Haitian Creole

Do you know any book resources for Haitian Creole?

It depends on what your needs are. Are you looking for beginner, intermediate, or advanced? Are you looing for books to learn Creole, or books to read ... to reinforce your Creole?

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

can you help explain the following expressions: "mewi" and "mezanmi" . thanks in advance.

Men wi! is an adverb (literally 'but yes') which may be translated as Sure!, Of course!, Naturally!, Indeed! etc....

Mezanmi (literally 'my friends') is an interjection that expresses surprise, shock, anger, happiness, and many other emotions in between, such as Oh God! Oh my God!, Oh my! Gee whiz!, Oh my goodness! Oops! etc....

Some examples:
Expressing happiness
Mezanmi, mwen kontan wè w.
I am so happy to see you!

Expressing shock and disbelief
Mezanmi, m pa ka kwè ke misye mouri.
Oh my God, I can't believe that he died.

Expressing annoyance
Mezanmi, sispann pale nan tèt mwen!
Please stop babbling!

Expressing Oops moments
Mezanmi, mwen panke lage estati 12.000 dola a sou mozayik la.
Oops, I almost drop the $12,000 statue on the tile floor.

Expressing impatience
Fè vit non mezanmi!
Hurry!

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

How do you say "clock/punch in" and "clock/punch out" in creole? For example, "I clock in to work at 11 pm and I clock out from work at 7 am."

punch in - pwente lè w rive
punch out - pwente lè w ap kite

Did you punch in before you start working?
Èske w te pwente anvan w koumanse travay?

You must clock out before you take your break.
Ou dwe pwente anvan ou pran midi.

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

Hello Mandaly, thank you so much for your extremely useful site! My question, I've seen "Labib" and "Bib la" used to mean Bible, even both in the same sentence, but I can't figure out why one or the other would be used. What is the difference between the two, and in what context would each be used?

Thanks :)
There's no preference. There's no difference. Whether you say 'labib' or 'bib', they will be both considered as noun, and will take an article, such as 'labib la' or 'bib la'.

Whenever you have these types of nouns, it does not do too much except to give you options. For example:

Pote lakwa w. or Pote kwa w - Carry your cross

lalwa Moyiz la or lwa Moyiz la - the law of Moses

Mwen pale verite. or Mwen pale laverite. - I speak the truth.

Mwen pase tout lajounen an avè l. or Mwen pase tout jounen an avè l. - I spent the whole day with him/her.

It's a matter of preference.

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

Question: How do you say "hang out" Ex: I am hanging out with my friends

to hang out - pase tan, soti ak, ale nan zanmitay ak
I am hanging out with my friends - M ap pase tan avèk zanmi m.

We also say frekante in the sense of I don't hangout with these people - M pa frekante moun sa yo.

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

Hello Mandaly Is the word "bata" the only slang that means "to be about, to be on verge of, to be on the brink of" or are there other slang words beside this one?

My friend, you know there's always more in Creole :)
I wouldn't call it slang though. It's just a word that they might use in some regions more than others.
Some people may say bata, other might say tou pre or sanse or vanse or pa lwen, or sanlè...

Such as:
Nou bata rive
Nou pre rive
Nou vanse rive
Nou sanse rive
Nou pa lwen rive
Nou sanlè rive
They all mean 'we're almost there'.

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

Does the English word grace translate to favè in Haitian Creole?

Yes it could.

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

Hello Mandalay, Can you explain the usage of "La" in creole, specifically when referring to certain greetings or situations. For example "Kouman w ye la?" Why would the la? be added there? there are also similar situations where the la would be added. Thanks for your help!

Yes you will find that we use them especially when asking questions. In these instances 'la' is used as an adverb. Though it may represent there, at this time, at the moment, or right now there should be no attempt to translate it. Those meanings are just implied.

Kouman ou ye la? - How are you?
Poukisa w ap fatige kò w la? - Why are you worrying?
Sa w ap di la? - What are you saying?
Poukisa w ap fè tout bagay sa yo la? - Why are you doing all this?
Kisa w vle di la? - What do you mean?
Kounye a la ou pa respekte m ankò? - What now, you don't respect me anymore?
Kisa nou dwe fè la? - What should we do now?

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

Is the Creole word for rape 'kadejak' derived from Cadet Jacques, the lecherous character from Justin Lhérisson's Zoune chez sa ninnaine?

Wi, ou kòrèk. Mo kadejak la vin sinonim ak vyòl gras a woman Misye Justin Lhérisson an.

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

What is the definition of the word "sanse" and how do you use it in a sentence?

sanse - to be expected to, intended to
also
sanse - on the verge of, practically

Nou te an reta pou reyinyon an. Nou te sanse ale ak Jeep la, men l te pran pàn.
We were late for the meeting. We intended to use the Jeep, but it broke down.

