Bonjou! Learn to Speak Haitian Creole
Most requested translations added here for your convenience: I love you → Mwen renmen w. I miss you → Mwen sonje w. My love! → Lanmou mwen!
Is there a difference between 'kalkile' and 'panse' ?
how do I express sympathy for someones child dying?
For such a painful loss there's really not much to say, except something like "I'm sorry for your loss" and then, be there for them while you help them take comfort in their faith and God.
"byen" - It does not always mean well, does it?
Mesye sa rich. Li gen anpil byen.
This man is rich. He has a lot of wealth (riches, valuables)
Papa m mouri. Li kite anpil byen pou mwen.
My father died. He left me a huge inheritance.
Tout byen ou yo p'ap ka ba ou lavi etènèl.
All your wealth can't give you eternal life.
Byen (verb) → to be friend with, to be on good terms with
Rose ak Filip pa lenmi an ankò. Yo byen.
Rose and Phillip are no longer enemies. They're friends.
Mwen konnen moun sa yo. Mwen byen ak yo.
I know these people. I'm friends with them.
Byen (adverb) → well, good, going well
Pa enkyete w pou li. Li byen.
Don't worry about him. He's fine.
Mwen santi m byen jodi a.
I feel well today.
I'm doing well today.
Ou danse byen.
You dance well.
Ou pale byen.
You speak with knowledge.
Kay la byen bati.
The house is well built.
Pwogram nan te byen òganize.
The show was well organized.
Li byen aji avè m.
She treated me well.
Watch out, you hear! (best Creole translation)
Fè atansyon tande!
Veye zo tande!
Haitian Creole word for "baby"
crib → bèso
baby bottle → bibwon
diaper → kouchèt
to breastfeed → bay tete, alete
a nursing mom → nouris
to give birth → akouche
She gave birth to a baby boy.
Li akouche yon ti gason.
a new baby
yon nouvo bebe
It's a boy!
Se yon ti gason!
It's a girl!
Se yon ti fi!
miwo miba
Rad li miwo miba.
Her dress is disorderly.
or
She looks disheveled.
The work you did on the patio is mediocre.
Travay ou fè sou galeri a miwo miba.
Live (as in live tv transmission) - Creole
We are live.
Nou andirèk.
We are live on the internet.
Nou branche andirèk sou Entènèt la.
We can talk live on Skype.
Nou kapab pale andirèk sou rezo Skype la.
Are we live?
Eske nou andirèk?
Is this program transmitted live?
Eske pwogram sa andirèk?
Are these images live?
Eske imaj sa yo andirèk?
DO YOU HAVE PAIN
Kò kraze → body soreness
Kòfèmal (Kò fè mal) → body pain, body aches
Do you have pain?
Eske ou gen doulè?
Kijan doulè a ye?
How is the pain?
Eske doulè a miyò?
Is the pain better?
How do you say...enjoy?
To party (to celebrate, to revel) → fete, selebre, banboche
To celebrate a birthday → fete yon fèt
To commemorate → komemore, fete, sonje
How do you celebrate Independence Day?
Kouman nou fete Fèt Lendepandans?
When do you celebrate your birthday?
Kilè ou fete fèt ou?
husband
manke dega
manke dega → expression for to disrespect, to dishonor, to put down
L'ap manke n dega.
He's being direspectful towards us.
W'ap manke m dega!
You're disrespecting me!
Elèv yo ap manke pwofesè yo dega.
The students are being rude to their teachers.
ou fe m souri pitit mwen tande tout moun konnnen sa ou ye pou mwen pitit mwen
Ou fè m souri pitit mwen, tande.
You make smile my child.
Tout moun konnen sa yo ye pou mwen pitit mwen.
Everyone knows what they mean to me my child.
Is there any real difference between "fòk ou...", "ou dwe...", "ou fèt pou...", and "piga ou...", other than the last one is negative?
They're all about obligation, necessity, duty.
Pinga ou is also about giving a warning or advice.
