Hi Mandaly, I have quick question about "and" in Creole. I'll be doing a year-long global health fellowship in Thomassique in exactly 3 weeks and have started learning a bit of Creole. I'm confused about when I should use epi, e, ak as "and." Is "epi" used only connecting two sentences? I've also seen "ak used as "and" though I was taught ak primarily means "with." Thanks for the great blog - It's been a huge help!

Great!  I wish you a good stay in Thomassique.  By the time your fellowship is done you'll be speaking Creole like a native :)

These are some Haitian Creole words for "and":

ak, avè, avèk (which primarily mean "with") → and
ak, avè, and avèk are better used when connecting two objects, or two words (as if you were saying "together with")

1. manman m ak papa m
    manman m enpi papa m ("my mom and then my dad" - "enpi" will also work here)
    manman m e papa m (we do not usually use "e" to connect two words.  It feels more natural to use "ak"," avè " or "avèk")
    my mom and my dad

2. Mwen te ale nan magazen an.  Mwen te achte yon liv avèk yon kreyon.
    I went to the store.  I bought a book and a pencil.

3. Ou menm avè frè w la sanble tèt koupe.
    You and your brother look very much alike.

epi or enpi → and, and then, then, so therefore
epi or enpi can be used to connect two sentences, clauses, or words

4. Li vini, li manje enpi li pati ankò.  Li pa te gen tan repoze.
    She came, she ate and then she left again.  She did not have time to rest.
    She came, she ate and she left again.  She did not have time to rest.

5.  An nou priye enpi n'a manje.
     Let's pray and then we'll eat.

6. Mwen renmen zoranj, chadèk, enpi seriz tou.
    Mwen renmen zoranj, chadèk, ak seriz tou. ("ak, avè, or avèk" will work here)
    Mwen renmen zoranj, chadèk e seriz tou. ("e" will work here)
    I like oranges, grapefruits, and also cherries.

e → and, and then, and also (connects clauses and sentences, but not usually "two"words)
7.  Mwen te wè li e mwen panse li te wè m tou.
     I saw her and I think she saw me too.

8.  Si ou te ale e pale avèk li, mwen panse li ta bon.
      If you went and talked to her, I think it would be good.
     I think it would be good if you went and talked to her.

9. Li pati e li pa janm retounen.
    He left and never came back.

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

CHANT KI DI :LEW AN SANTE LE GINGNIN LAJAN REFRAIN AN DI MIN GINGNIN GNOUN ZANMI ,NON LI SE JEZU KRI

Mwen te jwenn avèk Fritz Calvaire, chantè ki te entèprete chante sila a, men malerezman li pa't kapab sonje tout chante a paske li te fè yon konjesyon serebral.
Li te chante yon pati nan chante a pou mwen, men li te di m pou m kontakte li yon lòt lè - pandan ke l'ap travay pou wè si l va sonje rès la.

Mwen te apresye zefò li kanmenm:
Li te di m tou, se Symphonie Angélique ki chante chante sa a sou direksyon mayestro Python (Mwen byen sonje li) - E tit chante a se "Ou mèt konte sou li".

Men pati ke mwen te jwenn nan:
Lè w an sante, lè w gen anpil lajan
Lè sa va byen, ou gen anpil zanmi
Kote w pase, se onè ak respè
Tout moun renmen w, lavi a parèt bèl

Genyen yon bon zanmi
non li se Jezi Kri
Depi lontan l'ap chache fè zanmi avè m
Se yon fidèl
Ki p'ap abandone w
Nan moman difisil ou mèt sou li.

...Retounen nan pòs sa a nan kèlke jou, mwen va ajoute rès chante a lè m jwen ni....

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

where can I find Creole words for Haitian hymns and choruses:

Chants d'esperance. (Haitian French / Creole Christian songbook)
I think there's one online.  Chantsdesperanceonline.com

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

Tanpri, kisa vle di malè ki pa klaksonnen?

Yon malè ki pa klaksonnen (yon malè san klaksonn), se yon malè ki vini san avètisman.

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

yon ti pa chat? as in "Li t ap fe yon ti pa chat sou madanm nan la a."

fè pa chat → to make a quick outing,  make a very short vizit, also to cheat on your spouse, have a quick extramarital affair.

"Li t ap fe yon ti pa chat sou madanm nan la a."
"He was cheating on the wife."

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

What is "parene" in "Y ape parene vwayaj la." and also "pou tout tan gen tan"?

parene - to sponsor
"Y'ape parene vwayaj la."
"They'll sponsor the trip."

pou tout tan gen tan (for all time there's time) → forever
Nou va viv pou tout tan gen tan.
We will live forever.

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

This sentence feels ungrammatical, but maybe not: "Gen nan yo se jis yon rekleksyon." Should it be "Gen nan yo ki se jis yon refleksyon." Mèsi! -TiWil

If that is the whole sentence, then you are right.  The second one is correctly written.

The first sentence is unfinished.  There should be something more after "refleksyon"
"Gen nan yo se jis yon refleksyon ki montre yo ......"
"Gen nan yo se jis yon refleksyon yo ye."

Dakò.

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

how do you say in h.creole "this whole week i've lost my appetite" and also how do you say " which season do you prefer, winter or summer?"

"this whole week i've lost my appetite" 

"Tout semenn sa a  apeti m te koupe."

" which season do you prefer, winter or summer?" 

"Ki sezon w pi pito? Livè oubyen lete?

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

Ki jan ou ta di an Kreyòl, 'they did something drastic'?

They did something drastic.
Yo fè yon bagay ki ekstrèm.
Yo fè yon bagay ki nan dènye degre.
Yo fè yon bagay akaryat nèt.

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

Mandaly, "Ou konnen ki kote Mak ye?" Do you know where Mark is? How do you say in HC, "Do you know where Mark was?" e "Did you know where Mark was?" Mesi anpil.

The translation you have is right, for the first one.  You can ask this question in a variety of ways using ESKE or NOT, using KONNEN or KONN, using KOTE, KI KOTE, KOT or KIBÒ:

Do you know where Mark is?
Eske w konnen kote Mak ye?
Eske w konn ki kote Mak ye?
Ou konnen ki kote Mak ye?
Ou konn kibò Mak ye?

Do you know where Mark was?
Ou konnen ki kote Mak te ye?
Eske ou konn kote Mak te ye?

Did you know where Mark was?
Eske w te konn kot Mak te ye?

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

How do you say "Happy Anniversary"(marriage)? Also how do you say it with the number of years married (Happy 7th Anniversary)?

Happy wedding anniversary → Bòn anivèsè maryaj
Happy 7th anniversary → Pase yon bon setyèm anivèsè.
Happy seventh wedding anniversary → Pase yon bon setyèm anivèsè maryaj.

It's our wedding anniversary. → Se anivèsè maryaj nou.
It's our tenth wedding anniversary → Se dizyèm anivèsè maryaj nou.



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

Can you explain what is gwo zizi?

gwo zizi (gwo je, afre) → envious, covetous, someone who desires to possess everything he lays eyes on.
pa egzanp, ou kapab di:
Ala madanm gen gwo zizi!  L'ap travay pou $10 pa è, enpi l bezwen achte yon kay $500,000 dola.

