Haitian Creole

Good morning, I thank you so much ! ( Your work and this blog ) Can you translate 'vole' in detail ? "Mak 10:50 Avèg la voye rad li jete, se vole li t'ap vole pou l' te vin bò kot Jezi. kamsa hamnida !

Dakò :)
Mèsi zanmi. Mwen apresye remèsiman ou.

vole → to fly, to take flight, to fly away, to leap, bounce or jump.
The noun for "vole" is "vòl" which means a jump, a flight, a bounce, a leap

"vole" should not be confused with "volè n." (with an accent on the "e") which means robber or crook

1. Zwazo ap vole anwo tèt nou.
Birds are flying over our head.

2. Avyon an vole deja.
The plane already took flight.
in this case, we may also say "pran vòl → take flight"

3. Timoun nan te tèlman kontan wè manman l, li te vole sou janm li.
The kid was so happy to see his mom that he leaped into her lap.

In the sentence in your question, it seems that the blind person was probably happy or overjoyed that he was leaping toward Jesus.
4. Avèg la voye rad li jete, se vole li t'ap vole pou l' te vin bò kot Jezi.
The blind person threw his clothes aside, he was just leaping to get near Jesus.

and don't forget Se vole li t'ap vole is an expression which means "he was JUST leaping/flying". See the embedded link #21 for more examples like this.

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

Hi, Madaly ! What is okontre ? here. "Men, se pa konsa pou sa fèt nan mitan nou. Okontrè, si yonn nan nou ta vle vin grannèg, se pou l' sèvi nou tout." kamsa hamnida

Bonjou :)
okontrè → on the contrary

"Men, se pa konsa pou sa fèt nan mitan nou. Okontrè, si yonn nan nou ta vle vin grannèg, se pou l' sèvi nou tout."
"But that's not the way it's done among us. On the contrary, if one of you wants to be a great man, he must serve all of us."

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

What is KASE here? "Mwen we ou fe yon ti kase."

kase, here, is most likely to have lost weight
We also say desann, pèdi pwa, megri (all verbs)

Li fè yon ti kase.
Li fè yon ti desann.
Li megri.
Li pèdi pwa.
He's lost some weight.

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

First draft? rough draft? final draft? "We have a research paper to do in this class. The first draft is due in two weeks, a second draft in four weeks, a third draft in six weeks a rough draft in eight weeks and the final draft in twelve weeks."

rough draft (first draft?) → bouyon
travay obouyon → make a rough draft of your work
final draft → kopi final

I am making a rough draft before I make a final copy.
M'ape travay obouyon anvan m mete l opwòp.

Mwen te sèlman ekri l obouyon.
I only made a rough draft

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

Tou won san fon?

Where I am right now it's about 5 PM. It's still too early for tire kont :)
I'd have to bury my toes in the ground before I could give you an answer. And I don't feel like going outside to do this. (LOL! You know how the superstition goes :)

☺Did you really need to know the answer?

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

How does one translate 'to snuggle(up)?

snuggle up → akokiye, plòtonnen

They snuggled up on the chair to watch the movie.
Yo te plòtonnen kò yo sou chèz la pou gade fim nan.

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

Do you know any rhyming quotes in Creole?

What type of quotes???? :)
1.
Si w pa gen kè
Ou pa ka jwe pokè

2.
Wè pa wè,
Antèman pou katrè.

3.
Si w manje manje san sòs
ou pap gen fòs

4.
Alèz kon blèz
ki chita sou chèz san pinèz

5.
demwazèl san zèl

6.
Tou won
san fon

I'm not sure about #5 and 6 being a quote :)

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

What's a baka exactly? does it mean zombi

baka (move lespri, movèzespri, espri malveyan) → evil spirit

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

where would you place "must" in creole in "There must be an easier way to do this" and also in "There should be an easier way to this" and "There could be an easier way to do this? Do you use TE or TA? thanks

There must be an easier way to do this.
Dwe gen yon fason pi fasil pou fè sa.
Fò gen yon fason pi fasil pou fè sa

There should be an easier way to do this.

Ta dwe gen yon fason pi fasil pou fè sa.

Fò ta gen yon fason pi fasil pou fè sa.
Some people use "te dwe" instead of "ta dwe"

There could be an easier way to do this.
Ka gen yon fason pi fasil pou fè sa.

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

what does "to spit three times" mean?

As in someone says m krache twa fwa (I spit three times)?
It's an expression that means you have sworn off "something", you will abstain from doing "something".
I'm not sure whether people do the action of spiting three times - I have not met anyone that have actually done that.

Here's an example:
1. Lavi New York te tèlman rèd pou mwen, apre m te kite l, m te krache twa fwa m p'ap janm met pye m la ankò.
Life in New York was so tough for me, after I left, I swore I'd never set foot there again.

2. Apre divòs la, Bènadèt te krache twa fwa, li te di l "M p'ap janm marye ankò!"
After the divorce, Bernadette swore, she said, "I'll never get married again!"

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

just because? "Just because the grammar is correct doesn't mean people won't think it's not quite right." or "Just because I didn't go to school this week doesn't mean that I dropped out."

Isn't this the same as saying because?
I would say paske, senpman paske, senpleman paske

"Just because I didn't go to school this week doesn't mean that I dropped out."
"Paske m pa't al nan klas semèn sa a pa vle di m kite lekòl."

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

Sa li ye la? (what does it mean?)

