Can "tanndat + time construction" be an equivalent to "se fè + time construction" and "sa gen + times construction" expressing "for" or "since" in a declarative and interrogative sentence? Also, in different tenses like the futures tenses and other tenses(conditional tense, all past tenses) if they exist?

 

Non, it will not work well here.

I am reposting your examples with corrections :)
Enpi, mwen nimewote egzanp yo pou pi bon referans.

..........

Your examples:
1.
"I have been working for nine hours."
"Tanndat nevèd tan ke mwen travay."
"Sa fè(sa gen) nevèd tan ke mwen m'ap travay"

or you can also say:

Mwen gen nevèd tan depi m'ap travay.

2.
"It has been raining for five days."
"Tanndat senk jou ke li fè lapli."
"Sa fè(sa gen) senk jou ke l'ap fè lapli."

or you can also say:

"Sa fè senk jou depi l'ap fè lapli."

3.
"I have been in Paris for three weeks."
"Tanndat twa semèn ke mwen nan Pari."
"Sa fè(sa gen) twa semèn ke mwen nan Pari."

or you can also say:

"Sa fè twa semèn depi m a Pari." Most of the time we say a Pari instead of nan Pari

 

4.

"(For)How long have you been studying French?"
"Tanndat konbyen tan ou etidye fransè?" or "konbyen tan tanndat ou etidye fransè?
"Sa fè(se gen) konbyen tan w'ap ou etidye Fransè? or "konbyen tan sa fè(sa gen) depi w'ap ou etidye Fransè?

5.

"How long have you been in Quebec?"
"Konbyen lè tanndat ou nan Quebec? or "Tanndat konbyen lè ou nan Quebec?"
"Konbyen lè sa fè (sa gen) ou nan Quebec? or "Sa fè(sa gen) konbyen lè ou nan Quebec?"
You can say:
"Konbyen tan sa fè depi ou Kebek?

6.
"It will be six weeks tomorrow since Paul left."
"Tanndat pral sis semèn demen ke Paul pati."
"Sa pral fè(sa pral gen) sis semèn ke depi Paul pati."

7.
"It will soon be a year since the president's resgination."
"Tanndat youn ane talè ke prezidan an demisyone."
"Sa pral fè(sa pral gen) youn ane talè ke depi prezidan an demisyone."


Feel free to correct any grammatical errors you spot, feel free to add any more grammar constructions, words, or phrases pertaining to this topic, feel free to be as detailed as possible. I want to know as much as I can.



Posted by kal to Haitian Creole at November 10, 2013 at 7:35 PM

 

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

Someone says wa gentan konnen, and that means what exactly?

Do not translate this literally.
It indicates an impending threat.
as in:
W'a gentan konnen....
Soon you'll know what's coming to you...

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

Bonjou, m' rele David. I do not understand how to determine when the definite determiner comes at the end of a sentence.

Bonjou David,

You mean the definite article?
Some people say there are three, some say there are four definite articles in Haitian Creole.
But I say ... you will see five!

 

You will see:

 

a - as in kiyè a (the spoon)
an – as in tan an (the time)
la – as in tab la (the table)
lan- as in lank lan (the ink)
nan – as in chanm nan (the room)  [people from some regions may say chanm lan instead of chanm nan]
and...
There are some exceptions, such as:
we say zanmi an instead of zanmi a, lanmou an instead of lanmou a, etc...

You'll find the answers in the following links:  The definite articles


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Bonswa! Do you know of any good online resources with lists of Creole-English translations (ex: basic vocabulary, phrases, verbs ). I work at a hospital and in Haiti and I help the timoun who hang around the clinic with their English lessons. They asked if I could print out any resources for them. Mesi anpil!

Try this site:  http://www.kreyol.com/dictionary.html

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

In English, when someone responds in kind to an aggressive manner, we say "you have to fight fire with fire". Is there any way of expressing that in Creole?

You can use the followings:

Se pou w remèt èy pou èy, dan pou dan.

Or

Se pou w twoke kòn ou tenkantenk avèk ...

Or

Se pou w koresponn dan pou dan avèk ...

Or


Se pou w koresponn dife pou dife avèk ...

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I see that heart is kè, Is there a different way or word to express heart as in an emotion, like as in "with all my heart"..."or you are my heart" ?

"kè" is generally used for "heart" in that sense.

Pa egzanp:

1. I love you with all my heart.
    Mwen renmen w ak tout kè mwen.

2. You are my heart.
     Ou se kè mwen.

3. You are my heart's desire.
     Ou se dezi kè mwen.

4. It's in the heart of the city.
    Li nan kè (or sant) vil la.


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Mandaly. "mo ket" ak grav aksan nan kou. Ki sa sa vle di? Mesi.

kèt is an interjection for Gee!, Wow!, Oh my! etc...
kèt also means church collection (money)
 Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Kisa ay la?

M pa fin konpran kesyon w lan nèt :)
M panse ou vle mande m ... Kisa ki ay la?  oubyen Kisa ki lay la?

Ay se yon entèjeksyon
Lay se sa yo rele GARLIC nan lang Angle a.

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Is there a significant different between sevi ak and itilize? Mesi anpil!

Not a big difference.

Sèvi ak or itilize → to use, to make use of

kèk egzanp:

1. Nou pa sèvi ak elektrisite lakay mwen.  Nou sèvi ak lanp.
2. Si ou fè Bondye plezi, li va sèvi ak ou pou fè travay li.
3. Nou pa sèvi ak bon chodyè pou bouyi pwa sèch.
4. Yo pran m sèvi temwen.
5. Moun sa yo pa konn sèvi ak recho elektrik.  Si w pa montre yo kouman pou sèvi avè li y ap mete dife nan kay la.

In all these examples (and more...) you can replace sèvi ak (or sèvi in #4) with itilize.


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How do you say "stay safe" in Haitian Creole?

Stay safe.
Evite danje.
Pran prekosyon.

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How would you say to 'pull in your stomach' as in to suck it in? None of my translation have worked. No one understands me :(

Try saying "rantre vant ou"

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What's the creole translation for:If you aaked me,I would visited her.And:If you have asked me,,I would have visited her.Thank you.

