Goosebumps - chèdepoul

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

Is there a rule that some verbs need pou in front of them while nothin other cases. Like tan pou ale but mwen vle fe yon bagay? James

usually "pou" after a verb will translate "to" or "in order to", "so that "....

1. Nou manje anpil pou n ka grandi.
    We eat a lot so that we can grow.

2.  Mwen pote li pou ou pou w ka wè ak de je w.
    I brought it to you so that you can see with your own eyes.

3. Mwen vle pou w ale kounye a.
    I need you to go now.

but "tan pou" → instead of

4. Tan pou w ale anba lapli a, poukisa ou pa ret tann.
     Instead of leaving under the rain, why don't you wait a while.

5. Joann sou anba tafya. Tan pou m ta monte machin avè l, m pito mache.
    Joann is drunk.  I rather walk than drive in a car with her.

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

It seems that sèvi by itself means serve. Like "Nap sèvi Bondye." But sèvi ak means use. Like "Pa sèvi ak bik sa." Is that correct? Do you have to use ak to make sèvi mean use? Also how would you translate sèvi in this verse: "Mwen menm, mwen sèten m'a viv pou m' wè jan Bondye sèvi byen ak pèp li a."

Yes.
Sèvi - to serve, to worship, to serve as
egzanp:

1. N'ap sèvi Bondye.
    We worship God.
or
2. Ou pa ka sèvi de Bondye alafwa.
    You can't serve two masters at once.

sèvi or sèvi kòm or sèvi pou - to serve as, to use as

3.  Li pran m sèvi bòn li.
     He used me as his maid.

4.  Mwen pa t janm di sa.  Ou kapab sèvi m temwen.
     I never said that.  You can serve as my witness.

5. Li pran chemiz nèf mwen sèvi tòchon.
    Li pran chemiz nèf mwen sèvi kòm tòchon.
    He took my new shirt and used it as rag.

sèvi ak - to use, to make use of, to have to do with
egzanp:
6. Nou pa sèvi ak kiyè nan kay sa a.
   We do not use spoons in this house.

in your example:
sèvi byen ak → to treat well

7. "Mwen menm, mwen sèten m'a viv pou m wè jan Bondye sèvi byen ak pèp li a."
   "As for me, I'm sure I'll live to see how God treat his people well.:

other similar examples:

8. Li sèvi byen ak mwen.
   He treated me well.

9. Mwen va toujou gen madan Janot rekonesans.  Lè pitit mwen yo te rete lakay li, li te sèvi byen ak yo.
   I'll always be grateful to Mrs Janot.  When my kids stayed over at her house, she treated them well.


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

I heard this phase today: Sa pa enterese nou menm. It seems like it would literally mean, "This doesn't interest us." But I think it meant, "We don't care." Is enterese used that way? Thanks!

Your literal translation is correct.
And yes it can be used in a way where it means "Sa pa enterese nou" - "We don't care about it (that)", "We're not concerned about it (that)"

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I heard this today (if I heard correctly!): "Chache yon atann ave li." It was in the context of reconciling with people after having a relationship problem. What does atann mean?

antann (antant or antannman) - understanding, agreement, compromise

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I am going on a medical mission to Haiti. What would be 20 important phrases for me to know?

It's kind of hard to predict the type of cases you are going to see, and what the patients' responses would be to the questions you might ask them.   Do you have a questionnaire with the types of questions you want to ask?  Is it a 'clinic' type of setting?
There's a Medical Dictionary that you might find online, English / Haitian Creole Medical Dictionary by Maude Heurtelou and Fequière Vilsaint, it's published by EDUCA VISION
There's also a free medical dictionary and other free resources on the Kansas University (Haitian Studies) website: http://languages.ku.edu/haitian; it touches on the subject of cultural sensitivity too.  So that might be helpful.

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

how do you say dull as in not sharp in kreyol?

dull (not sharp) - pa pwenti, pa file, defile

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What is the meaning of the word DIGDANTAN as in the expression: Paske se depi DIGDANTAN Ayisyen sa yo tande sa?

DIGDANTAN (or DIKDANTAN) means a very long time ago

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Excuse me, but do you know what does wa mange gro pousou mean, please? Thanks

W'a manje gwo pous ou?
to be regretful, remorseful

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What does Feme bou shou mean? My spelling is probably incorrect :/ but it is pronounced like "fem me boo shoo"

The correct spelling is "fèmen bouch ou."
and it means to be quiet,or  to shut up

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How would one say 'sisterhood' in creole?

sisterhood - sororite, solidarite oubyen tèt ansanm nan mitan fanm
brotherhood - fratènite

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i discovered this page a few days ago and was super excited because there is almost no free resources on learning kreyol and did two lessons quickly i came back today to find your audio posts from the didn't play anymore i know it may be a bit of hassle but it'd be really cool if you could try to fix them or keep them up somehow thanks for putting together such a great internet resource

Sorry about that.
It should be able to play now :)
Will post new audio this weekend.

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

i discovered this page a few days ago and was super excited because there is almost no free resources on learning kreyol and did two lessons quickly i came back today to find your audio posts from the didn't play anymore i know it may be a bit of hassle but it'd be really cool if you could try to fix them or keep them up somehow thanks for putting together such a great internet resource

Sorry about that.
It should be able to play now :)

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

How do you say "please excuse my poor creole"? I learned it as Tanpri, eskize mwen, mwen pale Krèyol mal. Is that correct?

Yes. It's not a literal translation, but it communicates what you want to say.

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

what does fwaye, jemi, and ekilibre mean?

fwaye (from French foyer)  means home, family home, also hearth
jemi - to moan (in anguish)
ekilibre - to be well balanced

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

What are the ways of saying "come from" as in "I come from Haiti" or other sayings similar? I've seen soti ak and soti nan. James

yes, you are right.  Usually you will see the the word soti (sot) is used and it means to come from, to be originated from, or to just come from (or just (adv): very recently)

Mwen soti Ayiti. - I come from Haiti.
Mwen fèk soti Ayiti. - I just came from Haiti.
Nou soti legliz. - We come from church
Ki kote ou soti? - Where do you come from?

also, sot or soti as JUST adv.
Nou sot manje. - We just ate.
Nou sot wè yo sou plaj la. - We just saw them at the beach.