Sa li ye la?
Sa li ye la a?
or
Sa'l ye la a?
What is this? (What's going on?)

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

is the word kokobe used for "handicapped" or "sick"

It's used for a "physically handicapped". But use the word "enfim" as noun or adj. if you want to be politically correct.

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

Bonjou! Kouman tout bagay ye? Men kesyon pa'm pou jodi a: Eske "te ka(pab)" vle di "could (presently)" toutan? Ou sa depann konteks la? "Mwen te ka manje kounyeya" "Mwen te ka manje avan mwen te tande move nouvèl la."

Bonjou zanmi, tout bagay anfòm pou mwen. M'espere se menm bagay la pou ou tou :)

Yes, it will translate "could (presently)" DEPENDING on the context, as you said.
The other times it will translate was/were able to. It can also translate the possibility of a future event such as: Mwen okipe kounye a, eske te ka rele m pita? I'm busy now could you call me later?

Here are a few more examples of its usage, including yours

1. "Mwen te ka manje kounyeya."
"I could eat now."

2. Bòs la pa la. Men l'ap tounen trè byento. Eske ou te ka fè yon ti tann li silvouplè?
The boss is not here. But he'll be back soon. Could you wait for him please?

3. M te kontan vizit ou. Eske n te ka vin wè m demen ankò?
I enjoyed your visit. Could you come see me tomorrow again?

4. Eske w te ka ale achte kèk tomat nan mache a pou mwen?
Could yo go buy me some tomatoes from the market?

5. N'ap fè devwa nou kounye a pou n te ka ale nan fèt la pita.
We're doing our homework now so that we could go to the party later.

6. M panse m te kapab fè l chanje lide. Men sa pa't fèt.
I thought I could make her change her mind. But that didn't happen.

7. Si'm te ka mache, ala kouri m ta kouri.
If I was able to walk, how I would run.
If I could walk, how I would run.

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

Can I use "anpil tan" and "anpil fwa" synonymously?

Non. I don't think so.

anpil fwa (plizyè fwa) → many times, many times over
anpil tan (lontan) → a long time, for a long time

1. Li te pase nimewo a anpil fwa, men li pa't ka antre nan kominikasyon ak manman l.
She dialed the number many times, but she couldn't reach her mom.

2. Sa gen anpil tan depi m pa't wè w.
It's been a long time since I had not seen you.

fwa (instances)
3. Konbyen fwa ou te vizite Ayiti?
How many times did you visit Haiti?

4. Yon fwa ankò, mwen di w m pa janm al nan peyi sa.
Once again, I tell you I've never been to this country.

5. M sèlman ka fè yon sèl bagay alafwa (a la fwa).
I can only do one thing at a time.

tan (moment, period, epoch, weather)
6. Nan ki tan ou te abite Ayiti?
During which period of time did you live in Haiti?

7. M okipe anpil. M pa gen tan pou m ede w.
I'm very busy. I don't have time to help you.

8. Tan an mare jodi a. Ann al lakay.
It looks like it might rain. Let's go home.

9. Tanndat m'ap tann ou. Kisa w t'ap fè tout tan sa a?
I've been waiting long for you. What were you doing all that time?

10. Bon tan kou move tan m'ap toujou ret zanmi w.
In good times as in bad times I'll remain your friend.

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

Kay Doktè a (AUDIO)

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

The doctor: Bonjou madanm.

The patient: Bonjou doktè.

The doctor: Kòman m kapab ede w jodi a Madanm?
How can I help you today ma'am?

The patient: Doktè, mwen pa byen ditou ditou. Tout kò m ap fè m mal.
Doctor, I'm not well at all. My whole body hurts.

The doctor: Kisa k ap fè w mal egzakteman?
What's hurting you exactly?

The patient: Depi de(2) jou vant mwen ap fè m mal. Mwen gen tètfèmal.

Mwen gen feblès. Mwen tèlman fèb, mwen pa menm ka mache.

Enpi m santi m toudi toudi.
Since two days my stomach's been hurting. I have a headache.
I have weakness. I'm so weak, I can't even walk.
And I feel so dizzy.

The doctor: E kisa ki fè doulè w vin miyò?
And what makes the pain better?

The patient: Anyen ditou.
Nothing at all.

The doctor: Eske kò fè mal la vin ak lafyèv?
Does the body ache come with fever?

The patient: Non doktè. M pa santi lafyèv non.
No doctor. I don't feel any fever.

The doctor: Eske w’ap touse?
Are you coughing?

The patient: Non doktè, mwen pa gen tous non.
No doctor, I don't have a cough.

The doctor: Eske w gen dyare?
Do you have diarrhea?

The patient: Non doktè. M pa ni gen dyare, ni konstipe.
No doctor. I neither have diarrhea nor am I constipated.

The doctor: Kisa ou te manje maten an madanm?
What did you eat this morning ma'am?

The patient: Maten an, mwen pa’t manje anyen non.
This morning, I ate nothing.

The doctor: E kisa ou te manje yè?
And what did you eat yesterday?

The patient: Ayè, mwen pa’t manje anyen nonplistou.
Yesterday, I didn't eat anything either.

The doctor: Ou pa manje anyen menm pou de jou!!!!!!?
You did not eat anything at all for two days!!!!?

The patient: Anyen menm doktè…. Mwen p’ap travay.
E mwen pa gen mwayen pou m nouri tèt mwen.
Nothing at all doctor. .... I'm not working.
And I don't have the means to feed myself.