Is "vant" most accurately "belly" or "chest"?
I am sorry to...
Mwen regret tande sa.
I am sorry to inform you...
Mwen regret enfòme w ....
I am sorry to interrupt you.
Mwen regret entewonp ou.
Eskize m deske mwen entewonp ou.
I am sorry to disturb you.
Mwen regret deranje w.
Eskize m deske mwen deranje w.
Give me strength (Creole)
Ban m fòs.
Give me strength and power.
Ban m fòs ak pisans.
Give me the power.
Ban m pouvwa.
Ban m otorite.
What's Creole term for: Are you experiencing decreased libido?
Eske apeti seksyèl ou diminye?
or
Eske ou manke apeti seksyèl?
Why do I see the term "Se pou nou" so much. What does it mean?
what is: epa yereswa
Epa Kreyòl nou t'ap pale?
Weren't we speaking Creole?
how to say nervous
She's nervous.
Li enkyete.
Li sou tansyon.
Kè li sou biskèt.
Li gen enkyetid.
Don't be so nervous.
Ou pa bezwen enkyete w.
Are you nervous?
Ou sou tansyon?
Why are you so nervous?
Poukisa ou sou tansyon konsa?
Poukisa kè w sou biskèt konsa?
For whatever I did, I'm sorry. (Creole)
Pou kèlkeswa sa m fè a, m'ap mande w padon.
"Kè m se An Ayiti" or "Kè m se nan Ayiti"? which is better?
My heart is in Haiti.
Kè mwen Ayiti. or
Kè m Ayiti. or
Kè m se Ayiti li ye.
What do you mean by "(abstract)"?
Even though "biskèt" is described as stomach or breastbone, sometimes it means more than that.
You'll hear these often:
Biskèt mwen tonbe.
swete ou gen
gen → to have
what does mwen swete ou gen yon gwo jou mean in american english?
I wish you have a big day.
Mwen swete ou gen yon bon jou.
I wish you have a good day.
Pase bon jounen.
Have a good day.
Have a nice day.
now let me ask you this "Do you know what wall street protester is all about."
The people (99%) are tired of being controlled by the wealthy (1%).
They want equality, jobs, more control over their financial decision.
I think that's what it is...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Occupy_Wall_Street
I see the phrase, "se nou pou", from time to time. Can you tell me what the expression is about. I even saw it on one of your posts; you said "se pou nou ale" means "we must go". Can you elaborate please?
Se pou → indicates a duty, an obligation, or responsibility
In this case, the literal translation will not work here.
example:
1.
Se pou w etidye chak jou tande! (contracted)
Se pou ou etidye chak jou tande! (un-contracted)
You must study everyday, you hear!
2.
Se pou yo kanpe nan liy pou yo ka jwenn manje.
They must stand in line in order to get food.
3.
Se pou nou priye anvan nou manje.
We must pray before we eat.
4.
Se pou li pran medikaman an si li vle miyò.
He must take the medication if he wants to get better.
about some negative sentences:
5.
Se pa pou fè sa.
You must do that.
6.
Se pa pou pale konsa.
You must not talk like that.
7.
Se pa pou yo ranse konsa.
They must not joke around like that.
Se pou → is also used to say blessings, curse, wishful thinking
In this case, the literal translation will not work here.
Example:
8.
Se pou Bondye beni ou menm ak tout pitit ou yo.
May God bless you and all you children.
9.
Se pou maryaj ou beni.
May your marriage be blessed.
10.
Se pou malè tonbe sou li.
May grief fall upon him. or
May he be cursed.
11.
Se pou kay li kouvri ak wont.
May his home be covered with shame.
12.
Se pou l tonbe. ( or Se pou li tonbe)
I hope he falls.
13.
Mesye pa bon. Se pou Rachel, madanm li, kite l.
This guy's no good. I hope his wife Rachel leave him.
Se pou → literal meaning: it's for
example:
14.
Kado sa se pou ou.
This gift is for you.
15.
Se pou ou?
