How to Use the Creole Verb 'Bay'

Intermediate Lesson

What You Will Learn

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• The Creole verb bay means to give. Unlike most verbs in Haitian Creole, the verb bay changes depending on the situation.
• Depending on what you are saying, bay can be used in the form of ba or ban.
• Here are the key rules to using the Creole verb bay correctly:

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• 1. Always say ban before mwen or nou.
• 2. Always say ba before ou and yo.
• 3. Always say bay at the end of a phrase.

1 - Before 'Mwen' and 'Nou'

Key Points

• 1. Say ban mwen or ban nou in situations you would normally say give me or give us.
• 2. You can also contract ban mwen and ban nou as ban m and ban n.

Consider These Examples

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• Give me a box of chocolate.

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• - Ban mwen yon bwat chokola.
• - Ban m yon bwat chokola.
• x Bay mwen yon bwat chokola.

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2 - Before 'Ou' and 'Yo'

Key Points

• 1. Say ba ou or ba yo in situations you would normally say give(s) you or give them.
• 2. You can also contract ba ou as ba w. You cannot contract ba yo.

Consider These Examples

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• I will give you a box of candy.

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• - M ap ba ou yon bwat sirèt.
• - M ap ba w yon bwat sirèt.
• x M ap bay ou yon bwat sirèt.

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3 - 'Bay' at the End of a Statement

Key Points

• 1. Always say bay at the end of a sentence, phrase, question, etc.
• 2. Avoid saying ban and ba at the end of a sentence.
• This also applies to their contracted form ban m and ba w.

Consider These Examples

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• How many did you give?

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• - Konbyen ou te bay?
• x Konbyen ou te ba?

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