The doctor: A! mwen wè pwoblèm ou.
Ah! I see your problem.

The patient: O! ou wè pwoblèm nan doktè?! Eske w’ap ban m yon preskripsyon?
O! You do see the problem doctor? Will you give me a prescription?

The doctor: Wi. Madanm, men yon ti kafe ak bonbon. Manje li konnya.
Yes ma'am, here's a little coffee and cookies. Eat it now.

The patient: Mèsi doktè. ... Li bon. Ou pa vle yon ti kal doktè, non?
Thanks doctor. ...Hmm it's tasty. You don't want a piece doctor?

The doctor: Non, m manje deja. ... E konnya, kijan w santi w?
No, I ate already. ...And now, how do you feel?

The patient: Doktè, m santi m yon ti jan miyò. Mwen santi enèji ap tounen nan kò m

ankò. Mwen santi m anfòm nèt doktè. Mèsi!
Doctor, I feel a little better. I feel the energy coming back into my
body again. I feel wonderful doctor. Thank you!

The doctor: Dakò. Mwen pral refere w pou ale nan Centre Catholique la. Di yo se
mwen ki voye w. Yo va ede w jwenn kèk pwovizyon e petèt
yon ti travay tou.
Great. I'll refer you to the Centre Catholique. Tell them I sent you.
They'll help you get some groceries and perhaps a little job

The patient: Mèsi anpil doktè.

The doctor: Enpi mwen rekòmande w pou al lakay ou. Bwè yon gwo tas kafe e manje

yon asyèt manje. E ou va santi w pi miyò toujou.
And I recommend that you go home. Drink a big cup of coffee and eat
a plate of food. And you'll feel even better still.

The patient: Ou se yon bon doktè. Gade kijan mwen vini tou malad. Enpi ou gentan

fè m santi m byen enganm. Mèsi anpil!
You're such a good doctor. Look how I came all sickly. And you've
already made me strong. Thanks a lot!

The doctor: Orevwa madam

The patient: Orevwa doktè

Track: M'a Prale by TiCorn

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

How would you say : "Set a realistic goal."?

Set a realistic goal
Fikse yon objektif rezonab
Etabli yon objektif ki rezonab

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

Je m klè ....? (My eye is clear?)

Je mwen klè
Je m klè
(my eyes are open)
I am awake

some ex:
1. Je m klè depi senkè.
I've been awake since 5 o'clock.

2. Depi je m klè nan mitan nuit la, m pa janm ka retounen dòmi ankò.
Once I wake up in the middle of the night, I could never go back to sleep again.

3. Je w klè?
Are you awake?

4. Depi kilè je w klè?
Since when were you awake?

5. Tout nuit la, mwen te rete je klè paske m t'ap panse avè w.
All night I stayed awake because I was thinking about you.

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

I was trying to translate this on the google translator, but I'm not sure if what I am getting is accurate. There it is, 'flanke deye (with accents on the "e") ou yon kote" . mesi pou ed ou.

Flanke dèyè ou yon kote.
Sit your butt down.
Sit your ass down.
Stay put.

This is what you might say to someone who's being a handful and you want them to sit and quiet down. But since it's a little vulgar you should not invite guests in your house to sit down in your living room with that sentence .... unless you don't want them coming back :)

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

What's the best way to address a group of 'just' women. Hello ladies! Bonjou fanm yo?

Sure, why not. You can also say Bonjou Mèdàm!

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

Kisa ou dwe fe si ou rankontre bab pou bab ak yon bann sanpwel sou wout ou nannuit?

Pwovèb la di se lougawou ki mache lannuit :)
Sa w'ap chache nan lari a nan mitan lannuit lan?
Si'w ta rankontre ak yon bann chanpwèl sou wout ou a minui, enben ...chans pou yo, malchans pou ou! Ou sanlè tounen zonbi :)

Aktyèlman, lari an laj anpil. Ou mache sou bò pa w ak tèt ou byen dwat, enpi yo pran bò pa yo. Y'ap regle zafè pa yo, ou menm w'ap regle zafè pa w. Si w pa kontrarye yo, m pa wè rezon pou yo ta kontarye w.

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

Poukisa gen moun Haiti se a l'heure que w'ap manje yo vin rann ou visit?

An jeneral, moun pa manje sou moun, Ayiti, san w pa ofri moun.
Gendemoun ki konn ap bat grangou pou detwa jou. Se diyite yo ki fè yo pa tonbe mande nan lari a.
Si w remake w'ap resevwa yon vizitè chak lè w'ap pare w pou w atable w, petèt moun nan razè, li nan di, li grangou. Petèt se ou menm ki ba li sèl manje li mete nan vant li pou jounen an.
Malerezman, zafè grangou an se yon pwoblèm serye nan peyi a. Gen moun, se ak yon grenn sèl anba lang yo ke yo pase jounen an. Mwen pa ka di w sa pou w fè, men mwen aprann pou m separe sa m genyen piti kon l ye.
Mwen sonje lè mwen menm ak sè m yo patko kite Ayiti; manman m te nan peyi Etazini, l'ap travay $3.35 pa è. Si lè l fin peye bill li nan peyi blan an, li pa gen lajan ki rete pou'l voye okipe nou Ayiti, ah! n'oblije al dòmi grangou. Sa pa't fèt souvan, men m kapab imajinen kouman sa ye pou moun ki p'ap travay e ki pa gen espwa resevwa lajann okenn kote.
Mezanmi, si'n ta pran ekri yon liv sou granmoun, potorik gason, jenn moun ak timoun ki nan grangou fòse e k'ap moute kabann san manje, san konnen kijan demen yo ap ye, dlo lanmè pa ta menm sifi kòm lank pou ekri.

