Before 1804, Haiti was a French colony. That is why the common people speak Kreyol, which probably came from an Africanized version of French, but many people have received an education in standard French as well. Printed material and signs can be in either language.The following list will follow this order: English. Kreyol. French
Good morning. Bon Maten. Bonjour
Good evening. Bon aswe. Bon Soir
Goodbye. Orevwa. Au revoir
Thank you. Mèsi. Merci
No, thank you. Pa gen mèsi. Non, merci
Please. Tanpri. S’il vous plait
My name is– Non mwen se— Mon nom est—-
I am from the US. Mwen sòti nan Etazini. Je suis des États-Unis
I live in California. Mwen ap viv nan Kalifòni. Je vis en Californie
Nice to meet you. Bel rankontre. Enchanté
I don’t understand. Mwen pa konprann. Je ne comprends pas
Please speak slowly. Tanpri, pale tou Dousman. S’il vous plait parler lentement
Yes / No. Wi / Pa gen. Oui / Non
That’s good / OK. Sa a bon. C’est bien
I agree. Mwen dakò. Je suis d’accord
That’s right. Ki bon. C’est ça
I am sorry. Mwen dezole. Je suis désolé
Pardon me. Padonnen m ‘. Excusez-moi
I am hungry. Mwen grangou. J’ai faim
I am thirsty. Mwen swaf. J’ai soif
That is delicious. Sa se bon gou. C’est délicieux
I am tired. Mwen fatige. Je suis fatigué
What is that? Ki sa? Qu’est-ce que c’est?
How much is it? Konbyen li ye? Combien ça coute?
What time is it? Ki lè li ye? Quelle heure est-il?
When should we be ready? Lè pou nou ka pare? Quand devrions-nous prêts?
Where is the bathroom? Kote twalet la? Où sont les toilettes?
I am a Christian. Mwen se yon kretyen. Je suis un chretien
We must be at the airport at seven. Nou dwe nan èpòt la nan sèt. Nous devons être à l’aéroport à sept.
And don’t forget these words: one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten. Kreyol: youn, de, twa, kat, senk, sis, set, ywit, nef, dis. French: une, deux, trois, quatre, cinq, six, sept, huit, neuf, dix. Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday. Kreyol: Dimanch, Lendi, Madi, Mekredi, Jedi, Vandredi, Samdi. French: Dimanche, Lundi, Mardi, Mercredi, Jeudi, Vendredi, Samedi.
These are some phrases I have found to be helpful in doing ministry in Haiti. I hope they will come in handy for anyone traveling there or working with Haitians in other places.
Michael Bogart.