If you ask me, I'll visit her.
si ou mande m, m'a vizite l

If you had asked me, I would have visit her.
Si w te mande m, m ta vizite l

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Sak pa se, Mandaly ! Now ur computer is working, how soon can I expect to see the next set of audio ? (kamsa hamnida)

Bonjou zanmi :)
Non the computer was not fixed.  I got another one.
But we are re-doing the recordings. When I post them.  I will try to post more than one at once to make up for lost time.  I cannot promise this weekend.  Hans (the male voice) is not available for the recording.  Dakò :)

Thanks for your patience.

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

Ok, this might be outside the scope of this blog, but I've got a question about this wording from a book. Speaking of Jesus, it says, "Poto mitan istwa a se yon ti bebe." (Istwa Jezi nan Bib la, p.17) Would this phrase, "poto mitan" not conjure up voodoo images for Haitian children?

No.  It wouldn't.
Poto mitan means center pillar.  The one that holds everything together.
Haitians use this word especially when they talk about a person that is important and everything goes back to (revolves around) him/her.

For example, I might say "Manman'm se poto mitan fanmi m.  Si'l pa't la fanmi an ta gentan divize."

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How do you know when to use Sa, Sak, and Sa k'ap? Sak seems redundant.

"Sa" (contraction for "kisa")

"Sa'k" (or "sa ki") are contraction for "Kisa ki" basically translates "what" when used as a interrogation pronoun.
So the three are the same.

pa egzanp, ou kapab di:
1.
Kisa ki genyen?
or
Sa ki genyen?
or
Sa'k genyen?
What's going on?

2. 
Kisa ki pase w?
or
Sa ki pase w?
or
Sa'k pase w?
What's going on with you?

3.
Eske ou konnen kisa ki te fè m fache?
or
Eske ou konnen sa ki te fè m fache?
or
Eske ou konnen sa'k te fè m fache?
Do you know what pissed me off? 

By the same token, adding "ap" indicates the progressive form:
"Sa k'ap" (or "sa ki ap") is contraction for "Kisa ki ap".
pa egzanp, ou kapab di:
4.
Kisa ki ap fè tout bri sa a?
or
Sa ki ap fè tout bri sa a?
or
Sa k'ap fè tout bri sa a?
What is making all that noise?

Other examples (with different tenses)
5.
Kisa ki ta fè w kontan?
Sa ki ta fè w kontan?
Sa'k ta fè w kontan?
What would make you happy?

6.
Nanpwen moun ki konnen kisa ki pral pase demen?
Nanpwen moun ki konnen sa ki pral pase demen?
Nanpwen moun ki konnen sa k pral pase demen?
No one knows what will happen tomorrow?



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by chance, by accident

by chance (by accident) → pa aksidan, pa aza, pa kowensidans

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How do you use ma, wa, na vs map, wap, nap in the future? I found when using ma, wa, or na I was not understood.

You should be understood...  Haitians use that combination of the contracted pronoun and 'a all the time.  Are you using it as in the following?:
m'a (mwen va) → M'a wè ou demen (I'll see you tomorrow).
w'a (ou va) → W'a salye manman w pou mwen (Say hello to your mom for me)
n'a (nou va) → N'a  wè pita. (We will see later or See you later)
l'a (li va) → L'a ba w machandiz la lè w peye l.  (She ll give you the merchandise when you pay her)
y'a (yo va) → Y'a manje ansanm lè tout moun antre lakay.  (They ll eat together when everyone comes home.)

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

Eske genyen on diferrence avek zanmitye e zanmitay?

Zanmitye, lamitye, lanmitye, zanmitay se menm lide a.  Se friendship ak camaraderie.

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Hi Mandaly! Are you familiar with the Bible story book in Creole called Istwa Jezi nan Bib la pou timoun? It's a beautiful book, but sometimes the Creole seems a little off. Here's the Amazon link: http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0615615910 I'd love to know what you think of it.

I actually have one copy of this book and have used it as a reading book with a beginner (learning Creole for just two months 5 days/week)  He bought his own copy from Amazon.  He did awesomely well with the help of a Creole language dictionary.  A few word/term choices could have been different if this were written for foreigners learning the language, but considering that it was written for native Haitian children, I thought the H Creole used in there was pretty straightforward and effortless (re: font and typeset).

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I know that we discussed this already, but I want to know about this. Can I say or use 'yon pa...yon lòt pa...' as well. Example in both languages, "On the one hand I love the freedom of being single, but on the other hand the idea of being married and having a family is very attractive."

Good question.....

I would not be comfortable using "...yon pa, ... yon lòt pa"
We've always used "....yon bò (or yon kote), .... Yon lòt bò (yon lòt kote)"

If there's anything that does not click too well in that sentence, it's the following:
replace "de" with "pou" or "pou'm"
remove "se"

 "Yon pa mwen renmen libète de pou viv kòm yon selibatè, men yon lòt pa mwen renmen lide de pou vin marye et gen yon fanmi ki se atiran."

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"Lew we yon moun devenn menm let Kaye kase tet li" what does this mean?

Lè w wè yon moun an devenn menm lèt kaye kase tèt li.
When misfortune follows someone, even curd milk would break (smash, split) his head (skull).

This is the same saying as:

Lè w wè yon moun an devenn menm po bannann (or sometimes they say: po patat) blese l.
When misfortune follows someone even a banana peel (or potato skin) will hurt him.

As you probably can already tell, this proverb is saying that when misfortunes follows someone, even the least little thing will imperil or injure him.

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Why have I been told not to say "ou dous" when someone does something nice? Does it not mean "You're sweet?"

Yes that is the literally translation, but it refers to sex. 
People use it to express that something feels good.  It is most commonly  used, for example, during a massage, petting, or the  sexual act.
Pa egzanp:
This feels so good.
It feels so good
Li dous.
Or
You feel so good
Ou dous.

If you want to say "You're sweet." when someone does something nice, then you'll say: "Ou janti." or "Ou trè janti."

