Creole Words You Should Know

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When traveling into a different country, it’s always good to know a few important native words to that country. In Haiti, there’s a combination of French, Creole, and even Spanish. After all, the Dominican Republic is next door. I’ve encountered a few Spanish speaking individuals.

If you’re traveling to Haiti with H3Missions, Inc. then we always have translators and guides with us. For the most part, you won’t need to know the language. But, it’s always good to have some of the basics that will help you communicate during your trip. There are also handy apps that you can download to your cell phone for easy translation. The one I use is Haitian Creole – English Transl by Klays-Development in the android play store. I’ve included a picture of the app below. For Apple users, there’s one that looks good called Offline Haitian Creole to English Language Dictionary by Naira Khalapyan. I’ve never used it so if you know of a better one for Apple users, throw it in the comments below.

The list below are a few common words. I will add to them from time to time so check back for new words at your fingertips. Enjoy your trip and be safe.

English French Creole
Good Morning Bonjour Bonjou
Good Evening Bonsoir Bonswa
Good bye Aurevoir Orevwa
Madam Madame Madam
Sir Monsieur Mesye
Girl Fille Fi
Boy Garcon Gason
Man Homme Gason
Ladie Femme Fanm
How are you Vas-Tu Kòman ou ye
I am fine je vais bien Mwen byen
Thank You Merci Mèsi
Please s’il vous plait silvouplè
Water de l’Eau Dlo
Food Nourriture Manje
Airport Aéoport Ayopò
Hotel Hotel Otèl
English Anglais Anglè
French Francais Fransè
How many Combien Konbyen

Ten years after the 7.0 earthquake struck Haiti!

Again, Haiti faces another devastating crisis as a 7.2 magnitude earthquake shook the country’s southern end on August 14, 2021. The southern area is not as populated as the country’s capital that suffered the shattering earthquake in 2010 that killed over 220,000 souls and displaced more than 300,000 people.
 
H3Missions, Inc. was founded by a group of compassionate individuals who wanted to respond to the 2010 crisis. Led by Nyron McLean, the team headed for Haiti to help with supplies and medical needs and have continued their efforts for over ten years.
 
Unfortunately, when the pandemic swept the earth, worldwide nonprofits were forced to suspend mission trips. However, our friends in Haiti need us more than ever now as they search for loved ones beneath the rubble of another devastating blow to the country.  
 
H3Missions, Inc. has joined Haiti One to help as their team coordinates assistance and supplies sent to the country. To streamline their efforts, Haiti One has a GoFundMe account set up to help Hospital Bernard Mevs & Project Medshare assist those affected by the devastation.
 
That link is here: https://gofund.me/bed0179b.
 
Markenley Chery, one of H3Missions, Inc.’s partners in Haiti is assembling a team to head to Les Cayes and surrounding areas to assist where and as needed.
 
At this time, we will coordinate with Haiti One to support all efforts by making sure our team on the ground can assist with supplies and services. Would you please help us streamline these efforts by donating to Haiti One at the above link to help the people of Haiti during these trying times? 

Arcahaie

At the level of Economic and Financial Infrastructures, the municipality is quite well equipped. There are several hotels, restaurants, two credit unions, and two marketing co-operative centers. Market days: Saturdays.

Arcahaie is also known for Plantain production. It is estimated that 60% of the agricultural land in Arcahaie is devoted to the production of the tastiest plantains in Haiti. Many springs water the territory of the commune, which also receives the waters of the White River, rivers Courjol, Torcelle, Bretelles, and those which take the name of the rural sections.  

On the side of religion, ninety-six temples (chapels included) were listed in the municipality of Arcahaie. 20 Catholic churches including three parishes and seventeen chapels, five Baptist churches, and five Adventist churches for the most important were inventoried in the town.

Information provided by: haiti.fandom.com/wiki/Arcahaie

Saint-Louis-du-Nord

Saint-Louis-du-Nord (Haitian Creole: Sen Lwi dinò) is a commune in the Saint-Louis-du-Nord Arrondissement, in the Nord-Ouest department of Haiti. It has 69,592 inhabitants.

Information provided by https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint-Louis-du-Nord

SAINT - MARC

St. Marc is a large port town surrounded by mountains. At all times, there are many boats in the port, typically sail boats. The town was first settled in 1716, then located in the French colony of Saint-Domingue.[1]

The town is located on flat land close to the sea but its edges extend into the foothills. From these vantage points, the ocean is sometimes viewable. The city has a few park spaces, including Place Cite Nissage Saget. These parks are often surrounded by vendors with carts full of goods.

Local residents enjoy the rich culture of St. Marc and it is considered a safe place to live. About 60% of the population lives in the communal section, meaning outside of town. As a result, they are beyond its infrastructure and lack drainage systems, electricity and potable water.

Information provided by https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint-Marc

Port de paix

During the Amerindian period this area was called “Xarama” by the Taïno people. The area around the town was given the name “Valparaíso” by Christopher Columbus after landing here in the late evening of December 6, 1492, and today still contains many attractive beaches and cave locations. A ferry operates between the town and Tortuga island, (La Tortue), called “Gusaeni Cahini” by the Taïnos, which is situated just across the water.

The town was founded in 1665 by French filibusters, driven from Tortuga Island by the British occupiers. In 1676 the capital of the French Colony of Saint-Domingue was moved from Tortuga to Port-de-Paix, and it remained the seat of government until 1711 when the capital was moved to Cap-Français. In 1676, Padrejean escaped from slavery in the Port. In 1679 the town saw the first black slave revolt. The area saw great success during the 18th century but on February 27, 1903 the town was almost entirely destroyed by fire, and never attained its former status.

Information provided by https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Port-de-Paix

Montrouis

Montrouis is a coastal communal section in Haiti, located in the department of Artibonite,[1] south of Saint-Marc. Montrouis is one of the most important beach tourism destinations in Haiti, with several well renowned hotels and resorts, including the Moulin-sur-Mer. The town is located on the Côtes-des-Arcadins, one of Haiti’s longest stretches of pure white sand beaches. It is also an exceptional place for sailing and fishing.

Information provided by
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montrouis  

Deschapelles

Deschapelles (Haitian Creole: Dechpel) is a town in the Verrettes commune, in the Artibonite department of Haiti. It is located approximately 54 km north of the capital, Port-au-Prince, and has 4 to 5000 inhabitants Approximately. Deschapelles is where the Hôpital Albert Schweitzer Haiti is located.

Information provided by https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deschapelles

Croix Des Bouquets

Croix-des-Bouquets is a northern suburb in the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area. Haiti is world-famous for its exuberant art, richly influenced by nature, history and religion, both Christian and Vodou. The entire village of Croix des Bouquets is a good example of Haitian creativity – it resonates with the sounds of clanging and banging of the mallets and chisels in the process of transforming raw metal into stunning, and often haunting, iron sculptures. The city of Croix-des-Bouquets is on the Plaine du Cul-de-Sac, where many people grow organic foods such as beans, sweet potato, and corn.

On March 22, 1792, the city was the scene of one of the first battles of the Haitian Revolution.

Prior to the 12 January 2010 earthquake, the once crowded city had been restored. The streets had been cleaned up, wholesale merchants and other commerce had been relocated to Port-au-Prince. Retail commerce which once crowded sidewalks downtown now had a dedicated building.

Information provided by https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Croix-des-Bouquets
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