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How to Contract Object Pronouns in Haitian Creole

Advanced Lesson


local_library What You Need to Know

Object pronouns are words such as Me, Us, You, Him/Her/It and They.

The Creole object pronouns are Mwen (Me), Nou (Us), Ou (You), Li (Him/Her/It ) and Yo (Them).

The key point to keep in mind throughout this lesson is that you can only contract object pronouns after a word that ends with a vowel.

How to Contract Object Pronouns

Only contract an object pronoun after a word that ends with a vowel

This applies to both types of vowels. Now, the two types of Creole vowels are nasal and non-nasal vowels.

The nasal vowels are an, en and on. The non-nasal vowels are a, e, è, i, o, ò and ou.

You can contract object pronouns after words that end with any of those vowels.

Consider These Examples


»•« Contraction «•» No Contraction

1. Give me 
»•« Ban m
«•» Ban mwen


2. He takes you
»•« Li pran w
«•» Li pran ou


3. My bread
»•« Pen m
«•» Pen mwen


4. My gift
»•« Kado m
«•» Kado mwen


Never Contract the Object Pronoun Yo

Don't contract yo when using it as an object pronoun

When yo is used as an object pronoun, it means them.


Consider These Examples


1. He buys them
Right: Li achte yo
Wrong: Li achte y


2. He takes them
Right: Li pran yo
Wrong: Li pran y


3. He sends them 
Right: Li voye yo
Wrong: Li voye y


4. He changes them
Right: Li chanje yo
Wrong: Li chanje y


Don't Contract Object Pronouns After "Nan" and "Sou"

You must not contract object pronouns after the Creole prepositions nan and sou even though they end with a vowel.

Contracting object pronouns after those words causes confusion.


Consider These Examples


1. Trust in him
Right: Kwè nan li
Wrong: Kwè nan l


2. The sandal is on it
Right: Sandal la sou li
Wrong: Sandal la sou l




warning Be Extra Careful When Contracting the Word "Pou"

You can only contract pou when it is used as a conjunction.

When pou is used as a conjunction, it can mean in order to, in order for or so that.

Consider These Examples


»•« Contraction «•» No Contraction

1.  In order for you to live
»•« Pou w ka viv
«•» Pou ou ka viv

2. In order for us to pass
»•« Pou n ka pase,
«•» Pou nou ka pase,

Never contract yo even when it comes after pou

They need to work hard in order for them to find it
Right: Yo dwe travay di pou yo ka jwenn li
Wrong: Yo dwe travay di pou y ka jwenn li

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