Grammar: Asking "Wh" questions with the verb To Be

Asking who, what, where, when and how questions with the verb To Be:

What - Ki sa + Subject + ye

Who - Ki moun + Subject + ye

Who - Kilès + Subject + ye

Where - Ki kote + Subject + ye

When - Ki lè + Subject + ye

How - Kòman + Subject + ye

How much - Kombyen + subject + ye

*How many - Kombyen + subject + ki + inquiring sentence

*How come - Kòman fè + inquiring sentence

*Why - Pouki sa + inquiring sentence

*Why - Pouki + inquiring sentence


Example:

1. Who are you? Ki lès ou ye? Or Ki moun ou ye?

2. What is this? Ki sa sa-a ye?

3. When is the party? Ki lè fèt la ye?

4. How is the food? Kòman manje a ye?

5. Where is the river? Kote rivyè - a ye? or Ki kote rivyè-a ye?

6. Why is she angry? Pouki sa li fache?

7. How come you are happy? Kòman fè ou kontan?

8. How come she is still here? Kòman fè li la toujou?

9. How much are these apples? Kombyen pòm sa yo ye?

10. How many people are there? Kombyen moun ki la?
_________________________________________

Let’s review. Translate the following sentences.

1. Who is this lady?

2. What is this thing?

3. When is the flight?

4. Where is the ball?

5. How are you?

Find answer key at the bottom of this page.



 1.kilès madanm sa ye?    2.Kisa bagay sa ye?    3.Kilè vòl la ye?    4.Ki kote boul la ye?    5.Kòman ou ye? or Kijan ou ye?

Grammar: Asking "wh" Questions with other verbs

Asking who, what, where, when and how questions with other verbs.

What - Ki sa + Inquiring sentence

Who - Ki moun ki + Inquiring sentence

Who - Kilès ki + Inquiring sentence

Where - Ki kote + Inquiring sentence

Where - Kote + Inquiring sentence

When - Ki lè + Inquiring sentence

How - Kòman / Ki jan + Inquiring sentence

Why - Poukisa + inquiring sentence

Why - Pouki + inquiring sentence

How - Ki jan + inquiring sentence

How come - Kòman fè + inquiring sentence

How much - Kombyen + noun + inquiring sentence

How many - Kombyen + noun + inquiring sentence



Example:

1. What will we eat tonight? - Ki sa nou pral manje aswè-a?

2. What do you want? - Ki sa ou vle?

3. What can we do? - Ki sa nou kab fè?

4. Who wrote the letter? - Kilès ki ekri lèt la?

5. Why do you sing? - Poukisa ou chante?

6. How do open a coconut? -  Kijan ou ouvè yon kokoye?

7. where do live? -  kote ou abite?

8. Who gave you that book? - Kilès ki ba ou liv sa?

__________________________________________________

1. Let’s go to the theater. What do you say?

2. Who ate my oranges?

3. What did you do in class today?

4. How did you make that dress?

5. Where did you see her?

Find answer key at the bottom of this page.



1.An nou ale nan teyat la, kisa ou di?    2. Kilès ki te manje zoranj mwen yo?    3.Kisa ou te fè nan klas jodi-a?    4.Kòman ou te fè rad sa-a? or Kijan ou te fè rad sa-a?    5.Ki kote ou te wè li?

Grammar: Asking Yes and No Questions

To ask a Yes or No question, we write "Eske" in front of the sentence.

I am happy. Mwen kontan.
Am I happy? Eske mwen kontan?

She is a student. Li se yon elèv.
Is she a student? Eske li se yon elèv?

You eat quickly - ou manje vit
Do you eat quickly? - Eske ou manje vit?

________________________________________________
Let’s review. Translate the following sentences.

1. The babies were crying.

2. Were the babies crying?

3. He gave me a ring.

4. Did he give me a ring?

5. They speak Creole.

6. Do they speak Creole?

Find answer key at the bottom of this page.