Is it for you? or
Is it yours?
16.
Wi, se pou mwen.
Yes, it's for me. or
Yes, it's mine.
17.
Non, se pa pou mwen.
No. it's not for me. or
No, it's not mine.
Fyèl. Dengou. Bègwè. Biskèt.
Biskèt → stomach (abstract) sometimes: bearing, core, or back.
example:
This suitcase is too heavy for you to carry. It'll break your back.
Since when?
Depi kilè ...?
Since when were you married?
Depi kilè ou te marye?
Since when were you into politics?
Depi kilè ou te nan politik?
Since when have you had that pain?
Depi kilè ou te gen doulè sa?
Since when have you had that lump in your breast?
Depi kilè ou te gen boul sa nan tete ou?
Since when did you have a boyfriend?
Depi kilè ou te gen menaj?
Since when did you get here?
Depi kilè ou rive la?
ki mo yo di nan pale kapwaz yo ki diferan de moun nan lwes
etc....
pete fyèl
As an adjective:
backbreaking
strenuous
torturous
As a verb, it could mean:
beat up
hammer
killing
Sa se yon travay pete fyèl wi.
This is strenuous work.
Pwofesè a pete fyèl nou ak devwa weekend sa.
The teacher hammered us with homework this weekend.
Maman m ap pete fyèl mwen ak travay nan kay.
My mom is killing me with housework.
Other Creole synonyms for pete fyèl are: kraze kouraj, kraze biskèt
When I taught school, I used high frequency word lists to introduce new vocabulary. The words were listed in order of frequency, with the most frequently used words at the top of the list. I have searched for something equivalent in Creole, but have not
I'll help you to look for it :)
When I find it, I'll probably include it as a link to this present post.
Pase bon jounen!
Just a comment: I loved the question and list of activities of children, excluding school...!(-Dory, again.)
I hope there would be some children, at the Blueberry Migrant Camp this year, with whom you can play some of these games.
Love ya!
Eske se yon bon lide pou fe kremas ak rhum barbancourt?
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| Eske Wonm Babancourt bon pou fè Kremas? |
I just tried it (not with these oranges, but with limes).
I found that the yellow tinge of the 5-star Barbancourt is too dark for my Kremas.
Where's that unrefined Haitian Kleren (clairin) when you need it :)
Maybe you could use half Barbancourt and half Vodka.
The percentage of alcohol in these two is about 35 to 45 %.
Is there a lesson that teaches when you pronounce the letter 'n' and when you do not?
Did you try the lessons on the vowels?
It's the second (audio part), #2
Here's the link:
http://sweetcoconuts.blogspot.com/2010/02/haitian-creole-alphabet-vowels.html
e-mail me for additional help. Thanks
Congratulations on a great show!
Creole for: give enough rope to hang self
Bay kòd pou pann tèt.
Be careful with these people. They just giving you enough rope to hang yourself.
Fè atansyon ak moun sa yo. Se kòd yap ba ou pou pann tèt ou wi.
What are some typical activities of Haitian children other than school?
Krapo (Ma debat) → Frog (role play)
Krik krak (devinèt) → guessing a riddle
fok ou pale ak mwen demen matin bon nuit (in English please)
si mwen di mama ou pa kontan jodia lap fache anpil men le mama fache ou pap konnen fasil (in English please...mwen pa konprann kreole sa)
Men lè mama fache, ou pa konnen fasil.
kisa ki ka mete barier antre ou menm ak papa w (in English please)
kisa ki drapo senkant zetwal la?
Yes it is called:
Drapo Ameriken → American flag.
Or nicknamed:
Drapo senkant zetwal la → the 50-star flag
nan lang Kreyòl la.
When Haitians ask "what's your name?" Sometimes they add "se" at the beginning of the question. Right?
Cranberry
reschedule or rain date
to reschedule → ranvwaye
The meeting has been rescheduled for Monday.
Reyinyon an ranvwaye pou lendi.
The election has been rescheduled for next week.
