"Pito Nou Lèd Nou La" Explained

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Pito nou lèd nou la

Haitian Creole Sayings

Meaning

We are persevering even though we feel weighed down by life's problems.

Translation: We may be ugly, but we are here.

Literal Meaning: Rather we are ugly we are here.

Example 1

Jounen an pa t bon menm nan travay la. Pito nou lèd nou la!

The day wasn't good at all at work. We may be weighed down, but we are here!

Example 2

Zanmi m! Si m te koute jenou fè mal sa a, m pa t ap vin travay non! Ebyen, Pito nou lèd nou la!

My friend! If I listened to this hurting knee, I would not have come to work today! We may be hurting, but we are here!

Fun Facts

The Haitian Creole saying pito nou lèd la also indicates modesty and endurance. The reason is because using this proverb shows:

1. You are not denying reality but have accepted the situation for what it is.

2. Although the reality is difficult, you decide to make adjustments in your situation to keep going.

"Gason kanson" Explained

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Gason kanson

Haitian Creole Expressions

Meaning

A man who is courageous and hardworking.

Translation: Brave man, strongman, hardworking man

Literal Meaning: Man pants

Example 1

Misye se yon gason kanson toutbonvre. Li pa pè travay nan fredi a non!

This is truly a courageous man. He is not afraid to work in the cold!

Example 2

Li fè tout travay sa yo san plenyen.Gason kanson!

He did all of this work without complaining. What a hardworking man!

Fun Facts

The Haitian Creole saying gason kanson means a man is hardworking, persevering, courageous, galant and so on..

This Haitian Creole expression is similar to the expression, mete gason sou ou, which mainly means to muster up courage.

"Sa w pa konnen pi gran pase w" Definition

A woman realizing how little she knew before learned the instructions.

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Sa w pa konnen pi gran pase w

Haitian Creole Sayings

Meaning

You need to humble instead of assuming you know everything.

When humble your attitude and take in instruction, that is when you realize how little you know.

Translation: What you don't know is greater than you.

Example 1

Se te pitit gason Edner a kite ede m ekri dokiman sa wi. Sa w pa konnen pi gran pase w!

It was Edner's son who helped me write this document. What you don't know is greater than you!

Example 2

Se lè m te pran klas kuizin nan mwen te reyalize m vrèman pa konn fè manje.Sa w pa konnen pi gran pase w!

It's when I took the culinary class I realized that I truly don'know how to cook. What you don't know is greater than you!

Try this!

Next time when someone gives you a hand to do something, use the saying sa w pa konnen pi gran pase w .

Doing this does the following:.

1. It indicates that you appeciate that this person chose to help you.

2. It's a sincere, indirect way of giving someone a compliment.

3. It's a sign that you are getting good at speaking Creole. Using proverbs and saying is a great way to relate to Haitians or native Creole speakers.

Kreyòl pale kreyòl konprann Definition

A woman happily holding a sign that says I understand.

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Kreyòl pale Kreyòl konprann

Haitian Creole Sayings

Meaning

What you said is clear, straightforward and easy to understand

This proverb is similar to English expression spoken in plain English or in layman's terms.

Translation: Creole spoken, Creole understood.

Example 1

Ronald te byen eksplike fason planèt yo deplase. Kreyòl pale Kreyòl konprann!

Ronald explained well how the planets move. Creole spoken, Creole understood!

Example 2

M renmen fason pwofesè sa a itilize mo ki senp. Kreyòl pale Kreyòl konprann!

I like how this teacher uses simple words. Creole spoken, Creole understood!

Go for it

Next time you hear someone say something clear and simple in Haitian Creole, go ahead and use the saying Kreyòl pale Kreyòl konprann!

It's a good way to compliment someone because it means he or she is a good communicator.

"Aksidan pa gen klaksòn" Explained

A woman who was involved in car accident.

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Aksidan pa gen klaksòn

Haitian Creole Sayings

Meaning

Accidents come without warning.

Just like a vehicle without a horn is unable to warn others of its presence, accidents come without warning.

It is thus important to always be on the lookout.

Translation: Accidents don't have a horn (automobile horn).

Literal Meaning: Accidents don't have horn.

Example 1

Tanpri siveye timoun yo k ap monte eskalye a. Aksidan pa gen klaksòn.

