Haitian Creole

for Health Care

Kreyl Ayisyen
pou Swen Sante
Marc Prou
& Mel Schorin

HAITIAN CREOLE FOR HEALTH CARE

KREYL AYISYEN POU SWEN SANTE
Marc Prou and Mel Schorin

2007 by Marc Prou and Mel Schorin

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced
or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or
mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any informational storage or retrieval system except by a reviewer
who may quote brief passages in a review to be printed in
a magazine or a newspaper without permission in writing
from the authors.
Front cover image from a painting by Roberson Joseph,
who currently lives in Port-au-Prince, Haiti.
Chapter illustrations by D.L. Polonsky of Boston,
Massachusetts.
Typesetting and cover design by Erica Schultz.
Published by EDUCA VISION Inc.
7550 NW 47th Avenue
Coconut Creek, FL 33073
Telephone: (954) 968-7433
E-mail: educa@aol.com
Web: www.educavision.com
ISBN-10: 1-58432-432-5
ISBN-13: 978-1-58432-432-4

Glossary
KreylEnglish
abite, rete
abiye
abs, kis
adwat
agch
akil
akouchman natirl
akouchman nmal
aksidan
aktif
aktylman
alji
amidal
anba k
anbativant
anch, senti
andmi
anemi
anestezi
anestezi nan rldo
anfle
ank
anplat
anrejistre
ansent
antibyotik
antch, foulu
antre prensipal
anvi
anvi vomi
anwo, anl
anyen
anyen ank
apary ki monit
k bebe
apary ki regle
batman k
apary pou
ekzaminen kl
matris
apl lokal
apendis
apepr
apeti
aplikat
GLOSSARY

to live, reside at
to dress up, to wear
abscess, sore, cyst
to the right
to the left
at what time
natural birth
vaginal delivery
accident
active
actually
allergy
tonsils
stomach
lower abdomen
hip, waist
somnolence
anemia
anesthesia
spinal anesthesia
swollen, inflamed
again
splint
to register
pregnant
antibiotic
sprain (n)
main entrance
to feel like, to envy,
to desire
nauseated
up, upstairs
nothing
nothing else
fetal monitor
pacemaker
colposcope

local call
appendix
about, approximately
appetite
applicators (Q-tips)

aprann
apr nesans
aprsa
asans
asipoze
asistan dokt
aspirin
asw a
at
atrapan, kontajye
avan bra, ponyt
avan, anvan
avk, ak
avtman, jete pitit
avril
ay, y
azma

to learn
neonatal
after that, afterward
elevator
suppose
physician assistant
aspirin
tonight
down, to the floor
contagious
forearm
before
with, and
abortion
April
yesterday
asthma

bab
babay
bagay woutin
balonnen
bandaj
basen
batay
batist
batman k, poul
baton
bebe mal part
beki, bekiy
bezwen
bibon, bibwon
biwo enfmasyon
biyopsi
blad pipi, vesi
blaze
blese (v, adj)
blesi (n)
blouz
b figi
bouboun, dy
bouch
bouje
bouke
boul
boul grenn
boul je

beard
bye-bye
routine things
bloated, gassy
bandage
1. pelvis; 2. bedpan
to struggle
birth certificate
pulse
walking cane
breech birth
crutches
need to, have to
baby bottle
information desk
biopsy
bladder
pale, faded
to wound, wounded
injury, wound
jacket
cheek
buttock, behind
mouth
to move
tired
lump, ball, clot
testicle
eyeball

boul nan tete

boul san
boul san ki gonfle
bouty
bouty sewm
bouton sont
bra
branka
bronch, bronchit
bw
byen
byenveni

lump in the breast

blood clot
thrombosis
bottle
IV bottle
call button
arm
stretcher
bronchitis
to drink
fine, well
welcome

chabon
chank
chanm
chanpiyon
chche, chache
chemiz
cheri
cheve
chevi, je pye
chz woulant
chirijyen, chirijen
chita
cho-frt
chofi, gratl
chofi koucht
chk
chk nan tt

charcoal
herpes
bedroom, room
yeast infection
to look for
shirt
darling
hair
ankle
wheelchair
surgeon
to sit down
hot flashes
skin rash
diaper rash
trauma, shock
head trauma

dab
dan
dan pike
dan zry, dan
sajs
dantis
de fwa
dechay vajen
deja
dejene
delwen
depatman
radyoloji
depi
depi lontan
depilsa

first of all
teeth
cavity
wisdom teeth
dentist
twice
vaginal discharge
already
breakfast
from a distance
radiology department
since
since a long time
since that time,
ever since

