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Haitian Creole Word Order Practice Lesson

Haitian Creole Word Order Practice

Haitian Creole Word Order Practice

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Practice Lesson Parts Day Creole

Haitian Creole: Parts of the Day Practice

Haitian Creole: Parts of the Day Practice

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Haitian Creole Word Order Explained

Intermediate Lessons

What You Will Learn

1. Word order of indefinite articles (a or an)

2. Word order of definite articles (the)

3. Word order of possessive pronouns (my, your,etc.)

4. Word order of adjectives (nice, good, bad, etc.)

Practice Now

Word Order of Indefinite Articles

  • 1. Like English, the Creole indefinite yon article always come before a word.
  • 2. The Haitian Creole indefinite article yon means a or an.
The Haitain Creole indefinite article yon always come before a word. Its order is the same as the English indefinite articles a or an.
The indefinite article always come before a word in Haitian Creole.

Examples

1. I need a box of candy.

Mwen vle yon bwat sirèt.

2. He is a good friend.

Li se yon bon zanmi.

Word Order of Definite Articles

  • 1. Unlike English, the definite article always comes after a word in Haitian Creole.
  • 2. Haitian Creole have five words for definite article the.
  • 3. They are a, la, an, lan, and nan. Yo is used for plural words.
Haitian Creole has five words for the definite article. They always come after a word.
The definite article always come after a word in Haitian Creole.

Examples

1. I need the box of candy.

Mwen vle bwat sirèt la.

2. He is the good friend.

Li se bon zanmi an.

Word Order of Possessive Pronouns

  • 1. Unlike English, pronouns that show ownership always come after a word.
  • 2. The Haitian Creole possessive pronouns are mwen, nou, ou, li and yo.
Haitian Creole possessive pronouns always appear after a word.
Possessive pronouns always come after a word in Haitian Creole.

Examples

1. I need my box of candy.

Mwen vle bwat sirèt mwen.

2. He is my good friend.

Li se bon zanmi mwen.

Word Order of Adjectives - Tricky At First

  • 1. An adjective can come before or after a word depending on the situation.
  • 2. But, in most situations, adjectives usually come after a word in Haitian Creole.
  • 3. The image below shows some adjecives that often come before a word in Haitian Creole.
Some Haitian Creole adjectives like bèl, ti, ti kras and ti kalk can come before a word.
Some adjectives come before a word in Haitian Creole.

Before the Noun Examples

1. She is a beautiful woman.

Li se yon bèl fi.

2. You have a big house.

Ou gen yon gwo kay.

After the Noun Examples

1. No, the product will make me have ugly hair.

Non, pwodui a ap fè mwen gen cheve lèd.

2. You have really long hair.

Ou vrèman gen cheve long.

Most Creole adjectives after a nound. Some like bèl, gwo, plizyè come before a noun.
Haitian Creole adjectives usually (not always) come after a word.

Be Patient

It will take time to get used to the word order in Haitian Creole -- particularly the word order of adjectives.

Start by remembering the adjectives that usually come before a noun. The rest will be much easier, because they usually come after a noun.

Pèdi Ni Sak Ni Krab - Meaning and Definition

A crab escaping a sack by cutting through it with its claws.

Pèdi ni sak ni krab

Haitian Creole Expressions

Meaning

Losing everything by doing something counterproductive.

Translation: Counterproductive, doing more harm than good, losing everything.

Literal Meaning: Losing the sack and the crab.

Example 1

Tanpri di Ti Jo pou l pa kite travay li a toutotan li poko jwenn yon lòt. Si non, l ap pèdi ni sak ni krab wi.

Please tell Lil Jo to not leave his job until he finds another one. If not he will lose everything

Example 2

Tande! Pa okipe mesye sa yo tande! Pa envesti kòb ou nan magouy sa a. W ap pèdi ni sak ni krab.

Listen! Don't listen to these guys! Don't invest your money on this scam. You will lose everything.

