35 Essential Haitian Creole Phrases & Proverbs: The Ultimate Guide To Speaking Kreyòl Like A Local In 2025
Learning a few key phrases in Haitian Creole, or Kreyòl Ayisyen, is the single most powerful way to connect with the people of Haiti. As of late 2025, while French remains an official language, Kreyòl is the vibrant, universal language spoken by virtually the entire population, reflecting a unique history of resilience, poetry, and shared community. This deep-dive guide goes beyond simple greetings, exploring the proverbs and modern slang that reveal the true heart and soul of Haitian culture.
Haitian Creole is a French-based creole language with significant influences from West African languages, specifically those of the Fon, Ewe, Yoruba, and Igbo people. Mastering even a handful of these expressions will not only facilitate travel and communication but will also open doors to genuine human connection, showing respect for the nation's rich linguistic heritage.
The Foundation: Essential Greetings and Daily Courtesy
Haitian social interaction is built on a foundation of respect and acknowledgment. The common greetings are a call-and-response ritual that sets the tone for any conversation. Using these phrases correctly is your first step to speaking Kreyòl like a local.
- Bonjou! (Bohn-joo) — Good morning / Hello (Used until about 11 AM)
- Bonswa! (Bohn-swah) — Good afternoon / Good evening (Used after 11 AM)
- Bòn nwi! (Bawn nwee) — Good night
- Orevwa! (Oh-rev-wah) — Goodbye
- Mèsi (Mess-ee) — Thank you
- Souple (Soo-play) — Please (Often placed at the end of a request)
- Padone (Pah-doh-nay) — Pardon me / I'm sorry (Used for apologies or to get attention)
The Iconic Call-and-Response: Sak Pase? N’ap Boule!
This is arguably the most common and essential exchange you will hear in Haiti, far surpassing the formal greetings in daily use.
- Sak Pase? (Sahk pah-say) — What's up? / What's happening?
- N’ap boule! (Nahp boo-lay) — We’re hanging in there / We’re fine / We’re burning (colloquial)
The response, N’ap boule, is a contraction of nou ap boule (we are burning/on fire). This phrase carries a profound cultural weight, often interpreted as a statement of resilience. It suggests that despite life's difficulties or "fires," the speaker is persevering and "hanging in there." For a less intense response, you can also say Mwen byen, mèsi! (I’m good, thank you!).
Haitian Proverbs (Pwovèb Ayisyen): Wisdom and Resilience
Haitian culture is deeply rooted in oral tradition, and pwovèb (proverbs) are a constant feature of conversation, offering timeless wisdom and moral guidance. Incorporating these into your vocabulary showcases a deep respect for the country’s philosophical depth and topical authority.
Proverbs on Patience and Perseverance
- Piti piti zwazo fè nich li. (Pee-tee pee-tee zwa-zoh feh neesh lee) — Little by little, the bird builds its nest.
- Meaning: This encourages patience, reminding you that great things are achieved through small, consistent efforts. It is a powerful phrase for motivation.
- Jodi a pou ou, demen pou mwen. (Joh-dee ah poo oo, deh-men poo mweh) — Today is for you, tomorrow is for me.
- Meaning: A saying about the changing nature of fortune and the importance of humility.
- Sa ou fè se li ou wè. (Sah oo feh seh lee oo weh) — What you do is what you see.
- Meaning: A simple yet profound statement on karma or the consequences of one's actions.
Proverbs on Caution and Social Life
- Twou manti pa fon. (Troo mahn-tee pah fohn) — The hole of a lie is not deep.
- Meaning: Lies are always exposed; the truth will eventually come out.
- Se rat kay k ap manje kay. (Seh raht kye kahp mahn-jay kye) — It's the house rat that eats the house.
- Meaning: Betrayal often comes from those closest to you (an inside job).
- Sòt pa touye w, men li fè w swè. (Sot pah too-yew, men lee feh weh sweh) — Stupidity won't kill you, but it'll make you sweat.
- Meaning: Being foolish or ignorant will cause you unnecessary trouble and hardship.
Modern Haitian Slang and Idiomatic Expressions
To truly sound like a local in Port-au-Prince, Cap-Haïtien, or any other region, you must understand the current slang. These phrases are dynamic and reflect the contemporary social scene.
- Pa gen pwoblèm. (Pah jen pwob-lem) — No problem. / No worries.
- Usage: A common, relaxed response to a thank you or a request.
- Chawa pete. (Shah-wah peh-tay) — The party is over / It’s a mess / Something is broken (colloquial).
- Usage: This expression has gained popularity recently and is used to describe a bad situation or when something has gone completely wrong.
- Mawozo. (Mah-woh-zoh) — A simpleton / A fool.
- Usage: A derogatory term for someone who is easily tricked or foolish.
- Sezi kou berejèn. (Seh-zee koo beh-reh-jen) — Surprised as an eggplant.
- Meaning: To be extremely surprised or shocked. This is a wonderfully colorful idiom.
- N ap kenbe. (Nahp ken-beh) — We’re holding on.
- Usage: Similar to N'ap boule, it’s a response to "How are you?" that emphasizes enduring or coping.
Phrases for Encouragement and Support
In a culture that values community, knowing how to offer positive affirmation is crucial. These are simple ways to speak encouragement in Kreyòl.
- Kenbe la! (Ken-beh lah) — Hold on! / Keep it up! (A strong phrase of encouragement)
- Ou fò! (Oo faw) — You are strong!
- Felisitasyon! (Feh-lee-see-tah-syohn) — Congratulations!
- Mwen la avèk ou. (Mwen lah ah-vek oo) — I am here with you.
The Practical List: Travel and Transaction Phrases
For travelers and those engaging in commerce, these phrases are essential for navigating daily life in a market (mache) or on the street.
- Ki jan ou rele? (Kee jahn oo reh-leh) — What is your name?
- Mwen rele... (Mwen reh-leh) — My name is...
- Konbyen sa koute? (Kohn-byen sah koo-tay) — How much does this cost?
- Mwen pa konprann. (Mwen pah kohn-prahn) — I don't understand.
- Repete souple. (Reh-peh-tay soo-play) — Repeat, please.
- Pale pi dousman. (Pah-leh pee doo-smah) — Speak slower.
- Wi (Wee) — Yes
- Non (Nohn) — No
- Mwen bezwen èd. (Mwen beh-zwen ehd) — I need help.
- Na wè pita. (Nah weh pee-tah) — See you later.
By integrating these 35+ phrases, proverbs, and slang terms—from the basic Bonjou to the resilient N’ap boule—you demonstrate a genuine effort to bridge the language gap. The poetic nature of Kreyòl Ayisyen is a testament to the Haitian spirit, and speaking it is the highest form of respect you can offer. Start practicing today, and you will find the people of Haiti incredibly welcoming and appreciative of your efforts.
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