151

deplase
depre
depresyon
deprime
desanm
desann
deside
detanzantan
detire
detwajou
devan
dy
dey
dezidrate
difikilte
difisil
dilatasyon, jete
pitit
dilate
dimanch
direksyon
diri
disk ki deplase
diskite
dispans
dlo bouyi
do
dokt timoun,
pedyat
domaj nan svo
domaje
dmi
dosye
doul k
doul lestomak

move
from nearby
depression
stress, depressed
December
go down, get down
to decide
from time to time
to stretch
2 or 3 days
in front of
behind, buttocks
outside
dehydrated
trouble, difficulty
difficult
abortion
dilated, enlarged
Sunday
direction
rice
herniated disk
discuss
health center
boiled water
back
pediatrician
brain injury
injure, damage
to sleep
record
angina
epigastric or chest
pain
back pain
sore throat

doul nan do
doul nan gj,
malgj
doul nan kou
doul nan tt,
maltt
doul nan vant
doul senti
dous
dwat
dwe
dwt, pwent dwt
dwl
dyare, vant pase
dyt, rejim

abdominal pain
low back pain
sweet, gentle, soft
right
must, have to
finger, fingertip
strange
diarrhea
diet

echantiyon (pipi)

(urine) sample

152

neck pain
headache

echap, banday
ede
ejakile
ekoulman, pt
ekzamen anndan
jwenti
ekzamen gwo trip
ekzamen lestomak
ekzamen pelvis
emoraji
emosyonl
emowoyid
endijesyon
endispoze
enfeksyon
enfimy, mis
enflamasyon nan
svo
enflamasyon ti
vwal svo
enflamasyon venn
ni, maklouklou
ni nan ouvti
lestomak
enkyete
enpe
enptan
ensilin
enstriksyon
entesten
epi, epitou
epidemi
epk
eseye
eskalye
eskize m
espere
esplike
esp
estab
estasyon enfimy
estasyne
estnye
esteril, filaman
esterilize
estwok
eta sante
etaj
etid (n)
etidye
evite
ezofaj

sling
to help
to ejaculate
discharge
arthroscopy
colonoscopy
upper-endoscopy
pelvic exam
hemorrhage
emotional
hemorrhoid
indigestion
to faint, to pass out
infection
nurse
encephalitis
meningitis
phlebitis
hernia
hiatal hernia
to worry
some
important
insulin
instruction
intestine
then, and then
epidemic
era, epoch
to try
stairs
excuse me
to hope
to explain
sport
stable
nurses station
to park
to sneeze
IUD
sterilize
stroke
health status
floor
study, learning
to study
to avoid
esophagus

fache
fanm saj
fant bouboun
f ekzsis
f lanmou
f pipi, pise
f sks
f tata, f poupou
f van, pete
fy zry
fibwm
fig
figi
finalman
fini
fon
fse pran souf
foto k
foule
frakti
fraktire
frape
frison
fwa
fwon
fyl, sak bil
gade
gade sa
gan
garaj
gagari
gate renmen
gaz, van, pete
genl
gently, softly
genyen, gen
geri
glann
glas
globil blan
gj
gout (n)
goute (v)
goyin elektrik
gra
grate (v)
grat, chofi
grav

upset, angry
midwife
perineal area
to exercise
to make love
to urinate
intercourse
to defecate
pass gas
ear lobe
fibroids
banana
face
finally, at last
to finish, to run
out of
deep
gasping
echocardiogram
to sprain
injury, fracture
to injure, to wound
to hit, knock, strike
chills
liver
forehead
gall bladder
to look at
look at this/that
glove
parking lot, garage
to gargle
to break up (a
relationship)
gas, flatus
it seems, it appears
dousman
to have, there is/are
to heal
glands
ice, mirror, glass
white blood cell
throat
drop
to taste
table saw [electric
saw]
fat
to scrape, to itch
skin rash
serious, grave

HAITIAN CREOLE FOR HEALTH CARE / KREYL AYISYEN POU SWEN SANTE

grf
grenn planin
grenn vant, ren
grs (nan manje)
grip
gwo chk nan tt
gwo doul vant
gwo n ki desann
nan janm
gwo pous
gwo seksyon k
gwo trip
gwo venn k
gwoss
gwoss andey
matris
gwoup sangen

graft, transplant
birth control pill
kidney
fat (in the diet)
cough, flu
concussion
colic
sciatic nerve

ils
indtan
iris, mitan je
isit, isi
itilize

ulcer
one hour
iris
here
to use, utilize

janm
jansiv
janvye
jart, molt
je, zye
je vewon
jedi
jf
jen
jenn fanm
jennonm
jenou
jepye, chevi
ji
jinekolg
jis, jouk, jiskaske
jiy
jodiya
joure
jwe
jwenn
jwenti
jwenti dwt
jwenti men,
ponyt