Fun Facts

In Haiti people in rural areas at times collect crabs in rivers, under rocks and so on to make delicious meals.

Now if one was not careful, he or she might put crabs inside a sack without any extra layers to prevent the crabs from cutting through.

Therefore, the crabs would then cut through the sack with their sharp claws, causing the person to lose the sack, the crabs, and the hope of a delicious meal!

This is why the lesson of this proverb is to losing everything or doing more harm than good by not doing that is counterproductive.

How to Count Money in Haitian Creole

Intermediate Lessons

What You Will Learn

1. How to say common financial terms

2. How Money Works in Haitian Creole

3. How to Convert 'Haitian Dollars' to Haitian Gourdes

4. Why Haitians Say 'Haitian Dollars' (Dola Ayisyen) When It's Not Real Money

How to Say Money-related Terms in Haitian Creole

  • The Haitian Creole word for money is lajan or kòb.
Some common finance words in Haitian Creole are Lajan / Kòb - Money, Monnen - Change, Pyès Monnen - Coin, Santim - Cent, Kanè Bank - Bank Account, Prete - Borrow, Lwaye - Rent, Fè Ekonomi - To save money, Relve Bank - Bank Statement, Kat Kredi / Debi - Credit / Debit Card, Envesti - To invest, Taks - Taxes
Common financial terms in Haitian Creole

These Terms Are Useful If...

1. If you work with Haitians, especially customer service.

2. If you frequently visit Haiti and you are in situations that require you to buy thingss.

3. If you are a Haitian Creole interpreter having to interpret for Haitians in behalf of financial institutions.

How Money Works in Haitian Creole

  • 1. Say the number amount of money and then say goud at the end. (see examples at the bottom part of the next image below)
  • 2. Cents are not used for Haitian gourdes and Haitian dollars.

    • Haitian gourdes rarely use cents because of inflation, and Haitian dollars don't have cents at all because it's a concept, not real money.

The official currency of Haiti is the Haitian gourde. It is pronounced liked the English word good. The Haitian dollar concept currency. It's not real money. It's often referred to as the dola Ayisyen or simply dola in Creole. The American dollar is commonly used in Haiti.
How money works in Haitian Creole

How to Know if Someone is Talking About Haitian or American Dollars

1. In Haiti, when Haitians say dola, they are usually referring to the Haitian Dollar.

2. In the United States, when Haitians say dola, they are usually referring to the American Dollar.

3. To be specific, Haitians will often say dola Ayisyen or dola Ameriken to make it clear what type of money they are talking about.

Though you will likely know from the context, if you are conversing with Haitians, you can always ask them if they are talking about Haitian or American dollars to avoid cofusion.

How to Convert American Dollars to Haitian Gourdes

  • The Haitian Creole word for money is lajan or kòb.
Five gourdes equal to one Haitian dollar. For example, 25 gourdes equal to five Haitian dollars.
Converting 'Haitian dollars' to Haitian gourdes

Examples

Remember: 1 Haitian dollar = 5 Haitian gourdes.

1. I have 25 gourdes.

Mwen gen 25 goud.

Mwen gen 5 dola Ayisyen.

2. Who has 300 gourdes?

Kiyès ki gen 300 goud?

Kiyès ki gen 60 dola Ayisyen?

*3. This costs $300.25 USD

Sa a koute 300 dola Ameriken e vennsenk santim

*Note on example 3: The value of American dollars to gourdes was not converted to Haitian dollars because the exchange rate is always changing since the economy itself is always changing

For example, one moment one US dollar could equal to 130 Haitian gourdes, and then could change shortly thereafter.

But, one Haitian dollar always equals to five Haitian gourdes regardless of the exchange rate of the American dollar to Haitian Gourdes, which is why the values were converted in examples 1 and 2.

Why Do Haitians Say Haitian Dollars When It's Not Real Money?