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

"to be in jam", would you say 'li se nan problem."

Wi, ou kapab itilize mo ...pwoblèm, men gen plizyè lòt fraz ki ka di sa pi byen:

I'm in a jam.
Mwen pran nan twa wa.
Mwen pran nan mera.
Men m pran nan moulen.
De pye m nan yon grenn soulye.
M'antrave
M chire
M bannann
Mwen nan yon move enpas

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

Kijan ou kapab di "it is what it is" nan Kreyòl?

It is what it is.
Sa li ye a se sa.
or
Sa l ye a se sa.

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

Hey Mandalie, I was looking for the translation for black sheep, I found MOUTON NWA. but what i really wanted to say is black sheep of the family. Is there an expression for this? mesi.

An original H. Creole expression for "black sheep of the family" is gate ras. This expression literally means "spoil race" (as in someone who spoil the family name or someone who gives the family a bad name)

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

"Se jou koulèv mouri ou konn longè l"

Wi kanta sa.
Lè yon moun mouri, ou va wè longè kòd fanmi l.
Gen de lantèman ki genyen yon ti kras moun. E gen lantèman ki pa gen menm yon kote pou pike zepeng.
"Lè koulèv mouri, ou wè longè li."

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

Bonjou ankò! Se TiWil sòt Amsterdam. Eske ou gentan li "Zig Lavi"? Se yon lòt liv sòt Koleksyon Souf Nouvo a. Selon mwen menm, se pi difisil liv landan (?nan) koleksyon an. Si ou deja li li, mwen ta vle diskite li. Mèsi!

Bèl bonswa "TiWil".  Mwen toujou kontan tande w :)
M'espere ke zafè etid ou ap byen mache, e ke ou jwenn òpòtinite pou w fè yon ti detant detanzantan.
.
Wi, mwen te resevwa liv Zig Lavi a, sa gen kèk semèn. Mwen te li e reli l ankò. Se defitivman youn nan liv prefere mwen. Otè a pouse w pou gen anpil senpati pou li nan istwa a.  Tout pandan m t'ap li liv la, mwen t'ap espere pou yon finisman....e, mwen pa't desi.  Mwen mete liv sa nan menm kategori ak Rete Kote Lamèsi nan sans difikilte Kreyòl la.  Mwen konprann pouki liv sa ta yon ti jan difisil pou li (pou yon etranje). Li gen anpil ekspresyon ki pa ka tradui motamo ladan l, e se pa tout mo nan liv sa ke w va jwenn nan yon diksyonè.  Kreyòl misye se Kreyòl granmoun lontan, men li pa twò di pou dekode.

Mwen ta byen renmen tande kisa ki koze difikilte sa yo pou ou?
Dakò, kenbe a.

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

What is "pa mande Bondye"?

That depends.
It can be literal (Do not ask God)
Or it can be the expression Heaven forbid, or God forbid

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

Yon machin ize onswa yon machin nèf? (AUDIO)

Download link
Click here to download…

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

 

-Bonswa madam, kisa m ka fè pou ou jodi a?

 Hello ma'am, what can I do for you today?

-Bonswa mesye! M’ap chache achte yon machin nèf.

 Good afternoon sir! I'm looking to buy a new car.

-Ah! ou vini bon kote.  Ki kalite machin w’ap chèche?  Yon touteren?

 You've come to the right place.   What type of car are you looking for?  An SUV?

-Non, mwen bezwen yon ti machin ekonomik.

 No, I need a small economical car.

-Dakò. M kapab ede w ak sa. Nou genyen plizyè bèl ti machin nan sal ekspozisyon nou an.  M sèten ou va jwenn sa w'ap chache a.   Kijan kredi ou ye?

 Oke.  I can help you with that.  We have many nice little cars in our showroom.  I'm sure you'll find what you're looking for.  How's your credit?

- Mwen poko etabli kredi isi.  Mwen se yon nouvo rezidan.

   I haven't yet established credit here.  I'm a new resident.

-Ah mwen wè.  Ki kote w te abite avan sa?

  Ah I see. Where did you live before that?

- Anvan sa mwen te abite Ayiti.

 Before that I lived in Haiti.

-Donk, ou fèk vin abite nan peyi a?
  So, you just came to live in the country?

-Wi.

-Mwen wè.  Eske w’ap travay?

  I see. Are you  working?

-Wi, mwen apenn jwenn yon dyòb.  Se pousa mwen bezwen yon machin pou m ka fè trajè travay la.

  Yes, I just found a job.  That's why I need a car to do the work commute.

-Nan peyi bò isit, achte yon machin san w ponko gen ni dosye kredi, ni antesedan travay ka difisil anpil, preske enposib,  sèlsi ou ta vle peye lajan kontan.
In this country, buying a car without having a credit or work history can be very difficult, almost impossible, unless you would want to pay cash.

-O non! m pa kwè m’ap gen mwayen peye kach pou yon machin nèf!  
  Oh no! I don't think I'll have the means to pay cash for a new car! 

-Sanble ou gen lide w fikse sou yon machin nèf.  Poukisa w pa achte yon machin dezyèm men?

   It seems you have your mind set on a new car.  Why don't you buy a second-hand car? 

-Ah! Machin dezyèm men se traka!  Lè w achte yon machin konsa, se tèt chaje yon lòt moun w achte.
  Second-hand cars are trouble!  When you buy such a car, you're buying someone else's headache.  

-Non non, se pa toujou vre.  Nou gen anpil machin ize ki efikas menm jan ak yon machin nèf. Ou mèt eseye youn.  W'a wè pou tèt pa'w.
 Oh no, That's not always true. We have many used cars that are as efficient as a new car.  You may test drive one.  You'll see for yourself.

-Men wi.  Mwen ta renmen fè sa.
  Sure.  I'd love to do that.

-Ki kalite machin ou ta renmen eseye?
  What type of car would you like to test drive?

-Mwen ta renmen eseye yon machin ki resan, ki dirab, ki pa gen anpil mileyaj sou li, ki p’ap lage m nan lari, ki bèl ni anndan ni deyò, e fò l ta gen garanti.
 I'd like to try a car that is recent, durable, with low mileage, that will not leave me stranded, which is pretty inside and out, and it must have warranty.

- Ou konn sa w vle.  Kòm mwen di w, ou vini bon kote.  Nou genyen machin w'ap chache a.  Vin al eseye li.
   You do know what you want.  Like I said, you've come to the right place.. I have the car that you're looking for.  Let's go try it out.

-Dakò mèsi mesye.
 Okay.  Thank you sir.

Track:  Lajan sa a by Manno Charlemagne
  Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Ki sa vle di "kesekwann kesedjo'?

kesekwann kesedjo → "this, that and so on", "this and that", "etc....",  "blah blah blah", trivial conversation

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

Does ‘manje pawòl’ also have the same meaning as in the English expression to ‘eat one’s words’ which means to admit that something you said was wrong?