Nou swete w byenveni nan òganizasyon nou an. Kounye a nou sanse fanmi w. Ou mèt konsidere nou kòm fanmi.
We welcome you to our organization. Now we are practically family. You may think of us like family.

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

What's the meaning of the word kelkonk? And some examples

kèlkonk - any or whatever
It is used to describe an unspecific person or thing

yon moun kèlkonk - someone, anyone, whatever person
yon bagay kèlkonk - something, anything

Sipoze mwen ta ofri ou yon sèvis kèlkonk, konbyen ou ta peye m?
Suppose I would offer you any service, how much would you pay me?

Sipoze mwen ta mande yon moun kèlkonk pou vin chita devan, kilès nan nou ki ta ofri tèt li?
Suppose I would ask anyone to come sit in the front, which one of you would volunteer?

Fò w ta ban mwen yon bagay kèlkonk kòm avalwa.
You must give me something as down payment.

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

Hi Mandaly, what is a good definition of the word mawozo?

Mawozo - unskilled, inexperienced, wet behind the ears

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

What is the definition of the word "manniganse"?

manniganse or fè mannigans - to work out a plan (could be a devious plan), to scheme, to use devious tactics in order to get results

Se pa de mannigans Manno pa fè non pou l jwenn pèmi sa a.
Manno pulled a lot of strings to get this permit.

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

what is exactly meant by 'tout bon', with examples please.thanks

tout bon - true, for good, for real
We use it to say that something is true, something is a fact

Se tout bon. - It's true.
Èske se tout bon? - Is it true?

Èske se tout bon ou te rankontre ak vedèt Beyonce nan yon restoran?
Is it true that you met superstar Beyonce at a restaurant?

Tout bon? - Really?

We also say: pou tout bon

Se pou tout bon wi. - It's true. / It's for real.

Lè m te di w ke m t ap kite w la, se te pou tout bon wi.
When I told you that I was going to leave you, it was for real.
When I told you that I was going to leave you, I meant it.

Li fache tout bon wi. or Li fache pou tout bon.

She is angry for real.

She's really angry.

Mwen renmen w tout bon.

I love you for real.

I really love you.

Se pa manti m ap fè non, se bagay tout bon m ap pale w.
It's not a lie that I'm making, it's something for real I am telling you.
I'm not lying, I'm telling you the truth.

Se pa espre l ap fè non, se tout bon li pa ka mache.
He's not pretending, he truly can't walk.

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

Hello Mandaly, Do you know where I could take Haitian language classes in NYC? I worked in Haiti for 3 months and learned very basic sentences. Love your blog! Thanks,

Community colleges and universities in the area do offer conversational Creole classes. There are other online organizations offering classes where you'll have a much more personal experience and interaction with native speakers, in groups, or one on one. I have had experiences with Haitihub.com, and love their work. Good luck.

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

Hello Mandaly, What is the creole translation(s) for "stage" and "stage fright"?

Hello Mandaly,

What is the creole translation(s) for "stage" and "stage fright"?

1. "The president will be on stage to discuss the healthcare and immigration issues."

2. "The little boy began to have stage fright when he got on the stage in front of a large group of people."

3. "The stage at the university auditorium can house 300 people."

stage - podyòm, sèn, estad
stage fright - trak

This is how I would translate the examples that you gave me:

1. Prezidan an va sou podyòm nan pou diskite pwoblèm lasante ak imigrasyon.
2. Ti gason an te koumanse genyen lafreyè lè te moute sou podyòm nan devan gran foul moun yo.
3. Podyòm sal inivèsite a kapab kenbe twasan (300) moun.

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

Is the word "joumou" translated as "pumpkin" like "sitwouy" and "potiwon" or is it only translated as "pumpkin" when it is paired up with soup like "soup joumou"?

Joumou is the Creole word for all types of 'squash'. The word joumou is not only associated with the soup.

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

How is the imperative formulated in creole with "to be" verbs followed by adjective and/or reflexive?

You asked:
How is the imperative formulated in creole with "to be" verbs followed by adjective and/or reflexive?

"Be good!"
"Be kind!"
"Be courageous!"
"Be vigilant/cautious!"
"Be intelligent/smart!"
"Be yourself!"

Does the past imperative exist in creole?

"Be up at six o'clock in the morning."
"Have this report done by 6 in the evening."
"Have this room clean when I get back home."

What is the grammar structure for imperative in the first and third person in creole?

"May he/she rest in peace."
"May god bless you."
"May you/ he/she/they be blessed."

I know that "annou" translates the third person imperative as a command, but what about expressing the imperative in the third person and other persons as a permission? Can "annou" express request or permission as well?

"Let/make us leave."
"Let/allow them in."
"Let/allow us see the album."

