< Basics of Haitian Creole

I. You. He. She. It. We. They | Subject Pronouns in Haitian Creole

Learn how to use Subject Pronouns in Haitian Creole. This guide provides clear examples and explanations to enhance your Haitian Creole communication skills.

Word order

Subject Pronoun + Action …

Subject Pronoun + Place / Location …

Subject Pronoun + Description of Noun…

Subject Pronoun + Verb / Action / Preposition …

What is a Pronoun?

Pronouns like I, You, He, She, It, We, and They are known as subject pronouns because they typically appear at the beginning of a sentence. These words replace nouns, which are people, places, or things, to avoid repetition. For example, in English, we use

I love birds.
You love dogs. (You = one Noun)
He loves cats.
She loves conch.
It loves goats.
We love lions.
You [all] love chicken. (You = more than one Noun)
They love fish.

In the sentences above, I, You, He, She, It, We, & They can replace nouns, such as people, places, or things. For example, instead of saying “Eunice loves conch,” you can use “she loves conch.” Similarly, instead of “cats and dogs love chicken,” you can say “they love chicken.” This helps make sentences more concise and avoids unnecessary repetition.

The same rule applies in Haitian Creole: subject pronouns typically appear at the beginning of sentences.

Mwen

You (one Noun)

He. She. It.

Nou

You (more than one Noun)

Nou

They

Examples

Now let us use the previous examples:

Mwen renmen zwazo. I love birds.
Ou renmen chen. You love dogs.
Li renmen chat. He loves cats.
Li renmen lanbi. She loves conch.
Li renmen kabrit. It loves goats.
Nou renmen lyon. We love lions.
Nou renmen poul. You [all] love chicken.
Nou renmen zwazo. I love birds.
Yo renmen pwason. They love fish.

As you can see, nou can be used as we, you (more than one noun), and I. In addition, there is no distinction between masculine, feminine, or neuter.

Short forms of Mwen, Ou, Li, Nou, and Yo

In English, sometimes we use short forms of words because it is easier and saves time. For example, instead of saying television, we say tv. In Creole we apply the same rule to Mwen, Ou, Li, Nou, and Yo.

Mwen / M

Ou / W

You (one Noun)

Li / L

He. She. It.

Nou / N

You (more than one Noun)

Yo / Y

They

M. You can use it in two types of sentences:

Before a consonant sound
- M byen. I am well.
Before a vowel sound
- M ale. I am leaving.

W. L. N. Y. You can use them before a vowel sound.

Èske w ap rete? Are you staying?
L ale. She left.
N antre. We entered.
Y ap ekri. They are writing.