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What is the difference in using "isit" or "la" when meaning here? James

isi, isi a, isit, isit la, they all translate here
isi or isit sometimes point to being present
and isi a or isit la is more specific about location
But they can be interchangeable.

1. Mwen pa't vin nan nòs la paske mwen pa't isi.
    I didn't come to the wedding because I was away. 

2. Bò isit la moun pa mache nan lari lèswa.
    Around here people do not walk the streets at night.

3. Veye kò w ak moun isit.  Yo trèt.
    Beware of people from around here.  They are hypocrites.


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

Madanm, kijan ou di 'throat, bruise, dehydrate' an creole

throat - gòj, (and sometimes gagann)
bruise - blese, blesi
dehydrate - dezidrate (de-zee-dra-tay)

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I have seen several Haitian men who have very long pinkie finger fingernails and was wondering if this has any significance or meaning in Haiti? I asked one of them and he was very vague in his answer.

Yeah, most of the Haitian men in my family (on my dad side especially) do wear their fingernail pinky up to half of a cm long :)  .. and my husband too.  I think it's an image choice.  Some people will tell you that it's a great tool for scratching their nares and ear canals, lol!  But they do take great care of keeping it healthy, long and strong.  Also, it is not uncommon for Haitians men to wear clear nail polish on their nails (their toes especially).

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What is the proper Haitian Kreyol spelling of the name George?? Is it Jorj, Jorje or Jorge I have seen it written all these 3 ways. I think the first one looks correct to me phonetically???

How about ...Jòj?

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Something on the pulpit of the church is referred to as 'che'? Which is it exactly? My dictionary only has 'che' as expensive. Thanks.

1.
chè is the pulpit itself.
Pastè a te kanpe sou chè a pou li preche.
The pastor stood in the pulpit to preach.

2.
chè (or lachè)  also translate flesh.
Nou se chè e zo.
We are flesh and bones.

3.
Chè also means precious, dear.
chè manman mwen
my dear mother

Si ou kontinye konsa, sa va koute ou trè chè.
If you keep this up, it will cost you dearly.

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How do I tell the difference between 'pa' to make things negative and 'pa' to make pronouns possessive?

Frame of reference, ... context.

Here are a couple of sentences.  Can you tell which "pa" is negative and which is possessive?

1. Mwen pa malad.
2. Nou kouri  san nou pa bouke.
3. Si ou kontinye anniye m, mwen pa prale nan sinema ak ou.
4. Eske valiz sa a se pa ou?
5. Ayiti se peyi pa m. M'ap toujou sonje li nenpòt kote mwen ye.

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

Madanm, ki jan ou konnen an Kreyol ki le sevi ak "anpil" anvan oswa apre yon mo? Egzanp: "Gazolin la che anpil." oubyen, "Mete anpil gazolin." Ki gen reg sou sa a? Tanpri reponn nan lang angle silvouple. Mesi anpil.

Ou mande mwen kesyon an an Kreyòl. Mwen ta renmen reponn li an Kreyòl.
Mwen sèten ou va konprann sa mwen di.
Si ou pa konprann kite m konnen :)

1.
anpil se yo adjektif, pwonon, oubyen yon "determiner" lè ou plase li devan yon non.  Li vle di many, a lot of.

pa egzanp:
anpil moun
a lot of people

Genyen anpil bèl kay nan zòn sa a.
There are many beautiful houses in this area.

2.
anpil se yon advèb lè ou plase li dèyè yon vèb oubyen dèyè yon adjektif
pa egzanp:
Mwen renmen w anpil.
I like you a lot.

Li kontan anpil.
She 's very happy.

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

Mandaly, M ap gade Fim Ayisyen an "I Love You Anne" soti nan FilmHaiti.com. Tout pawol nan li se egzak tande. M ka konprann tout pawol menm si mwen pa konnen siyifikasyon yo nan tout. M rekomande sa a fim pou deboutan an Kreyol Ayisyen. Yon fim vreman gwo yo aprann le yo. KOUNYE A, how bad have I mangled the Kreyol here? Maybe a couple of hints? Mesi. Jan Rachal

Not too too bad :)
I would have written it by removing and adding a couple of words.  Like this:

Mandaly, M ap gade Fim Ayisyen an "I Love You Anne" soti nan 
FilmHaiti.com.  Tout pawol nan li se
egzak tande byen klè.  M ka konprann tout pawol menm si
mwen pa konnen siyifikasyon yo nan tout.  M 
rekomande sa a fim sa a pou deboutan debitan an nan Kreyol Ayisyen.
Yon gran fim vreman gwo yo ki ede w aprann le yo. 

Bon travay Rachal.

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What is "te asorosi" in English. I hear it's very good for your health. I would like to get more info on the plant.

fèy asosi, scientific name Momordica charantia L.
It's my mom's cure for everything :)

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

I found these questions in one of your exercises, but I don't understand what they mean. "Ki kote ou moun? Ki bò papa ou moun?" Can you help? Thanks!

In that type of sentence moun translates into ... 'to be from'

Ki kote ou moun?
Where are you from? / Where do you originate from?

Kibò papa w moun?
Where's your father from?

Kibò manman w moun?
Where's your mom from?

Mwen se moun New York.
I am from New york.

Papa m se moun Kanada.
My father is from Canada.

Epi manman m se moun Kiba.
And my mom's from Cuba.

Mwen se moun lavil.
I am from the city.

Li se moun nan mòn.
She is from the countryside.

Nou pa moun isit.
We are not from here.

Nou pa moun bò isit.  Kay nou anwo nan syèl la.
We are not from around here.  Our home is up in heaven.

