Animals

1. Bèt

   Animal / bug (general)

   Usage

   A catch-all for any creature you cannot name. "Gen yon bèt nan chanm nan" = there is a bug in the room

2. Chen

   Dog

   Usage

   Free-roaming dogs are common. "Chen an mòde m" = the dog bit me

3. Chat

   Cat

   Usage

   Spelled like French but pronounced closer to "shat"

4. Kabrit

   Goat

   Usage

   The most common livestock in Haiti; "tasso kabrit" is a well-known goat dish

5. Bourik

   Donkey

   Usage

   Still used to carry loads on mountain trails. Aimed at a person it is an insult, so keep it about the animal

6. Chwal

   Horse

   Usage

   Used for riding and hauling in rural areas

7. Milèt

   Mule

   Usage

   More common than donkeys on steep mountain trails

8. Bèf

   Cow / cattle

   Usage

   Cattle of either sex. "Vyann bèf" is beef

9. Kochon

   Pig

   Usage

   Griyo (fried pork) is a Haitian staple. Aimed at a person the word is an insult

10. Mouton

    Sheep

    Usage

    Less common than goats but kept in rural areas

11. Poul

    Chicken / hen

    Usage

    Also the word for chicken as food; you can point at it in the market

12. Kòk

    Rooster

    Usage

    They crow at dawn, so they come up when choosing where to stay

13. Kanna

    Duck

    Usage

    Seen in markets and farmyards

14. Pentad

    Guinea fowl

    Usage

    Widely kept in Haiti and known as a local dish

15. Zwazo

    Bird

    Usage

    The general word for birds when you do not know the species

16. Pwason

    Fish

    Usage

    Both the animal and the dish. "Pwason gwo sèl" is a well-known fish preparation

17. Krab

    Crab

    Usage

    Seen on the coast and in mangroves; also the food word

18. Tòti

    Turtle

    Usage

    Sea turtles are sometimes seen on the coast; they are protected, so decline if anyone offers to sell one

19. Zandolit

    Lizard (anole)

    Usage

    The small green lizard seen in yards; harmless

20. Mabouya

    Gecko / house lizard

    Usage

    The grey lizard on guesthouse walls; harmless and it eats mosquitoes

21. Koulèv

    Snake

    Usage

    Haiti is said to have no venomous snakes, but do not touch any you meet while hiking

22. Krapo

    Frog / toad

    Usage

    Loud after rain. Haitian Creole does not separate frogs from toads

23. Rat

    Usage

    Use it to report one at your lodging; a small mouse is Sourit

24. Sourit

    Mouse

    Usage

    A larger one is a Rat

25. Lapen

    Rabbit

    Usage

    Usually kept for meat

26. Marengwen

    Mosquito

    Usage

    The insect that matters most to travellers; it spreads dengue and chikungunya, so use repellent

27. Mouch

    Fly

    Usage

    Comes up often when talking about street food

28. Ravèt

    Cockroach

    Usage

    Use it to report one at your lodging

29. Foumi

    Ant

    Usage

    They arrive quickly if food is left out

30. Myèl

    Bee

    Usage

    The same word covers honey; "siwo myèl" is honey syrup

31. Arenyen

    Spider

    Usage

    Seen in corners of rooms; Haitian spiders are mostly harmless

32. Papiyon

    Butterfly

    Usage

    Common in the highlands

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