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what does estera mean

estera - rowdy, rambunctious
pa egzanp: "Bann estera!"

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kijan ou di 'idea' 'organize(v)' 'fluent(adj)' ak 'translate(v)'

idea - lide
organize  - öganize
fluent - kouran
translate - tradui

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Can you explain the meanings of fet and fet la? And all the accented variations? It seems like a very common word.

See the first three posts in the following link: Fè and Fèt

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What does kadejak mean

kadejak - plundering, rape, violation

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

how do you say, "How come you won't tell me your name?"

How come... ? → kouman fè...?, kijan fè... ?, kòman fè ...?

How come you won't tell me your name?
Kouman fè ou p'ap di m non w?

Why won't you tell me you name?
Poukisa ou pa vle di m non w?

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

Any idea what this word means? It sounds like "bah-low" (using English phonetics), but I guess it could be "pah-low" too. Context was a command to a child, as in "George, balo."

It sounds like H. Creole's "M pale w"
In this context, it sounds like an impatient parent talking to a stubborn child, giving him a warning (usually one more time):
George, m pale w.
George, I've warned you.

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Will you be my wife? how to say it please. I have trouble with using "pral".

I hear you. I would have 'trouble' using "pral" here too :)

Will you be my wife?
Eske ou vle vin madanm mwen?

Would you be my wife?
Eske ou ta vle vin madanm mwen?

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How do you express'the day after tomorrow'? jou a apre demen? or jou apre demen a?

Neither.
Just say apredemen.

1.  N'a wè apredemen.
     I'll see you the day after tomorrow.

2. N'ap rive la apredemen.
    We'll get there the day after tomorrow.

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I hear when Haitians say mwen grangou it can be sexually suggestive. Is it true?

Really?
Whenever I think of the word "grangou", I usually think of hunger, famine, food and sometimes coconuts and cassava :)  But now that you've got this into my head, I'm gonna have to think twice whenever a beggar in the street say "mwen grangou" :)
But seriously, I think that when 95% of Haitians say they're hungry, they're expressing a desire to eat.... food.

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

Pou ki sa ou di "ANNOU ALE" (Let's go) and then "KITE M KONNEN" (Let me know). Why can't you say "ANNOU KONNEN" for LET ME KNOW?

Let us and let me are two different things.  Aren't they?

Let us (Let's) [sort of a command] in Haitian Creole is Annou, Ann, and sometimes Kite nou
pa egzanp:

1. Let's meet later.
    Annou rankontre pita.

2. Let's help them
    Ann ede yo

3. Let's pray.
   Annou lapriyè.

4. Let's get it done.
    Kite nou fini l.

It is different form Let me (permit me)

5. Let her come in.
    Kite l antre.

6. Let me see it.
    Kite m wè l.

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

Eske ou ka di mwen yon kote mwen ka jwenn kèk literati Ayisyen? Mwen te eseye chache sou entènet la men m pat jwenn twòp. Genyen kèk liv an Franse men m plis vle bagay an Kreyol. Petet pa genyen anpil.

Genyen anpil literati an Kreyòl.  Sa depan ki  nivo Kreyòl w'ap chache.  Si w'ap chache liv sou entènèt la ou ka jwenn kèk, men ou p'ap janm konnen ki materyèl ki anndan yo vrèman.  Li toujou pi bon pou ale nan magazen an anpèsòn enpi gade anndan liv yo pou genyen yon bon lide osijè yo.  Si pa genyen magazen nan zòn kote ou abite, cheke Educavision.com, oubyen rele Libreri Mapou nan Miami, oubyen cheke Presses Nationales an Ayiti - Moun yo nan konpani sa yo kapab byen asiste ou nan telefòn pou jwenn sa w'ap chache a :)
Dakò.

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

What is the difference between the word said and told in Creole? Are both just "te di"?

"di" in Creole can translate both "to tell", and "to say"

A. To tell (to give an account) → di, rakonte
pa egzanp:
1. To tell me - di mwen, or rakonte mwen
2. Tell her - di li, or rakonte li
3. Tell us please - di nou tanpri, or rakonte nou tanpri
4. Tell them the story - Rakonte yo istwa a.

5. He told us what happened.
    Li te rakonte nou sa ki te pase.
    or
    Li te di nou sa ki te pase.

B. To tell (to inform, to notify) - di
pa egzanp:
6. She told me to come early.
    Li di m vini bonè.
   Li te di m pou m vini bone.
   But you will never say:
   Li te rakonte m vin bonè.

7. He told her to move out.
    Li te di l pou l demanaje.
    Never:
    Li te rakonte l pou l demanaje.

You also need to know:
to tell a lie → bay manti
pa egzanp:
8. He told us a big lie.
    Li ban nou yon gwo manti.

To tell about → pale osijè
Pa egzanp
9. Tell me about Jesus Christ.
     Pale m osijè Jezi Kri.

10.  Tell me about her.
      Pale m osijè li.
      or even
      Pale m de li.

11. Tell me about your kids.
       Pale m osijè timoun ou yo.
       or even
      Pale me de timoun ou yo.


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Bonswa! I just picked up the book "Haitian Creole for Adoptive Familes" for a little extra practice with some CD's. I am familar with PA meaning "negative, or not" and also with it being a possesive, but in this book they use it in a way I don't understand. ....

"Bonswa!
I just picked up the book "Haitian Creole for Adoptive Familes" for a little
extra practice with some CD's.

I am familiar with PA meaning "negative, or not" and also with it being a
possesive, but in this book they use it in a way I don't understand.

For instance the following are their translations:
Are you hungry?
Ou pa grangou?
Doesn't that mean "you are not hungry?"

Do you need help:
Ou pa bezwen m' ede ou?
Again, doesn't that mean, you don't want me to help you?

Do you want more?
Ou pa vle plis?
Again I would assume that means "you don't want more"
I thought the correct translation would be more like:
Eske ou vle plis?

What am I missing?"

ANSWER:
Your are right, this would be confusing to any H. Creole learner who is expecting a simple interrogative sentence.
What they are using in this book is a negative interrogative sentence.
I'm not sure why they chose to go that route, but your "correct translation" (at the end of your question) should be the one to start with if you're learning the language.