leg
gums
January
calf
eyes
cross-eyed
Thursday
effort
June
young woman
young man
knee
ankle
juice
gynecologist
until
July
today
to swear, to curse
to play, to wiggle
to find
joint
knuckle
wrist

ka, kapab
kabann

can, able
bed

GLOSSARY

thumb
ventricle
large intestine
aorta
pregnancy
ectopic pregnancy
blood type

kabann woult

wheeled bed,
stretcher
kabint
closet, cabinet
kage
lean back
kagou
lethargic
kalbas tt
skull
kalite, tip
kind, type
kalme
to calm down
kalson
mens briefs
kamyon
truck
kanal pipi
urethra
kanpe
stand (v)
kans
cancer
kans poumon
lung cancer
kans pwostat
prostate cancer
kapt
condom
kas
cast
kase
to break
kase lezo
to break water
k
heart
k bat f
heart pounding
k brile
heartburn
k kap bat vit
rapid heartbeats
kplen
nausea
kim pou planin
contraceptive foam
kis
cyst
kitaj
curettage
klavikil, zo saly collar bone
kle
key
kl
clear
klinik topedik
orthopedic clinic
k
body
k (nan zty)
corn (of toe)
kd lonbrit
umbilical cord
kf lestomak
chest
kk, pijon
penis
koklich
pertussis
kl matris
cervix
kolestewl
cholesterol
kolik (gwo vant f colic
mal)
koma
coma
kondisyon grav
serious condition
konfizyon
confusion
konsa
like that, as such, ago
konstipasyon
constipation
konstipe
to be constipated
konstriksyon
construction
kontak seksyl
sexual contact
kontwa
counter
kontwole
to control
kt (zo kt)
ribs

kotks, lenj
koton
kou
koub do

sanitary napkin
cotton
neck
low back (curve of
the back)
koub nan pla pye arch of the foot
koube, bese
bend down
kouche
lie down
koucht
diaper
koud bra
elbow
koul
color
koulwa
hall
kounyeya
now
koupe
to cut
kouri
to run
koute, tande
to listen, to hear
kouti, koutu
stitches, sutures
kouto
knife
kouvz
incubator
kouvri
to cover
krache
to spit
krm pou planin contraceptive cream
kriye
to cry
kriz
seizure, crisis
kriz den
eclampsia
kriz endispozisyon syncope
kriz kadyak, k
heart attack
rete
kuis, kwis
thigh
kw
to believe, think
lache k ou, rilaks
lafyv
lage souf ou
lajan
lajonis
lakay
lakranp, kranp
lang
lanm
lannuit, nuit
lapenn
lapolis
larat
lasi zye
lat, t
latranblad
lavabo
lave
lavman
legim
lestomak,
lestmak

relax
fever
exhale
money
jaundice
house, home
cramps
tongue
death
night
sorrow, pity, worry
police
spleen
eye discharge
earth, dirt
shaking chills
sink
to wash, to clean
enema
vegetable
stomach, chest

153

lt
lt bebe
leve
lide
likid
likid ki kenbe
bebe
likid nan rldo ak
svo
limy
lint
lobo
lonbrit
lonje dwj
lopital
lt (yon lt)
ltrejou
lwen
lwil, luil

milk
formula
to lift, elevate, get up
idea
liquid
amniotic fluid

mache
machwa
magazen
mak
malad
maladi
maladi k

1. to walk; 2. market
jaw
store
mark, scar
patient
illness
heart disease

maladi tranble
maleng
malkadi
maltt, tt f mal
manje
manman vant
manton
marasa
mare

Parkinsons disease
sore
epilepsy
headache
food (n); to eat (v)
placenta
chin
twin
to tie, to fasten,
attach
uterus
heres, hand, but
Here we are.
boyfriend, girlfriend
menopause
measure
migraine headache

matris
men
Men nou.
mennaj
menopoz
mezi
migrn, gwo
maltt
mililt
misk
mo
montre
mpyon
mouri
mouvman