Please watch over the kids who are going up the stairs. Accidents come without warning.

Example 2

Pa retire je w sout wout la Aksidan pa gen klaksòn.

Don't take your eyes off the road. Accidents come without warning.

Fun Facts

The word klaksòn means an automobile horn. The verb form, klaksonnen, means to blow or honk the horn.

The urban areas of Haiti often have a lot of vehicles and foot traffic. As such, people constantly blow the horn to avoid accidents.

Thus, the saying aksidan pa gen klaksòn is quite relatable to Haitians who have witnessed the busy streets of Haiti.

"Anba Anba" - Haitian Creole Expression Explained

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Anba anba

Haitian Creole Expressions

Meaning

Craftily working in secrecy to do something.

It is usually has a negative connotation

Translation: Sneaky, incognito, clandestine

Literal Meaning: Below below / Under under

Note: The Haitian Creole word anba by itself means below or under

Example 1

Markens t al fete avèk zanmi l yo anba anba.

Markens went partying with his friends secretly.

Example 2

Li pa ka pèdi pwa paske l ap plede manje anpil vye manje anba anba.

He can't lose wait because he keeps eating a lot of junk food secretly.

Fun Facts

As shown above, anba anba literally means 'below below' or 'under under.'

Oftentimes something that is underneath is not noticeable.

Thus, the saying anba anba emphasizes the idea that someone is doing something in secrecy behind the scenes.

"Lave Men Siye Atè" Explained

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Lave men siye atè

Haitian Creole Sayings

Meaning

Wasting your effort by doing something that is pointless

For example, wearing sunglasses in the dark.

Translation: Wash your hands, wipe them on the ground.

Literal Meaning: Wash hands wipe floor.

Example 1

M pa ka kwè li mete linèt solèy nan fènwa pou l ka wè pi byen. Lave men siye atè!

I can't believe she wears sunglasses in the dark to see better. This is pointless!

Example 2

Mikwo a pa bon. Poukisa li toujou ap pale? Lave men siye atè.

The microphone is not working. Why is he still speaking? It's pointless.

Fun Facts

You are also able to use this proverb to say what you're doing is making the situation even worse instead of helping.

As shown in the first example, someone wearing sunglasses at night to see better would actually make seeing harder

Bab pi long men sousi pi vye "Explained"

This man's beard is longer, but his eyebrows are older.

Bab pi long men sousi pi vye

Haitian Creole Sayings

Meaning

Don't downplay or belittle the experience of older ones.

For example, a young man may feel confident about his decisions, but he should not belittle the experience of his parents.

Translation: The beard is longer but the eyebrow is older.

Literal Meaning: Beard more long but eyebrow more old.

Example 1

Wesly panse m pa konprann jan l santi l lè mwen di l pou l pa kouri marye. Li dwe sonje bab pi long men sousi pi vye

Wesly thinks I don't understand how he feels when I tell him not to rush into marriage. He needs to remember that I am older and more experienced than he is.

Example 2

Se vre ou ka travay plis. Sonje Bab pi long men sousi pi vye. Piske ou pa t koute konsèy mwen an, biznis lan pral fè gwo defisi. W ap wè!

It's true you can work more. But remember that I am older and more experienced. Since you did not listen to my advice, your business will have a huge deficit. You will see!

Be Flexible

You are able to use this saying for a variety of age groups, not just for the young and elderly.

For example, you can use it in a situation where a 23-year old is wacthing over his 12-year old brother.

While they are both relatively young, the 12-year old should remember that his older sibling is more experienced and therefore should be more inclined to listen to him.

"Bay piti pa chich" Explained

A man who is only able to contribute a small amount of funds.

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Bay piti pa chich

Haitian Creole Sayings

Meaning

Giving is still valuable even if what you are giving is little or not much.

Translation: It is not selfish to give a little amount.

Literal Meaning: Give little not selfish.

Example 1

Pa gen pwoblèm si w pa ka bay anpil. Bay piti pa chich!

It's not a problem if you can't give a lot. Giving a small amount is still valuable!

Example 2

Di mesye a pa gen pwoblèm si se sèlman yon ti moso li ka bay sèlman. Bay piti pa chich!

