’m nan tanp lan
S’on onksyon ki fè sa
Lè m’ap danse, ou pa konprann mwen, s’on onksyon k’ andan m
S'on onksyon ki fè sa
S’on onksyon k’ andanm ki fè m’ap louwe jan’w wè m nan
Son onksyon ki fè sa
Pou kote m soti a, pou kote l mete’m, m’ap louwe’l
G’on onksyon ki fè sa
L retire nan fatra, L retire nan labou, fò’m louwe’l
G’on onksyon ki fè sa
Mwen di s’on oksyon k’andan m ki fè men’m anlè
S’on onksyon ki fè sa
S’on onksyon k’andan’m m ki fè’m pèdi tèt mwen lakay
G’on onksyon ki fè sa
S’on onksyon ki fè’m leve pou jwa’m anlè
G’on onksyon ki fè sa
S’on onksyon ki fè m’ap danse toujou
G’on onksyon ki fè sa
G’on onksyon, wi, ki fè m’ap louwe’l toujou
S’on onksyon ki fè sa


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

David tiye roi Goliat avek yon fistibal (chante David ak Goliat?)

I wonder if this is the song...

David ak Golyat yo te nan konba
Tout moun panse David te fou
Yon ti fistibal te nan men David
Golyat gen tout materyèl
David apiye sou Bondye
Golyat sou zam li
Sa se travay Bondye
David ranpòte laviktwa
Konfye ou nan Bondye
Paske L p'ap janm pèdi batay.


Bondye ban'm lapriyè kòm gwo zam
Pou m dechouke Satan
Pa gen anyen ki kab kanpe devan zam sa
Moun ki nan lapriyè, Satan koube devan yo
Mwen p'ap janm abandone zam sa
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

how would you say to "take after" in Creole, as in to behave or look like someone? ex - She takes after her father.

to take after → pran kot
(Creole kot / kote which means where or location, here translates the prep from)

She takes after her father.
Li pran kot papa'l.
or
Kot papa'l li pran.

Where did you get this bad atitude?
Kot kimoun ou pran move atitid sa?

She inherited that attitude from her father.
Li pran atitid sa kot papa'l.
Kot papa 'l li pran atitid sa.

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

how to translate" in the month of october", in creole

in the month of October
nan mwa oktòb la.

in october
nan mwa oktòb
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

pa condanem pou ignorance mwen la, mwen te act stupid. can this be translated to english?

This Creole sentence is trying to say: Do not condemn my ignorance, I acted imprudently.  
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

if you have a relationship with god, everything else will work itself out


I you have a relationship with God, everything else will work itself out.

Si ou gen yon relasyon ak Bondye, tout rès bagay yo va tonbe nan plas yo.


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


kisa sa vle di an kreyol: be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind.

My translation would be: Rete jan ou ye a enpi di sa ki nan kè'w, paske moun k'ap bay objeksyon pa konsekan e moun ki konsekan pa'p bay objeksyon
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words



How do you translate the word 'anyway' in the sentence: 'I am going to do it anyway.'

anyway → kanmenm

I'm going to do it anyway.
M pral fè l kanmenm.
M'ap fè'l kanmenm.
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Is there an idiom in Kreyòl that means the same as 'what comes around goes around'?

What comes around goes around (in Creole)
Sa'w simen se sa'w rekòlte.
Jan'w trete pwochen w se konsa yo va trete'w.
Baton ki bat chen nwa, la bat chen blan an tou.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

It appears "sot nan" can be used as "from" like "Limye eklate sot nan syèl la." Can I say "M anbake sot nan mache a," or "M resevwa sa sot nan men Jan." Can I use this without "nan?"

1. Limyè eklate sot nan syèl la.
2. M anbake sot nan mache.
3. M resevwa sa sot nan men Jan.

These three sentences are absolutely correct the way you have them.  I wouldn't change a thing.
The preposition nan is necessary in all three.  Although #3 can also be correct without sot.

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

How do you translate either/or and neither/nor statements?

either... or swa ... swa/onswa/oubyen, onswa ...onswa/oubyen, oubyen... oubyen

examples:
1. When you get to the party tonight, don't have any beer. You will either drink water or coffee.
     Lè'w rive nan fèt la aswè a, pa pran okenn byè.  Ou va onswa bwè dlo oubyen kafe.

