How to Use The Verb "Se" in Haitian Creole

What You Will Learn

The Haitian Creole word se can often translate as am, is, or are when it identifies a person, thing, or noun phrase.

However, English am, is, and are do not always translate with se in Haitian Creole.

In this lesson, you will learn:

1. Ways to use the Haitian Creole word se

2. Ways NOT to use the Haitian Creole word se

3. Important exception: using se for emphasis in a cleft sentence

Practice Now

Ways of Using the Haitian Creole Word 'Se'

1. Use se in situations where you would normally use am, is, or are in English to identify a noun or noun phrase.
2. Use se at the beginning of a sentence or question that would normally start with it's or it is.

You can use the Haitian Creole word se like the verb to be when identifying a noun or noun phrase.

Using the Haitian Creole word se like the verb to be

Examples of Using 'Se' as Am, Is, and Are

Use se in situations where you would normally use am, is, or are in English to identify a noun or noun phrase.

1. I am the oldest man in the group.

Mwen se gason ki pi gran nan gwoup la.

2. They are good people.

Yo se bon moun.

How to Use 'Se' as 'It's'

1. Use se at the beginning of a sentence or question that would normally start with it's or it is.
2. At the beginning of a sentence, se can often be translated as it's or it is.

You can use se as it's at the beginning of a sentence or question that would normally start with it's.

Using the Haitian Creole word se as it's at the beginning of a sentence or phrase

Ways Not to Use Se (and Exceptions)

1. Don't use se when only connecting the subject to an adjective. Remember that se is mainly used to identify a noun or noun phrase.
2. Don't use se for locations or prepositional phrases in the present tense.
3. Don't use se for ongoing actions.
4. Don't use se before pa when only negating an adjective.

1. Don't Use 'Se' When Only Connecting a Subject to an Adjective

She is good.

She is a good student. (See the last example.)

Wrong: Li se bon.

Right: Li bon.

Also Right: Li se yon bon elèv.

The last example is also correct because se identifies the noun elèv (student).

2. Don't Use 'Se' for Locations or Prepositional Phrases

He is at home.

Wrong: Li se lakay.

Right: Li lakay.

3. Don't Use 'Se' for Ongoing Actions

Junior is playing.

Wrong: Junior se ap jwe.

Right: Junior ap jwe.

4. Don't Use 'Se' Before Pa When Negating Only an Adjective

Nelson is not innocent.

Wrong: Nelson se pa inosan.

Right: Nelson pa inosan.

Note: Se pa can be correct when negating identity or a noun phrase. For example: Nelson se pa yon doktè. (Nelson is not a doctor.)

Exception: Using 'Se' in a Cleft Sentence

An important exception to the four rules above is when se is used at the beginning of a sentence to emphasize a person or thing. This is called a cleft sentence.

Examples

In the following examples, notice how cleft sentences allow you to use se.

1. She is good.

Emphasis: She is the one who is good.

Creole: Se li ki bon.

2. He is at home.

Emphasis: He is the one who is at home.

Creole: Se li ki lakay.

3. Junior is playing.

Emphasis: Junior is the one who is playing.

Creole: Se Junior k ap jwe.

4. Nelson is not innocent.

Emphasis: Nelson is the one who is not innocent.

Creole: Se Nelson ki pa inosan.

Don't Forget About 'Ye'

Another related form is ye. But don't worry! Using ye is much, much easier.

You will learn how to use it in our next lesson.