Tell the man it's not a problen if it's only a small piece his able to give. Giving a small amount is still valuable!

An Important Lesson About Giving

At times we are too hard on ourselves by erroneously concluding that our act of giving is insignificant because we don't have the means to give more.

However, it is the act of giving that comes from the heart that matters.

"Twou Manti Pa Fon" Explained

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Twou manti pa fon

Haitian Creole Sayings

Meaning

A way of saying lying will not get you far, because the truth will eventually come out.

It emphasizes the fact that lies have a shaky foundation and don't provide a true sense of security.

Translation: The hole of lies is not deep !

Literal Meaning: Hole lie not deep !

Example 1

Jodi a lekòl la di m ou pa t vini menm, men ou te di m ou te ale. Gade! Twou manti pa fon!

Today the school told me you didn't come at all, but you told me you went. Look! Lying will not get you far!

Example 2

Twou manti pa fon! Yon jou y ap aprann tout dosye l yo se magouy.

Lies don't go far! One day they'll learn all of her records are fraudulent.

Fun Facts

Someone who is from remote parts of Haiti may easily relate to this saying. At times people in such regions have had to dig very deep wells to get much-needed water.

While this doesn't necessarily mean this saying only came from the people's interaction with deep wells, this experience does help us to understand how the people are able to relate to it.

"Dèyè Mòn Gen Mòn" Explained

A man looking another mountain after alreay climbing one.

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Dèyè mòn gen mòn

Haitian Creole Sayings

Meaning

This expression means when a problem or obstacle in life ends, another one will surely follow.

The lesson is there will always be tests and trials in life.

Translation: It's one problem after another!

Literal Meaning: Behind mountains there are mountains!

Example 1

Semèn pase mwen pèdi travay mwen. Kounye a y ap monte lwaye kay la. Dèyè mòn gen mòn!

Last week I lost my job. Now they are increasing the house rent. It's one thing after another!

Example 2

Doktè a fèk trete m pou kansè. Kounye yo di mwen gen yon enfeksyon. Dèyè mòn gen mòn!

The doctor just treated me for cancer, and now they say I have an infection. It's one thing after another!

Fun Facts

This saying may have been inspired by the fact that Haiti has a mountainous terrain.

Those who live in remote parts of Haiti are well accustomed to seeing or treking numerous mountains -- one after another.

Having realized life itself mirrors this reality, the people developed the saying dèyè mòn gen mòn over time.

Difference Between Haitian Creole and French

Beginner Lessons

Haitian Creole and French are not the same.

Haitian Creole and French are different languages despite their similarities.

Why Many People Think They're the Same

1. Because they are similar. The vast majority of Haitian Creole vocabulary originated from French (over 80 percent). If you know some French, you will likely recognize several French words when you hear someone speaking Haitian Creole.

2. Some Haitians speak French. Some native Haitians speak French fluently. In fact, some may even prefer to read and write in French.

3. Many Haitians are educated in French. While Haitian Creole literature is becoming more common in Haiti, many textbooks and other academic materials are still only available in French. In fact, some renowned schools require students to speak French only.

Because of the factors above, many people wrongly conclude that Creole and French are the same language — so you would be forgiven if you concluded that as well. But, both languages, in spite of their similarities, are fundamentally different. Let's find out more how!

Why They Are NOT the Same

Despite their strikingly common vocabulary, Haitian Creole and French have different pronunciation, verb usage patterns and origins.

1. Different Pronunciation and Spelling. Haitian Creole is strictly phonetic, with no silent letters. Yes, every letter is pronounced in Haitian Creole. In French, some letters are silent. As such, some may initially experience greater difficulty when learning to pronounce words and phrases in French.

2. Different Verb Usage. In Haitian Creole, verbs stay the same regardless of the person or object you are referring to. French, on the other hand, has more complex verbs that can significally change in spelling and pronunciation depending on who or what you are referring to.

3. Different Origins. French primarily came from latin, gallic and frankish languages in Europe. Haitian Creole, on the other hand, didn't just come from French, but also from west African languages — and to a leser extent — the language of the taino indigenous people who inhabited Hispaniola.

These differences in orgins are a major reason why Haitian Creole and French sound different from each other.

