Greetings

1. Bonjou

   Bon-jou

   Hello / Good morning

   Usage

   The common Haitian Creole greeting, especially used in the morning

   Grammar Note

   Derived from French "bonjour". In the afternoon/evening, use "Bonswa"

2. Mèsi

   Mè-si

   Thank you

   Usage

   The most common Haitian Creole expression of gratitude

   Grammar Note

   From French "merci." "Mèsi anpil" means "thank you very much" — anpil means a lot

3. Orevwa

   O-re-vwa

   Goodbye

   Usage

   The Haitian Creole farewell

   Grammar Note

   From French "au revoir." The casual "Babay" (from English "bye-bye") is also common

4. Wi / Non

   Yes / No

   Usage

   Basic Haitian Creole words for yes and no

   Grammar Note

   From French "oui" and "non." "Wi" is pronounced like English "wee"

5. Koman ou rele?

   Ko-man ou re-le?

   What is your name?

   Usage

   A basic Haitian Creole phrase to ask someone's name when meeting

   Grammar Note

   Reply "Mwen rele [name]" (my name is...). "Koman" comes from French "comment"

6. Bonswa

   Bon-swa

   Good evening

   Usage

   Evening and nighttime greeting in Haitian Creole

   Grammar Note

   From French "bonsoir" (good evening); paired with "Bonjou" for morning

7. Silvouple

   Sil-vou-ple

   Please

   Usage

   A polite word when making a formal request

   Grammar Note

   From French "s'il vous plaît"; "tanpri" is an equally common way to say please

8. Eskize m

   Es-ki-ze m

   Excuse me / I'm sorry

   Usage

   Used to get someone's attention or when passing through a crowd

   Grammar Note

   From French "excusez-moi"; for apologies, "Padon" (pardon me) is also common

9. Koman ou ye?

   Ko-man ou ye?

   How are you?

   Usage

   Asking how someone is doing

   Grammar Note

   Reply "Mwen byen mèsi" (I'm fine, thanks) or "Pa pi mal" (not too bad)

10. Byenveni ann Ayiti!

    Byen-ve-ni ann A-yi-ti!

    Welcome to Haiti!

    Usage

    Welcoming a visitor or guest to Haiti

    Grammar Note

    "byenveni" derives from French "bienvenu" meaning "welcome"

11. Kote twalèt la ye?

    Ko-te twa-lèt la ye?

    Where is the toilet/bathroom?

    Usage

    Basic phrase to ask where the toilet is in a restaurant or public place

    Grammar Note

    In Haitian Creole, the definite article la follows the noun. The question is formed by kote (where) at the start: kote + noun + ye, where the copula ye closes the sentence (ye itself is not a question marker)

12. Mwen pa pale Kreyòl ayisyen

    Mwen pa pa-le Kre-yòl a-yi-syen

    I can't speak Haitian Creole

    Usage

    Used to tell a Haitian Creole speaker that you cannot speak the language

    Grammar Note

    pa is the negation particle placed directly before the verb. Haitian Creole follows SVO word order

13. Mwen pral tounen ankò.

    Mwen pral tou-nen an-kò.

    I'll come again

    Usage

    Said when leaving a shop or restaurant

14. Mwen te pase yon bon moman.

    Mwen te pa-se yon bon mo-man.

    I had a great time

    Usage

    Said as you part ways

15. Mèsi, na wè pita!

    Mè-si, na wè pi-ta!

    Thanks, see you

    Usage

    A casual farewell

16. Padekwa

    Pa-de-kwa

    You're welcome

    Usage

    Reply to "Mèsi" (thank you), derived from French "pas de quoi" (no worries)

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