Yo ranvwaye eleksyon yo pou semèm pwochèn.
Thank you for caring. A thousands thanks!
To thank (v.) → remèsye
Thank you (n.) → remèsiman
Thank you for caring.
Mèsi pou atansyon ou.
A thousand thanks.
Mil mèsi.
I thank you.
Mwen remèsye w.
A thank you is not enough.
Yon remèsiman pa sifi.
How can I thank you?
Kijan pou m ta remèsye w?
I called to say thank you.
Mwen rele w pou m di w mèsi.
Sleeping with one eye open...do you have that expression?
How can I make my haitian boyfriend happy?
Si ou ta kapab retrete Ayiti, ki kote ou ta abite?
Please explain: mare figi. Thanx :)
Expression: Dis min mare nan fwon
Literally: ten miens tied to forehead
meaning: to have a frown, to be angry
1. Figi li mare.
2. Poukisa figi ou mare konsa?
3. Chak kou li wè m, li mare figi li.
Bonjou! How to Find What You're looking for on the Haitian Creole Blog
Thank you for visiting the Haitian Creole blog.
If you're having difficulty finding some posts on this blog, here's a little information on where to start looking.
For basic GREETINGS & INTRODUCTION CLICK ON Greetings and Introduction, or Many ways to say HI or HELLO
Find GRAMMAR EXERCISES about verbs, adjectives, pronouns, demonstratives, contractions and more HERE. Or check the labels to the right side of the computer screen with overhead title "Lessons and Exercises on the Following Subjects".
For some listening and speaking skills, find some AUDIO POSTS HERE
There are so many ways to say "HONEY'" or "SWEETIE" or "I LOVE YOU" in Haitian Creole, And I get these questions a lot. So I've compiled most of these questions and answers HERE.
Another very helpful tool is the CUSTOM GOOGLE SEARCH rectangular window above. It SEARCHES THE ENTIRE BLOG. So enter a word or sentence to see if it was discussed previously.
Finally, you can ask questions in the ASK ME ANYTHING section above left. I especially love to have your questions because it does contribute to the available resources on this blog.
There are also some CROSSWORD PUZZLES (for beginners mostly) and other useful links to the left side of the computer screen as you scroll down..
Find ONLINE QUIZZES to test your knowledge HERE. No need to sign in.
And find some useful and interesting IDIOMS AND EXPRESSIONS HERE
Email: Limanecasimi@aol.com, belmandaly@gmail.com
Mèsi anpil!
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| Search the Haitian Creole blog. Thanks! |
how to say hi in creole
How would a man address a beloved mother-in-law?
Madam or Manmi.
Does this mother-in-law have other son or daughter in-laws?
If yes, what do they call her?
What does mean?li pa anceint vre
Sali!Mandaly, please translate this. -Charm is a product of the unexpected.-Understand citizen, that the only thing white about me is color of my skin.*What a combination, romantic phrase with revolutionary.I hope i am not bothering you.Stay cool!
Atirans se pwodwi yon bagay ou pa t'ap atann.
I felt more confortable with "mezanmi"
2. *rebelyon → "rebelyon" or "revolisyon"
Please don't tell me you will check on me in the morning but then not do it. (in Creole)
Tanpri pa di m w'ap tcheke avè m nan demen maten epi pou pa fè sa.
Avek kisa mwen ka ouvè yon cocotier?
Oubyen
Leve l e frape l atè byen fò sou pati atè a ki simante.
Oswa
Leve l e frape l byen fò sou wòch.
Bòn chans :-)
i dont love you
I don't love you.
Mwen pa renmen ou.
Ouch! That's a very sad thing to say to someone. I wonder if it needs to be said at all.
"Mande yon kesyon" Or "Poze yon kesyon"?
1. Ki kesyon ou vle poze?
2. Eske ou gen yon kesyon pou mande m?
3. Sa se yon kesyon nou tout dwe poze.
4. Mwen te poze li de kesyon.
5. Li pa't renmen kesyon mwen te mande li.
koken, fè koken
fè koken (or pete koken or leve koken) → to double-cross, to dupe, to trick
Nan dènye minit jwèt la, li wè l'ap pèdi, li tonbe pete koken.