2. You don't have a choice, either you come with me or you stay home.
     Ou pa gen lechwa, onswa ou vin avè'm onswa ou rete lakay

3. I believe either the boy or his father was admitted to the hospital.
    Mwen kwè swa ti gason an oubyen papa'l te entène lopital.

neither.. norni ... ni (used with the negative PA)
4. At church today, neither the pastor nor his wife showed up.
    Nan legliz la jodia, ni pastè a ni madanm li pa't vini.

5. Joe and Zette are two peas in a pod.  I don't trust either of them. (I don't trust neither one nor the other)
    Joe ak Zette se menm moun yo.  Mwen pa fye ni youn ni lòt.

6.  I have decided to leave.  Neither you nor my mom can make change my mind.
     Mwen te deside pou'm kite.  Ni ou ni manman'm pa ka fè'm chanje lide'm.



neithernonpli, nonplis, nonplis tou, nonplistou

7. She doesn't trust me.  I don't trust her either.
    Li pa fè'm konfyans.  Mwen pa fè'l konfyans nonplis.

8. We're going to Haiti next month.  I don't speak Creole, and neither does my husband.
     Nou prale Ayiti mwa pwochen.  M pa pale Kreyòl, e mari'm nonplis.

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

not me... (as an answer to a question in Creole?)

Very much so... (in Creole)

how to sya cramps in creole

Do you use the to be verb in front of prepositions? For example, how would you say, 'I am at home' or 'he is under the car"?

It depends.
Prepositions at and under, in Creole, are used differently.

I am at home.
Mwen lakay mwen.
or 
Mwen lakay.

He's under the car.
Li anba machin nan.

Check out the posts on some prepositions.  Scroll down the list to the right side of your computer screen and find some posts on the prepositions at, in, on, to, from, etc...
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tout moun se moun sou late beni men selman yo pa gen menm chans nan la vi-a.

Sa se gwo laverite.
Men, ou kwè nou ta sipoze rele sa chans?
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how to say my family means the world to me / or i love my family in creole

My family means the world to me.
Fanmi m se tout mwen.

I love my family.
Mwen renmen fanmi m.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words


se nan chimen jennen yo kenbe chwal malen

Chak chwal malen genyen yon chimen jennen sou wout yo.  Chwal la te mèt galope jan li vle, bay payèt jan li vle, yon jou li va kwense nan chimen jennen.

Se nan chimen jennen yo kenbe chwal malen.
It is on a narrow path that they'll capture the wild horse
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N'ap kenbe fo

Natirèlman :)
Nan lavi sa, pa gen plas pou moun ki fenyan. Se moun ki kenbe fò ki reyisi.

N'ap kenbe fò.
We're holding strong.
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I would like to be there with you all

I would like to be there with you all.
Mwen ta renmen la avèk nou tout.
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How do you say: Happy Birthday! Hope your heart is filled with the beauty for then it will be filled with many blessings!"

Happy Birthday! Hope your heart is filled with "the" beauty, for then it'll be filled with many blessings.
Bòn Fèt!  M'espere kè ou plen ak bote "a", paske se lè sa li va konble ak anpil benediksyon.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words



How do you say "some kind of" as in "there's been some kind of progress"

you could say yon sòt de (some sort of)
yon can also say kèk or yon ti

There' been some kind of progress.
Genyen yon sòt de pwogrè ki fèt.
Gen yon ti pwogrè ki fèt
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"Moun Fou"

I hope someone didn't call you that :)
Moun fou → a lunatic, psycho, or screwball :-\
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How do you say castle in Creole?

Hey how you doing I would like to ask you something

Ale, mande mwen non.  M'ap koute
Go ahead and ask me. I'm listening.
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Mandaly, Re: the verb "sanble ak - to look like", where to place preposition "AK" when you ask the question WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE? Kisa li sanble ak...?

Verbs with prepositions: sanble ak (to look like), fèt ak (to be made of), mete nan (to put in), ale ak (to go with).], etc...
When asking questions, these Haitian Creole prepositions are usually place at the beginning of the question.

Ak kisa li sanble?
What does it look like?

Ak kisa li fèt?
What is it made of?

