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!

Can you post Haitian Christmas music for kids?


Here are some of the most well-known Christmas carols in Haiti.
Some are in French, some in Creole.  The titles you don't know, you may search for the music sample on Youtube.

O nuit trè sen (O holy night)
Melodies Joyeuses #82 Kreyòl

O nuit trè sen, bèl zetwal yo ap briye
Se lannuit lè Jezi Kri te fèt
Lontan lemonn te egare nan peche
Jouk li parèt e nanm mwen te viv ankò

Kè:
O jou de jwa, tout lemonn ape rejwi
Pou gwo limyè k'ap fè yon nouvo jou
Mete ajenou, tande zanj yo ap chante
O nuit trè sen, O nuit lè Kris te fèt
O nuit diven, O nuit, O nuit diven

Nou swiv limyè sa, avèk tout gran jwa
Kè nou briye ak lanmou pou Jezi Kris
Nou adore Li ki vin fèt pou sove nou
Nou swiv li menm jan moun saj yo te swiv li

Gade ti Jezi ki kouche nan krèch la (Away in a manger)
Chan Desperans #117 Kreyòl

Gade ti Jezi ki kouche nan krèch la
Otèl la refize l malgre li se Wa
Bèje yo te vini pou adore Li
Bèl ti Senyè Jezi ki t’ape dòmi.

Bèf yo t’ape begle, ti bebe leve
Li louvri bèl je li men li pa kriye
Zetwal nan syèl la te klere figi li
Vin wè Sovè ou kit e fèt pou mouri

Mèsi, Senyè Jezi, pou kado lavi
Jou fèt ou, Nowèl la, fè kè mwen rejwi
Mwen renmen ou Jezi, pi plis ke janmen
Mwen ba ou tout kè mwen pou letènite

Premye Nowèl (The First Noel)
Chan Desperans #121 Kreyòl

Premye Nowèl zanj la te pale
Bèje yo nan plenn kote yo rete
Nan plenn kote yo gade mouton
Yon nuit fredi kite fè nwa

Kè:
Nowèl, Nowèl, Nowèl, Nowèl
Jezi te fèt Wa Izrayèl

Avèk limyè, yon bèl zetwal
Twa zòm saj soti nan yon peyi trè lwen
Ak entansyon pou yo chache yon Wa
E yo swiv zetwal la kote li ale

Zetwal la mache tout lannuit
Rive Bètleyèm, li pa kontinye
Li rete la, e li poze
Tou jis kote Jezi te kouche

Alò, twa zòm saj yo vin pou antre
Ak gran respè yo mete ajenou
E yo ofri li tout sa yo pote
Anpi lò, lami, ak lansan


Il est né le divin Enfant
French
Il est né, le divin Enfant,
Jouez, hautbois, resonnez, musettes;
Il est né, le divin Enfant
Chantons tous son avènement!

1. Depuis plus de quatre mille ans,
Nous le promettaient les Prophètes,
Depuis plus de quatre mille ans,
Nous attendions cet heureux temps

2. Une etable est son logement,
Un peu de paille, sa couchette,
Une etable est son logement,
Pour un Dieu, quel abaissement!

3. O Jesus! O Roi tout puissant!
Tout petit enfant que vous êtes,
O Jesus! O Roi tout puissant!
Regnez sur nous entierement!

4. Ah! qu'il est beau, qu'il est charmant,
Que ses grâces sont parfaites!
Ah! qu'il est beau, qu'il est charmant,
Qu'il est doux le divin Enfant!

Depi Lontan Nan Bètleyèm (Long Time Ago in Bethlehem)
Kreyòl
Depi lontan nan Bètleyèm, se labib ki di nou sa
Pitit gason Mari a, Jezi te fèt nan jou Nowèl la

Koute zanj yo ap chante, louwanj sot nan syèl la
Lèzòm ap viv etènèlman akoz de jou Nowèl la

Jozèf ak madanm ni Mari, te rive nan vil Bètleyèm
Pa’t gen plas pou Mari akouche, menm yon chanm yo pa’t kapab jwenn

Tande zanj yo ap chante, louwanj  sot nan syel la
Lèzòm ap viv etènèlman akoz de jou Nowèl la

An nou chante! Viv Nowèl! Viv Nowèl!
An nou rele! Viv Nowèl! Viv Nowèl!
Yon gran sovè!  Viv Nowèl! Viv Nowèl!
Te fèt pou nou!  Viv Nowèl! Viv Nowèl!
An nou di No… An nou di No… An nou di No... wèl
Yon sèl pitit Bondye fè, Li voye l ban nou

Petit Papa Noël
French
C'est la belle nuit de Noël
La neige étend son manteau blanc
Et les yeux levés vers le ciel
À genoux, les petits enfants
Avant de fermer les paupières
Font une dernière prière.


