Haitian Creole

Do you have, or know where I can obtain some short stories in Haitian Creole, to practice? I'm finding it a bit difficult to practice and expand my vocabulary just from the phrases. The phrases are really great, but I'm advancing a bit and would like to push forward!

Anfòm! Mwen kontan tande ke w ap avanse nèt nan kreyòl la. Ou kapab tcheke sit wèb EducaVision an. Yo genyen anpil liv ki genyen kont ak istwa ladan yo. Ou kapab koumanse avèk liv Mod Fontis la, Istwa ak Kont Kreyòl. Genyen anpil bèl ti kont nan liv sa a.
Kontinye konsa!

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

My husband and I will be celebrating our 1st anniversary next month. He (Haitian) and I (from the US) adore each other and have a good relationship, but it's like any other relationship plus communication challenges. What phrases do you think are most important to know for great communication in a marriage?

Congratulation on your first anniversary.... yay!
I pray that you have many more happy years.

Marriage is a wonderful thing. Two is always better than one.
They say that the key to communication is listening. I will add that honest communication (saying what you mean and meaning what you say... ) which appropriately matches the body language is as important. I am not sure that there are specific Creole words you can use that'll make communication in your marriage better, but speaking from the heart is a great way to start.

Kenbe la!

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

Hi Mandaly, Thanks so much for providing this great resource! I have two questions for you today - is "Vin jwenn mwen" the right way to say "Come to me"? And is "Tati" used as a less formal version of "aunt"? Thanks again for all you do!

Thank you.

Yes. Vin jwenn mwen means Come to me.

Likewise:
Al/ale jwenn li. - Go to him/her
Ale jwenn papa w - Go to your dad.
Ale jwenn manman w - Go to your mom.

Yes, tati is an endearing name for aunt.

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

What does sankoutcha (sankoutya) and manfouben mean?

I got your email about the word 'manfouben' .... yes, lazy is right. :)

sankoutya - is being thoughtless, irresponsible, shameless, or with no care in the world

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

What's the differences and real meanings of lonje and alonje?

Lonje and alonje are synonymous. They mean to make longer

Èske w kapab alonje janm pantalon sa a pou mwen? - Can you lengthen these pants for me?

Lonje does have other meaning, such as to extend, to hand something

Lonje bokit la ban mwen - Hand me the pail.
Li lonje men l ban mwen - He extended his hand to me.

Lonje kò means to lie back, to take easy, to lounge
M pral fè yon ti lonje kò m la a. - I am going to relax a litle bit.

Lonje dwèt - to point
Lonje dwèt ou pou montre de ki moun w ap pale a?
Point to show me who you are talking about.

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

Which phrase is correct to say I wanna reach my goals! M vle atenn objektif mwen M vle jwenn objektif mwen M vle ranpli or akonpli objektif mwen M vle fè objektif mwen

The first one... definitely :)

Mwen vle atenn objektif mwen.

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

How do you say, "What is...." For example: What's the phone number? What's the difference? Just anything really that involves using "What is" followed by the rest of the sentence.

There are many ways to start questions with what/what is in Haitian Creole

Being specific - You can start the question with Ki ....
What's your phone number - Ki nimewo telefòn ou?
What's the difference - Ki diferans lan?
What was the story that you told me yesterday? - Ki istwa ou te rakonte mwen yè a?
What is your choice? - Ki chwa w?
What is the meaning of life? - Ki siyifikasyon lavi a?

Nonspecific
What is life? - Kisa lavi a ye?
What is this/that? - Kisa sa ye?
What is a taco? - Kisa yon taco ye?
What is a meme? - Kisa yon meme ye?
What is a kokoye? - Kisa yon kokoye ye?

Other phrases starting with what....
What's wrong with you today?! - Sa k pase w jodi a?
What the hell is wrong with you?! - Sa pase w la?!
What's wrong? - Sa w genyen?

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

Hi Mandaly, what is the difference between t ap and te when t ap is used in the following manner? And why isn't te used instead? Ki jan manman ak papa m t ap santi yo si m t al sèvi nan yon lòt peyi? or Si w t ap viv nan epòk la, eske w t ap fè menm jan ak Pyè? Thanks!

t ap (te ap) or (ta ap) are you used to express the past progressive (te ap) or modal verbs (ta ap). Te is used to express the simple past tense.

Look at your examples below, and their translation, and you'll see why using t ap is more appropriate.