I have not heard it like that.
But people do say bwè or vale pawòl (maybe "...manje" too)

M'ap fè w vale sa'w di a.
I'm going to make you swallow what you said.
I'm going to prove you wrong.
and also:
I will make you regret what you said.
or
I'll make you pay for what you said.
Or
You'll be sorry because of what you said. (It's about someone being vindictive about what someone else say:)

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

Caress, stroke, dandle, fondle?

caress (dandle, fondle) → karese, ancheri, kajole, and andyoze
stroke → pase men

He was stroking the child's hair.
Li t'ap pase men nan tèt timoun nan.

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

What's the best way to communicate the idea of teamwork? And how would you translate "We want this organization to function as a team." And "Everyone needs to be a team player." Or would you recommend something other than the "team" metaphor? Is there a clearer word picture to use? Any ideas are appreciated!

Our favorite terms for teamwork are tèt ansanm, pote kole, men kontre or kole zepòl  they all mean team effort, pulling together, or working togetther.  
"We want this organization to function as a team."
"Nou vle tout moun mete tèt ansanm pou òganizasyon sa a mache."
"Nou vle tout moun pote kole pou fè òganizasyon sa a mache."
"Nou vle tout moun fè yon men kontre pou òganizasyon sa a byen fonksyone."
"An nou kole zepòl nou pou fè òganizasyon sa a mache."

and you can also use other words like kolabore, kolaborasyon, tèt kole, or konbit.
"An nou travay tèt kole pou fè òganizasyon sa a mache."
"An nou fè yon konbit zefò pou fè òganizasyon sa a mache."
"Nou vle tout moun kolabore ansanm pou fè òganizasyon sa a mache."
etc...

UPDATE
also add: kèk konbit, yon konbit (a "konbit" is group of people that gets together to work on a project)
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

What's the difference between vole, voltije and sote?

vole → to fly
vòltije → to leap, to bounce, to fly away
sote → to skip, to jump over, to hop

sote also mean to skip as in:
You may skip one day when taking your meds
Ou mèt sote yon jou lè w'ap pran medikaman ou.

sote also means to be startled or spooked as in:
You startled me.  
Ou fè m sote.

Or

I was startled when I saw the snake.
Mwen te sote lè m te wè koulèv la.

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

Doesn't 'kras' mean dirt or residue? What does it mean here? "Neg la pa kras we l."..mesi.

yes kras mean dirt or residue as in:
Foubi kontwa a pou w ka retire kras yo.
Scrub the counter to remove the dirt.

But kras also means small amount, little as in:
Mwen pa pè yon ti kras.
I am not scare a little
I'm not the least bit scared

or

ti kras pa ti kras
little by little

so
Nèg la pa kras wè l.
The man doesn't see it a little.
The man didn't see it at all.

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

Kisa vle di 'bese-leve'? Devinèt: Nan bese-leve, do m ap pliye. Respons: kafe

bese-leve → (lit. to lower/to bend-to get up) activities, labor, chores, housework

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

Si m' te konnen toujou dèyè. Is this like the English saying 'only the past has 20/20 vision'?

I am not too familiar with this English saying.
This expression is about regret.  It says something like "regret always comes after the fact"
Literally it says --"If I knew" is always after the fact--

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

Bonjou! Kisa vle di 'mare lalo'? E èske w te ka tradwi fraz sa a pou mwen: 'Se yon ekritasyon kote chak mo chak silab ape chase kraze ansanm nan yon lese frape yon kont lòt, youn sou lòt k' ape rebondi nan yon dodinay lòmsanzo'? Kòm toujou, granmèsi!

mare lalo → (voodoo term) to get magical power or capability (from a voodoo entity) in order make things work in your favor.

The next sentence is a metaphor:
"Se yon ekritasyon kote chak mo chak silab ap chase (chache?) kraze ansanm nan yon lese frape youn kont lòt, youn sou lòt k'ape rebondi nan yon dodinay lòmsanzo"

I think it means "It's a writing where the words flow well together" or it can be the opposite.

If you read that sentence literally, it would say:
"It's a writing where each word each syllable is looking to collide together (bump / slam into each other) by pushing and shoving against one another, one on top of the other they're bouncing in a flexible swinging motion"

Please ell me what your take is on the literal meaning of that sentence :)

dodinay → rocking, swinging (as with a rocking chair)
lese frape → pushing and shoving
lòmsanzo →(lit. man without bones) very flexible or malleable

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

What are words for 'to numb'(physically and emotionally/mentally)? "Use ice to numb the pain" or " The dentist gave me novocaine to numb my tooth before drilling, thank goodness." and "Being in an abusive romantic relationship for a long time has numbed her." or "The great pain that John has been in has numbed his friend, Peter."

numb (like anesthetized) → angoudi
numb (indifferent) → ensansib, endiferan, detache

1. My foot's asleep.
    M santi pye m angoudi.

2.  Use ice to numb the pain.
      Itilize glas pou diminye doulè a.
    
3. "Being in an abusive romantic relationship  for a long time has numbed her."
     "Tout tan li te pase nan relasyon abizan an te rann li endiferan."

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

Can you help me with the phrasing of this one?"Please know that we would love nothing more than to stay in contact with you over the years." I'm at: Tanpri konnen kou nou ta renmen anpil pou kominke avè'w [over the years] So far...

You're almost there :)

"Tanpri konnen ke nou ta renmen anpil pou kominike avè'w nan ane k'ap vini yo."
or
"Tanpri, konnen ke nanpwen anyen nou ta pi renmen pase rete an kontak avèk ou nan ane k'ap vini yo."
or
"Tanpri, konnen ke tout dezi nou se pou n rete an kontak avèk ou nan ane k'ap vini yo."



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

Lanmou fe m pedi larezon

Lanmou fè'w pèdi larezon?
Se pa sa sèlman l'ap fè w pèdi non?
Si w pa pran tèt ou, l'ap fè w pèdi ni sak ni krab.*
Avanse ak tèt klè ....tanpri.  Bòn chans.


*pedi ni sak ni krab - lose  both the sack and the crab, literally

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

"Mwen pa lanmè, m pa sere kras"?

Yes, the ocean does not keep "stuff".  Eventually it brings debris to shore.

Mwen pa lanmè, m pa sere kras.
Someone who says this is actually saying:
"I am very upfront"
"I  don't keep things to myself.  I tell it like it is."

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

Lang pa gen zo - Tongues have no bones. Kisa sa vle di?

My great aunt used to say:
Lang ou pa gen zo.  Li pa rèd.  Ou kapab donte'l.
You tongue has no bones.  It's not stiff.  You can tame it.

Some other people take it to mean that You can communicate your needs with ease, since "your tongue has no bones"


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

what's the dmv called in haiti?

Service de la circulation et de la Police Routière
Phone 1 :  +509-2942-0130
Phone 2 :  +509-2942-0140

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Question: Kisa vle di mo sa yo: 1. Sendenden 2. Farine 3. Enpridans 4. Lèzo 5. Afese 6. Chèdepoul 7. Meprize li 8. Mayas 9. Remontrans Mèsi :)

1. Sendenden → worthless, despicable, good-for-nothing person
    
    a.  Bann mou fou!  Bann sendenden!
         Bunch of crazies!  Bunch of worthless pricks!

     b.  Mwen p'ap elve fanm pou bay sendenden marye non. (That's my dad talking :)
          I will not groom daughters so that they can be married to pricks.