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

I was asking a Haitian friend about the word malonet. Literally it seems that this word should mean dishonest, but in context it seems to be more like "hypocritical" or "representing oneself as something you are not." I asked this friend if the word was the same as ipokrizi. She said it was, just more intense than ipokrizi. Can you shed any more light on this?

1.
malonèt adj:
I think the English words that best translate the Haitian Creole malonèt is unscrupulous, despicable, unrespectable, impertinent, ...
We often use the word malonèt to describe someone who is disrespectful.
So "yon moun malonèt" may be a hypocrite, a dishonest person,  and more.

example:
Nanpwen moun malonèt pase madan Manno.
There's no one more despicable than Mrs. Manno.

or

Mesye a fè yon zak malonèt.
The guy did something really shameful.


2.
fè malonèt intransitive verb
Yon moun ap fè malonèt.
Someone is being uncivil (or disrespectful)


And

3.
Fè malonèt transitive verb
Fè yon moun malonèt.
To rebuff someone
To give someone a cold shoulder.

example:
Mwen te mande Joe pou l ede m netwaye legliz la, men olye l ede m li te fè m malonèt.
I asked Joe to help me clean the church, but instead of helping me he rebuffed me.

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

"Peyi mwen an nan detrès" - Why is "an" and nan" needed? And why do some possessive phrases have a definite article at the end? (eg: Did you see my bag? -Eske ou te wè valiz mwen an?)

The definite article together with “mwen” make up the possessive adjective.

1.

peyi mwen an

Or

peyi m nan
my country

2.

peyi ou a

Or
peyi w la
your country

3.

peyi li a

Or
peyi  l la
his/her country
 

4.
peyi nou an
Or
peyi n nan
our country


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Madanm, I have been trying to find the Kreyol word for "carousel" for two days now. It’s not in my dictionary that I can find. I know it starts with a "K". The stupid online translator acts like it does not know the word I am trying to find; it just repeats the English word for it. Anyway, PLEASE help me! Also, "kanaval e kannaval" are both in my dictionary Which one of these words is more prevalent in usage? I'm thinking the first word. I am about one month out for completion of the Pimsleur HC 30 lesson course I am using. It has been great! I would recommend it to anyone who is serious about learning HC. I plan to use your learning website to "finish off" my Kreyol Ayisyen when I am done. Mesi anpil. Jan Rachal

It's kawousèl, or mannèj, in Creole.

As for "kanaval", you're right, the first one is used more, but some people do say kan-na-val also.

Yes, I have heard great reviews from people who've used the Pimsleur method for learning H. Creole. I'm glad that you find it helpful.  Do you get to practice Creole conversation with other Creole speakers?

Dakò :)
Kontinye konsa.

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

do haitian people usually pronounce r as Americans do or do they say it with a w, sorry beginners question lol

Sounds more like a "w" when placed before the letter "o".
Otherwise it sounds like the French 'R'.

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

what does blayi mean and please list the ways it is used if there are any

blayi  - to be knocked down, to knock someone down
Li bay fanm nan yon kalòt, enpi fanm nan blayi atè a.
He slapped the woman, and the woman was knocked down to the floor
or
Li blayi fanm nan atè a ak yon kout pwen.
He knocked the woman to the floor with one punch.

blayi - to spread
Li choute panye a enpi tout fwi yo te blayi atè a.
He kicked the basket and all the fruits fell all over the floor.
or

Machann nan bite, li tonbe.  Tout machandiz li yo blayi atè a.
The merchant stumbled, he fell.  All his merchandises fell all over the floor.

blayi n. - pile of rocks people use to dry laundered clothes

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what does se ras ki fe yon neg ap kenbe mean?

Sounds like a proverb.
Se ras ki fè yon nèg ap kenbe.
It is race that makes (keeps) a man holding on (literally)
A man hangs on thanks to his heritage / parentage 

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

definition of resisite

to become alive, to revive

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

Mandaly, you know "M se (yon) Kreyol Lwizyan." Is one able to put in "yon" in this sentence, or can it be both ways? Also, would you say "M se (yon) Kreyol Ayiti." for "I am Haiti Creole?" I know I hear Kreyol Ayisyen for the language and the people, but if "Kreyol Lwizyan" describes the country of origin, then it seems that "Kreyol Ayiti" would do the same, but I never hear it this way. Thanks for all your help with my Kreyol. Jan Rachal.

Yes you are definitely able to add YON in that type of sentence.

As a matter of fact it is one of the instances where you can use the Creole verb to be 'SE': before a NOUN:
Mwen se yon Kreyòl Lwiziyen.
Mwen se yon Ayisyen. (I am a Haitian)
Mwen se yon fanm Kreyòl. (I am a Creole)
Mwen se yon nèg lakay. (I am a native)
Mwen se yon natif natal. (I am a native)

As opposed to NOT being able to add SE before attributes and adjectives:
Mwen malad. (I'm ill)
Mwen bouke. (I'm tired)
Mwen enève. (I'm pissed)


Usually people say Mwen se yon Aysiyen rather than Mwen se yon Kreyòl Ayiti.

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I often hear a word in Haitian gospel songs that sounds like chela with a strong emphasis on the ch (or maybe it is a sh?) Love many songs, trying to learn a few words here and there. Thank you.

I haven't been able to figure it out yet :)
It might be part of another word like chèCHE la or something similar.

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

what does plere mean?

plere → to cry, to weep, to lament

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

does fleri mean bloom?

yes.

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fennen and plotonnen?

fennen - to fade, to become discolored, to lose luster
Flè a fennen.
The flower has faded.

plòtonnen - to snuggle, to wrap around, to curl up
Ti fi a plòtonnen kò l nan kabann nan.
The little girl curled up (her body) in the bed.

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Can you explain this phrase that was thrown around a lot on a recent trip to Haiti: "Wap swe la!" I guess it was from a movie or show or something, and I understood it as "You're sweating!" but I don't understand why the "la" is there at the end.

