Adjectives

1. Gwo

   Big

   Usage

   For asking for another size; use it with a gesture

2. Piti

   Small

   Usage

   For describing clothing or room size

3. Lou

   Heavy

   Usage

   For excess baggage, or asking someone to lift something

4. Lejè

   Light (weight)

   Usage

   About weight only — in many languages this is a different word from “bright”

   Grammar Note

   "Lejè" is light in weight; bright is "klè," a different word.

5. Chè

   Expensive

   Usage

   The opening move in a haggle; pair it with a face

6. Bon mache

   Cheap

   Usage

   For asking whether a cheaper option exists

7. Cho

   Hot (thing)

   Usage

   About food, drink, or water — not the same word as hot weather

   Grammar Note

   "Cho" is a hot object; hot weather uses the verb fè: "fè cho."

8. Frèt

   Cold (thing)

   Usage

   About drinks and food — not the same word as cold weather

9. Nèf

   New

   Usage

   For checking whether something is unused

10. Vye

    Old (thing)

    Usage

    For objects only; used of people it is rude in many languages

    Grammar Note

    "Vye" is for objects; applied to a person it is insulting.

11. Jèn

    Young

    Usage

    About a person’s age; a small-talk word

12. Granmoun

    Old (person)

    Usage

    The dedicated word for people; pick the respectful one

    Grammar Note

    "Granmoun" means adult or elder and is respectful — the safe word when referring to someone’s age.

13. Pwòp

    Clean

    Usage

    For a clean room or clean water

14. Sal

    Dirty

    Usage

    Useful when asking to change rooms

15. Bon

    Good

    Usage

    The all-purpose word for agreement and approval

16. Move

    Bad

    Usage

    For saying that your health or an item’s quality is poor

17. Toupre

    Near

    Usage

    For checking whether somewhere is within walking distance

18. Lwen

    Far

    Usage

    Tells you whether you need transport

19. Bonè

    Early

    Usage

    About clock time; in many languages a different word from “fast”

    Grammar Note

    "Bonè" is early in time; fast in speed is "vit."

20. An reta

    Late

    Usage

    About clock time; in many languages a different word from “slow”

    Grammar Note

    "An reta" is being late; slow in speed is "dousman."

21. Anpil

    Many

    Usage

    About quantity or how crowded somewhere is

22. Pa anpil

    Few

    Usage

    Also useful for asking for a smaller portion

23. Fè cho

    Hot (weather)

    Usage

    About the weather — a different word from a hot object

24. Fè frèt

    Cold (weather)

    Usage

    About the weather — a different word from a cold object

25. Bèl

    Beautiful

    Usage

    Used for people and things; placed before the noun (yon bèl peyi = a beautiful country)

26. Gen bon gou

    Delicious

    Usage

    For use at the table; literally "has good taste". Note that "dous" means "sweet/gentle", not "delicious"

27. Estwòdinè

    Amazing

    Usage

    An expression of surprise and admiration

28. Amizan

    Fun

    Usage

    For describing an experience itself

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