At the last minute of the game, he noticed he was losing, he started cheating.
Can you please translate... thank you! Mwen tres bien mwen tande wap......
Mwen la map gade apre' ou kap fe' bel bagayMwen renmen sa le' yon moun ap fe' eforBel bagay
We are united
We are united
Nou ini
or
Nou fè youn
We were united like brothers and sisters
Nou te ini tankou frè ak sè.
or
Nou te fè youn tankou frè ak sè.
They are united together.
Yo ini ansanm
or
Yo fè youn ansanm
We are united in Christ.
Nou ini nan Kris.
or
Nou fè youn nan Kris.
Christmas Greetings / Holiday Greetings (Creole)
Happy New year → Bòn ane (sometimes: Bònn ane)
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
Jwaye Nowèl e Bòn ane
I wish you peace, health and prosperity.
Mwen swete w lapè, sante, e pwosperite.
Thank you. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you too.
Mèsi. Jwaye Nowèl e Bòn ane a ou menm tou.
I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
Mwen swete nou tout yon Jwaye Nwèl e Bòn ane.
Wishing you a beautiful holiday season and a new year of peace and happiness.
Mwen swete w yon bèl sezon fèt ak yon nouvèl ane plen ak lapè e lajwa.
May the love of Christmas fill your hearts and your homes.
Se pou lanmou Nwèl la plen kè w ak kay ou. (To: singular person)
Se pou lanmou Nwèl la plen kè nou ak kay nou. (To: Plural people)
Wishing you peace, joy and love
M'ap swete w lapè, lajwa, ak lanmou.
Pase Bon Sezon Fèt!
Have a Happy Holiday!
May all the joys of the season be yours!
Mwen swete w tout lajwa sezon fèt la pote.
Holiday season
Sezon fèt
Happy Holidays
Pase yon bon sezon fèt. (literally: Have a good holiday season)
Christmas time
tan Nowèl
or
sezon Nowèl
Christmas Holiday
Fèt Nowèl
Christmas Day
Jou Nowèl
Christmas Eve
Lavèy Nwèl
or
Vennkat Desanm (Dec 24th)
New year's Day
Joudlan
or
Premye Janvye
New Years Eve
Lavèy joudlan
or
Tranteyen Desanm
Christmas party
Fèt Nowèl
Christmas card
kat Nowèl
Chritsmas gift
kado Nwèl
Christmas decorations
Dekorasyon Nowèl
To hang Chritsmas decorations
instale dekorasyon Nwèl
Christmas carols
chante Nowèl
Celebrate Christmas
Fete Nwèl.
or
Selebre Nwèl.
We won't celebrate Christmas this year.
Nou p'ap fete Nwèl ane sa.
Do you celebrate Christmas?
Eske ou selebre Nwèl?
Toys → Jwèt
angels → zanj
Santa → Tonton Nwèl or Tonton Nowèl
star → zetwal
candle → bouji
wreath → kouròn
gifts / presents → kado
bell → klòch
Nativity → nativite
crib (baby jesus in manger) → krèch
shepherds → bèje, gadò mouton
donkey → bourik
Bethleem → Bètleyèm
Jesus, Mary and Joseph → Jezi, Mari, ak Jozèf
A nativity play → yon pyès Nwèl
The three wise men → twa maj yo
Bon Lavi
how do u say "Hello, how are you doing?"
Hello, how are you doing?
Bonjou, kijan ou ye?
Kijan ou ye - what is "ye"?
save
I am saved (freed or redeemed).
Mwen sove.
In Kreyol, what do you call a person who drives you around in a car as well as provides safety for you (some carry guns)?
Ti bout
Yon ti bout tan.
A short amount of time.
Yon ti bout pen.
A small piece of bread.
Yon ti bout bwa
A small piece of wood.