In this sentence it means now, right now, or there (as in the action is happening in this moment)


We tend to put la or la a at the end of similar sentences:
1.
Ou bouke la a?
You must be tired right now?

2.
M grangou la a.
I'm hungry.

3.
Ou dwe prese la .
You must be in a hurry.


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When Haitians say machwa gonfle, do they refer to someone being mad?

It may refer to someone who's pouting.
L'ap gonfle machwè l.
He's pouting.

or if you've seen the term in the expression: Pale anpil fè machwa gonfle (Too much babbling will puff up your cheeks), it means Stop wasting time and act.  Pretty much the same as the expressions: Chita pa bay (sitting around don't give), or Twòp lapriyè fè jounou kwochi (Too many prayers make the knee crooked)

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Since Creole does not have male or female words, can i use scandalèz for males too.

No :)
eskandalèz refers to females.

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

Mandaly, how do you say gang in HC, thanks for all your help, you're doing a great thing

Mèsi.

gang → zenglendo, gang, chimè

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How do I find Lesson 1 or 2? On some of the pages that I bring up you say the answers are found on the next lesson, etc.

link to lesson 1
link to lesson 2

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

Mandaly, Is "Tann yon minit fi yo." the way to say "Wait a minute girls." (Hold on girls.). Maybe you could give another example of this? Mesi anpil.

When you say fi yo (the girls), it's being specific.
Tann yon minit fi yo.
Wait a minute the girls.

We could say instead:
Tann yon minit medam.
Wait a minit ladies.
or
Tann yon minit timoun. (if you're dealing with kids)

It's okay to omit the Creole definite article "yo" when using "zero article" in English.  Creole speakers will know that your noun is plural nevertheless.


Other examples:
1.
Bonjou mesye.
Hello guys.
(It's not necessary to say Bonjou mesye yo)

2.
Fanm pa renmen gason timid.
Women don't like shy men.

3.
Chen pa chache zo devan pòt kay tayè.  
Dogs don't look for bones in front of the tailor's door.  

4.
Se devan kay bouche chen chache zo.
Dogs look for bones in front of the butcher's door.

5.
Li pi pito chat.  Li pa renmen chen menm.
She prefers cats.  She doesn't like dogs at all.


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

What is the rule for sounding out the N at the end of words. For example: VIN, MOUN, PEN, PAN...etc

We do not sound out the N sounds with the nasal vowels AN, EN, ON
such as
men (hand)
marengwen (mosquito)
maten (morning)
bonbon (cookie, cake)
pon (bridge)
tan (time)

But we do sound it out if there's an accent on the letter "A, E, or O" or a double "n" at the end.
such as:
pàn (trouble, car trouble)
avwàn (oatmeal)
mòn (hill)
siklòn (hurricane)
lasirèn (mermaid)
larèn (queen)

tann (to wait)
detenn (to fade)
wonn (circle)

We always sound out the "n" in "in"
such as in:
machin (car)
min (demeanor, mannerism)
sadin (sardines)

 We always sound it out in any words with the vowel "OUN" also
such
moun (people)
youn (one)
houngan (voodoo priest)

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Mandaly, I am sorry, but I forgot to ask the most important question in my last posting. In French and Spanish when you are addressing both boys and girls you use the masculine form such as "los muchachos" and "les garcons". How is it in Kreyol with this narrative? There really is no masculine and feminine in Kreyol per se. Mesi anpil.

In Creole we say mesyedam, or mesyezedam when addressing both males and females.

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

How would u say fe kreten in english

fè kreten - to be a slow learner, to act like an idiot

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HELLO! I am in a play called "Ragtime." There are two Haitian speaking parts that I am trying to find the translation for- we are immigrants coming to America:: 1. Gran mesi, Washington! 2. Ki ba nou Lamerik! Thank you for your time!

gran mesi (or granmèsi, gremèsi) → thanks to
Gran mèsi Washington! → Thanks to Washington!

Lamerik → America
Ki ban nou Lamerik! → who gave us America!

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

what is the word 'plede' when used before a verb. I use the verb 'to plead' but it doe not fit.

plede (pede) - to keep on

1. Poukisa w;ap plede kriye konsa?
    Why do you keep crying so much?

2.  Mwen kalote l paske l t'ap plede anniye m.
     I slapped him because he kept bugging me.

3.  Si lapli ap plede tonbe konsa, nou pral gen inondasyon.
      If it keeps raining like that, we'll have flood.

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

Hi Mandaly! I heard some words and phrases that I was unsure of yesterday at church. I wish I had gotten more phrases and context for you, but would you help me understand these, if you can make sense of them? Yon raj Vye flo lakay li Pa plenyen so ave li Sisite eprev yo Li sisite yon anvi lakay kretyen yo Rega (like regard maybe?) Nou vin rabi Thanks so much!

yon raj - a rage, frenzy, madness

vye flo lakay li - old torment within him (depending on context)
flo - torrent, tide, suffering, anguish
yon flo touman - a cascade of torment (pa egzanp)
Tout flo li te pase sou mwen - All his wrath was on me

pa plenyen sò (w?) avè li - Do not lament (your?) circumstance with him/her
sò - circumstance, fate, luck, karma

sisite eprèv yo - to resurrect the trials and tribulations
eprèv (or zeprèv) - trials and tribulations, grief, affliction
sisite (resisite) - resurrect, to bring to life

rega - a look

nou vin rabi - we've become incorrigible (depending on context)
rabi - said of of clothes that cannot be cleaned thoroughly.  
For example, some white clothes lose their 'whiteness' and no matter how much you bleach them they remain yellowish.  These clothes are said to be 'rabi' in Creole.
Also a meat that remains tough no matter how much you cook or boil it.  It cannot get tender.  The meat is said to be 'rabi' in Creole
And also a fruit that never reaches ripeness or maturity is said to be 'rabi' in Creole.

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

Eske babako vle di barbecue?

Wi yo itilize l mo sa a lè y'ap pale osijè yon gwo festen anplennè kote k gen anpil manje.
Donk ou kapab itilize babako tou pou di anpil, yon bann, yon latriye, etc....