2. Farine (or farinen) → to drizzle
    
     a. Lapli a ap farine deyò a.
         It's a drizzling rain outside.


3. Enpridans → carelessness, negligence
    
     a. Se enpridans ou ki lakòz ou pèdi lajan an.
         You lost the money because of your negligence


4. Lèzo (Is it KASE LÈZO??)
    Kase lèzo → water breaks (when ready to have a baby)

    a. Madanm nan kase lèzo.  Delivrans li pa lwen.
        Her water broke.  Her deliverance is not far.


5. Afese → depressed, chagrined, sad
    
   a. Poukisa ou afese konsa?
       Why are so sad?


 6. Chèdepoul → goosebumps
     
      a. Fim nan ban m chèdepoul.
          The movie gave me goosebumps.

       b. Pandan fanm nan t'ap pale a, chèdepoul leve sou po m.
           While the woman was talking, I had goosebumps.


 7. Meprize li → to ignore, to look down on, to not give someone attention


 8. Mayas (probably from English "my ass") → it's a very bad shoe smell (in Haitian Creole)
     
     Soulye w santi mayas.
     Your shoe has a bad smell.
     or
     Your shoe smells.


9. Remontrans → critique, reprimand

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

how do you say in h.creole "you know that your one year anniversary with my cousin was on Monday, im so happy for you and her and I hope there are many more anniversaries to come in the future". thank you :) and the cousin is a girl

Thanks for letting me know that the cousin is female.  That was important.

Ou konnen premye anivèsè w ak kouzin mwen se te lendi. Mwen kontan anpil pou ou avèk li, e m'espere nou va genyen plizyè lòt anivèsè ankò alavni.

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

M gen de kesyon. Dabò, ki jan ou ta tradwi 'anyen' nan fraz sa a: 'Ou pa itil zetwal yo anyen? Li vle di 'at all' oubyen 'for nothing'? Tou, èske fraz 'pawòl pwezi' gen siyifikasyon espesyal, oubyen li sèman vle di 'poetic words'? Mèsi

I would just just translate it as a "negation"... no use, nothing, or not ...anything
But we can also say... use for nothing

Ou pa itil zetwal yo anyen.
You are of no use to the stars.
The stars can use you for nothing.

Ou pa itil mwen anyen.
You are of no use to me.
I cannot use you for anything

Poukisa w te achte machin ize sa a?  Li toujou anpàn.  Li pa itil nou anyen.
Why did you give buy this used car?  It's always broken down. It's of no use to us.

Why did you give buy this used car?  It's always broken down. It's good for nothing.

I agree with you, pawòl pwezi sounds like "poetic words", "beautiful words"

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

I'm thinking about the construction "ka pa," as in "Yo ka pa wè sa." I understand this to mean "They might not see that." Does that sound right? What I'm really wondering is how this same construction would be translated in the song that says, "Yo kapab pa janm tonbe, delivrans yo asire." Would this be "They are able to not ever fall," instead of "They might not ever fall?" Thanks again for all the help!

"Yo ka pa wè sa." (or Yo te ka pa wè sa.)
"They might not see that."
That sounds right.

"Yo kapab pa janm tonbe, delivrans yo asire."
Your second translation captures it "They might not ever fall, their salvation is certain."

Putting it into context from the Creole song......
People who put in Jesus an immeasurable trust
They might not ever fall, their salvation is certain

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

"N'ap palé yon lot leu"

N'ap pale yon lòt lè.
or
N'a pale yon lòt lè.
We'll talk another time.

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

In writing with contractions, would it be correct to write: "Kounye a w' konnen." Or is it more native-sounding to leave it as "Kounye a ou konnen" without the abbreviation? Mesi ANPIL!

You may write it as: Kounye a  w' konnen. It's correct.
Others will also write it this way too:
Kounyeya w konnen
Kounya w konnen

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

Can you please post the lyrics for "Here I am to worship" in Haitian Creole? Thank you so much!

I like the lyrics from this group of young people better than the other ones you'll find on youtube.

Limyè monn nan

Ou te vini nan fè nwa

Louvri je mwen pou’n ka wè

Bondye limyè,  kè'm adore ou

Espwa lavi bò kote m

Mwen vin adore ou

Mwen vin met ajenou

Mwen vin di w ke se ou ki bondye

Ou Merite tout lanmou

Ou merite tout glwa

Ou vrèman mèvèye nan lavi m

Wa pou tout tan m’ape leve ou byen wo

Glwa ou ranpli tout syèl la

Ou te desann sou latè

Pou w te kreye tout bagay gras ak lanmou

M’pat janm konnen konbyen l koute

Lè m wè peche m yo sou lakwa

M’pat janm konnen konbyen l koute

Lè m wè peche m yo sou lakwa

Here's another youtube post with same lyrics as above:

_________________________________
And here's another youtube post with slightly different lyrics.

Their lyrics:

Limyè monn nan

Ou desann nan fè nwa

Louvri je nou pou’n ka wè

Tout sa ki fè kè mwen adore ou

Esperans mwen se nan ou

Mwen vin adore ou

Mwen vin met ajenou

Mwen vin di ke se ou ki bondye

Ou Merite tout lanmou

Ou merite tout glwa

Ou vrèman mèvèye nan lavi m

Wa pou tout tan ki pi wo tout bagay

Zanj adore’w nan syèl la

Piti ou vin sou latè kreye

Pou lanmou ou vini pwòp

M’pat janm konnen konbyen l koute

Pou m wè peche m sou bwa kalvè

M’pat janm konnen konbyen l koute

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

Is the HC word for copper "kob kwiv mete", or is there a shorter form of the word copper? I have looked in my HC dictionary, but cannot find it. Mesi.

Yes, the HC word for copper is kuiv

kòb kuiv means copper money (...probably a penny)
and the Haitian Creole word for a penny is senk kòb penich)

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

What does de twa mean?

de twa (detwa, dezoutwa, dezotwa) → two or three, a few

1. Te gen sèlman detwa moun nan reyinyon an.
     There only a two or three people at the meeting.

2.  Mwen ge detwa bisiklèt lakay la.  M'ap fè kado youn.
     I have some bikes at home.  I'm giving one away.

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

Is there a particular reason why Haitian people repeat everything you say to them? Is it because they want to make sure they understand what you're saying?

I don't think every Haitian does that.
Perhaps, like you said, if they're talking to a foreigner they might want to make sure they understand what's said.
I sometimes do that with foreigners.  If one word in their sentence is wrong, I repeat what they say to correct them... with a smile :)

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

what does it mean to fe enteresant and to be enteresant, please give a lot of examples

☺ Dakò

Fè enteresant (enteresant, here, is different from the Creole enteresan which means interesting, fun)

Fè enteresant → to show off, to parade, to attract attention

1.  Fanm nan mete yon bèl rad,  enpi li tonbe fè enteresant pou tout moun ka wè l.
     The woman wore a beautiful dress, and she started strutting her stuff so that everyone would see her.

2. Poukisa w'ap fè tout enteresant sa yo?
    Why all this capriciousness?

3. Fanm sa sanble toujou damou ak mari l, paske depi li wè mari l li pran fè enteresant.
    This woman must still be in love with her ex-husband because whenever she sees him she acts capriciously.