Petit papa Noël
Quand tu descendras du ciel
Avec des jouets par milliers
N'oublie pas mon petit soulier.
Mais avant de partir
Il faudra bien te couvrir
Dehors tu vas avoir si froid
C'est un peu à cause de moi.

Il me tarde tant que le jour se lève
Pour voir si tu m'as apporté
Tous les beaux joujoux que je vois en rêve
Et que je t'ai commandés.

Et quand tu seras sur ton beau nuage
Viens d'abord sur notre maison
Je n'ai pas été tous les jours très sage
Mais j'en demande pardon.
         
Trois Anges Sont Venus ce Soir
French
Trois anges sont venus ce soir
M'apporter de bien belles choses.
L'un d'eux avait un encensoir
L'autre avait un bouquet de roses.
Et le troisième avait en main
Une robe toute fleurie
De perles, d'or et de jasmin
Comme en a Madame Marie.    

Noël, Noël, nous venons du ciel
T'apporter ce que tu désires
Car le bon Dieu au fond du ciel bleu
Est chagrin lorsque tu soupires.

Veux-tu le bel encensoir d'or
Ou la rose éclose en couronne ?
Veux-tu la robe ou bien encor
Un collier où l'argent fleuronne ?
Veux-tu des fruits du paradis
Ou du blé des célestes granges ?
Ou comme les bergers jadis
Veux-tu voir Jésus dans Ses langes ?      

Noël, Noël, retournez au ciel
Mes beaux anges, à l'instant même
Dans le ciel bleu demandez à Dieu
Le bonheur pour celui que j'aime.

Vive le Vent (Jingle bells)
French
Vive le vent, vive le vent,
Vive le vent d'hiver,
Qui s'en va sifflant, soufflant
Dans les grands sapins verts, oh !            
Vive le temps, vive le temps,
Vive le temps d'hiver,
Boules de neige et Jour de l'An
Et Bonne Année grand-mère !

Sur le long chemin
Tout blanc de neige blanche
Un vieux monsieur s'avance
Avec sa canne dans la main.
Et tout là-haut le vent
Qui siffle dans les branches
Lui souffle la romance
Qu'il chantait petit enfant, oh ! 


Et le vieux monsieur
Descend vers le village,
C'est l'heure où tout est sage
Et l'ombre danse au coin du feu.
Mais dans chaque maison
Il flotte un air de fête
Partout la table est prête
Et l'on entend la même chanson, oh !    

Refrain
Joyeux, joyeux Noël
Aux mille bougies
Qu'enchantent vers le ciel
Les cloches de la nuit.
Vive le vent, vive le vent
Vive le vent d'hiver
Qui rapporte aux vieux enfants
Leurs souvenirs d'hier   

Mon Beau Sapin (O Chritsmas Tree)
French
Mon beau sapin, roi des forêts,
Que j'aime ta verdure. (bis 2 lignes)
Quand par l'hiver, bois et guérets
Sont dépouillés de leurs attraits.
Mon beau sapin, roi des forêts,
Que j'aime ta parure.

Toi que Noël planta chez nous
Au saint anniversaire! (bis, 2 lignes)
Joli sapin, comme ils sont doux
Et tes bonbons et tes joujoux!
Toi que Noël planta chez nous
Tout brillant de lumière.

Mon beau sapin tes verts sommets
Et leur fidèle ombrage (bis, 2 lignes)
De la foi qui ne ment jamais
De la constance et de la paix,
Mon beau sapin tes verts sommets
M'offrent la douce image.