1. Ti bebe yo tap kriye    2.eske ti bebe yo tap kriye?    3.li te ban m yon bag   4.eske li te ban m yon bag?    5.yo pale kreyol    6.eske yo pale Kreyol

Grammar: Future Tense and other Verbs

Future Tense and Other Verbs

Future Tense = Subject + Pral + Verb

Or…Future Tense = Subject + Ap + Verb

Contraction: = Subject + P + Verb

(Study the different ways to say something in the future tense)

Examples:

(To go - ale)
1. She will go tomorrow.
(non contracted) - li pral ale demen
(contracted) - li prale demen
(Contracted) - li pral demen


(To see - wè)
2. I will see Joan tomorrow.
(non contracted) Mwen pral wè Joan demen
(contracted)  Mwen ap wè Joan demen
(contracted) M ap wè Joan demen = Map wè Joan demen

(To bring - pote)
3. He will bring the plate.
li pral pote plat la
li ap pote plat la
l ap pote plat la = lap pote plat la

(To be)
4. They will be there.
yo pral la
yo ap la
 yap la

(To sit - chita)
5. We will sit in front.
nou pral chita devan
nou ap chita devan
nap chita devan

____________________________________________
Let’s review. Translate the following sentences.

1. The book will fall.

2. She will tell the story.

3. They will fight.

4. We will have more money.

5. Carline will sit here.

Find answer key at the bottom of this page.



1.liv la pral tonbe    2.li pral rakonte istwa a    3.yo pral batay or yo pral goumen    4.nou pral gen plis lajan    5.Carline pral chita la

Grammar: Future Tense - Verb To Be

The Verb To Be - Future Tense

The future tense of the verb to be is formed by adding pral after the subject.

I will be late. - M pral anreta.

We will be surprised. - Nou pral sezi.

This will be a great day. Sa pral yon gran jou.

She will be a great painter. Li pral yon gran pent.

Those will be ripe. Sa yo pral mi.

That car will be yours. Machin sa pral pa w.

These shoes will be hers. Soulye sa yo pral pa li.
_____________________________________

Let’s review. Translate the following sentences.

1. The oranges will be ripe.

2. That house will be mine.
______________________________________

Negative and Future Tense of the verb To Be = Subject + Pa + Pral

or

Contracted form = Subject + Pap

Example:

Regular form:  M pa pral la. (I will not be here.)
Contracted: M pap l.a (Iwill not be here.)

Regular form: M pa pral nan machin nan. (I will not be in the car.)
Contracted: M pap nan machin nan. (I will not be in the car)

Regular form:  Chantal pa pral chante. (Chantal will not sing)
Contracted: Chantal pap chante. (Chantal will not sing)

Regular form: Zoranj yo pa pral mi. (The oranges will not be ripe)
Contracted: Zoranj yo pap mi.  (The oranges will not be ripe.)

Regular form: Ti Bebe a pap la. (The little baby won't be there)
Contracted: Ti Bebe a pa pral la. (The little baby won't be there)

Regular form: Li pap nan bato a. (She will not be on the boat)
Contracted form: Li pa pral nan nan bato a. (She will not be on the boat.)

Regular form: Tika pap kontan. (Tika will not be happy)
Contracted: Tika pap pral kontan. (Tika will not be happy)
____________________________________________
Let’s practice what we have learned about the verb TO BE so far. Translate the following sentences.

1. I am hungry.

2. I am not hungry.

3. I was hungry.

4. I was not hungry.

5. I will be hungry.

6. I wil not be hungry

7. She is in the crowd

8. She is not in the crowd

9. She was in the crowd

10. She was not in the crowd

11. She will be in the crowd

12. She will not be in the crowd.

Find answer key at the bottom of this page.

1.m grangou    2.m pa grangou    3.m te grangou    4.m pa te grangou    5.m pral grangou    6.m pa pral grangou    7.Li nan foul la    8.li pa nan foul la    9.li te nan foul la    10.li pa te nan foul la    11.li pral nan foul la    12.li pa pral nan foul la

Grammar: Past Tense

Past tense of the verb  TO BE

The past tense of the verb To Be is formed by adding te after the subject.

She was a nurse.  - Li te yon enfimyè.

Jonas was my friend.  - Jonas te zanmi m.

This was a bird.  - Sa te yon zwazo.

It was a book - se te yon liv

It was a sad day - se te yon jou tris

Those were Journalists.  - Sa yo te jounalis.

Jo was a great singer.  - Jo te yon gran chantè.
____________________________________

Part I - Here is a little practice. Translate the following sentences.

1. This food was good.

2. Cedò was a friend.

3. That was an airplane.

4. It was a big day.

5. I was happy.

Find your answer key at the bottom of this page.

_____________________________________

Past tense of OTHER VERBS


Past tense = Subject + Te + Verb

*Sometimes people will omit the “te” and just use the present tense when talking of the past.
Examples:
She fell. - Li te tonbe. (or sometimes, 'li tonbe')

We went - nou te ale

I did it - m te fè li

Monète ran fast - Monète te kouri vit

he knocked at the door - li te frape pòt la
___________________________________________

Part II - Let’s review: Please translate the following.