It's a habit for to Haitians say 'dola Ayisyen' because for a long time five gourdes used to equal to one American dollar.

1. This started during the period of American intervention in Haiti from 1915-1934. It became official by 1919

2. To make trading easier, the gourde was pegged to the US dollar, with five gourdes equalling one US dollar.

3. This exchange rate from the peg remained in place until 1989.

4. By the time this system had ended, this exchange rate had become a habit in everyday language

*5. Even though the US dollar is now worth far more gourdes, five gourdes is still be widely seen as one 'dollar' because of habit.

*Note: Of course, that 'dollar' is not a real US dollar. It reflects how things used to be for many years in the past. This is why another name for this concept is the Haitian dollar or dola Ayisyen

References

1. Office of the Historian. United States Department of State.U.S. Invasion and Occupation of Haiti, 1915–34.

2. World Bank.Haiti: Policy Proposals for Growth.

How Use the Haitian Creole Word "Menm"

Advanced Lesson

What You Will Learn

You will learn six different ways of using the Haitian Creole word menm:

1. To say that something is the same

2. To say even (e.g. even in the summer it can get cold).

3. To say even if.

4. To emphasize personal pronouns.

5. To add emphasis to a question.

6. To use as the negative intensifier at all for when something is not done or not true (e.g. No food at all.)

1. Using 'Menm' to Say Something is the Same

  • Say menm in situations where you would normally say something is the same in English.
The Haitian Creole word menm can mean that something is the same.

Examples

1. He has the same smile as his dad.

Li gen menm souri ak papa l.

2.They go to the same school.

Yo ale nan menm lekòl.

2. Using 'Menm' to Say 'Even'

  • Say menm in situations where you would normally say even in situations that are unexpected or surprising.
The Haitian Creole word menm can mean the same as the English word even to show contrast.

Examples

1. Even in December it can get hot in some places in Haiti.

Menm nan mwa Desanm li konn fè cho kèk kote ann Ayiti.

2. Even when Recarddo studies, school was still hard for him.

Menm lè Ricard etidye, lekòl te toujou difisil pou li.

3. Using 'Menm' to Say 'Even If' or 'Even Though'

  • 1. Say menmsi in situations where you would normally say even if in English.
  • 2. The Creole word si can mean if.
The Haitian Creole word menm can mean the same as the English word even if or even though.

Examples

1. Even though it's hot in Haiti, there is good breeze.

Menmsi li fè cho ann Ayiyi, gen bon ti van.

2. Even though school is difficult for Ricardo, he will succeed because he perseveres.

Menmsi lekòl difisil pou Ricardo, l ap reyisi paske li pèsevere.

4. Using 'Menm' to Emphasize Pronouns

  • 1. Say menm to emphasize personal pronouns
  • 2. Personal pronouns are Creole words like mwen, ou, nou, li and yo.
  • 3. You can also say the word menm twice to stress the pronouns more to drive the point home.

Examples

1. He himself is always eating

Li menm ki toujou ap manje.

  • Note: Repeat the word menm to add even more emphasis.

2. He HIMSELF is always eating.

Li menm menm toujou ap manje.

5. Using 'Menm' to Emphasize a Question

  • 1. Say menm at the end of a question to add more emphasis.
You can say menm at the end of a question to add more emphasis about what you are asking about.
*Note: Menm does not necessarily mean really. You can simply use it at the end of a question for more emphasis.

Examples

1. How are you, really?

Kòman w yemenm?

2. How many people came, really?

Konbyen moun ki te vini menm?

6. Using 'Menm' to Say 'At All'

  • Use menm to say at all to stress something can't be done or is not true.
You can say menm at the end of a sentence in Creole in situations you would normally say at all in English.

Examples

1. He doesn't like peanuts at all!

Li pa renmen pistach menm!

2. We didn't go at all!

Nou pa t ale menm!

Some Things to Keep in Mind

1. The Haitian Creold word menm comes from the French word même. Like Haitian Creole, there are many ways you can use the French word même.