4. Pa okipe l, enteresant ki nan kò'l.
    Don't mind her, she's just showing off.


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

Ki jan ou ta tradui an Kreyòl fraz sa yo: 1. An ear of corn 2. The bird was singing and chirping until its heart content. 3. Dying of hunger Epi tou ki sa vle di de mo sa yo: 1. efrayik 2. aleya Mèsi

1. An ear of corn
yon zepi mayi

2. The bird was singing and chirping until its heart content.
Zwazo a t'ap chante kont chante l.

3. Dying of hunger
mouri grangou

Epi tou ki sa vle di de mo sa yo:
1. efrayik
awesome,sensational

update
2. aleya lavi a
hazard / perils /risks of life

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

Bonjou Mandaly! Anvan m ekri kesyon mwen an m' ap vle pran yon ti moman pou m di w yon lòt fwa ke mwen apresye byen apresye tout asistans ou lan. Kreyòl mwen ap avanse avanse byen vit paske w pran tan ou pou w ede m. M konnen m te poze w kesyon kesyon men w bay respons pou tout yo. Mèsi mèsi anpil anpil! M' ap swete lewikenn ap pase byen bon!

Dakò :)  mèsi anpil.
Mwen toujou byen anmize m nan wikenn yo.  M pran plezi m nètalkole :)  Se sa'm bliye m pa fè :)

W'a pase yon bon fen wikenn.
Kenbe la.

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

'Nou kwè verite sa yo evidan nan fodalnatal yo...' fondalnatal?

Wi, fondalnatal → constitutional, fundamental, genuine, native, essential, ...

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

Èske w te ka di mwen ki sa vle di mo sa yo...

 1. devègwòn (from French "vergogne") → unscrupulous, shameless, dishonest 

2. monte desann (use as verb or noun) → labor the ups and down, hustling and bustling, be very busy with activities
    a. Depi maten m'ap monte desann nan lari a, men m pa regle anyen ditou.
        I've being very busy since this morning, but I haven't done anything really.

    b.  Mezanmi o! Se pa ti monte desann mwen te fè non, anvan magazen an resi ranbouse m lajan m. 
         Mezanmi!  It's not little labor I had to do for the store to finally refund me my money.
         Geez, I had to jump through hoops before the store finally refunded me my money.

3. Tonnè! (literally "thunder") (or Tonnè boule, Tonnè kraze, Tonnè krizous, Tonnè krizbòt, Fout tonnè!) → "swear cuss word"
    example:
     Tonnè boule m, m'ap regle avè w pou sa.
      I swear, I'll get back at you for that.

4. fè dibyen or fè byen  (French "faire du bien") →to do good deeds
    example:
     Misye se te yon nèg ki te fè anpil dibyen.
     He was a good man who did a lot of goods.

5. fè dimal or fè mal (French "faire du mal")  → to do s.o. wrong

6. deng (dengonn, dengòt) → ass
     Example  
     Si w rate yon peman machin, kreditè pral kole nan deng ou, yo pa'p ba w souf non.
    If you miss a car payment, creditors will be right up your buttock, they won't let you breathe.

7. dengòt (same as deng)

8. bwachat (ale bwachat) → to die
    Example:
    L'al bwachat.
    She died.

9. blofè n. → liar, deceiver
    blòf n. → lie, deception
    blofe, bay blòf → to deceive, to lie
    Example:
   Pa kwè anyen li di w.  S'on blofè li ye.
   Don't believe anything he says to you.  He's a liar.

10. granpanpan → snobbish, pompous, showimg off
      Example:
     Li pa menm gen lajan enpi l'ap fè granpanpan.
     He doesn't even have money, and he's being pretentious.

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

'Lè w'al lakay avèg, fèmen je w'. Does this mean 'when in Rome do as the Romans do?

Anjeneral, se sa wi.  Sa vle di pou w adapte ak lantouray ou.

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

Mandaly, is one able to say both "M ta renmen sa (for that)". and "M ta renmen sa a (for this)"? And also,in affected speech, can you tell the difference between "sa" and "sa a" in these two sentences? Mesi anpil.

Yes in these sentences, I can tell the difference.

"M ta renmen sa."

"I would like that."

"M ta renmen sa a'

"I would like this one ( or that one).

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

'Remèsiman se va flè sou tonm mwen' Thanksgiving will be a flower on my grave? Ki lè ou ta itilize fraz sa a?

My grandmother used to say that a lot whenever someone is grateful towards her.

To her (and to me) it means:  Your gratitude will serve as flower on my tomb.

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

Tanpri tradui fraz sa a pou mwen: 'l'a kraze brize jouk li fese kò a atè mò rèd'.

"l'a kraze brize jouk li fese kò a atè mò rèd'. 
"He/She/it will cause damage until he/she/it knocks the body to the ground dead."  

fese (or bay yon fese) atè → to beat up, to spank, to throw to the ground, to conquer

Mwen fese l atè.
I knocked him to the ground.

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

Bonjou Mandaly. M swete tout bagay anfòm avè w. :) Kesyon mwen se èske yon mo oubyen fraz an Kreyòl ki vle di 'don't take it personal' oubyen 'it's not personal'?

Wi mèsi tout bagay anfòm nèt maten an.  Mwen toujou panse se yon gran privilèj pou fè pati nan bèl inivè Bondye kreye a.  Lanati avèk lanmou Bondye se yon sous enspirasyon pou mwen.  M'ap pwofite yo jouk sa kaba.  M'espere se menm bagay la pou ou tou :)

There's a Haitian Creole expression that says:
M voye dlo, m pa mouye pèsonn.
I throw water, I don't get anyone wet.
It means:
I'm talking generally, don't anyone take it personally.

We use that expression (a lot :) in the sense of "Don't take it personally"
or you can say:
Pa pran sa pèsonèl non.
Pa pran sa mal.
M pa lonje dwèt sou pèsonn. (I'm not pointing at anyone)
Don't take it personally


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

Hello there! Can you help me translate in Haitian creole: "trailer with low underneath clearance"

"trailer with low underneath clearance"
"remòk ki gen wotè limit ba"

Maximum Clearance 2 feet
Wotè Limit 2 pye.

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

"Si w we m mize, se pou m ka pote bon nouvel" (from the Word of the Day), is that an expression?

Si'w wè'm mize, se pou m ka pote bon nouvèl
If I delay, it is so that I can bring good news.
If your deliverance takes longer, it is because it's worth waiting for (or a similar translation)

This expression is to encourage someone to have patience......
There may an English expression that is similar but I do not know it.