Nan kisa ou te mete l?
What did you put it in?

Ak kilès ou prale?
Who will you go with?

Pou kilès machin sa a ye?
Who is this car for?
WHo does this car belong to?
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It would be cool if you could get a chat room feature on your blog as well for people to practice their creole live. :-) blan zanmi ou philip :-)

Yes it would.  I have tried it on a couple of occasions, it was hard to integrate on Blogger's platform.  I will try again ...
Mèsi Philip.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Pi wo pran pi gwo so

Men wi, Se yon fenomèn natirèl non?
Plis ou pi wo, plis distans ant ou menm avèk sòl la agrandi.
Si ou panse gen yon posiblite pou tonbe, pito ou byen boure kò w.

Pi wo pran pi gwo so. (Idiom)
The bigger you are, the harder you fall.
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You made me smile (Creole)

You made me smile. → Ou te fè'm souri.
Pa gen anyen ki pi bèl pase yon souri.
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manipulative

These Haitian Creole words may all translate manipulative (adj.):  manipilatif, mètdam (crafty), rize or rizyèz (clever), malen (cunning)
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When using the word 'renmen,' how do you distinguish between love and like? Is there a better way to make this distinction?

The answer is, you don't.  Renmen translates both love and like
You can say:
Mwen renmen'w amò.
I love you to death.
or
Mwen renmen jan kay sa bati a.
I like the way this house is built.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words



how do you say there goes my baby?

Is it a real baby?

There goes my baby!
Men bebe'm nan!
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nothing much (in Creole)

Nothing much / Nothing at all 
anyen, anyen ditou, anyen menm

Also, 

Not at allDITOU DITOU or just DITOU

1.  Mwen pa ka dòmi ditou ditou.
     I can't sleep at all.

2. Mwen pa santi m byen ditou ditou.
    I don't feel well at all.

3.  Mwen pa ka fè anyen ditou.
     I can't do anything at all.

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

How do you say "light skin guys vs light skin girls"

What you call a light skin African American male here in the US is known as grimo or milat in H. Creole.
And the female is called grimèl or milatrès.
The milat or milatrès (mulatto) usually would have silky hair.
The grimo or grimèl would have afro-textured hair.

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

what food do you like to cook? (in Creole)

What food do you like to cook?
Ki manje ou renmen fè?

I'd love to have the recipe.
Mwen ta renmen gen resèt la.
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How do you say: Many things in Haiti are important, but for me the tuba is most important

An Ayiti gen anpil bagay ki enpòtan, men sa ki pi enpòtan pou mwen se touba a.
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How do you say "fundraising" and "raise funds" in Creole? Mesi



fundraising → koleksyon fon, koleksyon lajan
raise funds → ranmase fon,  kolekte fon, fè lakolèt


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

mandaly eske w pa janm ale okay? m te tande ke se yon bel kote. gen moun ki di Okay te sipoze kapital la

Wi, m'ale Okay plizyè fwa.  Premye bagay ki va atire atansyon ou lè ou rive Okay se ansyen bilding kolonyal yo.  Lè w'ap antre nan lavil Okay la, touswit ou deja genyen yon lide kouman lavi te ye nan tan lontan.  Avèk bon reparasyon, Okay ta kapab vin bèl vre. Pou kounye a si gen yon lokasyon, an Ayiti, ki kapab vòlè tit kapital la, mwen panse se Jakmèl.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

ki sa wap fe nan la vi?

Kisa w'ap fè nan lavi?
Sa se yon gwo kesyon.  Gen moun ki pran lavi twò oserye.  Gen moun ki pa respekte lavi Bondye ba yo a.  E gen moun ki ta vann tout sa yo posede pou yo kapab achte yon moso lavi. Kisa w'ap fè nan lavi? Repons la nan pla men w.

Kisa w'ap fè nan lavi?
What will you do in life / of life?
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question for you, the translation to the following sentence doesn't work for me. Am I missing something? Here it is: "Nou monte kap lè fè gwo van." This is what I got: we go up that is when it's very windy. That can't b right.

I think the Creole word kap in your sentence should be translated in English as kite.
kap → kite
monte kap → fly a kite
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

How do you say "is known for"?

to be known for → gen repitasyon

Fanmi li gen repitasyon gaspiyè.
His family is known for their indulgence.

