Prepositions in Haitian Creole
Learn about Haitian Creole prepositions and how they express spatial, locational, and directional relationships. Discover how they compare to English prepositions and get tips on using them accurately by observing native speakers.
Word order
Subject + Preposition + Object
Noun 1 + Place + Noun 2
Noun 1 + Location + Noun 2
When to use this type of sentence?
Show direction, location, time, and the spatial relationship between nouns
Similar Lesson
Explanation
Prepositions are words that indicate spatial, locational, and directional relationships between nouns. A noun refers to a person, place, or thing. In English, common prepositions include ‘on’ (e.g., “The book is on the table”), ‘at’ (e.g., “The plane leaves at noon”), ‘under’ (e.g., “My keys are under the bed”), and ‘next to’ (e.g., “John lives next to the school”).
Haitian Creole prepositions function similarly. For example, “Liv la sou tab la” means “The book is on the table”. However, Haitian Creole prepositions may have different uses and may not always align directly with their English counterparts.
It’s crucial to observe how native speakers use these prepositions to understand their nuances and apply them correctly.
Do not use 'se' before Prepositions
In English, the verb ‘to be’ is used before prepositions to describe relationships between nouns. For example, in sentences like
Examples
Nan / Kay / La— / Le— are used where we use ‘at’ for specifying the location of Nouns. Can also be translated as ‘to’ if the Noun is going towards something.
- Jan nan yon fèt. John is at a party.
- Nou wè li nan antèman an. We saw her at the funeral.
- Nan kay papa m. At my father’s house.
- Yo kay doktè a. They’re at the doctor’s office.
- Chen an lakay. The dog is at home.
- Timoun mwen lekòl. My child is at school
- Gen de pastè legliz. There are two pastors at church.
* Generally, when you see ‘la…’ (lakay) and ‘le…’ (lekòl) in the beginning of word, it automatically has a preposition. No need for another preposition before it. For example, ‘mwen legliz’ (I am at church).
Nan can also be translated as ‘to’ if the Noun is going towards something.
- Nou prale nan mache la. We are going to the market.
- Mwen mache al nan pòt la. I walked to the door.
*Generally ‘nan’ is not used before proper names (Walmart, Haiti)
** Do not use ‘nan’ in sentences that translated from ‘Verb (base form) + To’ in English
- Mwen prale Meksik. I will go to Mexico.
- Li Walmat. My father went to Walmart.
- Nou te eseye pale. We tried to talk.
- Erik swete wè w nan maryaj la. Erik hopes to see you at the wedding.
- Tibebe a dwe manje. The baby has to eat.
Sou has the same meaning as ‘on’, ‘above’ over’
- Telefòn mwen sou biwo a. My telephone is on the desk.
- Gen yon zwazo sou kay la. There is a bird on the house.
- Mari, chita sou chèz la. Marie, sit on the chair.
- Mete yon wòb blan sou ou. Put a white dress on you.
- Avyon an monte sou nyaj yo. The plane climbed above the clouds.
Anndan usually translates to ‘inside’
- Jan met dlo nan gode a. John put water in the cup.
- Gen yon pastè nan legliz la. There is one pastor in the church.
- Nou nan mwa Me. We are in the month of May.
- Ou nan gwo pwoblèm. You are in big trouble.
- L ap kouri anndan kay la. She is running in the house.
- Met rad yo anndan chanm nan. Put the clothes inside the room.
- Chat la anndan twalèt la. The cat is inside the bathroom.
Sou also has the same meaning as ‘about’
- Gen yon bagay mwen te aprann sou viris la. There’s one thing I learned about the virus.
- Mika ap tann repons ou sou jwèt la. I’m waiting for your answer about the game.
- Nou pale sou tout sijè. We talk about everything.
- Think about why you are happy. Panse sou rezon ou kontan.
Avèk / Ak / Avè all have the same meaning as ‘with’.
- Ak is the short form
- Avè is the short from and only use before pronouns (m, ou, w, li, l, nou, n, yo)
- Sè m avèk papa nou. My sister is with our father.
- Li te avè nou. He was with us.
- Jij yo dwe jije ak jistis. Judges need to judge with justice.
- Vini ak boutèy la. Come with the bottle.
- Jan avè m renmen diri. John and I love rice.
A is used as ‘in’ for directions (eg. north, east, right, left), asking questions with ‘at’ and ‘about’, and when telling time (at)
- Solèy la leve a lès. The sun raises in the east.
- N ap vire a dwat. We are turning right.
- A kilè w ap vini? At what time are you cominig?
- A ki tanperati? At what temperature?
- Reyinyon an kòmanse a midi. The meeting starts at noon.
It’s essential to observe how native speakers use Haitian Creole prepositions and to model your usage after theirs. This will help ensure that your understanding and application of prepositions are accurate and natural.