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

kijan ou itilize pawol GRANN iGRANN

Ou kapab di; "....depi sou grann igrann..."

pa egzanp
Sa se kalite rad moun te konn mete depi sou grann igrann.
oubyen
Depi sou grann igrann m poko janm wè yon bagay parèy.

Ekpresyon sa a se menm bagay avèk depi dikdantan, ak depi ti konkonm t ap goumen ak berejèn

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

I know that BON MACHe means cheap, but someone told me I could also use the word "tchip" in Creole?

yes, they use that too.

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Kondoleyans (AUDIO)

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

 

Mezanmi! Ou konnen, kè m fè m mal pou madan Paul ak timoun li yo.

You know I feel bad for Mrs Paul and her kids.

Wi, lanmò mari l se yon gwo sezisman pou tout moun. 

Yes, her husband's death is a big shock to everyone.

Se kisa mari a te genyen menm?

What was wrong with the husband exactly?

Li te fè yon kriz kadyak.  Li mouri sibitman.

He had a heart attack.  He died suddenly.

Podyab timoun yo, kounye a yo san papa!

Poor kids, now they're without a father.

Lavi sa a kout.  Se pou sa nou dwe viv li abondamman

Life is short.  That's why we should live it to the fullest.

A wi, ou pa janm konnen ki lè jou pa w la va rive.  Sa se vre.

Yes,  you never know when your time will come. That is true.

E kòman fè ou poko al vizite yo toujou?

And how come you have not gone to visit them yet?

Nan sikonstans sa yo, mwen twouve li difisil pou m jwenn sa pou m di yon moun ki nan lapenn konsa.

In these circumstances, I find it hard to find what to say to someone in such sorrow.

E byen, ale wè yo non. Mwen sèten prezans ou sèlman va sifi.  Petèt ou te ka ede madan Paul ak timoun yo tou pandan li okipe ap resevwa moun ki vin swete l kondoleyans. Oubyen ou ta ka pote yon ti goute pou bay etranje ki vin wè li.

Well, go see them.  I'm sure your presence only will be enough.  Perhaps you could help Mrs Paul with the kids also while she's busy receiving guests that are coming to say their condolences.   You could bring snacks for her guests.

Ah wi se yon bon lide.  Mwen va ale wè li toutalè.

Yes that is a good idea.  I will go to see her soon.

M panse li va apresye sa.

I think she'll appreciate it.

Wi sa w di a se sa. Mwen va fè l konnen ke kè m byen atriste pou tande sa ki pase a, e pa genyen yon mo ki sifi pou retire lapenn ni, men m’a kenbe l nan lapriyè. 

Yes you are right.  I will let her know that I'm sad to learn about what happened, and that there are no words enough to remove her pain, but I'll keep her in my prayers.

Pafwa nou pa konn sa pou n di pou n konsole yon moun ki nan chagren, men zanj yo konnen.

Sometimes you don't know what to say to comfort a person who's grieving, but the angels know.

M kwè jodi a se yon bon jou pou m di w m apresye tout sa ou fè.

I think today is a good day to tell you that I appreciate all that you do.

Wi, nou pa di sa ase.  Nou pa di li souvan.  Li pa bon lò nou tann jouk li twò ta.  Mwen apresye ou tou.

Yes, we don't say it enough.  We don't say it often.  It's not good to wait until it's too late. I appreciate you too.

Track # 10 - from The good news is the bad news was wrong.
Mèsi Bémòl :)

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

Sezisman - surprised?

yes.
sezisman - shock, confusion, stunner

fè sezisman - to be in shock, to be shocked

Nou fè gwo sezisman lè l tande pitit li a mouri.
We were shocked to hear that her child had died.


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

what is 'yon pa kare'?

It's same idea as "pa fè wonn pòt"

Li pa fè yon pa kare - she didn't go anywhere

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What are words for 'middle school' and 'junior(community, two-year) college'? Also, what are names for 'freshmen', 'sophomore', 'junior', and 'senior'(if any exist) in creole?

middle school - lekòl primè or lekòl elemantè
junior college (community college, two-year college) - kolèj, inivèsite
freshman, sophomore, junior, and senior years will go by premye ane invèsite, dezyèm ane inivèsite, twazyèm ane ..., etc....
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Besides "w'ap konn jòj' and "w'ap gentan konnen'', does this expression ''w'ap konn kawò" mean the same thing as the two above? If not, then what is the meaning of it? Are there other synonymous expressions for all of those?

I am not familiar with the term "W'ap konn kawò."   Could be a regional term.

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

Fè e fò ? What does that expression mean?

fè efò (fè zefò, fè jefò) - make an effort, to try

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What are words for 'lipstick', 'lip balm', etc in creole?

lipstick - woujalè, fa
lip glos (lip balm) - briyan, pomad

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I woke up this morning constructing sentences in my head in Kreyol. One of them was "Yon vreman gran machin." and "Vreman gran machin nan." What I was wondering is on this last sentence could or should it be "Machin nan vreman gran. Mesi. Jan Rachal

You can pretty much use all three examples in a sentence.  They are all different.
The first two examples aren't complete sentences,but they definitely can be incorporated in a sentence.
The third sentence is complete - correct - and anfòm.

As for the word 'gran', it does translate great, awesome, wonderful, mighty, etc....
You might instead use the word 'bon' for "reliable and great" car; and the word 'gwo' for "big size" car; and 'gran' for a reputable brand of a car for example: "Toyota se gran mak machin."

Dakò, here are your examples:

#1 - "Yon vrèman gran machin...." - "a really great car...."
        Did you mean "Sa se vrèman yon gran machin" - "This is truly a 'great' car"?

#2 - "Vrèman gran machin nan..." - "The truly great car ......"

#3 - "Machin nan vrèman gran." - The car is really 'great'.

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

How do you say "that's okay" or "that's fine" in Creole?