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

Get out of my hair? (What's a good Haitian Creole translation), to get rid of someone who's cramping my style?

1.
Get out of my hair (get away from me)
Retire'w nan kòlèt mwen
Retire'w nan kòsaj mwen

2.
To get rid of an unwanted person (friend, enemy, a person who's being a pest)
retire nan kòlèt
retire nan kòsaj

3.
Fanm nan te mare pye m, donk mwen retire l nan kosaj mwen.
The woman was cramping my style, so I got rid of her.

4..
Mesye a t'ap ban m problèm, mwen retire l nan kòsaj mwen.
The guy was giving me trouble, so I got rid of him.

5.
Poukisa w rete ak fanm sa a toujou? Retire l nan kosaj ou non!
Why are you still with that woman? Get her out of your hair.

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

"HOW MANY TIMES PER ....DAY/WEEK/YEAR"..... (AUDIO)

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

Bonswa zanmi. Kouman ou ye? (Good evening friend. How are you?)
Nou la. (We're there.)
Konbyen fwa pa semèn ou fè egzèsis? (How many times a week do you workout?)
M fè egzèsis twa fwa pa semèn. (I workout 3 times a week)
Dakò mèsi! (Great thanks!)

Bonjou zanmi m. Kouman w ye?
Bonjou Mandaly.
Kesyon mwen pou ou se, konbyen fwa pa jou ou lapriyè?
(My question for you is how many times a day do you pray?)
Mwen lapriyè de fwa pa jou. (I pray twice a day)
Dakò mèsi.

Bonswa zanmi.
Bonswa Mandaly.
Konbyen fwa pa jou ou manje? (How many times a day do you eat?)
M manje de fwa pa jou. M pran dejene. M pran dine. M pran soupe.
(I eat twice a day. I take breakfast. I take dinner. I take supper)
Si ou pran dejene, ou pran dine, e ou pran soupe, sa pa fè de fwa. Sa fè twa fwa pa jou!
(If you take breakfast, you take dinner, and you take supper. That's not twice. That's three times a day!)

Bonswa zanmi m.
Konbyen fwa pa semèn ou fè makèt? (How many times a week you grocery shop?)
Mwen se Ameriken. Mwen fè makèt chak jou.
(I am american I do grocery shopping everyday)

Konbyen fwa pa semèn ou lave cheve w? (How many times a week do you wash your hair?)
Mwen ta di de fwa konsa. (I would say about two times)
Dakò mèsi.

Konbyen fwa pa ane ou vwayaje? (How many times a year do you travel?)
Zewo bare! Mwen pa vwayaje ditou. (Zilch! I don't travel at all.)

Konbyen fwa pa jou ou bwose dan w? (How many times a day do you brush your teeth?)
Mwen bwose dan mwen de fwa pa jou. (I brush my teeth twice a day.)

Konbyen fwa pa semèn ou manje bannann fri?
(How many times a week do you eat fried plantains?)
Mwen ta di de oubyen twa fwa. (I would say two or three times.)
O! O! mezanmi. Ou se yon Ayisyen natifnatal total kapital! (Wow! you're 100% Haitian!)

Konbyen fwa pa jou ou lapriyè? (How many times a day do you pray?)
Pitit o! Mwen lapriyè vennkat sou vennkat. Chak è, chak minit, chak segonn. Oke Mèsi dakò!
(Child! I pray 24/7. Every hour, every minute, every second. Good Thanks.)

Bonswa zanmi m.
Bonswa Mandaly.
Konbyen fwa pa semèn ou fè lanmou? (How many times a week do you make love?)
Yon sèl fwa! (Only once!)

Track: Yon Sèl Fwa. Wi, Yon Dènye Fwa by Christiane Vallejo

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

Looking for words for kitchen things--tea kettle, teapot, can opener, lifter, egg beater

tea pot → teyè, tèyè, kafetyè
tea kettle → bouywa
can opener → ouvbwat
egg beater → batèz
lifter → aparèy levaj

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

I don't know if I asked this question before. How to translate'To make sure'? "Make sure he writes it down." or "We made sure of the route we had to follow before we left." or "I want to make sure that you are okay." Let me know if I asked again.

M pa sonje si ou te mande m ak si ou pa t mande m. Mwen chache yon kesyon ki parèy li, e m pa't jwenn aryen :)

to make sure → asire, fè sèten
one example:
Anvan l te soti, li te asire l ke tout pòt te klete.
Before going out, she make sure that all doors were locked.

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

What is 'loophole' in creole? "There are loopholes in this rigid policy."

loophole → rechap, echap, eskiv

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

Hi, Mandaly ! Can you let me know how to put the accent mark when you type ? kamsa hamnida ( mesi anpil)

Dakò zanmi,
If you're using a PC the H. Creole accents you'll need are:

è (ALT 138)

ò (ALT 149)

à (ALT 133)

È (ALT 0200)

Ò (ALT 0210)

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

Twice a day / Three times a day / Once a day

1. twice a day
de fwa pa jou

2. Take the pill three times a day
Pran grenn nan twa fwa pa jou

3. once a day
yon fwa pa jou

4. Mwen vwayaje de fwa pa ane.
I travel twice a year.

5. I go to church three times a week on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays.
M al legliz twa fwa pa semèn lemèkredi, levandredi, ak ledimanch.