Mesye sa gen repitasyon moun debyen.
This  man is known for his cordiality.

Pran prekosyon ak fanm sa, li gen repitasyon vòlè.
Watch out for that woman, she's known for her sticky fingers.
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How would you say political party?

How do you say "for that matter" like "I don't like pickles or cucumbers for that matter"?

For that matter → dayè, anplis

I don't like pickles or cucumbers for that matter
Dayè, mwen pa renmen ni kònichon ni konkonm
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What it mean men poko janm sezi konsa


Mwen poko janm sezi konsa.
I have never been so surprised / shocked.

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how do you say We look good?

What would be the equivalent to the saying ,"Come hell or high water"?

Come hell or high water
Lapli mèt tonbe, loray mèt gwonde
or
Lavalas mèt desann
or
Kèlkilanswa
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Eske byen konprann mwen oubyen mal konprann mwen...kisa fraz sa vle di? Is it asking if you understand fully or not fully?

Yes (for byen konprann)

Eske ou byen konprann mwen is asking do you fully / completely understand me.
but mal konprann translates to misunderstand
example:
Mwen byen konprann sa ou te di a.
I fully understand what you said.

Eske ou byen konprann kouman pou pran remèd la?
Do you fully understand how to take the medication?

Ou te mal konprann mesaj la.
You misunderstood the message.

Ou te mal konprann mwen.
You misunderstood me.
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How do you say: What's done is done in Kreoyl?

What's done is done.
Sa'k fèt la, l'fèt.

What's done is already done.
Sa'k fèt la gentan fèt
Sa'k fèt la deja fèt.
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how do you say 'do you believe in God?' and 'I believe in God'

Do you believe in God?
Eske ou kwè nan Bondye?

Do you trust God?
Eske ou fè Bondye konfyans?

Put you trust in God.
Mete konfyans ou nan Bondye.

I believe in God.
Mwen kwè nan Bondye

I trust God.
Mwen fè Bondye konfyans.

I'll put my trust in God.
M'ap mete konfyans mwen nan Bondye.
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how to say 'now' and 'later' and 'sometime' and 'soon'

now → kounye a, konnya, kounye a la, kounye a menm
later → pita
sometimes → kèk fwa, pafwa, dèfwa, gendefwa, gendelè
soon → byento, talè, toutalè, titalè, talè konsa,  nan yon ti moman, nan yon ti kadè
check dictionnary, there might be more choices...
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How to say 'What is your favorite color' and 'my favorite color is..'

What is your favorite color?
Ki koulè prefere w?

Which color you like the best?
Ki Koulè ou pi renmen?

My favorite color is ...
Koulè prefere mwen se ....

The color I like the best is ...
Koulè mwen pi renmen an se ...
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what is the difference between tanpri and souple?

"Mwen byen mwen fek leve" .... Fèk?

Mwen byen. Mwen fèk leve.
I'm fine. I just woke up.
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mandaly ki kote nan ayiti fanmi ou soti

Manman'm se moun Akayè (Arcahaie).  Papa'm se moun Lakolin (La Colline) nan zòn Sid, Ayiti.  Malgre mwen te fèt nan kapital la, mwen te pase tout anfans mwen ak adolesans mwen Akayè.  Se yon kote mwen renmen anpil anpil.
Nan lavi'm, mwen pase anpil tan nan zòn Lwès ak nan zòn Sid Ayiti.
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how would you use mefye in a sentence to say I don't trust someone

mefye - too distrust, to be cautious of, to be careful of
you can also say pa fye as in Mwen pa fye w. - I don't trust you; Mwen pa fye yo - I don't trust them

Mwen mefye tout neg ki pa respekte manman yo.
or
Mwen pa fye okenn neg ki pa respekte manman'l.
I don't trust any man who doesn't respect his mother.

Ou dwe mefye moun sa yo.
or
Ou pa dwe fye moun sa yo.
You should be cautious of this people.

Mwen mefye fanm sa.
or
Mwen pa fye fanm sa.
I don't trust that woman.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

I can pay $5 per bag (luggage)

I can pay $5 per bag (luggage).