1. I understood

2. we loved it

3. she spoke well

4. we sat together

5. they ate it

6. She went to Haiti this morning.

7. We gave her a big kiss.

8. They cried.

9. She called us when she arrived.

10. She saw a lot of trees.

Find answer key at the bottom of this page

Part I -1.manje sa te bon    2.Cedò se te yon zanmi    3.sa se te yon avyon     4.se te yon gwo jou    5.m te kontan


Part II - 1.m te konprann    2.nou te renmen l    3.li te pale byen    4.nou te chita ansanm    5.li te manje l    6.Li te ale Ayiti maten an    7.Nou te ba li yon gwo bobo    8.Yo te kriye    9.Li te rele nou lè li te rive    10.Li te wè anpil pye bwa

Grammar: Demonstrative Adjectives: This, That, These, Those

Demonstrative adjectives: This/That .... These/Those occur after the noun.

1. This girl - Ti fi sa

2. This car - Machin sa

3. This book - liv sa

4. That house - Kay sa

5. That table - Tab sa

6. These people - Moun sa yo

7. these clothes - rad sa yo

8. those chairs - chèz sa yo
_______________________________________

Let's practice. Translate the following sentences.

1. These lessons are easy.

2.  This man is my dad.

3.  This book is red.

4. She sings this same song everyday.

5. I take this car. You take that bike.

6. This church is spacious.

7. Those books are mine.

Find answer key at the bottom of this page.



1.leson sa yo fasil    2.mesye sa se papa mwen   3.liv sa wouj   4.li te chante menm chante sa yè    5.map pran machin sa. Ou ap pran bisiklèt sa    6.legliz sa gen anpil espas    7.liv sa yo se pa m

Grammar: Demonstrative pronouns: This is, That is, These are, Those are

Affirmative sentences
This is - Sa se
That is - Sa se
These are - Sa yo se
Those are - Sa yo se

Negative sentences
This is not - Sa se pa
That is not - Sa se pa
These are not - Sa yo se pa
Those are not - Sa yo se pa

Examples:
1. This is my car - Sa se machin mwen.

2. That is a pretty ring. - Sa se yon bèl bag.

3. This is not a good sign. - Sa se pa yon bon siy.

4. These are mine. - Sa yo se pa m.

5. Those are yours. - Sa yo se pa w.

6.  This is a small house. - Sa se yon ti kay.

7.  These are my children. - Sa yo se pitit mwen.

______________________________________________

Let's practice. Please translate the following sentences.

1. This is your book.

2. That is not my house.

3. That is your car.

4. This is ridiculous!

5. That is not a boat.

Find answer key at the bottom of this page.


 1.sa se liv ou a    2.sa se pa kay mwen    3.sa se machin ou     4.Sa se blòf!    5.sa se pa yon bato

Grammar: Adjectives

In Haitian Creole, the verb To Be is omitted when using attributes:
In the Audio/Video Resources section, check out both videos on adjective for more practice.

There's more on adjectives in Exercise 43

Crossword puzzle 13 is also about adjectives.
__________________
In Haitian Creole adjectives usually follow the noun.

1. The red car. --- Machin wouj la.

2. The blue cup. --- Gode ble a.

3. The sad girl. --- Ti fi tris la.

4. I sleep in a clean room. -- Mwen dòmi nan yon chanm pwòp.

5. The students wash the dirty car. -- Elèv yo lave machin sal la.
_______________________________________________________________
Let's Practice! Translate the following sentences.

1. We bring good news today.

2. Put your dirty shoes on the floor.

3. I wear a red shirt today.

4. Chantal is a tall girl

5. The wet shirt.

6. She is a great friend.

7. I've got a lot of joy.

8. This is a wonderful party.

9. We got too much money.

10. This is a closed door.

Find answer key at the bottom of this page



1.nou pote bòn nouvèl jodi-a     2.mete soulye sal ou yo atè a     3.m mete yon chemiz wouj jodi-a 4.chantal se yon ti fi wo     5.chemiz mouye a   6.li se yon bon zanmi    7.m gen anpil jwa    8.sa se yon fèt mèveye    9. nou gen twòp lajan    10.sa se yon pòt fèmen

Grammar: verbs and subjects

Practice Makes Perfect. Please Translate.