Li ekri m sou yon ti bout papye.
He wrote to me on a tiny piece of paper.
Other Creole synonyms for ti bout are: ti kal, ti kras, ti zing, ti zong, t moso, ti zwit
Tiny → tou piti, tou piti piti
yon ti chèz tou piti
a tiny chair
yon ti kay tou piti
a tiny house
I paid her a lot of money and she gave a tiny amount of food.
Mwen peye anpil lajan epi li ban mwen yon ti manje tou piti.
She was screaming when she saw the bug. When I looked, it was a very tiny ant.
Li t'ap rele lè li wè bèt la. Lè m gade, se te yon fomi tou piti piti.
Small → ti (before noun), piti (place after noun and everywhere else)
I need a small car.
Mwen bezwen yon ti machin.
or
Mwen bezen yon machin tou piti.
This is a small thank you.
Sa se yon ti remèsiman.
She lives on a small island.
Li rete nan yon ti zile.
I only told a small lie.
Mwen sèlman bay yon ti manti.
The fire started small.
Dife a te koumanse tou piti.
I can't wear that skirt. It's too small.
Mwen paka mete jip sa. Li twò piti.
Don't say:
Mwen paka mete jip sa.
More on Ti vs Piti
Fire, catch a fire, fireball (Creole)
fireball or ball of fire → boul dife
catch fire → pran dife
Bonfire → dife bwa
backfire → rebondi, tounen kont
fired up → motive, zele
flame (from fire) → flanm dife
fan the flame → vante dife, mete gaz nan dife
smoke n. → lafimen
smoke v. (non-cigarette smoking) → fè lafimen
smoke a cigarette → fimen sigarèt
smoke a cigar/pipe → fimen siga/pip
Fire v. as in: to shoot → tire
Fire v. as in: to let go → revoke
1. His house caught fire.
Kay li pran dife.
2. We started running when the car caught on fire.
Nou tonbe kouri lè machin nan te pran dife.
3. He fired the gun at me, and I fired back.
Li tire sou mwen, e mwen tire sou li tou.
4. He shot the dog.
Li tire chen an.
smoke, smoking hot
5. I got fired.
Yo revoke m.
6. Did you get fired?
Eske yo revoke w?
7. We can't hold on to one more employee. We have to let you go.
Nou pa ka kenbe yon amplwaye de plis. Nou oblije revoke w.
what does saw genyen ti manman mean?
you know i'm having problem putting 'the accent on top of the letters.'
If yes, you can google "accented letters", "foreign characters" or something similar.
There are also some links in this post ↓ that'll help you do that.
"Fè dèyè" is expression for ?
Meaning: gaining weight
It is not meant to be offensive.
Some people might even take it as a compliment.
Example:
Bagay yo dwe ap mache byen pou Mimine. L'ap fè dèyè.
Things must be going well for Mimine. She's gained some weight.
You might also hear:
Fè vant → growing a belly
same expression
Capoise
A female native of Okap, Ayiti (Previously Au Cap, Haiti)
Capois (French)
Kapwa (Creole)
A male native of Okap, Ayiti (Previously Au Cap, Haiti)
There are other small towns or islands named Au Cap in other regions of the world.
I wonder if the natives from there are also called capois/capoise.
you should not come form US because your English is so poor. is that make sense?
You must not have come from the US, because your English is poor.
Nou te ale nan konsè a yè - Nou ale lekòl chak jou -- It looks like "nan" means 'to' but why is it in one sentence and not the other?
Going to this theater → ale nan teyat sa.
Let's go to this house → An ale nan kay sa.
Let's go home. → An ale lakay.
Check these links out.
http://sweetcoconuts.blogspot.com/2010/10/exercise-31-going-places.html
http://sweetcoconuts.blogspot.com/2010/10/exercise-33-going-places-part-2.html
http://sweetcoconuts.blogspot.com/2011/10/nan.htmll
http://sweetcoconuts.blogspot.com/2011/06/prepositions-at-to-on-in.html

