Confusing Haitian-Creole Terms 

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Dòmi nan zye m – Sleep is in my eyes… I’M SLEEPY!

Bò…

Bò bounda – buttock (side of rear)

Bò kòt – alongside

Bò kote – beside/next to, by, towards

Bò lanmè – seashore

Bò rivyè – bank (by the river)

BRIYE/KLERE

brighten, bright, beautiful, radiant.

DEPLASE- to move from current address

FÈY- leaves (spinach, tea leaves, greens; etc).

M bezwen manje plis fèy m fè animi.

I need to eat more greens. I’m anemic.

GADE vs CHÈCHE vs SANBLE

GADE: to look, look at, to watch

CHÈCHE: to look for, to fetch

SANBLE: looks like, look alike, resemble

ISIT vs ISIT LA

ISIT- here/general vicinity

ISIT LA- right here/present

KE vs KI vs SA-

KE- that: when it is not the subject, SA or definite article, SA

I think THAT you want to see me – M panse ke w vle wè m

KI- what: when followed by subject

What food- KI manje

SA- that: as subject and definite article

M pa vle sa- I don’t want that

Tifi sa- that little girl

KITE vs KENBE

KITE- leave, to let/allow

KITE sa- leave that

KENBE sa- hold onto that

KITE L ALE- let her go

ANN ALE- let’s go

MADANM vs MADAM-

MADANM- wife, lady

MADAM- Mrs, ma’am (French)

MANKE- to miss By ALMOST not doing something.

Mwen MANKE fwape w- I almost hit you

Mwen SONJE W- I remember (miss) you

MENM vs DITOU- AT ALL

(menm also means SAME).

NÈF vs NOUVOU

NÈF- brand new

A brand new, unused item.

NOUVOU- new to you

A used car isn’t brand new but it’s “your” new car.

NI- either, nor, neither

OUVRI vs DEBOUCHE and WETE/RETIRE- can all be used for taking a lid off a jar.

Ouvri- open

Retire- remove

Debouche- uncover

PITO- (rather) can also mean instead.

Banm sa pito. – Give me that instead/rather

SANTI – feel like

This feels better- sa a pi byen (no need to say FEELS here)

Li pi bon- it’s better

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