Ou pa grangou? (Eske ou pa grangou?)
Aren't you hungry?

Ou pa bezwen m ede ou? (Eske ou pa bezwen m ede w?)
Don't you need me to help you?

Ou pa vle plis? (Eske ou pa vle plis?)
Don't you want more?

Dakò Mèsi :)
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

how would you say in hc "today is your brother's birthday" thanks!

Today is your brother's birthday.
Jodi a se fèt frè ou.
Oubyen
Jodi a se anivèsè frè ou.


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Li mete soulye # 6½. Can you express "#61/2" in hc(spelling) ?Thanks ( kamsahamnida)

6  1/2 → sis edmi

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Do you know of any good places on the internet for hearing H. Creole to keep your ear sharp?

Youtube, Haitian internet radios, Haitian news online....
Sometimes the news is in French, sometimes it's in Creole.

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From now on I am all yours

From now on → apati kounye a, apati jodi a, koumanse kounye a,  kòmanse jodi a, anpatan kounye a, anpatan Jodi a

From now on I am all yours.
Apati kounye a mwen se pa w.
Apati jodi a mwen se kinan w :)




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

Intense, intensive?

intense → fò, ekstrèm, pasyonan
intensive → konsantre, konplè, konpreyansif

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

le jew ap bat ki sa li vle di

O O! mezanmi!
Ayisyen di lè je ap bat sa vle di lapli pral tonbe oubyen ou gen yon moun ki pral mouri.
Mwen se moun Akayè, se sa mwen konn tande :)

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

Bonjou! M gen yon kesyon sou diferans fason yo a pou eksprime yon ......

"Bonjou! M gen yon kesyon sou diferans fason yo a pou eksprime yon
posesif. Patikilyement, poukisa nou pa itilize mo a "pa" toujou pou eksprime
posesif. Pa egzanp:
Kreyol se lang pa m.
Kreyol se lang mwen.

Oubyen
Se te chapo pa l.
Se te chapo l.

Eske gen yon diferans? Pafwa m wè atik yo ki itiliz 'pa' pou yon posesif e lot
fwa m pa wè l. Poukisa?
Mesi anpil pou blog ou (pa w?)! Li t'ap ede m anpil!"

ANSWER:

Toude fason ou itilize pou posesif la bon.
Lè ou itilize "pa" kòm posesif an Kreyòl, se sa ou rele an Angle POSSESSIVE PRONOUN
pa egzanp:
Machin nan se pa m. - The car is mine.
Eske timoun sa yo se pa w? → Are these kids yours?

E lè ou itilize lòt pwonon yo, se sa ou rele POSSESSIVE ADJECTIVE an Angle.
Se machin mwen.  → It's my car.
Se machin pa m. → The car, it's mine.  or This car is mine.
Sa yo se timoun mwen yo. → These are my kids.
Timoun sa yo se pa m. → These kids are mine.






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

Eske gen yon diferans ant "gen" e "genyen" pou itilize yo? Kilè me dwe itilize youn e kilè m dwe itilize lòt? Pa egzanp, nan lòt blog ou, m te wè yon atik sou bidonvil yo an Ayiti ki di: "Pa genyen elektrisite, pa genyen dlo potab, pa genyen latrin...” Poukisa se pa "pa gen elektrisite, pa gen..pa gen"? Yon gran mesi!

Dakò :)

"GEN" ak "GENYEN" vle di menm bagay la. Ou kapab boukante youn pou lòt nan nenpòt fraz.  Men ou pa kabab itilize "GEN" nan fen yon fraz.

Pa egzanp:
Ou kapab di:
Se pa sa ou genyen (That isn't what's wrong with you)
Men ou pa kapab di:
Se pa sa ou gen.

Ou kapab di:
Se yon sèl dola mwen genyen.
Men ou pa dwe di:
Se yon sèl dola mwen gen.

Men nan atik "Bidonvil" la.  Otè a sanble te vle itilize anfaz (emphasis), se pou sa li sanble pa't kontrakte mo "GENYEN" an. Men, sètènman, ou ta kapab ekri "...pa gen elektrisite, pa gen..., pa gen....". Li ta kòrèk si ou ta ekri li konsa tou.

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

m ta renmen se yon ti bwa ki pou debouchem pito poum pa tro senyen My try is” "I would like a Little girl who ....prefer one not tight” Please, translate for me

No....not really :)

M ta renmen se yon ti bwa ki pou debouche'm pito pou'm pa trò senyen.  

I would like to be pierced with a little twig instead so I don't bleed too much.

ti bwa - twig, small piece of wood, small branch
senyen - to bleed
debouche - to open up

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

 

Hello there, What's the difference between the two sentences:"I'll go unless he phones first,"and I Won't go unless he phones fisrt."THANK YOU.

Unless you wanted the Haitian Creole grammar for these sentences, I think this is a question for  English teacher - Not a Haitian Creole teacher.
But I'll think you what I think anyway :)
The second sentence makes sense.  The first one seems unfinished.

I'll go, unless he phones first (then I won't go?)
Mwen va ale, men si l telefone anvan sa (mwen pa prale?)

I won't go unless he phones first. (Basically: If he calls I will go. But if he doesn't call, then I guess I will not go :)
Toutotan li pa telefone mwen pa prale.

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

 

"San" with or without further negation: "L ap jwenn ni san li pa kite kay la" or "L ap jwenn ni san li kite kay la" ?

In this example you do need the negation "pa".
You'll use "pa" if you use a subject after "san".
L'ap jwenn ni san li pa kite kay la. (He'll find it without leaving the house)
Nou pati san nou pa konnen kote nou t 'a prale. (We left without knowing where we were going.)
Li monte machin nan sa l pa peye. (She got into the car without paying)

But without the subject you may omit "pa":
L'ap jwenn ni san kite kay la.
Nou pati san konnen kote nou prale.
Li monte machin nan san peye.
Same translation as above.


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

what is a maleng?

