How to Tell Time in Haitian Creole

Beginner Lessons

What You Will Learn

1. Saying hours from the clock

2. Asking for what time it is

3. Saying what time it is

4. Saying time with minutes (e.g. 7:38)

5. Expressing clock-based time

How to Say Hours from the Clock

You can make things easier by just putting è after the digit when writing.
For example, 8 o'clock (8:00) is 8è.

The times of the clock in Haitian Creole are inè (one o'clock), dezè (two o'clock) twazè (three o'clock), katrè (four o'clock), senkè (five o'clock), sizè (six o'clock), setè (seven o'clock), uitè (eight o'clock), nevè (nine o'clock), dizè (ten o'clock), onzè (11 o'clock). Midi is noon and minui is midnight

The only exceptions to this are midi (noon) and minui (midnight).

Example 1

Uitè (8è)

8 o'clock (8:00)

Example 2

Twazè (3è)

3 o'clock (3:00)

How to Ask for the Time

To ask for the time, say Ki lè li ye? (what time is it?)
Now if you want to be more specific by mentioning the event, simply say Ki lè and then mention the event.

For example, suppose that you want to say When is the game? in Haitian Creole.

In Creole that would be Ki lè jwèt la?

As you can see, jwèt la (the game) comes after Ki lè.

To ask for what time it is in Haitian Creole, say ki lè and then say the time you are asking for

Example 1

Ki lè entèvyou a?

When is the interview?

Example 2

Ki lè entèvyou a?

When is the interview?

How to Answer What Time it is

To answer what time it is, simply say Li and then say the time

For example, suppose that you want to say It's seven o'clock.

The translation of that would simply be Li setè.

When answering what time in Haitian Creole, say li and then say the time.

Example 1

Ki lè entèvyou a?

When is the interview?

Example 2

Ki lè entèvyou a?

When is the interview?

How to Tell the Time with Minutes

Say the hours from the clock and then say the number of minutes

For example, suppose that you want to say Seven twenty-eight (7:28)

In Creole, that would be Setè ventuit (7è 28)

The time seven twenty-eight is Setè ventuit in Haitian Creole

Example

9:32

Nevè trannde

Nine thirty-two

See our lesson on counting numbers in Haitian Creole

How to Say Quarter Past, Quarter to, etc.

Enka is 15 minutes past the hour.
Edmi is 30 minutes past the hour.
Mwennka is 15 minutes until the next hour.

Enka means quarter past, edmi means half past and mwennka means quarter to in Haitian Creole.

The word ka originated from French word quart, which means "quarter."

Example 1

6:15

Sizè enka

Quarter past six

Example 2

6:30

Sizè edmi

Halft past six

Example 3

6:45

Setè mwennka

Quarter to seven

To say other times until the next hour, simply say mwen (minus).

Example 4

6:40

Setè mwen ven

Twenty til seven

What About AM and PM?

You may say AM and PM as well in Haitian Creole, since many Haitians are used to this. They will likely know what you are referring to.

Now if you want to be more specific by saying in the morning, in the afternoon, in the evening, see our lesson on parts of the day in Haitian Creole