Aug 13, 2010
Extract from upcoming book, "Learn Haitian Creole in One Week!." Extracto del Nuevo Libro de Creole, "Aprendan El Criollo Haitiano Dentro de Una Semana!"
Tense Markers and Haitian Creole Verbs -
Ap + Verb = Verb + ING form
Mwen ap / m-ap Vini – I am coming / Vengo – Estoy viniendo
Mwen ap / M-ap pale – I am speaking / Hablo – Estoy hablando
N-ap dòmi – We are sleeping – Dormimos / estamos dormiendo
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Fèk translates “to have just.” Sòt translates “to have just.” Haitians often combine the two as in “Fèk sòt.” Eso traduce “Acabar de + verbo.
Pa Egzanp: M fèk sòt manje. M pa grangou ankò – I have just eaten. I am no longer hungry – Acabo de comer. Ya no tengo hambre.
Pral - translates near or definite future. Example: M pral lakay - I am going home
Va, a - translates the future - Si-m gen tan, m-a vini - If I have time, I will come. Si-m gen lajan, m va achte yon kay - If I have money, I will buy a home.
Te (t- in front of vowels) translates the simple past. Traduce el pasado, el pretérito.
Pa Egzanp: M t-al lavil – I went to town. Fui a la ciudad; M te vle di ou – I wanted to tell you. Querria decirle.
Ta translates the conditional tense: M ta manje si-m te grangou – Comeria si tuviera hambre.
Li ta chante si-l te gen yon bèl vwa – She would sing if she had a beautiful voice. – Cantaria si tuviera una voz bonita.
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Fòk + Subject + Verb = Subject + Must + Verb (English) / Tener que (Spanish)
Fòk nou di laverite – We must tell the truth – Tenemos que decir la verdad
Fòk ou vini nan fèt la – You must come to the party – Tiene que venir a la fiesta
Men – Hands – Las Manos. It also translates Here is/Here are. Egzanp: Men manje. Manje. Here is food. Eat! Aqui está la comida. Coma!
Men Jan! Li gen lajan nan men li. Here is John. He has Money in his hands. Aqui esta Juan. Tiene plata en sus manos.
Gen / Genyen – To have / Tener
Gen Lè – It seems / It appears – Parece
Se pa lapenn – It is not worth the trouble – No vale la pena
Pase nan betiz – To tease / Embromar, molestar
Pa Egzanp: Pa pase-m nan betiz (Pa betize avèk mwen) – Do not tease me / No me moleste , no me embrome!