What You Will Learn
In this lesson, you will learn how to shorten the word ki in Haitian Creole.
You will focus on how to shorten ki before the words al and ap.
The shortened form of the word ki is written as k.
In this lesson, you will learn two common ways to shorten ki.
You can shorten it before the word al or before the word ap.
In the examples in this lesson, the word ki functions as a relative pronoun. It introduces a clause that gives more information about a person or thing.
Ki can mean that or who in this type of sentence. For example: Bwat ki la → The box that is here; Moun ki la → People who are here.
Contracting Ki: Two Forms You Need to Know
1. You can shorten ki before al as k al.
2. You can shorten ki before ap as k ap.
How to Contract "Ki" Before "Al"
The shortened form of ki before al is written as k al.
The word al is a shortened form of ale, which means "to go."
When ki means "who" or "that" and comes before al, the combination can be translated as "who goes" or "that goes," depending on the noun it describes.
Consider These Examples
»•« Contraction «•» No Contraction
1. People who go outside
»•« Moun k al deyò
«•» Moun ki al deyò
2. The man who goes inside
»•« Gason an k al anndan
«•» Gason an ki al anndan
3. The car that goes straight
»•« Machin k al dwat
«•» Machin ki al dwat
How to Contract "Ki" Before "Ap"
The shortened form of ki before ap is k ap.
As you have seen in earlier lessons in this series, the word ap is used before a verb to show an ongoing action and can also express a future action depending on the context.
As a result, when ki comes before ap, the English translation may include expressions such as "who is," "who are," "that is," or "that are," followed by an ongoing action.
Consider These Examples
»•« Contraction «•» No Contraction
1. People who are trembling
»•« Moun k ap tranble
«•» Moun ki ap tranble
2. A phone that is working
»•« Yon telefòn k ap travay
«•» Yon telefòn ki ap travay
3. A man who is running
»•« Yon gason k ap kouri
«•» Yon gason ki ap kouri
To Contract or Not to Contract?
The choice is yours! You don't always have to use shortened forms in Haitian Creole. However, using them appropriately can make your speech sound more natural.Even if you choose not to use them yourself, other Creole speakers will use them. Understanding these shortened forms can make it much easier to follow natural speech and conversation. Therefore, do not neglect learning contractions in Haitian Creole.