That's okay. / That's fine. .
Se oke.
Se dakò.
Se byen.
Anfòm.
Pa gen pàn.
Pa gen pwoblèm.

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

Sa m fe m ap peye???

"Sa'm fè m'ap peye?" 
Mande sa ankò.  Se pa yon kesyon ki toujou gen repons.

Dabitid, si yon moun rive nan yon faz kote l dwe mande kesyon sa a, sa vle di moun nan ka ap pase yon moman difisil.  Li ka santi se pini Bondye ap pini l.  Li ka santi se malediksyon k tonbe sou li.  E nan ka pifò Aysisyen, li ka byen panse se yon moun k'al chache fè l ditò kay yon oungan.

Sa'm fè m'ap peye?  Pou ki krim m'ap peye?  Pouki m'ap soufri konsa?  oubyen Poukisa m'ap pase mizè konsa?

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One more thing... Is - kite koze pran pawol - the same as - kite kantik pran priye?

☺Wi  fwenk! You're right on the money :)
Sa vle di pawòl la boukante katye.  Ou kite yon koze w'al tonbe nan yon lòt.

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poukisa grangou se mizè enpi vant plen se traka?

Wi, se toujou konsa :)
Grangou se mizè, vant plen se traka
kind of like:
Damned if you do, damned if you don't

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Is 'charite' also used as a verb. here's a sentence: "ya charite nou yon moso teren nan zon nan pou nou sa travay fe manje dekwa pou n pa mouri grangu"

Yes.  It means to donate, to assist by giving alms.

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When do you capitalize words in Creole? Do the same rules apply as in English (proper nouns, titles, etc.)?

Yes.  We do not capitalize the first letters of the days of the week or months.

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Yon machin tèt chaje? (Audio)

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

- Mezanmi bòs! Eskize m deske m anreta jodi a.

  Oh my goodness boss! I am sorry for being late today.

-Sa fè twazyèm fwa nan semèn nan ou vin travay anreta.  Si sa rive ankò, m’ap oblije kite w ale. Konpani an pa kapab pwogrese si travayè yo pa bay sanpousan.

 (Lit: This makes the third time this week you come to work late.) This is the third time you're late to work this week. If this happens again, I'll have to let you go.  The company can't progress if the workers don't give one hundred percent.

-Se pa fòt mwen non, bòs.  Machin mwen te anpàn.  Se apye m vin travay jodi a.

  It's not my fault boss. My car broke down.  (Lit: It is on foot I came to work today) I walked to work today. 

-Chak kon ou vin travay anreta ou ban m menm koze machin anpàn nan. Kijan fè machin ou anpàn chak jou? Se pa machin ou fenk achte mwa pase a?

 Every time you come to work late you give the same story of your car breaking down.  How come your car breaks down everyday?  Isn't it the car you just bought last month?

-Wi se li menm menm.  Trouve ke machin sa a se yon machin tèt chaje.  Chak jou li ban m yon pwoblèm diferan.

  Yes it is indeed that same car.  It so happens that this car is a piece of junk.  Everyday it has a different problem.

-Ki kalite pàn li genyen menm?

 What kind of problems does it have precisely?

-Enben Lotrejou motè a tonbe chofe nan men m.  Anvanyè, se te pàn batri l te genyen.  E maten an, malgre tout mannèv m fè, li pa’t fouti derape. Se chak jou mwen kay mekanisyen.

 Well, the other day it started heating up.  The day before yesterday it had battery trouble.  And this morning, in spite of all the manipulation I did, it couldn't start.  (Lit: It is everyday I am at the mechanic's) I am at the mechanic's every day.

-Nan sitiyasyon sa a, m ta konseye w si machin nan sou garanti toujou,  pote machin nan tounen kote w t’achte l la.  Fè yo remèt ou lajan w – enpi achte youn ki pi bon.  Paske si sa ap kontinye konsa ou sanlè pèdi dyòb ou – e m pa ta vle sa fèt.

In this situation I would advise you, if the car still has a warranty, to bring the car back where you had bought it.  Have them give you your money back - and then buy a better one.  For if this continues you're on the brink of losing your job.  And I wouldn't want this to happen.

-Dakò se sa m’ap fè.    Petèt m’a kabap boukante l enpi achte yon lòt. 

 Agree, that's what I'll do. Maybe I'll be able to exchange it and buy another one.

- Tanpri fè sa san pèdi tan.

   Please, do this right away

-Men annatandan, bòs, eske ou konnen yon moun ki ka ban m woulib pou vin travay  rès semèn sa a?

  But in the mean time, boss, do you know someone that can give me a ride in order to come to work the rest of the week?

-Madanm, m’ap okipe zafè travay ou, mwen pa ka okipe zafè transpòtasyon w tou. Pifò anplwaye nan konpani an pa gen machin.  Genyen ki vin travay apye, genyen ki vin travay nan bis – men yo pa janm anreta.  Alò chache degaje w pou tèt pa w.

 Man'm, I'm taking care of your job situation, I can't take care of your transportation too. Most employees in the company don't have a car.  Some come to work on foot, some come to work by bus. but they're never late.  So try to manage on your own.

-Dakò bòs mwen konprann.  Mwen va la demen maten bonè bonè.

  Yes boss I understand.  I will be here tomorrow very early.

-M pa bezwen w vin bonè non, mwen senpleman bezwen w vin alè.

 I don't need you to come earl , I simply need you to come on time.

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rès?

rès - remainder, the rest of, what's leftover, leftover

I'll stay at home during the remainder of the week
M'a rete lakay pandan rès semèn nan.

Do you the leftovers?
Ou vle rès yo?
Eske ou vle rès ki rete yo?

Do you want the leftover food?
Eske ou vle rès manje yo?

Is this all that remains?
Eske sa se tout rès la?
Eske se tout sa ki rete?



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

annatandan (an atandan)

annatandan - meanwhile, in the mean time, until

An nou chita annatandan tou pa n rive.
Let's sit down until our turn has come.