Maleng (maling, blese, java) → open wound, open sore

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

"bay yon replik", doesn't replik mean "reply"? But in creole bay yon replik seems to mean to give a bad answer. why BAD ANSWER?

Bay yon replik → to talk back.

You might have heard bay yon replik as in to give a corresponding reply, or showing affront by talking back especially when it comes to children.


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When can I expect the next set of audio ?

I am working on that.  Sorry for the delay.  The laptop that I use for editing broke (this laptop has my editing applications and the group of audio I was working on in the hard drive) - I brought it to the seller to be fixed, but they had to ship it out.....  Give it a couple more weeks :) 

Ps: This laptop is my favorite.  It's an HP which I named Henry Paul :)   It's got many many documents of mine which I did not save on a flash drive....sigh.

So... a couple of weeks :)

Kenbe la.

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I like sound of that....Please translate that, M

Unfortunately we cannot translate this literally:

You might say:
M renmen lide sa a.
M renmen sijesyon sa a.
M pa fin rayi l non.

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

sak "malfrendeng" lan vle di? Mwen pa kwe ke mwen te ekri mo a byen, mèsi!

malfrendeng (malfwendeng) -  good for nothing, shameless scumbag

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

what does tre prop mean

trè pwòp (Fr: Très propre - very clean

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

how would you say in hc "to seduce"

seduce - atire, sedui, tante

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

What is cuddle (v) in kreyol?

to cuddle - kajoler, miyonnen, dòlote

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

what does manke dega mean?

manke dega - to show lack of respect toward someone, to be rude to, to sass

1.  Ou pa respekte papa w.  W'ap manke l dega.
      You don't respect your father.  You're being rude to him.

2. W'ap manke m dega.
    You're being disrespectful to me.

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

Kote ou ye konsa? / Kote ou ye? / ki kote ou ye? are the same question?

Yes, they all mean the same thing.

Kote yo ye konsa? → So, where are they?
Kote yo ye menm*? → Where are they anyway?
Kote yo ye or Ki kote yo ye? → Where are they?
and also...
Kibò yo ye? → Where are they?

*Other ways to use MENM (which seems to mean ANYWAY)
Kijan ou ye menm? - How are you anyway?
Sa ou fè menm? - What's you been up to anyway?

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Madanm, when I heard the sentence (Nou pral ale Jacmel demen maten avek ou." The speaker actually says sound-wise, "prale" for "pral ale". I know this is a spoken contraction, but is not this confususing to the listener? Instead, I pronounced it "pral ale". Also, if one were to say in spoken context, "prale ale", would it sound all right or sound funny? Mesi.

No, It would not sound funny.
When using the verb "ale" and the future marker "pral" we tend to do that.
Most of the time we do say "prale"; but once in a while we'd say "pral ale"

You will hear it most often when someone is referring to some "event" that is going to be happening soon.
Mwen pral ale talè.
I'm going to be going soon.
I'm going to be leaving soon.

as opposed to:

Mwen prale talè.
I'm leaving soon.

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kijan ou di 'immature', 'grow up' 'get your life together' ak 'welfare (like foodstamps)' an kreyol

immature → kannannan, krebete, anfanten
grow up (stop acting like a child) → sispann aji tankou yon timoun; sipann fè kannannan; sispann fè nayif; mete granmoun sou ou.
Get your life together (Get your act together?) → Òganize tèt ou; Ranje lavi w; Mete lòd nan lavi w; Ranmase kò w.

food stamps (welfare) → equivalent to èd leta, or sinistre
food stamps - foudstanp
welfare - wèlfè


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Is this a good translation for the song "Give Thanks"? I couldn't find it online so I made it myself, and my Creole is not very good. Thank you!

"Bay gras avek kè kontan
Bay gras a Papa Bondye
Bay gras paske Li te bay Jezikri, piti Li
Bay gras avek kè kontan
Bay gras a Papa Bondye
Bay gras paske Li te bay Jezikri, piti Li
Epi se pou fèb la di “mwen fò”
Se pou pòv la di “Mwen rich”
Poutèt bagay Seyè te fè pou nou
Epi se pou fèb la di “mwen fò”
Se pou pòv la di “Mwen rich”
Poutèt bagay Seyè te fè pou nou ..."

I find it to be an great translation.

The only thing I would change is line 9 and 12.

I would translate it as: Pou bagay Seyè a fè pou nou.

So it would be POU instead of POUTÈT

Dakò :)

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

what does it mean to "remet demisyon"

to resign, to submit a resignation

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Yon lot keksyon anko souple - konsenan mo " vre " pafwa nou jwenn li ak accent : vrè e pafwa san accent eske w kapab eksplike nou pouki e komen aprann ki lè nou dwe sevi ak accent e ki lè accent pa nesesè ? Men kek egsanp kote nou pa konnen si se bon ou non. . .mesi anko pou ede nou nan translasyon n ap fè la. Yon ti reg nou jwenn (si se bon ou non ?) se lè yon nom vini aprè mo "vre" se ak accent nou sèvi men si se yon nom avan mo "vre" a se san accent - eske nou korek lè nou fè konsa?

Yon lot keksyon anko souple - konsenan mo " vre " pafwa nou jwenn li ak accent : vrè e pafwa san accent eske w kapab eksplike nou pouki e komen aprann ki lè nou dwe sevi ak accent e ki lè accent pa nesesè ?

 

Men kek egsanp kote nou pa konnen si se bon ou non. . .mesi anko pou ede nou nan translasyon n ap fè la.

Yon ti reg nou jwenn (si se bon ou non ?) se lè yon nom vini aprè mo "vre" se ak accent nou sèvi men si se yon nom avan mo "vre" a se san accent - eske nou korek lè nou fè konsa? 

Men kek egsanp kote nou pa konnen si se bon ou non. . .mesi anko pou ede nou nan translasyon n ap fè la.

Yon ti reg nou jwenn (si se bon ou non ?) se lè yon nom vini aprè mo "vre" se ak accent nou sèvi men si se yon nom avan mo "vre" a se san accent - eske nou korek lè nou fè konsa? 

