How to Use Demonstratives in Haitian Creole

What You Will Learn

Demonstratives include words such as this, that, these, and those.

In this lesson, you will learn how to use the Creole demonstratives sa a (this/that) and sa yo (these/those).

How to Say "This" or "That"

The Creole demonstrative sa a means this or that.

When it modifies a noun, the demonstrative comes after the noun.

For example, let us suppose that you want to say this table in Haitian Creole.

The Haitian Creole translation is tab sa a.

As you can see, the demonstrative sa a appears after the noun tab.

Consider These Examples

Sa a is pronounced smoothly, almost like one word. It sounds like sa-ah.

1. Chèz sa a → This chair

2. Bèt sa a → This animal

3. Bwat sa a → That box

4. Telefòn sa a → That phone

How to Say "These" or "Those"

The Creole demonstrative sa yo means these or those.

When it modifies a noun, the demonstrative also comes after the noun.

For example, let us suppose that you want to say these bottles in Haitian Creole.

The Haitian Creole translation is boutèy sa yo.

As you can see, the plural demonstrative sa yo comes after the noun boutèy.

Consider These Examples

1. Chèz sa yo → These chairs

2. Bèt sa yo → These animals

3. Bwat sa yo → Those boxes

4. Telefòn sa yo → Those phones

Demonstratives: Just How Important Are They?

As you have seen in this lesson, Creole demonstratives are quite simple. The two main forms covered here are sa a and sa yo. However, the fact that this lesson is easy is no reason to underestimate its importance.

As mentioned at the beginning of this lesson, demonstratives are common in both Creole and English. Therefore, since you will use them regularly, make an effort to learn how to use them correctly.

Footnote*

1. While reading Creole, you may also come across the word sa without a or yo. The word sa has several uses in Haitian Creole and can also function as a demonstrative. A future lesson will explain when to use sa, sa a, and sa yo.