Les Anges dans nos Campagnes (Angels we Have Heard on High)
French
Les anges dans nos campagnes
Ont entonné l'hymne des cieux
Et l'écho de nos montagnes
Redit ce chant mélodieux
Gloria in excelsis Déo! (bis)

Ils annoncent la naissance
Du libérateur d´Israël
Et pleins de reconnaissance
Chantent en ce jour solennel
Gloria in excelsis Déo! (bis)

Cherchons tous l´heureux village
Qui l´a vu naître sous ses toits
Offrons-lui le tendre hommage
Et de nos cœurs et de nos voix
Gloria in excelsis Déo! (bis)

Bergers, pour qui cette fête?
Quel est l'objet de tous ces chants?
Quel vainqueur, quelle conquête
Mérite ces cris triomphants?
Gloria in excelsis Déo! (bis)

Il est né, le Dieu de gloire
Terre, tressaille de bonheur
Que tes hymnes de victoire
Chantent, célèbrent ton sauveur
Gloria in excelsis Déo! (bis)


L’enfant au Tambour (Little drummer boy)
French
Sur la route
Pa Ram Pam Pam Pam
Petit tambour s'en va
Pa Ram Pam Pam Pam
Il sent son cœur qui bat
Pa Ram Pam Pam Pam
Au rythme de ses pas
Pa Ram Pam Pam Pam
Ram Pam Pam Pam
Ram Pam Pam Pam
Ô! petit enfant
Pa Ram Pam Pam Pam
Où vas-tu ?

Hier, mon père
Pa Ram Pam Pam Pam
A suivi le tambour
Pa Ram Pam Pam Pam
Le tambour des soldats
Pa Ram Pam Pam Pam
Alors je vais au ciel
Pa Ram Pam Pam Pam
Ram Pam Pam Pam
Là, je veux donner pour son retour
Mon tambour

Tous les anges
Pa Ram Pam Pam Pam
Ont pris leurs beaux tambours
Pa Ram Pam Pam Pam
Et ont dit à l'enfant
Pa Ram Pam Pam Pam
Ton père est de retour
Pa Ram Pam Pam Pam
Ram Pam Pam Pam
Ram Pam Pam Pam
Et l'enfant s'éveille
Pa Ram Pam Pam Pam
Sur son tambour.



Salut Blanche Etoile (O Come All ye Faithful)
Chants D’Esperance #43 - French

1. Salut, blanche étoile, au plus haut du ciel !
Rayonne sans voile, splendeur de Noël !
Venez, tendre enfance, qu'un chant d'espérance (bis)
De vos cœurs s'élance jusqu'à l'Eternel !

2. Ardente jeunesse, louez le Seigneur !
Tremblante vieillesse, n'ayez point de peur !
Dieu même, ô mystère se fait notre Frère (bis)
Et vient sur la terre sauver le pécheur.

3. Le Fils adorable, Lui, le Roi des rois,
Naît dans une étable, meurt sur une croix
Sa grâce fidèle pardonne aux rebelles (bis)
Jésus nous appelle , ecoutons sa voix !

4. Salut, blanche étoile,  au plus haut du ciel !
Rayonne sans voile, splendeur de Noël !
Pour l'âme qui t'aime, ta clarté supreme (bis)
Est le doux emblème du jour éternel.

Jour de Bonheur, Jour Memorable (Joy to the World)
Melodies Joyeuses #180 - French

Jour de Bonheur, jour memorable
Noël est de retour
Et vers la crèche de l’etable (bis)
Joyeux le monde accourt (bis)
Joyeux, joyeux le monde accourt

Dans cette crèche est le Messie
Que tout son people attend
Par la divine prophetie (bis)
Promis depuis longtemps (bis)
Promis, promis depuis longtemps

Il est le Roi, mais sans couronne
Les humbles sont sa court
C’est dans les coeurs qu’il a son trône (bis)
Sa loi n’est que d’amour (bis)
Sa loi, sa loi n’est que d’amour

Roi desiré que notre monde
Don’t l’espoir n’est qu’en toi
A ton appel d’amour reponde (bis)
Jesus, soit notre Roi (bis)
Jesus, Jesus, soit notre Roi

Voici Noël (Silent Night)
Chant d’esperance # 38 – French

Voici Noël, ô douce nuit!
L’étoile est là, qui nous conduit
Allons donc tous, avec les mages,
Porter à Jésus nos hommages
Car l’Enfant nous est né,
Le Fils nous est donné!

