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"Anba Anba" - Haitian Creole Expression Explained

A woman hiding a secret.

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Anba anba

Haitian Creole Expressions

Meaning

Doing something secretly, often in a sly or sneaky way.

It usually has a negative connotation.

Translation: Secretly, sneakily, or on the sly


Literal Meaning: Under, under / Below, below


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 secretly went partying with his friends.

Example 2


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


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

Fun Facts


The word anba by itself means under or below.

However, when it is repeated in the expression anba anba, it describes something being done secretly, slyly, or on the side.

People commonly use it when someone is trying to keep an action hidden from others.

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