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

I have a mural that I will be painting in St. Martin near Les Cayes. Could you help me with the words so I am able to say them in Creole? This is a link to the article when I went in Feb 2013: http://www.gainesvilletimes.com/archives/80862/

Gainesville Artist Teaches Haitians to 'Paint' Mural Using Recycled Trash

Church → legliz   (pronounced: lay-gleez)
Cross - kwa, or lakwa   (pronounced: ko-a, or la-ko-a)
gate - baryè   (pronounced: ba-ri-yɛ)
flag - drapo   (pronounced: d-ra-po)
Rooster - kòk   ( pronounced: kɔk)
ball - balon   (pronounced: ba-lon)
rocks - wòch   (pronounced: wɔ-sh)
Palm tree - pye palmis   (pronounced: pje-pal-mees)
chicken - poul   (pronounced: pool)
chicks - ti pousen   (pronounced: tee-poo-sen)
cow - bèf   (pronounced: bɛf)
girl - fi, tifi   (pronounced: fee or tee-fee)
water - dlo   (pronounced: D-lo)
well - pui, pui dlo, οr pi dlo   (pronounced: pee-d-lo)
bucket - bokit   (pronounced:  bo-keet)
butterflies - papiyon   (pronounced: pa-pee-yon)
horse - chwal   (pronounced: sho-al)
shell - kokiy   (pronounced:  ko-keey)
fish  - pwason   (pronounced:  poa-son)
sea turtle - tòti lanmè   (pronounced:  tɔ-tee-lan-mɛ)
sea weed  - algi, or plant akwatik   ( pronounced: a-gee)
dolphin - dofen   (pronounced:  do-fen)
bobber - apat, or flotè   (pronounced:  a-pat or flo-te)
trap - zatrap   (pronounced: za-t-rap)
starfish - zetwal lanmè   (pronounced:  zay-toal-lan-me)
sun - solèy   (pronounced:  so-lɛ-y)
goat - kabrit   (pronounced:  ka-breet)
pig - kochon   (pronounced:  ko-shon)
mango tree - pye mango   (pronounced:  pje-man-go)
banana tree - pye bannann   (pronounced:  pje-ban-nan-n)

http://www.gainesvilletimes.com/archives/80862/

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

What would be a good word for rest and relaxation?

rest and relaxation
repo ak detant

a little rest and relaxation
yon ti kanpo
yon ti detant
yon ti repi




How would it be best to say "House of Rest and Relaxation" for the name of a guest house?  Thanks.
I am thinking you could say:

Mezon detant
Mezon detant ak repo
Kay pou detant ak lwazi
Mezon lwazi (where lwazi means "leisure")
Kay pou lwazi
Mezon repo
Kay pou repo
Mezon konje (where konje means "time off")
Mezon serenite
Yon kay pou serenite

Mezon retrèt or Kay pou Retrèt (are retirement homes)
 Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Ki sa vle di 'dombo cheri'?

It sounds like an endearing nickname.

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

Èske fraz ‘lajman laj’ la gen yon signifikasyon espesyal? Oubyen li vle di senpleman 'largly large'. Men fraz ki gen li landan li: “Pa gen anyen mal pou kopye sa ki fèt nan peyi etranje, men nou dwe kopye tout sa ki bon ki fèt tankou pibliye lajman laj tout dokiman ki soutni pwopozisyon chanjman ki ap fèt yo.”

lajman laj (angran manchèt)
Basically it means large scale

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

Nan fraz sa a – ‘Se yon lang diferan de lang franse, kwake gen anpil mo lan vokabilè li ki soti lan franse’ - èske ‘kwake’ vle di ‘even though’?

Wi, se sa.

kwake → even though, although, granted

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

Bonjou! M fèk li fraz sa a 'Kreyòl ayisyen pa franse mawon'. An gwo, m konnen sa fraz la vle di. Men èske w ta eksplike m siyifikasyon li egzakteman? Tou, èske ou ta di mwen ki jan m te ka mande kesyon sa-a ap sèvi ak vèb “presize”. M’ap gen yon ti pwoblem itilize vèb sa a. Mèsi!!!

franse mawon (franse sirèt)  → bad French
From a Haitian Creole perspective, speaking bad French is speaking French without verb accord, pronouncing the French "e" like the Creole "e", pronouncing the French "i" like "u", and vice versa.  It sounds like "tamed" Creole.  But as you know Creole can't  be tamed.  So the "franse mawon" comes out sounding bad.  ...laughable bad.

It's the same as "franse sirèt", it's spoken as if you have a sweet candy in your mouth, but the words sounds a little "sour".  Sirèt is Haitian Creole for candy.

Many Haitian comedians at one time or another will present some materials in "franse mawon" or "franse sirèt". It' always very funny.

FYI:  Some people do think that Haitian Creole can be an explicit language sometimes. That's when you'll hear people call it Kreyòl rèk crude or vulgar Creole (you tell it like it is). I do remember my dad asking me to swap some words with "gentler" ones when I was a child.  And I'm pretty sure you'll find that some Haitians will tell you that they had trouble using some H. Creole words in front of a respectable adult.  No wonder we try to sweeten it up to make it sound more sophisticated :)

So, "Kreyòl Ayisyen pa franse mawon" "Haitian Creole is not bad French". 

___________________

presize → to give details, to tell exactly
presi, presize → precise
presizeman → precisely

Regarding your question, I would say:

"Èske w ta eksplike m siyifikasyon li egzakteman
"Eske ou te ka presize sou sa "mawon" vle di?"

Other examples with "presize":

1. Eske w te ka presize sou sa?
    Could you be clear on that?
    Could you give more details about that?

2. Yo di nou pou n vin nan reyinyon an, men yo pa't presize sou lè nou te dwe reyini an.
     They said we needed to come to the meeting, but they didn't give an exact time for us to meet.

3. Yo pat presize dat maryaj la.
     They did not give an exact date for the wedding.

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

I thought I saw that word "regle" here, but I can't find it today. What is "M ap regle ave w."

M'ap regle avè w.
I'll get even with you.
I'll teach you a lesson.

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

M'ap boule wi! Mèsi pou mande m! :) Tanpri souple, tradwi mo epi fraz sa yo pou mwen: 1. chire 2. 'Ranmase m' nan fraz: 'M ranseye m ak mesyedam lemarye oubyen lamarye a.' 3. Ou ta dwe mete w byen banda pou w ka pay payèt tankou tout moun. Mèsi!

1. chire mean to tear, but it's also an expression that means to be in serious trouble.
an example would be:
     a. Ou chire!
         You're in trouble.
         You're in deep #@*!
         You're screwed!

 2. 'Ranmase m'  nan fraz: 'M ranseye m ak mesyedam lemarye oubyen lamarye a.'
    
     Ranmase m → to pick me up (from the ground, from a bad situation, ...)
     But this sentence  that you gave me does not have "ranmase" in it :)

     mesyedam → guys, the guys, men and women, ladies and gentlemen

     'M ranseye m ak mesyedam lemarye oubyen lamarye a.'
     "I inquired with the groom or the bride."


3. Ou ta dwe mete w byen banda pou w ka pay payèt tankou tout moun.
  
   banda → to be elegant
   mete w byen banda → to dress to impress
   bay payèt (not pay payèt) → to strut your stuff.

   "Ou ta dwe mete w byen banda pou w ka bay payèt tankou tout moun."
   "You should dress attractively so that you could strut your stuff like everybody else."

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

Bonjour,koman mwen ka itilize mo "ye", selman nan yon kesyon? Mesi anpil

Ou kapab itilize li nan kesyon avèk nan fraz deklaratif tou (nan plizyè tan vèb yo).