Note that some of the examples are my own and the others are taken from various grammar sources.

Mandaly says:
Thanks for your question.
When it comes to translating in English, sometimes it's best not to try to have a word for word translation. Sometimes the English language uses the verb to be, but the Creole translates does not use the same sentence structure.
Think Creole :)

"Be good!" -
Konpòte w byen!
Se pou w konpòte w byen!
Fè moun debyen!
Se pou w fè moun debyen!

"Be kind!"
Se pou w janti!

"Be courageous!"
Se pou w brave!
Se pou w gen kouraj!

"Be vigilant/cautious!"
Se pou w veyatif!
Se pou w fè atansyon!
Se pou w rete sou piga w!

"Be intelligent/smart!"
Louvri je w!
Pa fè sòt!

"Be yourself!"
Rete jan w ye a!
Pa chanje!
________

"Be up at six o'clock in the morning."
Leve a sizè nan maten.
Se pou leve a sizè nan maten.

"Have this report done by 6 in the evening."
Pare rapò sa a anvan sizè diswa.

"Have this room clean when I get back home."
Se pou w netwaye chanm sa anvan m tounen.
or
Se pou w fin netwaye chanm nan distans pou m tounen.
_____

"May he/she rest in peace."
Repoze an pè.
Se pou l repoze an pè.
Ke li repoze an pè.

"May god bless you."
Ke Bondye beni w.
Se pou Bondye beni w.

"May you/ he/she/they be blessed."
Se pou ou/li/yo beni.

For permission you may see "kite" or "pèmèt or penmèt"

Let them in.
Kite yo rantre.

allow me to see ...
kite m wè
or
penmèt mwen wè

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

I need English/Creole of common hymns for Haitians that are worshiping with us. Where can I buy it or download it (webpage) Thanks.

Most Haitian churches use a set of books that is attached with the Chants D'Esperance for worship in church. Try to find out which book they use.

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

How do you say in creole "What's the maximum/minimum amount"/"What's the most...."

What's the maximum amount
Ki kantite maksimòm
Ki pi plis/gwo
.... sometimes we say 'o maksimòm'

What's the maximum quatity I can order?
Ki kantite maksimòm ke mwen kapab kòmande?
Konbyen mwen kapab kòmande o maksimòm?

What's the maximum amount of money I can send?
Konbyen kòb mwen kapab voye o maksimòm?
Ki pi gwo montan lajan mwen kapab voye?

What's the minimum amount of calories do I need per day?
Konbyen kalori mwen bezwen pa jou o minimòm?
Ki pi piti kantite kalori mwen bezwen pa jou?

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

Mandaly, what is 'tonbe pip'? what is that word 'pip'

There's really no translation for that word 'pip' in the idiom 'tonbe pip', except perhaps the thump noise that's made once you fall.

tonbe pip - to fall like a log

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

What does "Min Becky tololo" mean? I think the spelling might be off....

Men Becky tololo! .... basicallly Yay! here comes Becky :)

It's basically a chant that chiildren do when their favorite person comes home. For example when Dad comes home from work, or from a long trip children will say Men papa tololo ..men papa tololo!

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

konbien distans ou dwe bay le yon tren ap pase ?

Distans an relasyon a kisa?

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

Hello Mandaly. How would you say in kreyol "I am on Gods team" Mesi anpil!

I am on God's team.
Mwen nan ekip Bondye a.
Mwen fè pati nan ekip Bondye a.

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

Hi Mandalay, How would you say the word outspoken? My mother always uses the term 'mete dlo nan bouch' but is there just one word or two word phrase that can be used that I don't know of? I'm full of questions today Thanks for your help.

Bonjou wi!

I like the term 'mete dlo nan bouch ou' because it so descriptive :)
But we usually say 'kare' or 'kare bare'.

Li se yon moun ki kare.
Li se yon moun ki pale kare.
Li pale kare bare. (There's not specific translation for 'bare' here. It's mostly used because it rhymes with 'kare')
Dakò?
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

I know the meaning of siou konnen dwa ou fow konn devwa w means. Can you explain if there's more to it. Give me an example on how you'd use it. thanks.

Hi:)
It's pretty much what you hear. The beauty in this saying is that it seems to rhyme: Si w konn dwa w, fò w konn devwa w (If you know your rights, you must know your duty) meaning if you're going to advocate for your rights, be sure not to neglect your duty.

How it can be used - This is an example: You provide 100% for your teenage boy who's living in your home. But he does not abide by house rules because he constantly claim that he's independent and should be allowed to do whatever he wants. You can tell him, Si w konn dwa w, fò w konn devwa w, if you want to live like an adult, pay your bills like an adult.
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

Mesi pou tout sa ou fè. Map etidye kreyòl y sejousi map etidye provèb yo. Mwen gen anpil kesyon men mwen pral mande ou yon sèl pwovèb ki mwen pa konprann chak jou. Jodi a se: "Anvan manglous vini, zagouti te ka viv. Mwen pa ka jwenn manglous ou zagouti nan diksyonè. Ede m tanpri.