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avanyè (anvanyè)

avanyè (anvanyè) - the day before yesterday
yè (ayè) - yesterday
today - jodi a, jodi, jounen jodi a
nan demen (nan landmen) - the next day
nan demen maten (nan maten) - the next morning
twa jou apre - three days later
de mwa apre - two months later

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Pousantaj (pousantay) - percentage

percent - pousan
one percent - yon pousan
ten percent - di pousan
fifty percent - senkant pousan
one hundred percent - san pousan

What's the percentage?
Ki pousantay la?

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Is kase bwa nan zorey a good term or not?

a good term in relation to what now ?
I am not sure if it can be categorized as good or bad.  It means to sweet talk, to say sweet nothings in someone's ears.


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Eske w s on grimèl chode?

M'ap mande m si kesyon sa a politically correct :)

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How do you say lonely in creole?

lonely - sèl, pou kont (pronoun)

I feel lonely
Mwen santi m sèl.
Mwen santi m pou kont mwen.

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In the video of the kid yelling at himself on YouTube he speaks creole at the end. What does it mean?

Hi :)
I'm not sure I know which video you're talking about - send me a link.  Thanks.

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Isn't this? - Isn't it?

Isn't this?
Isn't it?
Eske se pa...?
Se pa...?

1.
Isn't this the guy that stole your purse?
Eske sa se pa mesye ki te vòlè bous ou an?
Se pa mesye ki te vòlè bous ou an


2. 
Isn't it true?
Eske se pa vre?
Se pa vre?

3.
Isn't it your birthday today?
Eske se pa fèt ou jodi a?
Se pa fèt ou jodi a?

4.
Isn't it the car you bought yesterday?
Eske se pa machin ou te achte yè a?
Se pa machin ou t'achte yè a?

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Can you translate 'toutan' as 'the whole time' here? toutan l t ap pwoche zye nou te kenbe kontak?

Yes sure.

" Toutan l t ap pwoche zye nou te kenbe kontak"
"We kept eye contact as he/she was getting closer."

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how do you translate "drese" in English as in drese yon tab OR drese yon plan OR "drese yon bilan pozitif" ? These examples are the ones I have made a note of. It seems to have a different meaning in each of these. Thanks

drese - to prepare, to set up, to erect/build

drese yon tab - to set up the table
drese yon plan - to prepare/set up a plan
"drese yon bilan pozitif" - to set up /prepare a positive statement
drese yon poto - to erect a pole
drese yon plat manje - to prepare a plate of food
drese kò w - sit up straight
drese yon timoun - discipline a child, to refine the child, to rear the child in a strict or disciplinary way.

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What is "bonkou" in Haitian Creole? "nou bote bonkou dlo met la"?

bonkou - a lot, many

1. Nou bote bonkou dlo mete la.
    We fetched plenty of water to have around.

2. Misye rich kounye a. Li fè bonkou lajan nan biznis li a.
   He's wealthy now. He makes a lot of money in his business.

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Mandaly, In the Kreyol sentence "Konbyen moun ki genyen nan fanmi ou?" And then the response "Gen sis moun." Is "mwen or m" in "Gen sis moun." understood and that is why "mwen" is left out? Or am I off with this? Also should this sentence be "Gen si moun?" I have learned to drop the "s" in sis, and dis, and the "t" in uit when using monetary terms (goud ak dolar). Does this hold true to the above sentence? Lately I have been exposed to more and more sentences which do not drop these letters (s ak t). I thought it was more popular to drop these letters in numbers? Am I wrong? Mesi anpil Jan Rachal

Sorry, I took some time answering your question.  I was away.
I am back home now :)

There's no "mwen" or "m" in that sentence as it is:
"Gen" stands for there is, there are, is there or are there

Konbyen moun ki genyen nan fanmi ou?
How many people that there are in your family (literally)
How many people are there in your family?

Gen sis moun.
or
Genyen sis moun.
There are six people

I would not drop the last letter here.
We do drop the last letter when using monetary terms, but some people do not drop it.

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Hey I keep hearing this word that sounds like "achehhh". Is it some kind of expression of disbelief?

The word is "adye"; it's an interjection used to express sympathy, shock, surprise
It can translate Alas! What a pity! Poor thing! Oh dear! Gee!, etc...
You might hear it as

Adye o!
Adye mezanmi! 
Adye Bondye! 
Adye widan!
Adye frè!
Adye sè!
Adye manman!
Adye papa!
Adye e e!

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What's the creole word for mean (not nice) and what's the word for grumpy?

mean (hostile) - mechan, rayisab, gen move manyè, malouk, malveyan, san santiman, sankè
grumpy - tyak (or tchak), chimerik, malouk

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How do you say spoiled brat? Like when a child is being spoiled?

spoiled child, a spoiled brat ( a child) - yon timoun gate, yon timoun malelve, yon timoun enpètinan

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Translate "TO HAVE" someone do something - mesi

to have someone do something?
Fè yon moun fè yon bagay.

Have them all sit down.
Fè yo tout chita.

I'll have her call you.
M'ap fè li rele w.

We will have the kids quiet down by the time you get back.
N'ap fè timoun yo pe distans ou tounen.

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and also at the beginning of a sentence as in "and also i didn't see you" translate as "tou mwen pa te we ou"?

use EPITOU or NITOU

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meaning of egare?

egare - dazed, stupid, nonsensical

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Also 'li lolo l byen lolo' what does that mean, is lolo short for something since I can't find it anywhere (dictionary or online translators)

lolo (chouchoute, flate)  means to flatter, to butter up, to sweet-talk

Li lolo l byen lolo.
He/she did a good job seducing him/her...
He/she sucked up to him/her...

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Can you tell me what mouri poul mean please? what's the literal translation? kill chickens or kill for it? thanks

mouri poul is and expression which means to stay under the radar, to take it easy,to calm down
egzanp:
Misye mouri poul li pou l pa nan okenn lòt pwoblèm ak lalwa.
He calmed down to prevent further problems with the law.