Instead of SE, we use YE in interrogative sentences:
     1. Kisa sa a ye? instead of Kisa sa a se?
         What this is? literally
         What is this?

      2. Kouman yo ye? instead of Kouman yo se?
          How they are? literally.
          How are they?

We also use "YE" when we have "SE" or "SA" as an impersonal pronoun (it is) or demonstrative pronoun (this is, that is) in a sentence.  So it becomes "SE ... YE" or "Sa...YE"  instead of SE .... SE.
We also use YE in exclamative sentences too.

      Interrogative sentences:
       3. Eske se madanm ou li ye? instead of Eske se madanm ou li se?
           Is this your wife she is? literally
           Is she your wife?

        4. Eske se konsa li ye? instead of Eske se konsa li se?
            Is it how it is? literally
            Is this how it is?

        5. Sa mwen ta ye san ou?
            Kisa mwen ta ye san ou?
            What would I be without you?

       Exclamative sentences
       6.  Ala yon wont sa ta ye.
            What a shame it would be.

       7. Ala yon sanzave li ta ye, si l te gen anpil byen.
           What a jerk he would be he was wealthy.

         Deklarative sentences      
         8. Se sa mwen ye.  instead of Se sa mwen se.
             It's what I am. literally
             That's what I am.

          9 Se sa mwen te ye. instead of Se sa mwen ta se.
              It is what I was. 
              That what I was.

          10. Se moun sa  a mwen va ye. instead of Se moun sa a mwen va se.
              It is this/that person I will be.
              That who I'll be.

           11. Se konsa li ye. instead of Se konsa li se.
                It's how it is.
                That's how it is.

          12. Yo di se yon loraj kale fanm sa a ye.
               They say it's a firecracker that this woman is.
               They say this woman is a bitch.

          13.  Se Bondye li ye. instead of Se Bondye li se.
                 It's God that he is.
                 He's God.

          14. Se pa tyoul ou m ye.  instead of Se pa tyoul ou m se.
                It's not your slave that I am.
                I am not your maid.


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

Bon maten! Kouman ou ye? Ki sa vle di 'fè dappiyan' nan fraz sa a 'Ewopeyen yo te al fè dappiyan sou plizyè milyon Afriken ann Afrik'?

M'anfòm wi maten an.   M'espere w'anfòm tou :)

'fè dappiyan' → to pillage, to invade, to attack, to plunder, to rape
Here it seems to say that they attacked or invaded.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

"Eskize pa geri maleng"? maleng? - when can you use this idiom?

maleng (blesi, blese, java, plè)→ wound, lesion

Eskize pa geri maleng.
or
Padon pa geri maleng.
Sorry does not heal wound.

You may use this when you want to express that sorry just isn't enough and that someone needs to be held accountable.

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

Mandaly, m' bezwen èd avè kèk kont. 1. Pi bèl fanm abiye nan bwa. "Repons: kajou" The most beautiful woman dressed in wood. Answer: cashews. Poukisa kajou se fanm? 2. M al nan magazen. M achte yon rad. Mwen wè landwat, mwen wè lanve l. Lè m rive lakay m pa jwenn ni landwat ni lanvè. Repons: pit. Mo m pa konnen: landwat, lanvè, pit. 3. M achte yon towo bèf, se pou lang li. Repons: seri. Li pa fè sans. I buy a male cow, it is for its tongue. Answer: series. 4. M ale ya. M tounen ya a. Respons: lanmè. Ki sa vle di 'ya' epi 'ya a'? 5. Ganmel ale kay kiyè. Kiyè pa ka ale kay ganmel. Repons: plènlin. Huh? M kwè m pa bon avèk kont. M pito fè matematiik. :(

You're right about math being way easier to figure out.  There are general rules and formulas for solving math problems, but none for solving these Haitian riddles (called devinèt).

1. Pi bèl fanm abiye nan bwa. "Repons: kajou"
   The most beautiful woman dressed in wood. Answer: cashews. Poukisa kajou se
fanm?

   -It's bwa kajou, or kajou ("Acajou" in French)→ mahogany

    Many Haitian Creole proverbs compare women to bwa kajou. 
    "Bwa kajou" is strong (like a woman :),
     it makes beautiful home decoration (like a woman beautifies a home :) ,
     withstands the test of time (like a woman endures :).
     And, it is as "bwa kajou" gets older that you realize its lasting beauty and what makes it stand apart from all the other woods :)



2. M al nan magazen. M achte yon rad. Mwen wè landwat, mwen wè lanvè l. Lè m
    rive lakay m pa jwenn ni landwat ni lanvè. "Repons: pit."
    Mo m pa konnen: landwat, lanvè, pit.

     landwat (or nandwat) → right side out
     lanvè (or nanvè) → inside out, wrong side out
     pit → fiber, textile fiber

    Response hint:  You cannot tell the right or wrong side of a fiber unless it is sewn into a dress or something.

    examples for usage of "landwat" and "lanvè":
    a.  Mwen te abiye nan fènwa.  Se sa'k fè m mete chemiz mwen lanvè.
         I got dressed in the dark.  That's why I put on my shirt inside out.

    b.  Ale ranje chemiz la sou ou.  Fwa sa a, mete l landwat.
         Go fix the shirt on you.  This time, wear it correctly.


3. M achte yon towo bèf, se pou lang li. "Repons: seri."
     Li pa fè sans. I buy a male cow, it is for its tongue. Answer: series.
   
      Seri → is the lock that goes inside a keyhole, or it could be a padlock

      Response hint:  The tongue refers to the part of the lock that goes into the keyhole.



4. M ale ya. M tounen ya a. "Respons: lanmè."
    Ki sa vle di 'ya' epi 'ya a'?

    "ya" is an interjection.
    It makes reference to the wave of the ocean that comes and goes.
    The answer, here, should have been "vag lanmè".




5. Ganmèl ale kay kiyè. Kiyè pa ka ale kay ganmèl. "Repons: plènlin". Huh?
 
     plenn lin  →  full moon
     kiyè → spoon
     kiyè bwa → wooden spoon
     ganmèl → receptacle, pot, vessel

This comes from the following proverb:
Chak jou kiyè bwa al kay ganmèl, men fòk ganmèl al kay kiyè bwa tou.
Everyday the spoon goes to the pot, but one day the pot must go to the spoon too.
or
The spoon stirs the pot everyday, but the pot needs to stir the spoon too.
so,
It's about a one way relationship where one side always gives and the other always receives.
    

And so, you will hear the expression:

a. Yon jou fòk ganmèl al kay kiyè tou.
    Which means
    One day the shoe must go on the other foot too.

Here's another example:

b. Chak jou m'ap ede w, men ou pa janm ede'm.  Li pa bon!  Fòk ganmèl al kay kiyè too.
    Every day I'm helping you, but you never help me.  It's not right!  The situation needs to be reversed too.

Response hint:  I think this devinèt should have been the other way around.....Kiyè al kay ganmèl. Ganmèl pa la kay kiyè.... 
And, I'm not sure why the answer is "plènlin".
I asked around.  I was told that it may mean "the moon shines on us and we don't shine on the moon".  To me this sounds too ....easy.

I'll look into this last one further.

