Learn to Speak Creole

Creole Resources

Ann Pale Kreyol: An Introductory Course in Haitian Creole Albert Valdman, Renote Rosemond, and Pierre-Henri Philippe, Ann pale kreyòl (Let’s Speak Creole), Revised Edition, Indiana University, 2006. ISBN 0-929236-05-X.
Haitian Creole for Health Care: Keryolayisyen Pou Swen Sante Marc Prou and Mel Schorin, Kreyòl ayisyen pou swen sante (Haitian Creole for Health Care), Educa Vision, Inc., 2007. ISBN 978-1-58432-432-4.
Oxford Picture Dictionary English-Haitian Creole Jayme Adelson-Goldstein and Norma Shapiro, Oxford Picture Dictionary (English/Haitian Creole, Angle/Kreyòl ayisyen), Second Edition, Oxford University Press, 2009. ISBN 978-0-19-474014-2.

Kèk fraz esansyèl an kreyòl / A few essential phrases in Creole

Bonjou / Hello, good morning (avan midi / before noon).
Bonswa / Hello, good afternoon, good evening (apre midi, aswè / after noon, evenings).
Pwovèb yo / Proverbs: “Bonjou” louvri pòt la / “Bonjou” opens the door. “Bonjou” se paspò m / “Bonjou” is my passport.
Li empòtan wè Jezikri nan je lòt moun / It’s important to see Christ in the other person’s eyes.

Mesye / sir. Madam / ma’am. Pitit / child, little one. Timoun / child or children. Ti / teenager. Etidyan / student. Tout moun / everybody, all y’all.

Kesyon / Questions:

Sa k pase? / How’re ya doing’? (Mwens fòmèl / less formal).
Kouman ou ye? Ki jan ou ye? / How are you? (Pi fòmèl / More formal).
Ban m nouvèl ou / Tell me about yourself (in detail). Epi fanmi ou? / And your family?

Repons / Responses:

Mwen O.K.! / I’m O.K.! Mèsi. E ou menm? / Thank you. And you?
M ap boule! / I’m doing well! (Literally, “I’m on fire!”) Used in response to “Sa k pase?”
Mwen pa pi mal / I’m not too bad. M ap kenbe / I’m hanging in there.
Mwen kontan wè ou / I’m happy to see you.

Kesyon yo / questions:

Koumen ou rele? Ki jan ou rele? / What is your name? Ki jan li rele? / What is his/her name? Ki jan yo rele? / What are their names?
Ki bò nou ye? / Where are you from?
Ki kote ou te fèt? / Where were you born?
Konbyen frè ak sè ou genyen? / How many brothers and sisters do you have?
Ou gen timoun? (manman, papa, matant, tonton, granparan?) / Do you have any children? (mother, father, aunt, uncle, grandparent?).
Ki sa kè kontan nan kominote ou ? Epi defi yo? / What are the joys of your community? And the challenges?

Repons:

Mwen rele Pòl / My name is Paul. Li rele Reveran Jenny / She’s Mother Jenny. Yo rele / Their names are Carol, Libby, Paulette, Ana, Debbi, Jen, ak Peter.
Nou soti nan Virginia / We’re from Virginia.
Mwen te fèt nan California / I was born in California. E ou menm?
Mwen gen de frè ak yon sè / I have two brothers and one sister.

Wi / yes. Non / no. Mèsi / Thank you. Mèsi anpil / Thanks very much. Eskize mwen (Eskize m) / Excuse me. Pa jodi a, mèsi / Not today, thanks.