Figurative speech is among the last things you learn while acquiring a new language. However, it’s a very important skill if you want to reach fluency. Every language makes use of figurative speech, and Haitian Creole is no exception.
You’ll most often encounter figurative speech in Haitian proverbs and common expressions. So, why not improve your language comprehension skills right now with these 10 common Haitian Creole phrases? We’ll walk you through them one by one.
- Se lave men, siye l atè.
Literally: “Washing hands and wiping them on the floor.”
If doing this sounds like a waste of time, it’s because it is. This common saying is to be used when you realize you’re putting in a lot of work to no avail. It’s a way of saying that your efforts are useless.
- Lè poul va fè dan.
Literally: “When chickens will grow teeth.”
This one is very similar to the English “When pigs fly.”, so you can probably guess what it means. It’s a humorous way of saying “This will never happen.” or “That’s impossible.”
- Kouri lapli, tonbe larivyè.
Literally: “Drizzling rain, pouring rivers.”
This is a figurative way of saying that things can go from bad to worse. It usually applies when someone’s trying to avoid an unpleasant situation but ends up in an even worse spot. You could compare this to the English saying “digging yourself into a hole.”
- Mache chèche pa janm dòmi san soupe.
Literally: “One who seeks never goes to bed hungry.”
This one could be understood as “Search and you’ll find.” But it’s often used in a negative way. Its literal meaning is closer to “You get what you deserve.” So, this one is used to say that if someone is a troublemaker, he or she will eventually meet their match.
- Ak pasyans w ap wè tete pis.
Literally: “With patience, you’ll see the breast of a flea.”
This is often used as a way to encourage others to give their best. This saying means that if you remain patient and work really hard, anything is possible.
- Kreyòl pale, kreyòl konprann.
Literally: “Creole talks, Creole understands”.
When someone is speaking in a convoluted way, we might jokingly say “Can you translate that in English?” This Creole saying is similar to that. You can use this expression when you want someone to be clear and straightforward.
- Sezi kou berejèn.
Literally: “Surprised as an eggplant.”
You might be “sezi kou berejèn” reading this one. It means that you’re very surprised, dumbfounded, or even speechless. It’s not clear how this saying started, but it sure is memorable.
- Lespwa fè viv.
Literally: “Hope makes one live.”
This expression doesn’t need much explaining. What it’s saying is that hope gives us a reason to keep going. Hope is also a source of strength.
- M ap di ou sa Kasayòl te di bèf la.
Literally: “I’m going to tell you what Kasayòl said to the cow.”
This expression is both fun and puzzling when analyzed literally. You use this phrase when you want to tell someone to leave you alone in an impolite way, but without outright insulting the person. Think of it as a way of saying “Mind your own business (or else)!”
- Sèl pa vante tèt li di li sale.
Literally: “Salt doesn’t brag about being salty.”
This is a phrase you use when someone enjoys boasting a little bit too much. It’s a way of saying “be humble” or “let others notice your achievements”.
In Conclusion
These were just some of the most common phrases you might encounter. Next time you’ll see them in your study materials or everyday life, you’ll know the exact meaning behind them. You can even sneak these phrases into your conversations to sound more natural and like a native speaker!