Dakò :)

It's mangous (not manglous) which means mongoose
Zagouti - rodents (such as big rats)

Anvan mangous te vini, zagouti te ka viv. (It means something like "we were doing well until the big guns showed up")

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

what does malere mean? a la traka pou malere

malere - the destitutes, the unfortunates, poor people
traka - problems, difficulty

Ala traka pou malere! is an interjection that means It is unfortunate what poor people are going through!
Haitian Creole ↔ English Reference, Look up Haitian Creole and English Words

What is the exact definition of the word "sakad"? "Epi, lè n anba eprèv k ap ban nou sakad, l ap difisil pou n pèdi jwa nou."

Sakad, sometimes we also say soukous means jerking motion (as if you were in a car driving on a bumpy (or jerky) road.
In this sentence it means the ups and downs of life's trials.

"Epi, lè n anba eprèv k ap ban nou sakad, l ap difisil pou n pèdi jwa nou."
Translated literally, it says: "And when you're under afflictions that are giving you jerky motion, it will be difficult to lose your joy."
"And, when you're going through the ups and downs of life's trials, it will be difficult to lose your joy."

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

Mèsi Frantz François

1.
Pi bon zanmi m se Jezi,
Amou I si gran, si vre;
Janmen Li abandonen m
Nan tout sa m ape fè.
Souvan mwen fè l lapenn nan vi m;
Pou mwen li bon Sovè;
Lè m repanti, li padonen m;
AIò mwen gen lapè.

Kè:
Pi bon zanmi mwen sou latè, se Jezi,
Pi bon zanmi mwen sou latè, se Jezi,
Li lave peche m pou l mennen m nan syèl;
Amou Jezi si bèl.

2.
Pafwa syèl mwen plen ak nuaj,
Tout chemen mwen fè nwa,
Fas li kache ak lonbraj
Lè mwen pa gen lafwa.
Nan lamou li priye pou mwen,
Kè mwen vin soulaje
Paske li wete tout chagren;
Tout lapenn mwen ale.

3.
Mwen vle chante amou li,
Amou Jezi pou mwen,
Bonte I, fidelite li,
Pou yon pechè kon mwen.
Kouman m kapab remèsye li
Pou amou l anvè mwen?
Se pou m renmen l e sèvi li,
Suiv li pre, janmen lwen.

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

What does je sech mean? What' does lentin actually means, when you respond to an elder calling your name?

je chèch is someone full of ruse, audacious, and barefaced.

'lentin' - I think you mean 'plètil', some people say 'lètil'. It's a polite way to answer to someone who calls your name. That's how kids answer to adults when their names are called. Some older people do it too, when you call on their name.

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

Thank you so much for your blog, I have learned so much!!! Men yon kesyon pou ou, Kijan yo di "birthmom or biological mom" nan kreyol? Is there a translation, or a way to get the concept across? Two of my boys are adopted and when I visit my friends in Haiti I want to explain they are adopted. Mesi anpil!!!

Hi. Thanks :)

There's not a specific word for birthmom

my birthmom - manman ki te ban m nesans
adoptive parent - paran adoptif
adoptive mom - manman adoptif
adopted child - pitit adoptif

I am not his birthmom. - Se pa mwen ki te ba li nesans.
I am not their birthmom. - Se pa mwen ki te ba yo nesans.
He's my adopted child. - Li se pitit adoptif mwen.
They are my adopted children. - Yo se pitit adoptif mwen

Some people tend to translate birthmom as vrè manman (true mom), do not use that translation.

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

Poutan, m vin pi mal.

Mwen te tankou yon ti mounton ki egare,

k pa konn kote l prale,

byen grangou e byen swaf,

lage nan yon dezè abandone.

Tanpri Jesus pote m sekou (2 times)

Prezans ou se sa k ap pase swaf mwen an ,

Prezans ou se sa k ap konble vid mwen,

prezans ou, prezans ou se sa m ap chèche,

Prezans ou, prezans ou se sa m'reklame.

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

hello do you know the song wi kris toujou la pou li tande mwen pou li ede mwen e poul bay mwen lavi if so do you know the rest of the lyrics? thank you God bless you

Lè m nan pwoblèm yo, m ap chante pou Kris

Lè m nan doulè yo, m ap chante pou li

Lè m nan tristès yo mwen rele jezi

Ka li toujou ede m

Wi Kris toujou la, pou li tande mwen

Pou li ede mwen, e pou l ban mwen lavi