 

 

Examples of Vre with or without accent

1 - Jezi te fèt kot yo bay bèt manje, Pou moutre  nou yon vrè imilite.

2 - Ann sede lavi pou swiv Li, Ak yon kè e chwa ki vrè.

3 - Poukisa ou pa te kriye E chache lapè vre

4 - Libète nou, Li te peye, Si nou repanti tou vre.

5 - “Vini swiv Mwen,” L’ap rele nou, “Mwen, sèl vrè chemen an;

6 - Plètil, koute pawòl Jezi, L’ap ba ou vre repo:

7 - E lavi m’,  san rezèv,  mwen te ba Li. Paske Jezi te renmen mwen vrè,

8 - Richès yo ki dire lontan, Jezi sèl ka bay sa vre.

ANSWER:


"Vrè" and "vre" have the same meaning.

"vrè" with the accent is imitating the French pronounciation "vrai".

"vrè" and "vre" are atributes. and they mean "TRUE" or "REAL"

example (from your #1 and #2 examples):

1. "...ak yon kè e chwa ki vrè." → with a heart and choice that is true

or

2. "...pou montre nou yon vrè imilite" → to show us true humility.

But we tend to use "vre" without the accent as an adverb too.

example (from your #3, #4,  and #8 examples)
3. Poukisa ou pa te kriye E chache lapè vre? → Why didn't you cry and truly seek peace?

4. "... Jezi sèl ka bay sa vre" → Only Jesu can truly give it

5. "...Si nou repanti tou bon vre." → I you truly repent

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Mandaly, after constructing a sentence in Kreyol "Enben, ou pa ka achte yon jilet aswe a.", I find out that I was not supposed to include "yon" in this sentence. By including "yon", does this not sound like good Kreyol? Or, does this not matter? Mesi anpil.

It sounds correct with "...yon jilèt ..."
Actually, you can write it with or without "yon".
Whether you have "yon" or not, it will refer to a nonspecific "jilèt"... as opposed to "jilèt la"

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Tanpri,eske ou kapab di mwen si genyen yon diferans avek eskandalez ak wowoy?

Men wi m kapab di w :)
Yo toulede se menm bagay la.
Lè yo di eskandalèz, sa vle di yon fanm ki renmen fè eskandal, ki pa disiplinen, ki woywoy, ki toujou sou chòk.

Nan lang Angle a yo rele sa: ROWDY, LOUDMOUTHED

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Bonswa, nou gen yon keksyon ki sa ki pi bon: m ap osinon map ??? w ap osinon wap ??? Nan Diksyone par Bryant C Freeman li ekri map e wap men non nouvou Bib Kreyol La Nouvo Testaman par Bibles International yo ekri m ap e w ap. men paj isit ekri yo tankou m'ap e w'ap. Mwen te panse apostroph yo se pa sevi anko ? Mesi pou repons rapid.

Mwen panse "M ap" pi bon pase "Map" paske li elimine konfizyon.  Paske "M" se yon mo (MWEN) ki separe ak "ap" ki se yon modifier.  Donk lè yo separe, sa montre nou genyen de (2) mo diferan.

Gen moun ki ekri li avèk yon tirè - pa egzanp M-ap.
E
Gen moun ki ekri li ak yon apostwòf - pa egzanp M'ap.
E
Gen moun ki ekri li san anyen ditou - pa egzanp M ap.

Kounye a yo tout akseptab, men tirè yo ak apostwòf yo pa nesesè.
Nan nouvo òtograf Kreyòl la (Se li menm ou jwenn nan Bib la), Ayisyen yo koumanse alèz nèt lè yo ekri san tirè, ak san apostwòf la.  Mwen panse se sa ki va fiti lang Kreyòl la.

Dakò.



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Mandaly, I recently ordered a DVD of the Defense Language Institute's Haitian Language instruction. It contained five volumes of text with accompanying audio. However, the audio, which was originally recorded in the 1970's, has degraded and I have been unable to find a usable copy. The audio is free on line, but after the twelfth of fifty lessons, it becomes totally indecipherable and the early lessons are muddy. The Defense Language Institute tells me they do not sell the DVD and they no longer have the original materials, as tons of things were dumped to make room for new stuff in their warehouse. It's sad! Can you put out the word for me, I'm searching for a good copy of the audio portion. I already printed up the text of the five volumes - but it's much better for me to study with an audio component! THANKS, and regards, DORY DICKSON, Haitian Migrant Worker Outreach

The word is out Dory : )

I hope you can find a good copy of the audio.  I wish that someone had thought to preserve the recording digitally.
.......................
Dory wrote:

 Mandaly,  I recently ordered a DVD of the Defense Language 
Institute's Haitian Language instruction.  It contained five volumes of text 
with accompanying audio.  However, the audio, which was originally recorded in 
the 1970's, has degraded and I have been unable to find a usable copy.  The 
audio is free on line, but after the twelfth of fifty lessons, it becomes 
totally indecipherable and the early lessons are muddy.  The Defense Language 
Institute tells me they do not sell the DVD and they no longer have the original 
materials, as tons of things were dumped to make room for new stuff in their 
warehouse.  It's sad!  Can you put out the word for me, I'm searching for a good 
copy of the audio portion.  I already printed up the text of the five volumes - 
but it's much better for me to study with an audio component!  THANKS, and 
regards, DORY DICKSON, Haitian Migrant Worker Outreach

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

Can you explain the difference with rantre and retounen ? (kamsa hamnida)

RANTRE (sometimes used in place of ANTRE) → to come, to come in, to come back in, to return, to insert, to bring in, to retract (to draw back)

Some examples:
1. Lè lapli a te koumanse tonbe, tou moun te rantre anndan. (to come)

2. Avyon an rantre kawoutyou yo lè li te pran vòl. (to retract)

3. Kilè w'ap rantre? (to come back)

4. Koulèv la te rantre nan yon twou. (go inside)

5. M'ap rantre lakay ta aswè a, ou pa bezwen tann mwen. (to return)

6. Nou toude ansanm rantre apeprè $1500.00 pa mwan nan kay la. (to bring in)

7. Mezanmi! Pitit la rantre yon gwo kiyè nan bouch li.  Bouch lan chire yan! (to insert)



RETOUNEN (or TOUNEN) - to return, to come back, to bring back

Some examples:
8. Li retounen vin jwenn mwen.
   She came back to me.

