What You Will Learn
The Haitian Creole verb se means the verb to be in the form am, is and are in the present tense.
In this lesson you will learn:
1. Ways to Use Haitian Creole Verb Se
2. Ways NOT to use the Haitian Creole verb Se
3. Important Exception - Using Se for Emphasis (Cleft Sentence)
Ways of Using the Haitian Creolve Verb 'Se'
- 1. Use se in situations you would normally say am, is, and are in English.
- 2. Use se at the beginning of a sentence or question that would normally start as it's.
Examples of Using 'Se' as Am, Is and Are
Use se in situations you would normally say am, is, and are in English.
1. I am 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 as it's.
- 2. Se at the beginning of a phrase is often a short form of li se (it is).
Ways Not to Use Se (and Exceptions)
- 1. Don't use se when only connecting the subeject to an adjective. In this situation, it is important to remember that you can mainly use se to identify a noun.
- 2. Don't use se in prepositional phrases.
- 3. Don't use se for ongoing actions.
- 4. Don't use se with the negative pa (don't or not).
1. Don't Use 'Se' When Only Connecting to an Adjective
She is early.
She is an early student (last example)*
Wrong: Li se bonè.
Right: Li bonè.
Also Right: Li se yon elèv bonè.*
The last example is also right because se is identifying a noun, elèv (student).
2. Don't Use 'Se' in 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' with the Negative Pa (Don't or Not)
Nelson is not innocent
Wrong: Nelson se pa inosan.
Right: Nelson pa inosan.
Exception - Using 'Se' as an It-Cleft Sentence
An important exception to the four ways of not using se shown above is when you are using se at the beginning of a phrase as an it-cleft sentence.
Examples
In the following examples, notice how it-cleft sentences allow you to use se.
1. She is early.
It-Cleft: It is her who is early.
Creole: Se li ki bonè.
2. He is at home.
It-Cleft: It's him who is at home.
Creole: Se li ki lakay
3. Junior is playing.
It-Cleft: It's Junior who is playing.
Creole: Se Junior ki ap jwe.
4. Nelson is not innocent.
It-Cleft: It's Nelson who is not innocent.
Creole: Se Nelson ki pa inosan.
Don't Forget About 'Ye'
Another form of the se is ye. But, don't worry! Using ye is much, much easier.
You will learn more about it in our next lesson.