Voici Noël, ô quel beau jour!
Jésus est né! quel grand amour!
C’est pour nous qu’Il vient sur la terre,
Qu’Il prend sur Lui notre misère.
Un Sauveur nous est né,
Le Fils nous est donné!

Voici Noël! Ne craignons pas,
Car Dieu nous dit: “Paix ici-bas!
Bienveillance envers tous les hommes!”
Pour nous aussi, tels que nous sommes,
Un Sauveur nous est né,
Le Fils nous est donné!

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

Kisa ki love?

Love se lanmou.
Lanmou se love.
Se kè yon moun sèlman ki kapab repwodui l.
Li pa gen ni yon fòmil ni yon resèt egzak pou fè l antre nan kè yon moun pou ou.
Mwen konsidere l tankou youn nan fòs lanati yo.
Ou kapab manipile l, men ou pa kapab ni kontwole l ni kòmande l.
Yon moun ki gen bon konprann va konnen ke fòk ou ba l bon laswenyay pou l grandi ak devlope ,
Paske kote ki gen love, gen anpil bèl lavi.

mèsi pou kesyon ou.

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

Chak jou pa dimanch :)

Of course not.
Si chak jou te dimanch nou ta bouke ak monotoni lavi a.
Chak jou se jou, men chak jou pa gen menm non.
Lendi pa madi, madi pa jedi, e jedi sètènman pa dimanch... grasadye :)
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Hello. What is the translation of the sentence: "Li te fè menay." Also, can "menay" mean house chores like "menaj".

Li te fè menaj (or menay as you have it)
He/She became committed in a relationship.

yes, fè menaj (or fè menaj nan kay) means to do house chores.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Eske gen diferans ant ESTIPID ak KANNANNAN?

Gen yon ti diferans.
Yon kannannan se yon moun ki nayif, san eksperyans, inosan ak anfanten.
Yon moun ki estipid se yon moun ki manke entelijans, ki pa fè tèt li travay, e ki pafwa aji ak enbesilite.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

What are some Inpolite things haitian people say in creole?

Kisak 'Adokan' yan.

mash potato ...?

Tris Li ou Dont Konprann ...

This sounds like Creole and English mixed together...
Are you trying to say It's so sad you don't understand (Sa byen tris ou pa konprann)?
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

sak ki tet pikan nan angle?

Someone with nappy, brillo pad hair (as they call it) may have earned this nickname.
It literally means head of thorns

You gotta give me more info here:)  Is this a nickname?, Did someone use it to describe another person?,   or Does this involve someone with nappy looking hair?
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Orevwa mare ?

I think you mean:
Orevwa, M'ale  
Goodbye, I'm leaving

Orevwa, m met deyò!
Goodbye, I am out of here

Orevwa, mwen jete'm.
Goodbye, I'm out of here.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

mil mèsi...?

Mil mèsi pou souri ou
Mil mèsi paske ou pa mande m pou m chanje, e vin yon lòt moun
Mil mèsi pou jantiyès ou
Mil mèsi, nou pa di sa ase.

mil mèsi vle di a thousand thanks nan lang Angle a.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Mete fanm sou ou or met fanm sou ou? mèsi!

You may use both.

Mete fanm sou ou.
or
Met fanm sou ou.
Be courageous
Be brave
applies to females only


For males you'll say:
Mete gason sou ou
Met gason sou ou.
Be strong
Be courageous.

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

How would you say "my mind is not in the right place" in creole? thanks

My mind is not in the right place.
Lespri m pa la.
Tèt mwen pa la.

Kèk fwa, lespri w pa la, se paske ou gen anpil tèt chaje :)
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

What is "ti boubout"?

ti boubout little darling, a cherished or treasured person

1. Li se ti boubout mwen.
2. L'ap chache yon ti boubout.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Li lage de gidon deye mwen. (translation please)

lage de gidon → to pursue relentlessly, to chase, to hunt down

Li lage de gidon dèyè m.
He/she was chasing me.