1. The dogs bark all night.

2. We have bad news.

3. She cuts the oranges in four pieces.

4. The teacher translates for her.

5. They don't bring their books.

6. My friend doesn't drink coffee, he drinks tea.

7. The children sleep on the bed.

8. Her neighbor doesn't drive a car.

9. She writes in her notebook.

10. Her blouse has many flowers.

11. He cut my fingernails.

12. My sisters stay with me for one week.

13. You don't have any money.

14. She cleans her room daily.

15. They don't sleep on the floor.

Find answer key at the bottom of this page




1.chyen yo jape tout nan nwit     2.nou gen move nouvèl    3.li koupe zoranj yo nan kat moso    4.Pwofesè a tradwi pou li    5.yo pa pote liv yo    6 .zanmi mwen an pa bwè kafe, li bwè te     7.ti moun yo domi sou kabann nan     8.vwazen li a pa kondwi machin     9.li ekri nan kaye li a     10.kòsaj li a gen anpil flè    11.li koupe zong mwen    12.sè mwen yo rete avè mwen pou yon semèn     13.ou pa gen okenn lajan     14.Li netwaye chanm li a chak jou      15.yo pa dòmi a tè a.

Grammar: Negatives - Present Tense

In Haitian Creole, "pa" is used for the negative form.

1. We have two houses - Nou gen de kay.
2. We don't have two houses - Nou pa gen de kay.

3. I shower - m benyen
4. I don't shower - m pa benyen

5. he's tired - li fatige
6. he's not tired - li pa fatige 
___________________________________________________

Let's Practice. - Please Translate.
1. we don't have a car.

2.  Cindy is not happy.

3. Ben doesn't have a pencil.

4. She doesn't have a skirt, she has a dress.

5. I don't need a pen, I need a piece of paper.

6. The mango is not green.

7. I don't understand

8. we don't know you

9. I don't speak Creole

10. they don't eat mangos

Find answer key at the bottom of this page.



1.nou pa gen yon machin    2.Cindy pa kontan    3.Ben pa gen yon kreyon    4.li pa gen yon jip, li gen yon rad    5. m pa bezwen yon plim, m bezwen yon moso papye.    6.mango a pa vèt.   7. m pa konprann   8.nou pa konnen w   9.m pa pale kreyòl   10.yo pa manje mango

Grammar: Possessive Adjectives

httRemember the "Definite article". Most of the time the Haitian Creole Definite Article follows the Possessive Adjectives.

Please review Lesson 9 and memorize the definite articles.

______________________________

The Possessive adjective always follows the noun. And... most of the time a definite article will follow that possessive adjective.

Possessive adjectives:

My - Mwen

Your - Ou

His - Li

Her - Li

Its - Li

Our - Nou

Your - Nou

Their - Yo

________________________________________________________________________

Possessive adjectives followed by singular definite article.

Mwen an

Ou  a

Li a

Nou an

Yo a


Possessive adjectives are followed by plural definite article.

Mwen yo

Ou yo

Li yo

Nou yo

Yo an
____________________________________
Examples

1. my pencil - kreyon mwen or kreyon mwen an
2. her house - kay li or kay li a
3. our child - pitit nou or pitit nou an4. my car is white - Machi-n mwen an blan.
5. my child's name is Kalou - Pitit mwen an rele Kalou.
____________________________________________________________

Shall we practice? Please translate.

1. My name is John.

2. Our bed is too small.

3. His hair is short.

4. Your kids are on the roof of the house.

5. Their book is heavy.

Find answer key at the bottom of this page.



1.non mwen se John    2.kabann nou an twò piti    3.cheve li kout    4.ti moun ou yo sou tèt kay la    5.liv li yo lou.

Learn more about Possessive adjectives at these links:

Possessive adjectives 1

Possessive adjectives 2
Possessive adjectives 3

Possessive adjectives 4

Grammar: Present tense

In Haitian Creole the verbs retain their form always. There's no subject-verb agreement.

______________________
The verb: To go

I go - Mwen ale
You go - Ou ale
He goes - Li ale
She goes- Li ale
It goes - Li ale
We go - Nou ale

You go - Nou ale

They go - Yo ale
______________________


The verb: To sing

I sing - Mwen chante
You sing - Ou chante
He sings - Li chante
She sings - Li chante
It sings - Li chante
We sing - Nou chante

You sing - Nou chante

They sing - Yo chante

_____________________________________________________________

Let's Practice.

(To look for - Chache) 1. The teacher looks for the book.

(To love - Renmen) 2. Manny loves Tata a lot.

(To sit - Chita) 3. The Nurse sits on the chair.

(To go - Ale) 4. They go to the Theatre.

(To eat - Manje) 5. We eat avocados a lot.