6. We have bible study once a week on Wednesdays.
Nou gen etid biblik yon fwa pa semèn lemèkredi.

7. You don't need to take the medicine twice. Only Once is enough.
Ou pa bezwen pran remèd la de fwa. Yon sèl fwa kont.

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

Chalk Chalkboard Backpack

chalk - lakrè
chalkboard → tablo
backpack → valizado
school bag → valiz lekòl

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

Both, all three, all four, ... all twelve? Thanks

1. Both
toude
toulede
toulède

2. all three
touletwa

3. all four
toulekat

4. Are all five kids yours?
Eske toulesenk timoun yo se pou ou?

5. I don't want all six, let me just have three.
M pa vle toulesis, jis ban'm twa sèlman.

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

is there a song to help with remembering the days of the week?

I do know of one song. I don't think it was made for remembering the days of the week. And I don't remember which group sings it. This won't be any help if you don't know the tune, but I can't be any help there :)
Maybe someone will have something better.

The songs goes:
lendi m'al travay
madi m'al travay
mèkredi m'al travay
jedi m'al travay
vandredi m'al travay
samdi m'al nan mache
dimanch m'al banboche

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

Allo zanmim I'm trying to understand "Pale non Seyè. Sèvitè ou la ap koute ou." What does the non mean? Speak now? 1 Samyèl 3:9 Mèsi zanj kreyòl

Bonswa :)

This "non" is more like an "emphatic word". It doesn't translate as "no" or "now" in English.

"Pale non" will be translated as "Speak."

Here are some other examples:

1. Vini non!
Come!

2. Manje non!
Eat!

3. Pale avè m non!
Talk to me!

Sometimes, we use the Creole "Wi" in that same manner. Some examples.

4. Mwen renmen l wi.
I like it.

5. Mwen fini avèk travay la wi.
I'm done with the job.

6. Mwen prale wi.
I'm leaving.

See this link here for more examples: Emphatic WI or NON

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

Is there a saying for NEVER SAY NEVER instead 'pa janm di jame'?

Try:

Jamè di jamè → never say never

or this expression:
Toutotan tèt ou pa koupe, ou pa ka di w p'ap mete chapo.
As long as you still have your head, you can't say that you won't wear a hat.

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

N ap kenbe dyanm. What is dyanm?

dyanm → strong, brave, courageous

yon gason dyanm → a brave or strong man
yon fanm dyanm → a courageous woman.

N'ap kenbe.
N'ap kenbe la.
We're holding on.

N'ap kenbe dyanm.
N'ap kenbe fò.
We're holding strong.

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

Is Jezi only spelled Jezi? Is it pronounced Jezi or Jezu? My Haitian born friend says it is pronounced Jezu. I'm pulling my hair out. Mèsi infini.

Padekwa .

It is pronouced Jezi in Creole :)
The person that told you Je-zu is probably still trying to preserve the little french in him :)
Pronouncing Je-zu is for when you're speaking French.

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

If I wanted a title that said "Hands for Prayer" would it be "Mens pou Lapriyè". Mesi anpil.

It would be "Men Pou Lapriyè"
Plural words in Creole do not take "s".

Pase bon jounen :)

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

The French word for Kisses when signing a letter is Bisous. Is it the same in Haitian creole? Mesi anpil.

kisses, in Creole, would be bizou, beze, bo, bobo, yon ti bo, or yon ti beze

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

"Right time, Right place"?

1. right time → bon lè

2. right place (correct place) → bon kote

3. What's the best place for....?
Ki pi bon kote pou ....?

4. What's the best place for a swim around here?
Ki pi bon kote pou al naje nan zòn sa a?

5. What's the best place to get some griyo?
Ki pi bon kote m ka jwenn yon ti griyo?

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

How to translate 'to make sense'? "that doesn't make sense!" "life sometimes does not make sense."

to make sense → konfòmen ak lojik, ki fè sans, lojik, rezonab, solid, ki rezonnen, rasyonèl

"That doesn't make sense"
"Sa pa fè sans."
"Sa pa lojik."

"life sometimes does not make sense."
"Pafwa lavi pa fè okenn sans."

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

mannèv

manèv (mannèv, demach) - manuever, manipulation, gimmick, scheme

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

How do you translate 'it so happens' in Creole?

it so happens - twouve, twouve ke, se trouve

it turns out that - rive ke

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

9:31 paske li t'ap moutre disip li yo anpil bagay. Li di yo: -Mwen menm, Moun Bondye voye nan lachè a, mwen pral tonbe anba men lèzòm, yo pral touye mwen. Men, sou twa jou mwen gen pou m' leve soti vivan nan lanmò. Can you translate the words, 'lache' an

lachè means flesh

Moun Bondye voye nan lachè a
The one that God sent in the flesh.
or
The one that was made flesh.

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

Is there a national curriculum that teachers must follow in the area of reading and writing? If so, where can I find it? I am interested in kindergarten - 5th grade.

For the kindergarten class at this time, there is no national curriculum (pwogram nasyonal) for reading and writing. The curriculum starts at the premye ane (first year) which is after kindergarten. Premye ane starts at six years of age (five, if the child started preschool at two).