Nèg la lage de gidon dèyè fanm nan.
The man was pursuing the woman relentlessly.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Is this an expression: "Nou pa nan rans"? Kisa li vle di?

Nou pa nan rans.
We don't play around.
We don't joke around

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

Mèsi anpil → Thank you

how do you say No bargaining/bartering (in Creole)?

No bargaining/bartering
Pa fè machanday

Do not bargain/barter.
Pa machande
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

how to say you gonna get your ...

It depends on what words follow.
Sometimes, this comes through as a passive voice, non?

You're gonna get yours.
Ou pral jwenn pa'w.

You're gonna get your butt kicked.
Yo pral toufounen w.
Yo pral krabinen w.
Yo pral fann fwa w.

You're gonna get your act together.
Ou pral ranje zafè w.
Ou pral ranje koze w.

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

My God (Creole)

my god 
Bondye mwen an
or
Bondye m nan

My God is great.
Bondye m nan gran.

My God is mighty.
Bondye m nan pisan.

My God is real.
Bondye m nan reyèl.

My God can beat your god ;)
Bondye m nan ka bat bondye w la.

My God is with me all the time.
Bondye m nan avè m tout tan.

My God is not dead, He's alive.
Bondye m nan pa mouri, Li vivan.

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

"Work on the items that are running out. Don't wait for me to tell you." This is when preparing medications in a busy clinic pharmacy. Mesi!

Dakò :)

itemsbagay, sa yo

Work on the items*  that are running out.   Don't wait for me to tell you.
Travay sou medikaman* ki preske fini yo.  Pa tann se mwen ki pou vin di  w.

*if the items are medications.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

"puiz" means well?

If you mean like a water well, it's pi in Creole.
It comes from the French puit which means well, so you might hear some people say pui in Creole.

yon pi → a well
yon pi dlo → a water well

He fell into a water well.
Li te tonbe nan yon pi dlo.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Eske ou kapab di mwen kouman woch cho ede moun ki pipi nan kabann? Eske woch la mete anba kabann nan?

Premyèman se pa yon wòch cho senpleman yo itlize, men se yon wòch dife ki konn kuit manje.
Dezyèmman, se pa tout moun ki dòmi sou kabann Ayiti.  Si nou t'ap konte sou mete wòch anba kabann, se pa tout moun ki ta ka fè sa.  Anpil moun dòmi atè sou nat.  Mwen pa konnen kijan yon moun ta ka dòmi sou yon nat ki gen yon gwo wòch dife anba li.
Twazyèmman yo pa mete wòch dife a anba kabann nan, men yo fè pisannit la pipi sou li.  Gen moun ki di fòk wòch la tou cho pou pipi sou li, gen lòt ki di ou gen dwa pise sou wòch la ke l te cho ke l te frèt.
Finalman, mwen tande pale de tretman sa depi m te piti, e mwen pa konnen poukisa Ayisyen panse wòch dife kapab ede yon moun sispann pise nan kabann.

You've asked this question in Creole, but I'm not sure if you wanted a Creole or English answer.
Here's the answer in English in case you did not totally understand the above note:

First of all it's not simply a hot rock that they use, but a fire rock which has been used for cooking or burning.
Second, not everyone has a bed in Haiti.  If we were relying on putting the rock under the bed, not everyone could do this. Some people sleep on mats.  I don't know how anyone could sleep on a mat with a fire rock under it.
Third, they do not place the rock under the bed.  But instead, they have the bed wetter pee on the rock. Some people say that the fire rock must be hot in order for the treatment to work, and others say it doesn't need to be hot.
Lastly, I have heard of this bedwetting treatment since I was a child, and I do not know why Haitians think that a fire rock is a good treatment for bedwetting.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

GET THE FACTS in Creole

Is it proper to call someone "anraje"? What is the meaning exactly? Is the same as "crazy"?

A. Si yon moun anraje, ou di l'anraje.  Ou rele l sa li ye a.

B. To call someone "yon anraje", you're probably using it as a noun.  Is that right?
anraje (n.)a nut case,  a lunatic, a person who acts crazy and/or foolish
example:
1. Ou se yon anraje monchè!
    You're a nut case man!

Or using it as an attribute
2. Ou anraje monchè!
    You're crazy man!