(To Agree - Dakò) 6. I agree with you

(To wash - lave) 7. He washes his face

(To fight - batay) 8. We fight all the time.

(To rain - Fè lapli) 9. It rains every day

(Can - Kapab) 10. I can read

Find answer key at the bottom of this page



1.pwofesè a chache liv la    2.Manny renmen Tata anpil    3. Enfimyè a chita sou chèz la     4.Yo ale nan teyat la    5.Nou manje zaboka anpil     6.M dakò ak ou     7. li lave figi li     8.Nou batay tout tan (or) nou goumen tout tan     9.Li fè lapli chak jou     10. M kab li (or) M kapab li (or) M ka li.

Grammar: Object Pronouns / Possessive Pronouns

Object pronouns

Me - Mwen (contracted form: m)

You - You (contracted form: w)

Him/her - Li (contracted form: l)

Us - Nou  (contracted form: n)

You (plural) - Nou (contracted form: n)

Them - Yo

Examples:

1. I love them - mwen renmen yo
2. she understands me - li konprann mwen 
3. we love you - nou renmen w
4. Sierra found it - Sierra te jwenn li
5. the people hated us - pèp la te rayi n
_________________________________________________

Possessive Pronouns

The possessive pronouns: mine, yours, his, hers, ours, theirs are translated as the followings:

Mine - Pa mwen or  contracted form: Pa m

Yours - Pa ou or contracted form: Pa w

His / Hers - Pa li or contracted form: Pa l

Ours - Pa nou or contracted form: Pa n

Yours - Pa nou or contracted form: pa n

Theirs - Pa yo

Examples:

1. This book is mine - Liv sa se pa mwen

2. The house is his - Kay la se pa l.

3. The country is ours - Peyi a se pa n

4.  The money is theirs - lajan an se pa yo

5.  This is yours - Sa se pa w.

6. The babies are mine. - Bebe yo se pa mwen.

7. I love them very much. - Mwen renmen yo anpil.

8. The car is his. - Machi-n nan se pa li.

9. He likes it a lot. - Li renmen l anpil.

10. Give me liberty or death! - Ban m libète ou lanmò!
__________________________________________________________

Let's practice! Translate the following phrases.
1. The chairs are mine. Do not sit on them.

2. The house is mine. My daughter sleeps in it.

3. The shirts are his. He washes them every week.

4. God bless you.

5.  He told me the truth.

6.  He asked me to marry him.

Answer key at the bottom of this page



 1.chèz yo se pa m.Pa chita sou yo    2.kay la se pa-m.Piti fi mwen an dòmi ladan l    3.chemiz yo se pa-l.Li lave yo chak semèn.    4.Bondye beni w    5.Li di m la verite     6.li mande m maryaj

Grammar: Review

Please translate the following sentences.

1. Nènè is thirty years old.

2. The cars are red.

3. The shirts are ready.

4. I hear a bird.

5. You see a little boy.

6. The books have three pages.

7. The theater has no chairs.

8. The beds are huge.

9. The houses are small.

10. Resilia has red hair.

11. The lessons are easy.

12. It is a bird.

13. You are a baby.

14. She has a baby.

15. Ti Roro gives me a house.

16. The nurses are Americans.

17. The teachers have three books.

18. The girls have two luggage.

19. The cans are small.

20. The houses fall.

Find answer key at the bottom of this page



1.Nènè gen tran tan    2.Machin yo wouj    3. Mayo yo prè    4.M tande yon zwazo    5. Ou wè yon ti gason    6. Liv yo gen twa paj    7. Teyat la pa gen chèz    8. Kabann yo laj    9. Kay yo piti    10. Resilia gen cheve wouj    11. Leson yo fasil    12.Se yon zwazo    13.Ou se yon bebe    14.Li gen yon bebe    15.Ti Roro ban mwen yon kay    16.Enfimyè yo se Ameriken    17.Pwofesè yo gen twa liv   18.Ti fi yo gen de malèt    19.Mamit yo piti    20.kay yo tonbe.

Grammar: Singular and Plural nouns

Singular or Plural does not affect nouns in Haitian Creole.
The nouns remain the same.

1. Yon kay - One house

2. Twa kay - Three houses

3. yon kabann - a bed

4. senk kabann - five beds
_______________________________

Let's Practice. Please translate.

1. The girls are ready.

2. The girl is happy.

3. The shoes are red.

4. The cup is small.

5. They need five rooms.

Find answer key at the bottom of this page.



