Help and emergencies in Haitian Creole
The words you hope to never need. 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
- Sekou!seh-KOO
- Help!
- Rele yon doktèruh-LEH yon dock-TEH
- Call a doctor
- Polisyepo-lee-SYE
- Police
- Famasifah-mah-SEE
- Pharmacy
- Lopitallo-pee-TAL
- Hospital
- Mwen pèdimwen peh-DEE
- I'm lost
- M pa santi m byenm pah sahn-TEE m BYAN
- I don't feel well
- Yo te vòlè lyoh teh vol-EH l
- It was stolen
- Se yon ijansseh yon ee-ZHAHNS
- It's an emergency
- Kite m anpèKEE-teh m ahn-PEH
- Leave me alone
A genuine cry for help. Also used: "Ede m!" (Eh-deh m!), help me. Either works; Haitians respond to cries for assistance.
Rele means call. Doktè is doctor. Medical care is spotty outside Port-au-Prince; preventive medicine and travel insurance are wise.
Emergency number is 114. Police presence is heavy in Port-au-Prince, light elsewhere. Haitians often advise avoiding police if possible due to corruption concerns.
Pharmacies in cities are well-stocked with medications. Many drugs available without prescription. Look for the green cross. Pharmacists can advise on minor ailments.
Public hospitals are poorly resourced; private clinics are better if you can pay. Travel insurance is important for visitors. Medical evacuation insurance is also wise.
Literally "I am lost".
Literally "I don't feel myself well".
Vòlè means steal. Yo is the passive marker. Theft happens; keep valuables secure and do not flash money or phones.
Literally "leave me in peace".