Getting around in Haitian Creole
Left, right, the station, one ticket, where is the toilet. 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
- Kote twalèt la?KOH-teh twah-LET lah
- Where is the toilet?
- Kijan pou m ale...?kee-ZHAN poo m ah-LEH
- How do I get to...?
- Sou bò gochsoo boh GOHSH
- To the left
- Sou bò dwatsoo boh DWAT
- To the right
- Tou dwattoo DWAT
- Straight ahead
- Isitee-SIT
- Here
- Estasyon trenes-tah-SYOHN tren
- Train station
- Otobisoh-toh-BEES
- Bus
- Ayewopòah-yeh-woh-POH
- Airport
- Yon tike, soupleyon TEE-keh, SOO-pleh
- One ticket, please
Twalèt is toilet. Some places may say "pipi" informally. Always ask; public facilities are rare, and restaurant restrooms require being a customer.
Literally "on the left side".
Literally "all straight".
Isit la means right here with added emphasis. Pointing is the silent partner to verbal directions in Haiti.
Haiti has no working passenger railway; long trips go by bus or tap-tap from the gare, the bus station.
Minibuses and tap-taps are the main public transport. Crowded, colorfully decorated, and an essential Haitian experience. Flag one down; the fare depends on distance.
You board vehicles and pay once seated. No ticket booths; the conductor collects fares. Pocket change is essential.