1.ti fi yo prè    2.ti fi a kontan    3.soulye yo wouj     4.tas la piti    5.yo bezwen senk chanm.

Grammar: Indefinite Article

The indefinte articles Yon or On always precede the noun.

You may use YON or ON interchangeably.

1. Yon gason - A man

2. On gason - A man

________________________________

Let's Practice.  Translate the following.

1. This is a car.

2. She has a house.

3. A cup

4. A table

5. I have a baby

Find answer key at the bottom of this page



1.sa se yon machin    2.li gen yon kay    3.yon tas    4.yon tab    5.m gen yon bebe

Grammar: The Definite Article (Plural)

The plural definite article "yo" always follows the noun. It does not change.

1. Liv yo - The books

2. Machin yo - The cars

___________________________________________________________
Let's practice. Please translate.

1. the beds

2. the girls

3. the boys

3. the shoes are ready.

4. the houses have mice.

5. the cups are full.

6. the people are here.

Find answer key at the bottom of this page.



 1.kabann yo     2.ti fi yo   3.ti gason yo    3.Soulye yo prè    4.Kay yo gen sourit     5.Tas yo plen     6.Moun yo la.

Grammar: Review sounding out words in sentences

Pronunciation exercises - Say the following sentences out loud!

1. Nancy kontan - Nancy is happy

2. Li kontan anpil - She is very happy

3. Joe sonje m - Joe misses me

4. Li pa bliye m - He does not forget me.

5. Nou se enfimyè - We are nurses.

6. Yo se doktè - They are doctors.

7. Sa se yon liv - This is a book.

8. Sa se yon ti mayo - This is a little shirt.

9. Sa se pa yon soulye - This is not a shoe.

10. Sa yo se malèt mwen - These/ those are my suitcase.

11. Sa se piti mwen - This is my child.

12. Sa yo se pa liv mwen - These/ those are not my books.

13. Ou se madam mwen - You are my wife.

14. Li se mari -m - He is my husband.

15. Li se menaj mwen - She/he is my girfriend/boyfriend.

16. Li se tonton m - He is my uncle.

17. Sa se kay mwen - This is my house.

18. Joumou se yon vejetab - Squash is a vegetable.

19. Tout fig se fwi - All bananas are fruits.

20. Jodi-a nou se Ayisyen - Today we are Haitians.

Grammar: Verb: To be

This audio clip is available for download at this link:
http://limanecasimi.audioacrobat.com/download/1fe3e7b1-232f-21f8-0649-4d31b2b2c292.mp3


Click on the play button to listen



se - to be

****The verb To Be is used to identify a person or an object.

1. Mwen se yon fanm - I am a woman

2. li se yon pilòt - he/she is a pilot

3. nou se Ameriken - We are Americans

4. ou se pitit Joseph - you are Joseph's child.

5. Sa se yon kay - This is a house

6. Yo se Ayisyen - They are Haitians.

7. Sa se yon blag - That is a joke

8. Se yon zwazo - it's a bird

9. Joujou se yon Ayisyen - Joujou is Haitian

10. Mesye sa se zanmi m - This man is my friend
Mèsi.

Track:  Mise sa by Dédé Saint-prix
_________________________________________________

Let's Practice! Please translate the following sentences.

1. I am a boy

2. She is a girl

3. This is a t-Shirt

4. That is a shoe

5. He is a man

6. She is my sweetheart

7. She is a nuisance

8. It is a lie

Find answer key at the bottom if this page



1.m se yon ti gason   2.li se yon ti fi   3.sa se yon mayo    4.sa se yon soulye    5.li se yon misye.    6.li se boubout mwen    7. li se yon pongongon     8.se yon manti

Grammar: Pronouns You and I

This audio clip is available for download at this link:
http://limanecasimi.audioacrobat.com/download/ec923b9a-ae55-8d2c-3ae9-53bdb3069896.mp3

Click the play button to listen


mwen means I
m also means I

(Next)

ou means you
w also means you


Example:

mwen wè ou  - I see you
m wè w - I see you


"m" is the abbreviated form of "mwen"
"w" is the abbreviated form of "ou"
We, creole speakers, use it a lot.


1. mwen rele ou - I call you

2. m rele w - I call you

3. m bezwen w - I need you

4. m pa bezwen w - I don't need you ("pa" indicates a negative form)

5. ou bezwen m - you need me

6. ou pa bezwen m - you don't need me

7. m ba ou de ti wòch - I give you two little rocks

8. m kwè w - (Non contracted form - mwen kwè ou) - I believe you

9. M pa kwè w - I don't believe you

10. m tande w - I hear you

11. m pa tande w - I don't hear you

12. M konprann ou - I understand you

13.  m pa konprann ou - I don't understand you

Mèsi, se tout - thank you, that's all

Track:  Kay Manman by Jocelyne Béroard
______________________________________
Let's Practice - Please translate the following sentences.