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yon moun mande m kesyon li di "ki te premye fwa ou fè en kout pye nan peyi a?" Eske pou moun nan pa t di "ki premye fwa" enpi elimine 'te' patisip pase a?

Si se te mwen, m ta di ki premye fwa, paske se konsa m pale.  Men moun nan gen dwa se fason sa a l pale.  Se pa premye fwa m wè moun poze kesyon konsa...
Depi Kreyòl pa Franse sirèt, li se Kreyòl rèk :)

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what does it mean to say 'leve rad'?

In what context?
literally it means to lift one's clothes

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how do you use APA in Creole? when you ask a question with it what does it mean? For example someone asked me APA OU PA ALE? Is this question asking 'Why didn't you go?

"Apa" may be used in an interrogative sentence. In that instance it's more like and acknowledgement and question both in one.  "Apa w'ap kriye?" will translate "so you're crying?" and "How come you're crying?"

1. Apa ou pa ale?
   I see that you didn't go, how come?

2. Apa ou pa di anyen?
    So, you're not saying anything?

3. Apa ou la toujou.  Eske ou pa't gen pou w al travay?
   I see that you're still here? Didn't you have to go to work?

4. Apa w'ap manje vyann? M te kwè ou te di ou se yon vejetaryen.?
    How come you're eating meat?  I thought you said you were a vegetarian?

It is also used in non-question sentences.  It may be an interjection or an acknowledgement:
5. Ou di w t'ap chache liv la e ou pa't sa jwenn li.  Apa li la a.
     You said you were looking for the book and you couldn't find it.  There it is.

6. Apa nou!
    So here we are!

7. Apa tout moun ap mache san soulye.
    I see that everyone is walking barefoot.




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can you explain DIRE in KOM KI DIRE

dire, here, mean to say

kòm ki dire - as if to say, that is to say, seemingly
and you'll also see it here:  andire (an dire, ondire, an dire ke)
and you'll also find too:  moun ta di, ou ta di → one would say

1. Andire pitit vwazen an ansent.
    It seems (it looks) as if the neighbor's daughter is pregnant.

2. Andire l pral fè lapli toutalè.
    Seems like it's going to rain soon.

3. Li gade m ak yon move rega, kòm ki dire m te fè yon bagay ki mal.
    She gave me a bad look as if I did something wrong.

4. Ti gason an ap manje.  Li kenbe asyèt la byen di.  Moun ta di li pa't manje depi yon semèn enpi li pè pou yo pa rale asyèt la nan men l.
    The boy is eating.  He's holding on firmly to his plate.  One would say that he hasn't eaten in a week and he's afraid they'll yank the plate from him.

5. Jan m wè w'ap pale a, andire ou fache.
    From the way you're talking, it seems as if you're angry.

6.  Jan m wè bagay yo la a, andire nou p ap rive.
     From the looks of things, it seems like we're not going to make it.


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

Can you explain what 'bouke' mean when used at the beginning of a sentence?

It would mean the same thing as 'sispann', it would mean "to stop"

1. Bouke kriye.
    Stop crying.

2. Bouke fè jouda nan zafè moun.
    Stop meddling into people's affairs.

3. Bouke pale zanmi w mal.
    Stop 'badmouthing' your friends.

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What does "sak sik" mean, when referring to a person?

sak sik (you moun ki chita sou bouda l, ki p'ap leve ni lou ni lejè) - lazy

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

What's the creole word for "gross"? Like, disgusting, but to a lesser extent...

gross - repiyan, rebitan

or the exclamation Eew gross! will be translated as wouch!

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

what does it mean to say 'ou genyen mizè rekonesans'?

genyen mizè rekonesans - to enjoy / like living in misery

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

When someone says 'mwen pral beni bag la', is that a special ceremony after the wedding where you that?

beni bag means to get married, to have a religious person perform the wedding.

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What does 'rèk' mean when talking about a person? And is it a synonym for 'ripe'? mèsi :)

rèk - mature
When talking about a person it means that the person is old or older than he/she looks.

You can use the word "rèk" to describe a fruit that is ready to be picked, but not  necessarily ripe.


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

I know "konstriksyon" is construction in english. But my Indiana University Kreyol dictionary does not have the word constriction in it, or at least I cannot find it. This dictionary is exhaustive for Kreyol, but it is that; Kreyol only, not an english to Kreyol. Would you please tell me the Kreyol word for constriction? Mesi anpil.

You are right, I haven't found the English word "constriction" in any Haitian Creole dictionaries that I've come across.
constriction → retresisman, kontraksyon
constrict - resere, ratresi

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

how to you say "to" in Creole when saying -from the ceiling to the floor-? I'm tempted to say "de twati a a ate a", but the two "a" happening back to back here seems confusing..

You can use JOUK, JOUS, JISKA, RIVE in this case.

Depi nan plafon an jouk atè a.
Depi nan plafon an jisk'atè a.
Sot nan plafon an rive atè a. or sot nan plafon rive jous atè a*
The very last example is more like *"from the ceiling all the way to the floor"

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

What are words for 'breakfast', 'brunch', 'lunch', 'dinner', 'supper', 'snack time'(if such a word for that exist) in creole? How does one say 'snack' and 'midnight snack' in creole?

breakfast - dejene, dejennen, ti dejene, dekoupe kòpyèz
lunch - lunch, manje midi
dinner - dine
supper - soupe
to have a snack - fè yon ti goute, pran yon ti soloba, pase yon bagay bò bouch ou.
meal - repa, manje, dine

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tapages (or tapagez) is what exaclty?

tapajèz - a rowdy or quarrelsome person (a female)

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"Ou pa konn sa m peze' seems to have nothing to do with weight or scale. am i right? if yes, what does it mean then?

Most likely it does not.  And you're probably asking because you realized that if you translated as "weight ....and such" it would not fit into whatever you're reading.
If this is the case, then it means "you do not know my strength /what I can do/ who you're dealing with/ etc..."
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