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

How do you say "might," as in "I might be able to do that?" Is there a way to indicate that there is UNCERTAINTY here? Also it seems that native Creole speakers use "petet" differently than I would and don't necessarily understand how I use it. Any ideas?

Use ka (kapab or kab) to say might, might be able (see embedded link)
Petèt (maybe, perhaps), in Creole indicates doubt, probability, and possibility like in English.

I might be able to do that.
Mwen ka fè sa.
To add a sure uncertainty, add petèt:
Petèt mwen ka fè sa.

The auxiliary verb "ka" coupled with "petèt" should definitely get your point across:
1.
Petèt li ka fè frèt demen.
It might be cold tomorrow

2.
Li pa reponn telefòn nan. Petèt li ka deyò.
She didn't answer the phone. She might be out.

Even without adding "petèt", you can use "ka" on its own to indicate doubt:
3.
Mwen ka vin wè w nan mwa jen an. M'a gade pou wè.
I might come to see you in June. I'll see about it.

4.
Nou pa wè li depi de jou. Li ka malad.
We have not seen him since two days. He might be ill.

5.
Nou ka pa gen tan pou fè sa.
We may not have time to do that.

6.
Li pa't vini nan reyinyon an. Li ka te bliye.
She didn't show up at the meeting. She might have forgotten.

7.
Ou si se sa ou te tande? Li ka byen te di yo lòt bagay.
You're sure that's what you heard? She might have said something else.

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

How doyou say 'upside' and 'downside'? "One of the upsides of getting this job is that it is near my school." "The downside of obtaining a higher rank is that far more work is expected."

You can use :
upside
aspè pozitif
avantaj
pati ki bon an
sa ki bon an

and

downside
aspè negatif
dezavantaj
pati ki pa bon an
sa ki pa bon an

egz:
1. Avantaj genyen televizyon lakay ou sèke ou toujou byen enfòme, men dezavantaj la sèke li ka rann ou parese.
The upside of having a TV at home is that you're well informed, but the downside is that it can make you lazy.

2. Aspè pozitif maryaj sèke ou pa blije poukont ou ankò, aspè negatif la sèke ou pèdi yon ki kras nan libète w.
The upside in a marriage is that you don't have to be alone anymore. The downside is that you've lost a little bit of your freedom.

3. Sa ki bon lè w gen machin nan New York se libète pou kondi ale nenpòt kote ou vle. Sa k pa bon ladan l sèke li difisil pou jwenn yon kote pou gare machin nan.
The upside of having a car in New York is that you have the freedom to drive anywhere you want. The downside is that you can find a place park the car.

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

Ki vetman ki apwopriye pou mete nan maryaj kretyen nan Ayiti?

Ayisyen toujou panse y'abiye pi chèlbè pase tout nasyon :)
Ledimanch pou y'al legliz, yo mete pi bèl wòb yo genyen.
Kretyen legliz Ayiti SIPOZE abiye yon fason rezève. Laplipa nan fanm yo pa mete pantalon (sitou granmou yo).
Konsa, si w'ap asiste yon maryaj kretyen, e ou pa gen okenn fonksyon w'ap ranpli ki egzije mete yon koulè rad espesyal, donk ou ta dwe mete w byen banda pou w ka pay payèt tankou tout moun :)
Si m te ou, pou plis sètitid, m ta ranseye m ak mesyedam lemarye oubyen lamarye a.

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

What is BLANCH in JOUNEN BLANCH. BLANCH & BLAN are the same, right?

Yes they are.
blanch (or blan) → white
yon fanm blanch → a white woman
yon mi blanch → a white wall
yon fèy papye blanch → a white piece of paper.

But blanch in "jounen blanch" means deprived or devoid of something
M pase yon jounen blanch.
I had a boring day.
I spent day devoid of food and fun.

same goes for "nuit blanch"
M pase yon nuit blanch.
I had a sleepless night.

and also "lari blanch"
Ledimanch, lari a sanse blanch nèt.
On Sundays, the streets are practically empty.

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

In good shape or robust (in Creole)

Enganm (or dyanm) adj.
robust
peppy
revitalized
fortified
In good shape

An bòn sante
In good health

I feel revitalized
Mwen santi m byen enganm.
Mwen santi m dyanm

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

I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

Mwen di nou bagay sa yo pou nou kapab genyen kè poze. Nou va gen anpil soufrans sou tè sa a. Men pran kouray! Lemonn gentan pèdi devan mwen. Jan 16:33

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

If I wanted to start a sentence with "GET", like 'GET THE CAR FIXED' or 'GET THE PICTURE' what creole word do i use? resevwa or jwenn?

I think of these types of sentences as expressions. Get the car fixed, Get out of here, or Get the picture have totally different verbs in use. They are different expressions. Just because the English starts with "GET" does not mean that we will start by translating "GET" in Creole:

1. Get the car fixed right away please.
Repare machin nan tousuit tanpri.

2. Get out of here.
Soti la a.
Wet kò w la a.

3. Get me out of here.
Retire m la a.

4. Get this party started.
Koumanse fèt la.

5. Get the picture?
Ou konprann?

SO, you probably have to learn each of these verbs separately.