2. Out of all the ways to use menm, using it to emphasize pronouns will likely be the most challenging. The reason is because you can use it as a way emphasize pronouns in general, not just to say reflexive pronouns. Another one of our lessons will go deeper as to how to use menm to emphasize pronouns.

Sak Pase Nap Boule - Meaning and Definition

A woman waving her hand to say hi. That would be in a situation to say sa k pase in Haitian Creole. Sa k pase is a way of saying what's up to someone in Haitian Creole.

Kohanova/Envato Elements

Sa k pase, n ap boule

Haitian Creole Expressions

Meaning

1. Sa k pase means what's up? or what's happening? It is an informal way of asking someone how he or she is doing in Haitian Creole.

2. N ap boule is a response that means I am doing well or I am hanging in there. It is an informal way of responding to someone asking how you are doing in Haitian Creole.

It's worth remembering that the expression n ap boule doesn't just mean you are well.

Depending on how you feel, it can also mean that you are hanging in there or you are so-so. It's generally a positive response when someone asks how you are doing.

Translation of sa k pase: What's up? What's happening?

Literal Meaning of sa k pase: What happens?

Translation of n ap boule: We are doing well.

Literal Meaning of n ap boule: We are burning

Example 1 - Sa k Pase

Peterson, sa k pase zanmi pa m?

Peterson, what's up my friend?

Example 2 - N ap boule

N ap boule zanmi m. E ou, sa k pase? ki jan travay la ye?

We're hanging in there my friend. And you, what's up? How's the job?

An Easy Way to Spark a Conversation

Saying sa k pase to someone is a great way to start a conversation with Haitians.

Since it's a casual and friendly manner to ask the person you are talking to how he or she is doing, it's quite possible you will get a positive response.

You can then ask follow-up questions after the person responds. Thus, before you know it, you are engaged in a whole conversation

Zo Granmoun Pa Pran - Meaning and Definition

An old man is reeling from pain and is experiencing difficulty recovering from an injury. This is a situation you could use the saying zo granmoun pa pran.

YuriArcursPeopleimages/Envato Elements

Zo granmoun pa pran

Haitian Creole Proverbs

Meaning

This proverb means the bones of the elderly don't heal or take longer to heal from physical injuries such as falls, bumps, strains, and more.

The real lesson of this saying is for an elderly person to be more careful to avoid physical injury, since the body doesn't heal as quickly.

Translation: The bones of the elderly don't heal.

Literal Meaning: Bones great-people don't take ... [back their form]*

*The term granmoun literally means great-person. But, in Haitian Creole it can mean an adult or an eldery person.

Example 1

Zo granmoun pa pran. M pap monte motosiklèt sa a non.

The bones of the elderly don't heal. I am not getting on this motorcycle.

Example 2

Cheri, tanpri pa al jwe foutbòl ak ti gason yo deyò a tande? Ou konnen zo granmoun pa pran!

Honey, please don't go play soccer with the little boys outside you hear? You know an old man's bones don't heal.

Fun Facts

While this proverb is specifically referring to bones, you can use it to refer to several kinds of physical injuries the elderly can incur.

Overall, you can use this saying to warn someone of old age to be more carful when doing physical actitivies.

You can also it to show it generally takes an old person's body longer to recover from intense activity.

How to Say I love You in Haitian Creole

Beginner Lessons

What You Will Learn

1. How to say I love you

2. How to say you have fallen in love

3. How to say endearing words like honey, sweetheart and darling

4. Learning when to say lanmou and when to say renmen

How to Say 'I Love You'

  • In Haitian Creole, I love you is Mwen renmen w.
The Creole translation for I love you is Mwen renmen ou or Mwen renmen w
The Creole word renmen also means to like.

Examples

You can say anpil after mwen renmen w to emphasize your love even more.

1. I love you a lot.

Mwen renmen w anpil.