Mwen ka peye senk dola pa valiz.
Mwen ka ba ou senk dola pa valiz.
Mwen ka ba ou senk dola pou chak valiz / malèt.


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I was very excited to go to Haiti and was looking forward to telling tales of Bouki and Malis to the children. But I could see that some people were clearly uneasy with this. A woman wanted to wait until night time, but I was not available at night. I got the impression that they considered the tales a bedtime story. Am

The only thing I could think of, that could have made these people uneasy, is that in general it's considered bad luck to tell tales (tire kont) during day time.
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Bonjou Mandaly :) kouman ou ye? Can you tell what is the Haitian Creole VOOM? Mèsi!

Mwen trè byen grasadye :)
E ou menm?

voum → a large quantity

Li te dwe m yon voum lajan.
He owed me a lot of money.
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Hey thank god for this site, it is soooo helpful.. Hey there how are you.. Do you have the lyrics for the song on here in title : Peson pa ka kanpe, I have a Haitian American youth choir at my church and I would love to Learn this song to teach them and try to minister to someone. Please get back thank you


Are you talking about UJECE's Pèsonn pa ka kanpe?

Pèsonn pa ka kanpe pou’l fè m pa louwe
Satan pa ka bare’m pou’l fè’m pa chante
Boulvès kapab vini
Lè sa pinga ou kouri
Tout pòt kapab fèmen
W pa wè pèsonn pou rele
Satan kapab rale pye ‘w
Jis pou l fè ou tonbe
Asire w nan Bondye
M garanti’w pap tonbe

Pèsonn pa ka kanpe pou’l fè’m pa louwe
Satan pa ka bare’m pou’l fè’m pa chante
Le lènnmi vin atake’m
Mwen pa dekonsantre
An nou tout fè linite
Pou’n kapab fè travay Bondye
Satan la pou l divize
Nou mwen n’ap resoude
N’ap kenbe pye Bondye
E m’konnen n’ap rive

Pèsonn pa ka kanpe pou’l fè m pa louwe
Satan pa ka bare’m pou fè’m pa chante
Boulvès kapab vini
Lè sa pinga ou kouri
Tout pòt kapab fèmen
W pa wè pèsònn pou rele
Satan kapab rale pye w
Jis pou l fè ou tonbe
Asire w nan Bondye
M garanti w ou p’ap tonbe

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

So what's the deal with the expression TONMAT VET? What does it mean here? thanks.

Tonmat vèt! (Tomat vèt!), that's Creole for Green tomatoes! 
As an expression, it's a pseudo swear word. People, who don't want to sound too obscene, might say it instead of Tonnè!, Tout Tonnè!, or even Tonnè de Dye! (Creole for holy crap, etc...)
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

kiss my lips

Kiss my lips.
Bo bouch mwen.

I think it's better to say (It will make more sense in Creole):
Bo'm sou bouch.
Embrase'm sou bouch.
Ban'm yon beze sou bouch mwen.
Kiss me on the lips
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how to say "oh yes your brother and sisters father". how is he doing?

Sound like you're talking to a priest...  Am I right?
Your brothers and sisters Father, How are they doing?
Frè ak sè ou yo monpè, kouman yo ye?

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what is the translation of love in peace in Creole?

love and peace lanmou ak lapè

Lanmou ak lapè pa mache san lajwa.
Depi gen lanmou ak lapè, ap gen lajwa :)
Love and peace go hand in hands with joy.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

ban mwen yon ki duos ko siwo

I think you mean Ban mwen youn ki dous kon siwo Give me one that is as sweet as honey.
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The process takes a long time (IN Creole)

The process takes a long time.
Pwosesis la pran anpil tan.

process pwosesis, teknik, operasyon, fabrikasyon

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how to say 'one moment' or 'one second' as in 'wait a moment'

yon moman ( a moment)
yon segonn (one second)

Tann yon moman, souple
Wait a moment, please

Tann yon minit, tanpri
Wait a minute, please

Tann yon ti moman
Wait a little while

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how to say 'speak slower please'

what does gade yon koze means

How'd you say money comes & money goes in Creole

Is this the same as money changes hands?
I can't think of a Haitian Creole idiom that would translate that specifically, but the word to word translation is lajan vini, lajan ale
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