How Do You Say This in Creole? Ki Jan Nou Di Sa an Kreyol? Haitian Celebrations, Saint Valentine's Day, Easter, Happy New Year

How do you say this in Creole? Ki jan ou di sa an Kreyòl ?

Happy New Year ! – Bòn Ane !

Happy birthday to you! Bòn fèt!

I wish you a happy birthday – M swete ou bòn fèt



Haitian Creole Notes: Nòt Kreyòl: On New Year’s Day, it is appropriate to wish Haitian friends prosperity and longevity. It is something you can get accustomed to. Here is what you will say:

Prosperity and longevity to you and your family! Pwosperite ak lonjevite pou tout fanmi ou!

Premye Janvye se yon jou espesyal pou tout Ayisyen. Se jou sa-a yo manje soup joumou. Se jou endepandans Ayisyen. Poukisa se soup joumou?

Anvan Ayiti pran endepandans li, esklav Sen Domeng yo pa-t gen dwa manje oswa bwè soup joumou. Kolon Fransè yo te konsidere soup joumou yon manje espesyal. Aprè Ayiti pran endepandans li an 1804, Desalin deklare tout Ayisyen gen dwa manje soup joumou.

January 1st is a specialy day for all Haitians. On this day, they consume squash soup. It is Haitians’ independence day. Why squash soup?

Before Haiti became independent, the slaves of St. Domingue were not allowed to consume squash soup which was considered a delicacy by the French colonists. After Haiti became independent in 1804, Dessalines declared that all Haitians can have squash soup.









Happy Easter – Bòn Fèt Pak!

Happy Valentine’s Day! – Bòn Fèt Sen Valanten!

Happy anniversary! Bon Anivèsè!

Labor Day – Fèt Travayè / Fèt Travay

Memorial Day – Jou zansèt yo

Mother’s Day – Fèt Manman

Father’s Day – Fèt Papa

Good Friday – Vandredi Sen

Easter Sunday – Dimanch Pak

Thanksgiving – Jou Aksyondegras

Christmas – Nowèl



To be – Se and Ye

Se – to be

We use “se” to link a subject with a noun. For example: Jan se zanmi-m – John is my friend; Se chen Manno-a – It is Manno’s dog; Se kabrit Bòs Jak – It is master craftsman Jack’s goat.

Pyebwa sa-a se yon pye zaboka – This is an avocado tree

Fifi se yon bon doktè – Fifi is a good doctor

Li s-on bon moun – He/she is a good person (Note that se yon becomes s-on here in this sentence). You can also omit “li” at the beginning of the sentence. Just say: Se yon (S-on) bon moun. This is to save time. Liaisons or contractions exist to save time and build language speed in Kreyol.









Ye – to be

We usually use “ye” at the end of a sentence. It is exclusively used in that position.

Take a look at these two sentences:

Mwen se Kanadyen – I am Canadian

Se Kanadyen mwen ye – I am Canadian. (In the second sentence, the speaker wants to emphasize his /her nationality as if a special message needs to be conveyed and understood by the listener).

Both sentences are correct. Remember that “ye” is always used at the end of the sentence. Make sure you do not confuse “ye” to be with “Yè” which stands for yesterday.

Examples – Egzanp: Ki sa sa-a ye? What is this/that ?

Ki Jan ou ye ? How are you?

Kòman nou ye? How are you doing?



Notes: Nòt Kreyòl: When followed by an adjective, the verb to be is not even mentioned or translated. Example: Jan tris – John is sad; Mari malad – Mary is sick; Benito kontan – Benito is happy; Jansimon fache – Jansimon is mad; Jak pa kontan – Jack is not happy; Remon ankòlè – Raymond is in a bad mood

Exercices: Practice making sentences using “Se” and “Ye.”