2. I love her a lot.

Mwen renmen li anpil.

How to Say 'I am in Love With You'

  • 1. The Haitian Creole word for being in love is damou
  • 2. In Haitian Creole, I am in love with you is Mwen damou w.
The Haitian Creole word for being in love is damou.

Examples

You can say anpil after mwen danmou w to emphasize the fact you're in love.

1. I am in love with you a lot.

Mwen damou w anpil.

2. I am in love with him a lot.

Mwen damou li anpil.

How to Say Honey and Sweetie

  • Some Haitian Creole words for honey are sweetie are:
  • 1. Cheri
  • 2. Cheri doudou
  • 3. Doudou
  • 4. Chouchou
  • 5. Kòkòt

Examples

Cheri and doudou are some of the most common words of endearment in Creole.

1. Honey, I love you.

Cheri, mwen renmen w.

2. It's time for you to pickup the kids sweetie.

Li lè pou w al chèche timoun yo doudou.

Difference Between 'Renmen' and 'Lanmou'

  • 1. Renmen and lanmou both can mean love.
  • 2. Renmen is a verb, the act loving someone.
  • 3. Lanmou is a noun, the state of loving someone.
The Haitian Creole word lanmou is a noun, and the Haitian Creole word renmen is verb. But, they both can mean love. Renmen can mean love or like.

Examples

1. Great love for my family is important.

Wrong: Gwo renmen pou fanmi m enpòtan.

Right: Gwo lanmou pou fanmi m enpòtan.

2. I love my family.

Wrong: Mwen lanmou fanmi m.

Right: Mwen renmen fanmi m.

Express Your Love !

Now, it's time to say these expressions to your loved ones. Words of endearment such as cheri and doudou are especially effective.

Of course, just like wouldn't call any anyone sweetie in English, use your good judgment for who you display endearing words in Haitian Creole.

How to Say Thank You and You're Welcome in Haitian Creole

Beginner Lessons

What You Will Learn

1. How to say thank you and you're welcome

2. How to use wi and anpil to show you are even more thankful

How to Say 'Thank You'

  • The Creole word for thanks is mèsi.
The Creole word mèsi means thanks.

Examples

1. Thanks for the food Julie.

Mèsi pou manje a Julie.

2. Tell Rose thanks for the new clothes she bought for me.

Di Rose mèsi pou nouvo rad li te achte pou mwen.

How to Say 'You're Welcome'

  • The Creole meaning for you're welcome is se yon plezi or pa gen pwoblèm

Now, se yon plezi actually means It's a pleasure.

Pa gen pwoblèm actually means No problem.

But, both of them generally mean you're welcome.

In Haitian Creole, you're welcome is se yon plezi or pa gen pwoblèm.

Examples

1. It's a pleasure. I was happy to do that for you.

Se yon plezi. Mwen te kontan fè sa pou ou.

2. No problem! We are happy to help you out.

Pa gen pwoblèm! Nou kontan pou nou ede w.

How to Show Your Thankfulness Even More

  • You can use the word wi or anpil after mèsi to emphasize your thankfulness.

The word wi actually means yes. But, you can also use it at the end of a phrase to show that you really agree with or strongly favor something.

The word anpil simply means a lot. But, you can repeat anpil several times to emphasize your gratitude even more.

Recommended Lesson: Interesting Ways to Use Wi and Non (Yes and No) in Haitian Creole

You can say wi or anpil after mèsi to show that you are even more thankful

Examples

1. Wow! Thanks for the gift Julie.

Mèsi wi pou kado a Julie.

2. Mèsi anpil anpil pou sipò w.

Thanks a lot! for the support.

Some Things to Remember

When showing your appreciation in Haitian Creole, trying saying mèsi wi. Using the word wi along with mèsi makes you sound more like a native speaker.

Of course, be sure to check our lesson on using wi to be even more effective when you are trying to emphasize a point.

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