Yes, no and the essentials in Haitian Creole
The small words that carry half of every conversation, and the ones that rescue it. Play the ten Haitian Creole words against the clock, with a note on how locals really use each one after every answer. All ten are written out below.
All 10 Haitian Creole phrases in this lesson
- Wiwee
- Yes
- Nonnohn
- No
- Dakòdah-KOH
- Okay
- M pa komprannm pah kom-PRAHN
- I don't understand
- Ou pale anglè?oo PAH-leh ahn-GLEH
- Do you speak English?
- Ou ka repete?oo kah reh-peh-TEH
- Can you repeat that?
- Pi dousman, souplepee doos-MAHN, SOO-pleh
- Slowly, please
- Kisa sa a ye?kee-SAH sah ah yeh
- What is this?
- Mwen bezwen...mwen bez-WEN
- I need...
- Ou ka ede m?oo kah eh-DEH m
- Can you help me?
From French oui, spelled the Creole way.
Also from French. Softened refusal: "non, mèsi" (non, thanks). Haitians often say non merci politely rather than just non, adding warmth to refusals.
Literally means in agreement. Used constantly. "Wi, dakò" (yes, okay) is how things get confirmed. Also used: "D'akò" or just "Dakò, dakò" for emphasis.
Komprann means understand. Very useful; many Haitians will then speak to you more slowly or in simpler words. Young people often know some English.
Ou is you, pale means speak, anglè is English. English is becoming more common in cities among younger Haitians, less so in rural areas.
Literally "more gently, please".
"Mwen bezwen yon doktè", I need a doctor.