pral | Simple Future Tense in Haitian Creole
Learn how to use “pral” to form the simple future tense in Haitian Creole and effectively discuss future events and actions.
Word order
Pral + Verb…
Pral + Adjective…
Pral + Preposition…
When do you use this type of sentence?
Events that are going to happen
Future Tense
Similar Lesson
Explanation
How do you tell someone that something an event is going to happen? Or an action is going to take place in the future? In English, use ‘going to’ before Verbs (“I am going to eat” or “We are going to sleep”). This is called the Future Tense. In Haitian Creole, we use one word to show someone that an event is going to happen: pral. Pral is very similar to ‘am / is / are + going to’ (Yo pral manje. They are going to eat).
Important rules when using 'pral'
For events that are not going to happen
in the future, use pa pral
M pa pral manje diri demen.
I’m not going to eat rice tomorrow.
Pral + Ale = Prale or Pral
Future Tense + ‘to go’ = Prale or Pral
Used for an action or event about to take place. Pay close attention to the context. If there is no Action Word / Verb after Prale, it is being used as defined above.
M prale bò lanmè a.
I’m going by the sea.
Mari pral nan mache a.
Mari is going to the market.
Sample Sentences
Mari pral achte yon kado.
Marie is going to buy a small gift.
Nou pral manje diri.
We’re going to eat rice.
Papa m pral gen de machin.
My father is going to have two cars.
Mwen pral sou sitwèb yo.
I’m going on their website.
Li pral rive a inè.
He’s going to arrive at 8 o’clock.
Jan pral malad.
John is going to be sick.
Li pa pral fè yon bagay.
It’s not going to do a thing.
Ou pa pral pre lanmè a.
You’re not going to be next to the sea.
Li pa pral pale sou aktivite yo.
He isn’t going to speak about their activities.