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How to Say "To Give" in Haitian Creole

How to Use the Creole Verb 'Bay'

Intermediate Lesson

    What You Will Learn

  • 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:

  • 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


  • Give me a box of chocolate.

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

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


  • I will give you a box of candy.

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

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


  • How many did you give?

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

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