Your example:

Kijan manman ak papa m t ap santi yo si m t al sèvi nan yon lòt peyi?
How would my mother and father have felt if I went to serve in another country?

as opposed to using te

Kijan manman ak papa m te santi yo si m t al sèvi nan yon lòt peyi?
How did my mother and father feel if I went to serve in another country?

And the other example:

Si w t ap viv nan epòk la, èske w t ap fè menm jan ak Pyè?
If you were living in that period, would you do the same as Peter?

as opposed to using te (simple past tense indicator)

Si w te viv nan epòk la, èske w te fè menm jan ak Pyè?
If you lived in that period, did you do the same as Peter?

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

what does this word this sentence mean? Vin Gade manze kap fe show boubou'n

Looks like someone is exposing herself ... "show boubou'n" means that she's exposing or flashing her genitals. The sentence means 'Come and see how the girl is exposing herself'

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

How would you say "picky" in creole? Like, "That's all we have, don't be so picky!"

picky - difisil, egzijan
to be picky - fè egzijan

That's all we have, don't be so picky!
Se tout sa nou genyen, sispan fè egzijan!

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

Bonjou Mandalay, Eske ou gen sijesyion pou liv debutan? Maman m se ayitien, papa m se kanadyen. Mwen ka komprann kreyòl là pou yon konvèsayon nòmal, dekontrakté. Men mwen vlé apwofondi konesans mwen. Mwen vlé aprann su éritaj mwen, sa a trè enpòtan pou mwen. Mwen etidye plizyè lang nan lekòl, men mwen te toujou wont paske manman m se ayitien, et mwen pa ka byen pale oswa li lang fanmi mwen. Mèsi anpil :) Maroussia

Bonswa wi Maroussia,
Genyen plizyè ti liv 'Kont ak Istwa' Ayisyen ke ou kapab li. Yo trè enteresan. Li ka pi avantajye pou w ale nan libreri a pou w kapab tcheke liv yo, ak pwòp zye pa w. Konsa ou va gen yon bon lide ki liv ki pi bon pou ou.
Mwen wè ou fè anpil efò nan lang lan, dapre jan ou ekri - Tanpri, pa fatige tèt ou, pa wont. Se efò w ap fè a ki konte. Trè byento ou va kouran nan lang nan.

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

Koman yo di "Bawon Samdi possessed somebody?"

Ou vle an angle oswa kreyòl?
Ou ban m fraz la an de (2) lang wi :)

An angle: The person has been possessed by Bawon Samdi.
An kreyòl: Bawon Samdi monte moun nan.
Ou kapab di tou: Moun nan posede. Bawon Samdi monte l.

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

Can you explain to me the differences between "sonje" and "manke"? What are the best contexts with which to use them?

You must be asking this in reference to 'missing' someone?

We do not use 'manke' to translate 'miss' as in to feel sadness due to the absence of someone.
We only use 'sonje' in this case.

M sonje manman m. - I miss my mother.
M sonje ou. - I miss you
Nou te sonje w anpil pandan absans ou. - We missed you a lot during your absence
Nou sonje w anpil anpil. - We miss you terribly.
Mwen sonje lakay. - I miss home.

And of course you can use 'sonje' to say 'recall/remember'. example:

Mwen sonje jan li te konn ap chante tout tan.
I remember how she used to sing all the time.

Ou pa sonje m non?
Don't you remember me?

Mwen pa sonje.
I don't recall.

Èske ou te sonje klete pòt la?
Did you remember to lock the door?

Concerning 'manke', we use it to translate to be short of or lack of, or come close to being...

Bis la manke frape m.
The bus almost hit me.

Li manke tonbe.
He almost fell.

Manje a manke sèl.
The food is lacking in salt.

Nou manke pran nan magouy kat kredi sa a.
We almost fell for this credit card scam.

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

what is antekre? this is word is nowhere in any kreyol dictionaries I've checked. It was used as "antekre ou manje deja", thanks!

It means I thought or I was under the impression that
Sometimes you see it as ou kwè, ou te kwè, on te kwè

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

Hello, this question goes for both gender but could you list some key phrases/words necessary for getting a haircut? Things like "bring the sides all the way down" etc. Thank you!

to get a haircut - taye cheve
baber - kwafè
going to the barber - ale kay kwafè
bring the sides down - raze sou kote yo
sideburns - pafouten
doing the neckline is called fè tyas
you can ask for a blocked neckline and say - fè tyas la kare
You can ask for a rounded neckline and say - fè tyas la won
Shave the beard - taye bab la

COMMENTS:

Sadrak SanmdiJune 27, 2019 at 1:02 AM

E kijan yo rele "receding hair"? Cheve chankre, petet?