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

"ou ka nan enka, ou ka nan deka, apre sa res la se pwoblem" Should I say though i understand what is said, i don't get it :)

That's a pun.
I don't think it can be translated in English.
I'm not sure how well i can explain this either :)

It feeds on the fact that "KA (fourth)" the denominator in ¼ (enka), 2/4 (deka), 3/4 (twaka) is read as "KA" as in "trouble, tèt chaje, etc..." and guess what would 4/4 be? If you guessed "kaka", you're right:

Mezanmi nou nan ka!
Nou ka nan 1/4
Nou ka nan 2/4
Nou ka menm nan 3/4
men si nou nan 4/4, nou chire!

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

"She'll be happy one minute and crying the next" how can you translate "One minute she's this.... and the next minute she's that" mesi.

You can use:
yon moman ..... lòt moman an ....
kèk fwa ..... lòt fwa a .....
tanto ..... tanto ....

1.
Yon moman li kontan, lòt moman an li gentan ap kriye.
Kèk fwa li gen dwa kontan, lòt fwa a l'ap kriye
Tanto li kontan, tanto l'ap kriye.
She's happy one minute and crying the next

2.
Zanmitay yo a dwòl. Tanto yo byen, tanto yo pa byen. Se konsa li toujou ye.
Their friendship is bizarre. They're friends one minute and enemies the next. It's always like that.

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

What is chemet chemetres?

chèmèt chèmètrès (or chè mèt chè mètrès)
Think of French cher maître, chère maîtresse → dear master, dear mistress (if that helps)
In H. Creole it means sole proprietor of, owner, master, landlord

1. Mwen se chèmèt chèmètrès kay la. Mwen gen dwa fè sa m vle avè l.
I am the owner of the house. I can do whatever I want with it.

2. Lè papa Tijan mouri, tout Kòporasyon an va rele l chèmèt chèmètrès.
When Tijan's father dies the whole Corporation will be his.

3. Machin mwen rele m chèmèt chèmètrès. Se sèl mwen ki ka deside si pou m vann ni ou pa.
The car is mine. Only I can decide if I should sell it or not.

4. Nan lane 1803, peyi Etazini te vin chèmèt chèmètrès teritwa Lwizyàn nan. Lafrans pa't gen kontwòl sou pòsyon tè sa a ankò.
In the year 1803, the United States became the owner of the Louisiana territory. France no longer had control over this portion of land.

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

"Li ta pito pase yon lane sou yon bato chaje ak yon dal moun fou tan pou l ta pase yon kadè avè w" Can you tell me what is "TAN" in this sentence? thanks

tan, here, can be translated as instead

Here are some examples of its usage.

1. Tan pou l te etidye, li te pito gade televizyon.
Instead of studying, he had rather watched TV.

2. Tan pou ap pale tenten la, poukisa ou pa al chache yon travay pou w fè.
Instead of talking nonsense, why don't go find some work to do.

and one more....

3. Nèg sa tèlman parese, li pito mouri grangou tan pou l fè zefò pou nouri tèt li.
This guy's so lazy he rather die of hunger instead of making the effort to feed himself

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

Pran san w .... (in English)

Pran san w.
Kalma w.
Kalme w.
Rete trankil.
Take your time (take it easy, slow down)

1. Li te tèlman grangou, li pa't pran san l pou l kraze manje li a.
He was so hungry that he didn't take his time to chew his food.

2. Ou pa bezwen prese. Pran san w.
You don't have to hurry. Take your time.

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

I'm new! Just found your sweet site. Going to Haiti in 2 weeks. Do you have an audio file for Ti limyè’k nan kè’m nan? Bisous!

This song is known in Haiti as "Bondye te Ban Mwen Limyè".
#66 Kè Kreyòl, in the Chans Desperans
A homemade, non professional recording was posted for you :)

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

Sending a letter to some kiddos and need help translating: I miss you dearly! I think about you everyday and hope you are doing well. I will come back to see you, I promise! Love you with all of my heart! love, Aubrey

I miss you dearly! I think about you everyday and hope you are doing well. I will come back to see you, I promise! Love you with all of my heart! love, Aubrey
Mwen sonje nou anpil anpil! M panse ak nou chak jou e m'espere nou trè byen. M'ap retounen pou vin wè nou, mwen pwomèt nou sa! Mwen renmen nou ak tout kè mwen!
Ak lanmou,
Aubrey

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

Nan Magazen Soulye a (Audio)

Download link for audio:
Click here to download…

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

Eskize m silvouplè, eske n gen soulye a kranpon pou foutbòl?
Excuse me please, do you have cleats for soccer?

Non mesye. Nou pa genyen yo nan magazen an pou lemoman.
No sir. We don't not have them in the store at this time.

Eske w kapab di mwen kibò mwen kapab jwenn youn?
Can you tell me where I may be able to get one?

Nou pa pote yo nan magazen an, men ou kapab achte youn sou kòmand.
We do not carry them in the store, but you can order one?

Ah wi? Si m kòmande yon pè jodi a, konbyen tan sa va pran pou m jwenn li?
Is that right? If I order a pair today, how long will it take me to receive it?

Sa kapab pran w apeprè de(2) semèn konsa. Eske ou ta renmen mete yon kòmand?
That may take about two weeks. Would you like to put an order?

Wi, mwen ta renmen fè sa.
Yes, I'd like to do that.

Dakò. Men yon fòm pou w ranpli. Ekri enfòmasyon w ladan l. Konsa, nou va kapab rele w vin chache l lè l vini. Eske se yon sèl pè ou vle?
Great. Here's a form to fill out. Write in your information. This way, we will be able to call you to pick it up when it gets there. Do you only want one pair?