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

I'm writing a piece about Maurice Sixto and I want to say that people still keep him in their hearts. Is there a Creole expression for keeping someone in your heart, that has the same connotation, of treasuring someone's memory, of feeling affection and respect for that person who is no longer with us?

Yes, we can say "rete grave nan memwa" literally "to stay etched/impressed in memory"

People still keep him in their hearts
Li rete grave nan memwa yo.
or
Li rete grave nan memwa moun yo.
or even
Non li rete grave nan memwa moun yo.

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

How would you say "There aren't any over there". It was in the context of an Easter egg hunt and the kids were wandering into an area where there were not any eggs hidden. I came up with "Pa gen anyen la" at the time, but one of the older boys who spoke English corrected me with something that ended in "kote'l" (I didn't catch it all unfortunately.)

Your translation was right.   There are a few more ways to translate this... (by having "Nanpwen" instead of "Pa gen"; or "aryen" instead of "anyen"; or "bò kote sa a" or "lòt bò a" instead of "over there"):

Pa gen anyen la a.
or
Pa gen anyen laba a.
Nanpwen anyen lòt bò a
Nanpwen anyen bò kote sa a.
Nanpwen anyen lòt bò kote 'l. (They would have been pointing toward an area when they used "....kote'l")

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

Kisa vle di "fè wonn pòt"?

That's actually one of my favorite expressions :)

fè wonn pòt (literally "make round door"; "go around the door)"  → to go anywhere, it's best explained in a sentence:

examples.
1. Mwen pa't fè wonn pòt.
    I didn't get as far as the door.
    I didn't go anywhere.

2. Misye te konnen lapolis t'ap chache li.  Li chita lakay li.  Li pa fè wonn pòt.
    He knew that the police were looking for him.  He stayed home.  He didn't go anywhere.

3. Tan an move deyò a. Lapli a mande anraje. M'ap rete nan kabann. M p'ap fè wonn pòt.
     The weather's bad outside.  It's raining cats and dogs. I'll stay in bed. I won't go anywhere.


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

Bonswa Mandaly, Èske ou ta reponn kesyon sa yo pou mwen...

1. Èske 'mete ak' vle di 'join' nan fraz sa a: 'Lachin ak Larisi mete ak Sekretè
Jeneral l’ONU an, Bann Ki-moon, pou yo fè konnen kè-sote yo...'?
      
     Wi.  You got it right.  It means to join, to team up, to unite

2. Ki sa vle di "ajandelòd" nan fraz sa a: manifestan te voye kout-wòch sou
ajandelòd yo...?
     ajandelòd (from French "agent de l'ordre") → peacekeeper, code enforcer, or law enforcer

3. Èske 'ale fè wout li' vle di 'to go on his way'?
    Yes, basically.  It also means to go, to go away, to leave, to scram, get lost
    
     examples:
     a. Al fè wout ou!
         Go away!
         Get out of here!

     b.  L'al fè wout li.
          He left.

     c.  Apre yo fin manje, yo t'al fè wout yo.
          After they ate, they left.


4. Ki sa vle di 'San di pètèt' nan fraz sa a: 'San di pètèt, nan ka pa nou, nan
La Grand Bretay, nou gen lontan depi nap respekte yon entèdiksyon Unyon Ewòp la
ki anpeche nou voye ekipman militè bay militan rebèl yo'?
       San di petèt (or sandipetèt) → beyond question, undoubtedly, unmistakably
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Is there a Creole translation for the word "etc."?

Wi.  You can say "elatriye..."

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

Bonjou, Kouman ou di 'by the way'?

Bonswa :)

by the way → anpasan, antwot, kite priyè pran kantik*, or kite kantik pran priyè
speaking of → anpalan de
While on the subject → pandan nou sou sijè

"Kite priyè pran kantik" (lit. leave prayer take song; stop praying, let's sing) is used when you're changing the subject of a conversation.
For example, two people may be talking about cars  in general and then something else comes to mind, then one of them will say:
Kite priyè pran kantik, eske w tande konpani Toyota pral fèmen pòt yo nèt?
By the way, did you hear that the Toyota Company will close their doors forever?


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

Bonswa Mandaly! Èske w' ta ede-m? 1.Kisa vle di 'karòs'? 2. Kisa vledi 'grasye' epi 'fè ekonomi' nan seri fraz sa yo: 'Desanzantan ou a kondane l a mò. Vi l depann de jistis ou. men ou grasye (pardon?) l chak fwa pou ou fè ekonomi.' 3.Denyeman èske fraz 'vèb aksili' a vle di 'helping verb'?

1.Ki sa vle di 'karòs'?
   two-wheeler, buggy, wagon

2.Ki sa vle di 'grasye' epi 'fè ekonomi' nan seri fraz sa yo: 'Desanzantan ou a
kondane l a mò. Vi l depann de jistis ou. Men ou a grasye (pardon?) l chak fwa
pou ou fè ekonomi.'?

Is the first word "detanzantan" with a "t"?
grasye (fè gras) → to pardon, to be gracious toward, to let s.o. off the hook
fè ekonomi → to save money,  to conserve (money)

"From time to time you'd condemn him to death.  (His life depends on your justice) His life is in your hands.  But you let him off the hook every time in order to save (money?)"

3.Denyeman èske fraz 'vèb aksili' a vle di 'helping verb'?

   I know vèb oksilyè (helping verb).  I'm not too sure about the "aksili" spelling.
   I'll check it out.

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

how do you ask someone in h.creole if they are bowlegged and how do you say she is bowlegged? thank you

bow-legged → pye kanbya, pye kanbral, pye kanbre, pye bankal

Are you bowlegged?
Eske ou gen pye kanbre?

She is bowlegged?
Li gen pye kanbre.
or
Pye'l kanbre.

The child seems to be bowlegged.
Sanble timoun nan gen pye kanbre.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Are you familiar with the recent publication 'Pawol Lakay', a resource for learning Creole, and if it could be recommended.

I am not familiar with it, but I will ask a friend to do a short review on it soon if she can.
Thanks.



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

I understand your answer and appreciate your examples. However my concern is the fact that NOU ends in a vowel. Shouldn't it be nou A. For example in one of the examples you mentioned, there's SE N NAN, so the article NAN is there because of the N sound that we now here even though we know it's a contraction. So since NOU ends in a vowel sound, why is the article not A?

Hi,

That's because the "OU" sounds is also considered a nasal sound.  You will find a small percentage of people who will have a non nasal vowel after the "ou" sound, but we mostly have a nasal vowel after an "ou" sound.  Some examples:

Bondye nou an (our God)
lanmou an (the love)
jenou an (the knee)
bagay mwen te ba ou an (the thing that I gave you)

FYI:
Sometimes an definite article that would otherwise be non nasal, will be written as a nasal vowel if the first syllables of the word have a nasal sound.

For example
"Zanmi" ends with "I"
You will be tempted to say "zanmi a".
but because of the first syllable "zan..." which has a nasal sound, we would sometimes say "zanmi an".

other examples are:
fanmi an (the family)
lanbi an (the conch)
konduit lan or conduit lan (the behavior)
konsè a or konsè an (the concert)
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words