C. anraje, mande anraje, or fin anraje v. (also debòde or dechennen) → to become furious, to go bonkers, to lose it, to hit the roof
example:
3. Lè li te aprann ke bank lan pa t'ap ranbouse li lajan an, li te mande anraje.

    When he learned that the bank wouldn't give him a refund, he became furious.   

4.  Madanm nan te fin anraje lè li te aprann yo te bay pitit li a yon move medikaman nan lopital la.
     The woman was very furious when she learned that they had given the wrong medication to her child at the hospital.

D. anraje can also mean to run rampant, to ravage, to be out of control
example:
5. Grangou ak lanmizè fin anraje nan peyi a.
    Hunger and suffering are ravaging the country.






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

mwen gen dwa pa vle di ou anyen men sa pa vle di ke mwen pa konprann ou.

Mwen gen dwa pa di anyen men sa pa vle di mwen pa konprann ou.
I may not say anything but that doesn't mean that I don't understand you.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Kijan ou di halloween nan Ayiti? kijan ou di trick or treat nan Ayiti?

Pa gen Halloween Ayiti.
Halloween se pa yon fèt yo selebre Ayiti, ni nou pa genyen yon ekivalan selebrasyon sa nan peyi Ayiti tou.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

What is "to take attendance" in Creole?

take attendance → fè apèl  or   fè lapèl
roll call → apèl, lapèl

The teacher takes atendance each morning.
Mèt la fè apèl chak maten.

Teacher is translated as pwofesè or mèt.  Mèt, literally, means master.  You'll find that students in Haiti always add the prefix Mèt in front of their teachers' name.  Mèt for males, and Matmwazèl or Madame for females.
Mèt Brinach → Mr. Brinach
Matmwazèl Françoise → Ms. Françoise

You know, I have kept in touch with some of my primary and secondary school teachers from Haiti.  And to this day, I still call them Mèt.

in the nick of time... (in creole). She made it to the hospital "in the nick of time".

In the nick of time.
atan

1. Li te rive lopital la atan.
2. Li te remèt mwen lajan m atan.
3. Yo te rive nan sal ijans lan atan.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Bonjou mandaly, how would you say "after all" or "in the long run"? mesi!

How do you say, "Are those your children", meaning, Are those (over there, in that photo) YOUR (lovely)children? ?Timoun sa you, se timoun ou / p'ou? Thank you!

You got it right.

Are those your children?
Eske sa yo se timoun ou / pitit ou?
Timoun sa yo se timoun ou?
Timoun sa yo se pou ou?

The lovely children in that photo, are they yours?
Bèl timoun yo nan foto sa se pitit ou?

Bèl timoun yo nan foto sa se pou ou?

Are the children in these photos yours?
Timoun nan foto sa yo se pitit ou?


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

how to say, you can color these pictures?

You can color these pictures / illustrations/drawings.
Ou kapab kolore foto / ilistrasyon / desen sa yo
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

which haitian creole word is used to translate the verb toughen up?

It depends on what is being toughened up.
you can use the word andisi (to harden)
you can use vin rèd (to become stiff)
you can use mete gason sou or mete fanm sou (to be tough and strong)

Ou bezwen met gason sou ou.
or
Ou bezwen mete gason sou ou.
You need to toughen up. (if talking to a male)

Ou bezwen met fanm sou ou
or
Ou bezwen mete fanm sou ou.
You need to toughen up. (if talking to a female)
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

how do you say "we need to talk" in creole

We need to talk.
Fòk nou pale 

We need to talk about this.
We need to discuss this
Fòk nou pale sou sa.
Fòk nou diskite sa.
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fèt a kwaf? - Li fèt ak kwaf?

Fèt ak kwafto be lucky, to be born lucky

Li fèt ak kwaf.
He's lucky.
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N'ap manje yon pita pita?

☺ Are you talking about a flat pita bread here?  That's the only way this sentence could be possible in Creole :)

N'ap manje yon pita pita :)
We'll eat a pita bread later.
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"Kèkal" as in Li rete kèkal?

kè kal (heart calm) - kè pòpòz - kè poze (heart rested)

Kèkal → calm.