Non. Mwen ta renmen de(2) pè.
Non. I'd like two pairs.

Nou genyen diferan koulè. Nou genyen mawon, ble, nwa, ak blan. Ki koulè w ta renmen?
We have different colors. We have brown, blue, black and white. What colors would you like?

Ban m yon nwa ak yon mawon.
Let me have a brown and black one.

Eske se pou ou w'ap achte yo?
Are you buying them for yourself?

Non. Se pou pitit gason mwen.
Non. It's for my son.

Ki gwosè soulye pitit gason w mete?
What size shoe does your son wear?

Li mete soulye # 6½. Eske se lè m resevwa soulye yo pou m peye w?
He wears size 6½ shoes. Do I pay you when I receive the shoes?

Non. Se pa konsa sa fèt. Lè nou fè yon kòmand, kliyan yo dwe peye nou anvan nou egzekite kòmann nan.
No. That's not how it's done. When we take an order, the client must pay before we send in the order.

Dakò, se konbyen lajan mwen dwe w?
Ok. How much money do I owe you?

Te'm wè. De pè soulye a $67.50 chak. Sa fè $136*. Eske ou ta renmen achte yon lòt bagay.
Let me see. Two pairs of shoes at $67.50 each. That makes 136 dolllars. Would you like to buy something else?
*oops! math is wrong. I blame it on the calculator :)

Non mèsi. Mwen pa bezwen anyen ankò.

No thanks. I don't need anything else.

Dakò. Total ou vini $136.50 santim. Mèsi anpil mesye. Nou va kontakte ou lè soulye yo vini.
Ok. Your total comes to $136.50 cents. Thanks a lot. We will call you when the shoes get here.

Orevwa madanm.
Goodbye ma'am.

Orevwa mesye. Pase yon bon jounen. E vizite nou ankò.
Goodbye sir. Have a nice day. And visit us again.

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

About (approximately, roughly) ... in Creole

apeprè
apeprè .... konsa
... konsa
... e kèk (...and some)
ozanviwon
roughly
approximately
around
about

1. Mwen bezwen apeprè trant moun.
Mwen bezwen apeprè trant moun konsa.
Mwen bezwen ozanviwon trant moun.
Mwen bezwen trant moun konsa.
I need approximately thirty people.

2. Li fè dezè konsa.
Li fè dezè e kèk.
Li ozanviwon dezè konsa
It's about two o'clock.

3. Li te remèt mwen sèt dola e kèk.
She gave me back about seven dollars.

4. Li dwe gen trantan e kèk.
She must be about thirty years old.

5. Li te rive lakay li a minui e kèk.
Li te rive lakay li a minui konsa.
He got home roughly at midnight.

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

Poukisa Bondye bay chen an maling dèyè tèt li?

Petèt Bondye bezwen fè chen an rekonèt limitasyon l.
Petèt Bondye ap teste longè lang chen an.
Petèt chen an byen merite l.

Mwen bwè pwa :)

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

I know that 'menaj' means a boyfriend/girlfriend. So what are other words for 'menaj' and what are some words that are specifically for 'boyfriend' and 'girlfriend' respectively?

Mezanmi o! Pitit, si pou m ta plen blòg sa a ak BON NON ak TI NON JWÈT pou anmoure ak anmourèz, san konte sa'm pa janm tande, pa ta gen espas rete ankò :)
Tcheke ak "link" sa a: endearing names

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

I don't have a question yet, but I just wanted to say how excited I am to find this blog! I've been wanting a way to improve my Creole, but hadn't found a good intermediate type resource. Thanks Madanm Mandaly!

You're welcome :)

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

"Ou mawon m?" What does this mean?

mawon v. → to shy away from, to hide away from

Eske ou mawon m?
or
Ou mawon m?
Are you hiding from me?

egz:
Depi misye fin genyen nan lotri a. Li mawon tout fanmi l. Li pè pou yo pa mande l lajan.
Since he won the lottery, he stayed away from his family. He's afraid they'll ask him for money.

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

What is to drink unsweetened/bitter coffee with someone? Is it just literal?

I guess someone really doesn't like sugar :)
I don't know if it means anything in English, but if you heard this in Creole, bwè kafe anmè ak yon moun (to drink bitter coffee with someone), it means that someone wants to get even, to retaliate or straighten things out with another

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

I don't know if I asked this question already so hear it goes. How do you say 'to care about'? "I care about you a lot."

to care about
gen sousi pou
sousye pou
gen sansiblite pou
konsidere
apresye
pote nan kè / pote sou kè

I care a lot for you.
Mwen gen anpil sousi pou ou
Mwen konsidere w anpil.
Mwen sousye m anpil pou ou.

He cares a lot about his mom.
Li gen anpil sansiblite pou manman l.
Li sousye l pou manman l anpil.
Li pot manman l nan kè l.

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

What's mine is yours (in Creole) - I have "Sa ki pou mwen se pou ou"?

You've got it.

What's mine is yours
Sa ki pou mwen se pou ou.
Sa k pa m se pa w
Sa'k pa'm se pa'w tou.

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

what is anle anle?

Do you mean anlè anlè? I'm not sure what the context is, it might mean out of breath, short of breath
Or it might mean angry (besides oneself)
I can't think of anything else.

egz:
Mwen anlè anlè tankou yon moun ki t'ap kouri.
I'm out of breath as if as was running.

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

Bonjou! Learn to Speak Haitian Creole