1. (To call - rele) -- You call me.

2. (To choose - chwazi) -- I choose you.

3. (To help - ede) -- You help me.

4. (To thank - remèsye) -- I thank you.

5. (To wish - swete) -- I wish you

6. (To honor - onore) --I honor you

7. (To worship - adore) -- I adore you

8. (To show -montre) --You don't show me

9. (To  look at - gade) -- I look at you

10. (To look at - gade) -- I don't look at you

Find the answer key at the bottom of this page




1.ou rele m or ou rele mwen   2.m chwazi w or mwen chwazi ou   3.ou ede m   4.m remèsye w   5.m swete w   6.m onore w   7.m adore w   8.ou pa montre m   9.m gade w   10. m pa gade w

Grammar: Review vowels and Consonants Vocalization

Click the play button and listen.  Practice your pronunciation of the following words and phrases.  Use the pause button to work on each word separately.



This audio clip is downloadable at this link:
http://limanecasimi.audioacrobat.com/download/4c2efc19-37ce-294b-22f2-b711cc826642.mp3


Bonjou, repete apre mwen - Hello, repeat after me.

1. Van - wind.

2. chita - "sheetah" -sit down

3. kanpe - "cuhpay" -stand up

4. Konbyen -how much

5. kabann  -bed

6. chèz - "shez" - chair

7. chèz la - the chair

8. gode a - "gowday" - the cup

9. yon gode - a cup

10. gason an -the man

11. ti gason -boy

12. fanm  nan -the lady

13. ti fi a - the little girl

14. ti machin - little car

15. ti kay - little house

16. gwo liv - big book

17. gwo soulye a - the big shoe

18. yon mayo - a t-shirt

19. de mayo - the two t-shirts

20. pye bwa yo - the trees

21. de pye bwa - two trees

22. yon gwo soulye - a big shoe

23. de gwo soulye yo -the two big shoes

24. de ti bebe yo -the  two little babies

25. de ti fi - two little girls

Grammar: Consonants

b pronounced as in believe, become, behave

ch pronounced as in show, shave, shower (Never as chop or chit-chat)

d pronounced as in David, day

f pronounced as in free, fall, freak

g pronounced as in gain, garbage, gallop (Never as barge, Marge, or merge)

j pronounced as in genre, jolie (Never as Job or Jesus)

k pronounced as in Khaki, Koala

l pronounced as in lola, lollita, love

m pronounced as in me, mandate memo

n pronounced as in Nancy, novice, new

p pronounced as in party, poll, pope

r pronounced as in (that's a hard one!) ...Rio

s pronounced as in society, Samson (Never like confusion)

t pronounced as in tea, tax

v pronounced as in violin, voltage,

W pronounced as in water, wash, week

z pronounced as in zigzag, zoo

y pronounced like the sound of "y" as in yahoo, yay myèl, fyèl, Kreyòl
________________________________________________________________________

Let's practice! Please say out loud.

1. B - Bobo, bòlèt, boutèy.

2. ch - Chay, chante, chare, cheri, chokola, chandèl

3. D - Diri, dòmi, devan, dèyè, divòs

4. F - Fennen, fouye, frape, fèy, ti fifi

5. G - gaga, genyen goud, gade, gode, gouyad, granpanpan

6. J - Jounen, jenjanm, jwen, jodi-a, janbe, joujou, sonje.

7. K - kay, koulèv, kalalou, koze, kamyon, kaliko

8. L - Lamitye, lanmou, lontan, lendi, lavi.

9. M - Maten, monnen, malanga, mapou, moumou,mizik

10. N - Nenpòt, nannan, novanm, nanpwen, nwa, nimewo

11. P - Pantan, pon, repo, pati,repete, kapab

12. R - radyo, repo, reponn, pran, rele, repete, rezoud, ranmase

13. S - Soulye, souri, separe, sonnen, solèy, siwo

14. T - Tonbe, tankou, tablo, tete, tankou,tabak

15. V - Vini, vwayaj, vire, vit, vwazen

16. W - Woule, wouze, wè, wete, wouye, wayan

17. Z - Zewo, zantray, zwazo, zonbi, zanmi, zaboka, zoklo

18. Y - Soulye, serye, meyè, katye, metye, dezyèm, twazyèm, katriyèm, miyò.

Grammar: Vowel Sounds

***Audio voice included for practicing the vowel sounds.
Just click on the play button when you get to the practice section.
__________________________
The Haitian Creole vowels are divided into two groups.

