Verbs
Go here to see the complete conjugation of a Kreyol verb.There should be no irregular verbs.
To Be
The linking verbs se / ye connects two nouns in a "to be" statement. Se is not needed if there is a noun and an adjective. Ye is used for emphasis. See below for details.
Types of Sentences.
A. To be sentences with a noun and verbal adjective.
Mwen las. = I am tired.
Yo nan marchè. = They are at the market.
In this sentence, you may still use the verb particles even though the verb is understood (or missing).
In interrogative sentences, add yè to the end.
Kikote yo ye? = Where are they?
B. To be sentences with se.
Use se if
1. predicate is a noun (it is a ...)
John se youn jadinye. = John is a gardener.
2. subject is sa (that)
Sa se bon. = That is good.
3. predicate is non-inherent adjective/noun
4. emphatic statements with ye
Se ayisyen m ye = I am haitian
move predicate to second position with subject in third and add ye
C. To be sentence without the subject noun.
Se youn machin. = It's a car.
D. Transitive sentences.
These follow the "subject - verb - indirect object - direct object" format.
Ou a wè youn gro bato. = You will see a big boat.
Yo te ban m anpil lajan. = They gave me a lot of money.
Li montre timoun yo liv la. = He showed the children the book.( or the book to the children).
Li montre yo liv la.= He showed them the book.
Li montre yo li. = He showed it to them.
E. Transitive/ Intransitive sentence.
Contains a noun phrase subject, a predicate containing an intransitive verb, and, sometimes, one or more adverbials.
Li vini jodi a. = He came today.
Anita ap desann Pòtoprens. = Anita is going down to Port-au-Prince.
For emphasis
1. repeat phrase
2. ala + predicate, subject + predicate
3. se + predicate, subject + predicate
For To (..Do) Phrases
Use pou, for.
M gen tan pou fè bagay la.
I have time to do this thing. (pou = for to...)
Necessity
Use pou or fo.
pou, should
Kikote li ale? = Where did he go?
Kikote pou li ale? =Where should he go?
fò, should/must
place fò at beginning of sentence
Fò ou ale. = You have to go.
Relative Sentences.
For (that) relative make two sentences
or add ke between the sentences
Li di l ke l prale. = He told him that he's going.
For the meaning "that which"or "what", you the same format and sa in place of ke
Li di l sak l konnen. = He said what he knows
If/Then Statements
In if/then statements the if part uses te
the then part uses ta
Si mwen te konnen sa, mwen pa ta fè l. = If I had known that, I would not have done it.
Recently Completed Action
fek, just
M fek manje=I have just eaten
Habitual or Reoccuring Action
konn, know
Lapli konn tonbe. = It usually starts rainig.
Le samdi li te konn manje nan restoran. = On Saturday, he used to eat in a restaurant.
Ability Use kapab or kap (to be able)
Preference
Use pito.
M pito dlo. = I prefer water.
Temporal subordination
Le w a vini, m av ap travay. = When you come, I'll be working.
Pandan ou te dòmi, m te travay.= While you slept, I worked.