Mandaly June 28, 2019 12:08 says:
Dabitid nou di 'tèt chòv'.
Wi, konn gen moun ki di cheve chankre, fontèn kale, onswa fontèn ayewopò, men, receding hair se definitivman yon tèt k ap chòv :)

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

How can I say he's careless in creole?

He's careless - li neglijan

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

Hello! I was wondering if you would be willing to translate a letter/poem that I have from a friend. What would be the best way to go about this? I absolutely LOVE your blog and all that you do. It has been such a huge resource for me! Thanks,

Thanks!
Send the poem to my email.

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

Mandaly before I ask my question, I wanted to say thank you for your help with the keryol leaflets last month. My Haiti trip would have lacked something without it. Now with the word TOUPISAN, does it go before or after bondye? is it toupisan bondye or bondye toupisan? powerful God?

No problem :)
It's Bondye toupisan all powerful God.

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

Thanks so much for your work to make this website! Mesi anpil! I would like to ask if there are any rules for stress in terms of where the stress falls on individual words or sentences. In other words, if I want to speak more naturally, where should I put the accent when I speak? I haven't listened to much spoken Kreyol yet, so I'm sure I'll learn more as a listen more. Thanks again for you time and work, Lisa

Hi Lisa,
It would be extremely hard to answer this question in just a few lines, as you know each word is different. I would recommend that you find a way to practice what you have learn so far. Though practicing conversations with someone who knows the language well is the best way to achieve fluency, you may start by listening to Haitian radio program, watching Creole TV programs, sitting in in gatherings where Creole is spoken. If you do this, you might find a way to exchange words with peple who speak the langauge. Best of luck :)

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

Bonswa! Eske kek moun ka ekspikem kisa vle di "U fem nan yon lot vi"? Mesi

It means 'you put me in another life'.
It's more like: 'You gave me a new perspective on life'. It's about happpiness.

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

Hello, everyone. I am seeking some information regarding Kanaval (both in Haiti and around the world). Any help would be greatly appreciated:

Hello, everyone. I am seeking some information regarding Kanaval (both in Haiti and around the world). Any help would be greatly appreciated:

I recently got into a discussion with a group of people about the history behind carnival (not just in Haiti, but throughout the West Indies). One woman believed that carnival was a Catholic celebration with roots in European history. I was told a different story from a Haitian friend of mine (I am not Haitian). His understanding was that although Catholic figures are portrayed during the celebration, they historically represented figures from Voudou and African traditions, more so as a way for African, Taino, and other indigenous people to disguise their beliefs from their abusers/colonizers and that the suffering that the enslaved had to endure was so taxing physically and mentally that the slave captors allowed one day out of the year for the enslaved to experience freedom.... One day out of the year where the enslaved could drink alcohol, sing, dance naked in the street, anything goes.... So that is the celebration that we know as carnival today. Basically, it is a celebration of freedom. Another woman from the Virgin Islands believed that no slaves were allowed to participate in the street parades until 1838, but did have their own parties in their backyard and have mini carnivals. Then once slavery was abolished they used it as a celebration of freedom.

There is a lot of mixed information out there and I was just wondering if anyone could shed some light on this for me. Mesi anpil!

Mandaly says: In Haiti, it is a little different. One cannot talk about kanaval without mentioning rara which is the true celebration of freedom of expression that continues way into the night after kanaval. In rara, people file the streets after kanaval playing bamboos, cans, tanbou, whistles, the whip, singing, and dancing. It has its roots from the days of slavery that led to the Haitian revolution. Any such gathering was done at night, like the one where Boukman, a slave, a oungan, had the gatherers drink blood and made a pact to revolt.
Kanaval, to me, is about celebrating our culture and music. The tradition I remember as a child, at kanaval time, was men totally covered in molasses, only wearing dry banana leaves to cover their loins and head, running into the streets every year.

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

Tanpri, is there a Haitian proverb that would be the equivalent of this scripture Eklezyas 4:6: “Li pi bon pou yon moun pran yon ti repo olye l plede ap travay di e li kontinye ap kouri dèyè van.”

I can think of 3 proverbs that are within the lines of this verse:

Anvi tout, pèdi tout
Zwazo ki chante pa gra
or even
Anbisyon touye rat

They all could mean that working hard doesn't usually gives you the results hoped for.

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

I love your blog!!! How do you say Let's have fun?? An nou gen.........? Mesi

Thank you :)

Let's have fun - An nou pran plezi nou. or Ann anmize nou.

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

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

Bonjou! Learn to Speak Haitian Creole