Non nasal vowels - a, e, è, i, o , ou
Nasal vowels - an, en, on
________________________________
a pronounced like the letter "a" in fat, cat, car - Please say out loud: papa, mama, baba, tata, lala, gaga

an pronounced like the sound in "uh-huh" - Please say out loud: ban, ran, pan, van, nan-nan, dan, gan (n is always silent unless indicated by "-", "double n", or a "n'n" as in ban-n, van-n, kann, fann, an'n

àn pronounced like the "an"sound in "Liliane" - Please say outloud: bekàn, soutàn, avwàn, lamàn 

e pronounced like the sound of "ay" as in ray, say, lay . Please say out loud: - prete, mete, bwete, tete, fele, rete

è pronounced like the sound of "et" as in wet, vet, get, met, let - Please say out loud: bèkèkè, mèt, lèt, dèt, malèt.

en pronounced like the sound "en" makes as in garden, den - Please say out loud:mennen, genyen, senyen,fennen, tenten, limen

i pronounced like the sound of "ee" as in see, meet, peep - Please say out loud: piki, di, mimi, ti pitit, pipirit

in pronounced like the sound of "in" in "win" - Please say out loud: vin, machin, boulin

o pronounced like the sound of "ow" as in low, grow, row - Please say out loud: poto, dodo, toto, roro, yoyo, tito, Sodo

ò pronounced like the sound of "o" as in more, corps, sore - Please say out loud: mò, lò, kò, tòtòt, bòkò

on pronounced like the sound of "oun" as in young, - Please say out loud:non, don, vonvon, fon

ou pronounced like the sound of "ou" as in you - Please say out loud: jou, joumou, dou, fou

___________________________________________
Let's Practice! Click on the play button and listen. 

(if the pace is too fast you may pause to repeat.)


Download this audio clip here
:http://limanecasimi.audioacrobat.com/download/8bc8d644-2d46-37a0-b432-ccf33446aed0.mp3


1. Papa, Nana, Tata, kapab, pala, kay

2. Pantan, chany, gan, vant, jant ... - ... pann, ran'n, van-n.

3. Bekàn, soutàn, avwàn, pàn, lamàn

4. Rate, mete, bwete, fele, gete, rele

5. Tèt, pèp, rèl, pwomès, fyèl.

6. fennen, mennen, senyen, vwazen, peny

7. machin, boulin, rasin, vin, min

8. Zanmi, piti, piki, zegwi, manti

9. Chapo, towo, poto, dodo, wololoy

10. Kò, vòlò, dakò, mantò, atò.

11. Bonbon, tonton, zonyon, kamyon, sanwont

12. Koukouy, sekou, mapou, woule, souke

________________________________________

Also, let's practice vocalizing the following sentences.

Click on the play button and listen.

(If the pace is too fast you may pause to repeat)



This audio clip is available to download at this link:
http://limanecasimi.audioacrobat.com/download/9ec8db15-0ddb-1bf8-1b43-df7b22492cb6.mp3



1. Ou sound - Nou damou pou tout moun ki pale dou.
We're in love for everyone that is soft spoken

2.  On sound - Yon bon tonton san non manje yon zonyon tou won.
A good uncle without name ate an onion that's all round.

3. e sound - Pepe te manje yon pate ki pike.
Pepe ate a spicy pâté.

4.  a sound - Tata pa kapab chita dwat.
Tata can't sit straight.

5. an sound - Prentan se tan pou dans.
Spring is dancing time.

6. àn sound - Lap manje avwàn sou yon bekàn.
He's eating oatmeal on a bike.

7.  o sound - Mario mete yon chapo pou l dodo sou do.
Mario put on a hat to sleep on his back.

8. è sound - Pwomès se dèt, men vrè dèt pi rèd.
Promises are debts, but real debts are worse.

9.  en sound - Mwen genyen senk pen e vennsenk boutèy diven.
I have five breads and twenty-five bottles of wine.

10.  ò sound - Yo dakò pou bay lòt tò.
They agree to give others the blame.

11. i sound - Pitit li li yon liv ki difisil anpil.
His child read a book that's very difficult.

12. in sound - Machin nan vin ak tout boulin.
The car came with great speed.

Track:  Ban m la jwa by Emeline Michel