9. Pote monnen an retounen ban mwen tande.
    Bring me back the change you hear.





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what does the phrase " pa enkyetew" mean in hc, thanks!

Pa enkyete w - Don't worry.

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Mandaly, this is like second message with same content...I don't want to be impolite or anything like that, so please don't be offended...I just wanna your subtle help in writing some witty or normal birthday greeting card for one year old boy, but in kreyol fashion.... Mesi davans, bel Manda

Happy birthday - bòn fèt

Today you turn one, I wish you many more birthdays.
Jodi a ou gen ennan, mwen swete ou anpil lòt anivèsè ankò.

I hope you had a good year.
M'espere premye ane ou te anfòm.

First birthday is always the best, but you'll never remember it.
Premye anivèsè nesans yo toujou pi bon, men ou p'ap janm sonje l.


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what does grigole and kalou mean?

Sounds like "rigole (to joke around)" and "kalalou (okra)"..... Is it?
I do not recognize the ones that you wrote ...without a context.

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Is there a rule for when to use "w" and when to use "ou" for you? I notice that "w" is used sometimes even when the sound is still "ou," like: "M renmen w." Are they completely interchangeable?

w is the contracted form of ou (as a pronoun and possessive adj)
For many foreigners the difference between the two (when you listen to them) is very subtle.  But if you listen to the H. Creole language long enough you'll soon be able to distinguish between the two sounds.

Yes there are rules.
When used as an object pronoun or possessive adjective, it follows the vowels not the consonants.
example:
you can say:
Mwen renmen w. ("w" follows nasal vowel "en" in "renmen")
Nou sonje w. ("w" follows vwayèl-bouch "e" in "sonje")
Papa w pa pè. ("w" follows vwayèl-bouch "a" in "papa")

But you cannot say:
M'ap tann w. ("w" cannot follow the consonant "n" in "tann")
Li bat w. ("w" cannot follow the consonant "t" in "bat")
Nou fè lwanj w chaj jou. ("w" cannot follow the consonant "j" in "lwanj")
Eske sa se kay w? ("w" cannot follow the consonant "y" in kay)

We'll say instead:
M'ap tann ou.
Li bat ou.
Nou fè lwanj ou chak jou.
Eske sa se kay ou?

When in doubt, you can always use "ou".

FYI:  In Northern Haiti, however, this rule goes out the window.  The "w" will sounds like "a ou" or "aww"
The Northerner will say:
Nou fè lwanj w chak jou.
And it will sound like:
Nou fè lwanj aww chak jou.

Check out these posts:  OU and W

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What is mizik angaje?

It's a voudou-type of music, it can be political with voudou terms and much complaints, denouncements and insinuations.

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what is koutlang? can be used as verb?

kout lang - malicious gossip or backbiting
bay kout lang - to badmouth, to backstab

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how would you say "from...to...". I want to say "from here to there" and also give a time frame (from 7 to 8). Can I say "de la a la"? I hear that sometimes.

Yes, people sometimes do say de isit la a laba a, or de setè a twazè, de Miami a New York.

From ... to... → depi .... jouk/jiska...

From here to there → depi isit jouk laba a
From 7 to 8 → depi setè jouk uitè
From sunrise to sunset → depi solè leve jouk solèy kouche

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Can you tell me how you would translate "kina yo." I know it is hard to answer this without knowing the context. In context it sounds something like "the locals." But can you perhaps elaborate or be any more precise for me about its meanings and connotations? I am doing a translation of an oral history of an elderly Haitian from 1987. Thanks!

You will hear this type  of expression in Northern Haiti.

1. kina yo (kinan yo) - theirs, or it can be their family

   Sa se kinan m - This is mine; This is my race, my family

    Sa se kinan nou - This is ours


2. Northerners tend to "an" or "a" before their possessive adj.
    for example:
   We usually say:
Liv mwen.
OR
Sa se liv mwen.
   A person from the North might say:
Liv an mwen.
OR
Sa se liv an mwen.

3. Here's another example:
    We usually say:
Sa se papa li.
    But the Northerner might say:
Sa se papa a li.

4. And one more example:
   We usually say:
Ayiti se peyi nou.
   The Northerner might say:
Ayiti se peyi an nou.

So, when you see "kin an yo" or "kin an mwen", it's as if they were saying:  kin an yo → their kin (their own) or kin an mwen → my kin (my own)

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Is there any place I can find some good info on Haitian culture? More than just the stuff about conservative, women do housework, etc...?

Kansas University, Haitian studies website is a good source.
If you have a chance,  do visit some Haitian bookstores in person or online (educavision.com)
And if your area offers it, check the cultural centers or public libraries for upcoming exhibits of 'Haitian Folklife' so rich in tradition and history.

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what is an "aksivil" , thank you hun!

aksivil  (ak sivil) - (from acte civil) a non religious wedding (usually done in court to obtain a marriage certificate)
pase aksivil - to get a marriage certificate

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Hello Mandaly! Thank you for ALL your responses to my many questions! I really really appreciate your help! Here's another... It seems that a final "t" is pronounced differently in Creole than it would be in English. For example, when you say "hot" in English, the "t" sound is made by a little air passing between your teeth. (At least that's my amateur's way of putting it.) But when I hear words like malet, let, ponyet, tet, etc, I think the "t" sound is actually stopped by the tongue touching the back of the top teeth. Does this sound correct to you? And if so, is it true of all Creole words ending in "t?"

Your observations are correct.
Here is a link about a similar question: Sorry for the repeat -- I have a Q about the 't' sound in words like 'timoun' and 'piti'. It sounds a little "cute" to me in recordings, perhaps the proper word is "palatalized"? It reminds me of the way "tse tse fly" is pronounced. Is this normal?