Don't Assume French and Haitian People Understand Each Other

The differences mentioned above are so significant that someone who natively speaks French may not understand someone speaking Haitian Creole. Likewise, someone who natively speaks Haitian Creole may not understand someone speaking French.

This is why Haitians who need language assistance are often provided a Haitian Creole interpreter in professional settings.

The point is this: Haitian Creole and French are indeed similar. But, Haitian Creole is not simplified French nor is it just French spoken with a different accent. It is a distinct language with its own identity.

Tèt Chaje Definition

Tèt chaje !

Haitian Creole Expressions

Meaning

Use this expression when you are reacting to or describing something that is shocking, overwehelming or just too much to bear in mind.

Literal Meaning: Head full!

Example 1 - React

Tèt chaje! Ou depanse tout kòb sa a nan sirèt?

No way! You spent all this money on candy?

Example 2 - Describe

Se tèt chaje nèt ki deyò a! M ap rete lakay pito.

It's total craziness that's out there! I am staying home instead.

Does Tèt Chaje Have a Specific Meaning?

No, the saying tèt chaje does not have a specific meaning.

You can freely choose what you want it to mean depending on what you are talking about.

For example, as a reaction, it can mean, Unreal! Oh no! No way! Oh my word! It's up to you to decide.

As a description, it can mean perplexed, stressed, overwhelmed, craziness, appalling, etc. Again, it's up to you decide.

"Men Anpil Chay Pa Lou" Explained

Men anpil chay pa lou

Haitian Creole Sayings

Meaning

A way of saying work is easier when people work together.

It corresponds to the English saying, many hands make light work.

Translation: Many hands make light work !

Literal Meaning: Hands many load not heavy !

Example 1

Mwen bezwen yon gwoup moun ki ka ede m netwaye izin sa a. Dayè, Men anpil chay pa lou!

I need a group of people who can help me clean this factory. After all, Many hands make light work!

Example 2

Omwen yon moun dwe ede m. Men anpil chay pa lou pa vre?

At least one person should help me. Many hands make light work Right?

Fun Facts

The saying Men anpil chay pa lou doesn't only mean working together to carry a heavy object.

As shown in the examples above, you can use it any time to make the point that a job is done more effectively when there is teamwork.

Thus, consider using this saying when you are working on a project with someone who speaks Haitian Creole.

"Maladi kache pa gen remèd" Explained

Maladi kache pa gen remèd

Haitian Creole Sayings

Meaning

It means there's no cure for someone who hides his or her illness from everyone.

It stresses the dangers of keeping an illness secret instead of consulting others and seeking treatment.

Translation: A hidden sickness does not have a cure!

Literal Meaning: Sickeness hidden does not have cure!

Example 1

Apa w ou pa t janm di doktè a ou gen kansè? Maladi kache pa gen remèd!

Unbelievable! You never told the doctor you have cancer? There's no cure for a hidden disease!

Example 2

Cheri, ou te sipoze fè m konnen ou pa santi w byen. Maladi kache pa gen remèd. Ou pa ka refè poukont ou.

Honey, you were supposed to tell me you were not feeling well. A hidden disease has no cure. You can't get well on your own.

Fun Facts

You can also use this saying for someone who keeps secret a mental illness, troubled conscience or a negative trait.

Therefore, this expression is not limited to just physical illnesses.

W ap Konn Jòj Explained

W ap konn Jòj !

Haitian Creole Sayings

Meaning

A frank way of saying someone will find out the hard way.

Literal Meaning: You will know Georges!

Example 1

Ou pa panse polis la ap ba w tikè si w fè vitès? W ap konn Jòj !

You don't think the police will give you a ticket for speeding? You will find out for yourself !

Example 2

Li te ale kont rekòmandasyon doktè a. Ebyen, l ap konn Jòj !

She went against the doctor's recommendations. Well, she will find out soon enough what will happen !

Fun Facts

There are several ideas about where this saying came from. One of them is that it is based on a wicked chieftain named Georges who resided in Port-au-Prince, the capital of Haiti.

Someone who behaved badly would therefore find out the hard way what Georges had in store for him.

Another supposed origin is based on Hurricane Georges that struck Haiti in 1998. Those who poorly prepared for the storm would find out the hard way.

Hence, because of such events and characters based on the name Georges, the saying w ap konn Jòj" developed overtime.