Li rete kèkal.
He was calm.
He remained calm.

kè pòpòz - calm, serene, poised, composed

Li te kè pòpòz.
She was poised.

synonyms: kèkal, kè pòpòz, dousman, dousman trankil
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"Hurry up, get a move on" (in Creole)

Hurry up!
Fè vit!
Prese!
Pa fè reta!
or 
Fè vit non!
Prese non!

Get a move on!
Leve pye!
Depeche w!
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I need to clear up some issues with past tense: "I studied Creole 2 years ago." (suggesting I have not since then) "I have not studied Creole for 2 years." "I have been studying for 2 years."

I studied Creole 2 years ago. 
Mwen te etidye Kreyòl dezan pase.

I have not studied Creole for two years.
Mwen pa etidye Creole depi dezan.

I have been studying Creole for two years.
M'ap etidye Creole depi dezan.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words


happy wedding anniversary my love forever. 8 years

wedding anniversary
anivèsè maryaj

Happy anniversary my love forever - 8 years
Bòn anivèsè maryaj lanmou mwen pou tout tan - uitan

Did you mean
Happy anniversary my everlasting love - for 8 wonderful years
Bòn anivèsè maryaj lanmou enfini mwen -  pou uit bèl ane.

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I am "8" years old

I am "8" years old.
Mwen gen "uitan".

I am thirty years old.
Mwen gen trantan.

I was twenty-seven when I got married.
Mwen te gen vennsetan lè'm te marye.

I will be forty in two weeks.
M pral gen karantan nan de semèn.
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Se sa minm. mpa tande w nan peyi a minm frem. nap we si bondie vle.

Se sa menm!
That's right!
You got it!

M pa tande w nan peyi a menm frè m.  N'ap wè si Bondye vle.
I haven't heard from you at all on my end.  I'll see you God willing.
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How do you use the expression "pa mande Bondye"

Pa mande BondyeGod forbid!, Heaven forbid!

1. Pa mande Bondye yon bagay ta rive'w pandan ou sou siveyans mwen.  Papa'w pa ta janm padonnen m.
    God forbid that something should happen to you on my watch.  Your father would never forgive me.

2. Li panse li se chèf mwen. Pa mande Bondye m ta sòti san pèmisyon l,  li ta fin anraje!
    He thinks he owns me.  Heaven forbid if I go out without his permission, he would hit the roof!
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Si'm te konnen toujou dèyè ...(in English please)

Yes unfortunately.
Four little syllables I really hate to say.
Si'm te konnen (If I had known) ...
But when I always do my best, there's absolutely no need to say it.  I'll only understand that some things are just not meant to be.

Si'm te konnen toujou dèyè (H. Creole expression)
If I had known is always behind. (literally)
Regret always comes after the fact.
Regret always comes too late.
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What is the "bon jou" meaning in this sentence: "...si gen Bondye ak ki jou ki bon jou Bondye a."

bon jou (good day), here, seems to mean the Day Of The Lord or a day for worship
I am not sure which one the writer meant.

... ki jou ki bon jou Bondye a ...
... which day is the good day of the Lord (literally)
... which day is the day of the Lord 

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from Bèbè Golgota pg 54, "Malgre y ap pale ansanm, youn pa t sou bò lòt." What does "sou bò lòt" mean? Thank you!

sou bò (expression) → to be interested in, to hold one's attention

Mwen pa sou bò ou.
I am not interested in you.

Li pa menm sou bò ou.
He is not even interested in you.

Malgre y ap pale ansanm, youn pa't sou bò lòt.
Even though they were talking together , one was not interested in the other. (literally)
Though they were speaking to each other, one had no interest in the other.

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how do you say "i want to be a doctor"

I want to be a doctor.
Mwen vle vin yon doktè.

Please, see link: I want to be a
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

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.

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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?
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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)?
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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.

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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.
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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.
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"Days of bread" in Creole?

Is it "Days of unleavened bread"?

Days of unleavened bread
Jou pen san leven yo
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY IN CREOLE

Happy Birthday Bòn Fèt, Bòn Anivèsè

See other posts with HAPPY BIRTHDAY

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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?
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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.
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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
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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.


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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?

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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.
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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
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Can you explain "Je pete klere"? thanks

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

je pete klereilliterate, birdbrain
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"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.
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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.
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"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.
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