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How can you say in haitian creole: the hurricane hit off the coast of Haiti? Thank you.

Siklòn nan pase bò zòn lakòt Ayiti.

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Does komik in "Ou komik." translate as funny or silly? I'd rather not be silly.

Ou komik - you are funny (amusing)

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Is tot the same as totot?

No.

tòt (adv.) - firm, solid, unyielding
1. Li kenbe pye manmna l tòt.
    She stayed close to her mother.

tòtòt - as a verb to suck; as a noun it can be a nipple or anything you suck on.
egzanp:
2. L'ap fè tòtòt ak mango a.
    He's sucking on the mango. (in Haiti we often suck on a ripe mango to draw the juice out before we eat it)

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

What is the difference between 'nèke' and 'dèke'? (I put the accents this time yay! :)

nèke - adv: only, just, merely, barely, once, as soon as
egzanp:

1. Moun yo tèlman pè mesye a, li nèke pale yo tout pran tranble.
    People are so afraid of the man, he barely speaks and they all start trembling.

2.  Nèg la nèke manyen bra fanm nan, e fanm nan di misye ba l yon kout pwen.
     The man barely touched the woman's arm and she said he punched her.

3.  Nou te gen chans yè, nou nèke rive nan estasyon bis la epi li vini.  Dabitid, bis la toujou anreta
      We were lucky yesterday, as soon as we arrived at the bus station it came.  Usually the bus is always late. 

dèke - as soon as, once
egzanp

4. Dèke ou peye kontravansyon an yo va retabli pèmi kondui ou.
    Once you pay the fine they will reinstate you driver's license.

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what does the word "dekabes" mean I hear it a lot in Haiti, thanks!

Dekabès (in game of dominoes) - you got a winning hand.

See this post: DEKABEST

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how would you translate "trouve ke " in English? Thanks

twouve ke - it's so happens that

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I was searching for the most common translation for "so" as in--I couldn't sleep last night so I finished reading my book. I know you can use donk, but I think kifè is more common at least around here. Does kifè seem right in this context?

kifè (or kifè la a) does translate so, therefore, ...
It is as commonly used as donk.
And yes it works well in that sentence.

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to say 'to live a life' - do you say 'viv yon vi' ORR 'viv yon lavi'?

Toulede bon.
Ou kapab di toude si w vle.
Ou kapab di tou, 'mennen yon lavi'.

kèk egzanp
1. L'ap viv yon movèz vi.
2. Mwen vle w viv yon lavi ki san repwòch devan lèzòm ak devan Bondye.

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Kafe msye koule ak tout ma???

O O!  Msye nan tout sa ki ba bon.  Li nan ka.
He's in trouble.

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Mandaly, I was wondering if the African board game "Mancala / Mankala" is played extensively in the Haitian Creole culture? It is a staple of board games in my family. Mesi.

Yes it is.  The wari board game is very much loved in Haiti.  If they don't have a carved wooden game, kids may dig a holes in the ground to play it. Haitians call it jwèt kay.

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I am trying to find a proverb related to people who pretend to be something they're not. Or people who are hypocrites or an apostate (someone who renounces their religion or faith). You have any ideas? I remember one about "Fey Mapou vs Fey Manyok", but it escapes me. Thanks Mandaly

Fèy mapou sanble ak fèy manyòk.
The oak leaf looks like the manioc leaf (Only their product will tell the difference between them... according to the proverb)

Joumou pa donnen kalbas.
Squash tree does not yield 'Calebasse' (gourd)

Ti Jezi nan po krab
Someone who pretends to be what he/she is not.
How to use this expression:
Mesye a mete l dou tankou ti Jezi nan po krab pou li ka vin zanmi nou.
The man pretended to be humble and meek in order to gain our friendship.


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I'm am trying to figure out what this phrase means: "Kado (yon?) koze." (It sounded like "Kado on koze" but I assumed it was a yon in the middle.

It's Gade yon koze! or contracted Gad 'on koze! literally meaning look at a thing (look at this thing)
It's an interjection (indicating a range of emotion from mild surprise to disbelief or impatience), that can mean Oh dear look at this!, or Would you look at this! or What is this!

Sometimes we say Tande yon koze! or Tand'on koze! too which means almost the same as Gad' on koze and it literally say Listen to this thing!

Examples:
1. Gad on koze!  Apa ou la toujou?
    What is this!  How come you're still here?

2. Gad on koze!  Poukisa w'ap anniye m konsa?
    What is this!  Why are you bugging me?

3.  Tand 'on koze!  Ti pitit la fèk sot joure m. 
      Would you listen to this!  The kid just cursed at me.

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What is gyobe? to burp?

gyobe (dyobe?) - to work, to perform work

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Could you also give us the lyrics and translation to this children's song? It goes something like this: "Ti sourit?, pletil., kote ou ale?, lekòl, ...aprann?, A, B, C, D, E, F, G..." -

“Ti sourit!”

 “Plètil!”

“Sa w ap manje?”

“Grenn pwa!”

“Ban m ti kal!”

“Jamè!”

“Fè sèman!”

“Vyèj pete kouraj mwen, doupendoup!”

"Ti sourit!"

"Plètil!"
"Kote ou prale?"
"lekòl!"
"lakay kimoun?"
"Madan Aman."

"Sa w pral aprann?"
"A B  C  D  E  F G..."

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Can you write out and translate the lyrics to a children's song that we hear? It's something like this: "Maria nan soley, ti poul, ti poul. Ti poul la, kanpe, leve." Thanks so much!

 Mayi a nan solèy: Chi poul! Chi poul! (The corn is in the sun.  Shoo chicken!  Shoo chicken!)

Mayi a nan solèy: Chi poul! Chi poul!

Ay! De men anlè! (both hands up)

De men sou kote! (both hands on the side)

Tonbe, leve, chita! (Fall, get up, stand up)

Ay! tonbe, leve, chita!

Bay piyay!

Bay piyay!

Piyay! manman piyay!

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Goosebumps - chèdepoul

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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.

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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.


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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.

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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 :)

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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.

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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

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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.


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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.

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