154

cerebrospinal fluid
light (n)
eyeglasses
noise
navel, belly button
to point to
hospital
other (another)
the other day
far
oil

milliliters
muscle
word
to show
ticks
to die (v); dead (adj)
movement

mouye
move
mwl

wet
bad
marrow

nanpwen
n, venn
sansasyon
n ki konekte nan
rldo
n ki pense
nechl
nemoni
nen (twou nen)
nen bouche

not any (no more)

nerves
spinal nerve

nwa je, grenn je

pinched nerve
ladder
pneumonia
nose (nostril)
stuffy nose, nasal
congestion
dripping nose
nosebleed
any
anywhere
completely, all the
way
pupil

dinat
ofisylman
oksijn
omwens
operasyon
opresyon
otreman
ovdoz
ozanviwon

computer
officially
oxygen
at least
operation
asthma
otherwise
overdose
around, about

pa grav
pafwa
pale dousman
palt
palpitasyon
pankreyas
pansman
paran
part
pasyan
pasyans
pd memwa
pd pawl
pdi
pdi souf
pett
peze
pibte
pijon
pike (v)

benign
sometimes
to speak slowly
palate
palpitation
pancreas
dressing
parent
to appear, seem
patient
patience
amnesia
aphasia
to lose
out of breath
maybe, perhaps
to weigh, press
puberty
penis
to prick, stab

nen koule
nen senyen
nenpt
nenpt kote
nt

piki (n)
pikotman
pipi
pla men
planin

shot, vaccine
tingling
urine
palm
contraceptive
(planning)
planin familyal
family planning
plim
pen, feather, body
hair
plim je
eyelash
pliye
to bend, fold
po bouch
lips
pch ze
ovary
pmdet
potato
ponp
pump
ponyt
wrist
ppy je
eyelid
poul
1. pulse; 2. chicken
poumon
lung
poupou
stool
pous
thumb
pousan
percent
pouse
to push
poust timoun
stroller
pran
to take
pran randevou
to make an appointment
pre
close (adj)
premye
first
prese
to hurry
prske
almost
preskripsyon
prescription
presyon lavi
stress
priye
to pray
pwa
1. weight; 2. peas,
beans
pwatrin, lestomak chest
pwen
fist
pwent (n)
point, tip
pwent tete
nipple
pwoblm k
heart problem
pwoblm mantal mental disorder
pwoblm
breathing difficulty
respirasyon
pwogr
progress
pwostat
prostate
pye
foot
pyebwa
tree
rad
radyografi
radyografi detaye
rale

clothes
X-ray
CAT scan
to pull, crawl

HAITIAN CREOLE FOR HEALTH CARE / KREYL AYISYEN POU SWEN SANTE

rale souf ou
rann gaz
rd
ref
reflechi
rg, peryd
regilye
rejim nmal
rldo
ren, grenn vant
renouvle
repoze
respirasyon
atifisyl
respire
retade mantal
rezilta
rezon
rim
rive
sak fyl, sak bil
sak grenn
sak ki kenbe bebe
sak ze, ov
sal ijans
san

to inhale
to burp
stiff, hard
to recover
to reflect, to think
menstrual period
regular
regular diet
spine, spinal cord
kidney
to renew, refill
to rest
artificial respiration
to breathe
mental retardation
result
reason, right (n)
nasal drip
to arrive, to occur

gall bladder
scrotum
amniotic sac
ovary
emergency room
blood, without,
hundred
san kaye, boul san blood clot
sanble
seem, appear
sansasyon
sensation
sansib
sensitive, tender
sant
smell, scent, center
santi
to feel, to smell
sanzatann
suddenly
sch
dry
selil
cell
senti
waist
sentm
symptom
senyen
bleeding
sereng
syringe
svl, svo
brain
svi ak
to use
sevre
to wean
sezaryn
cesarean section
SIDA
HIV/AIDS
sifilis
syphilis
sikilasyon
circulation
sikolojis
psychologist
sikonsizyon
circumcision
sikyat
psychiatrist
sinis bouche
sinus congestion
GLOSSARY

sip pye
sip
siveye
siviv
siyen (non ou)
ss pm
souf
soupe (n, v)
sousi
swen medikal
swete
swiv

stirrups
brace, splint
to observe, to watch
to survive
sign (your name)
applesauce
breath
(to) supper
eyebrow
medical care
to wish
to follow

tach
talon
tande, koute
tandon
tanp
tanpan, tande
zry
tanperati
tansyon
tansyon wo
tay
temwen
terapi fizik
tt
tete, sen
tete anfle
ti bebe
ti dwt
ti trip
ti venn
tdye
tonbe
touche
toude
toudi, etoudisman
toufe
tounen
tous (n), touse (v)
toutal
toutotou
tranble
tranche
tranche fse
transparan
transpire, sw
tretman
trip
trip bouche

spot
heel
to hear, listen
tendon
temple
eardrum
temperature
blood pressure
high blood pressure
waist
witness
physical therapy
head
breast
mastitis
infant
small finger, pinky
small intestine
capillary
twist
to fall
to touch
both
vertigo
to choke
to return
(to) cough
very soon
all around
trembling
contractions, labor
induced labor
transparent
to sweat, perspire
treatment
intestines
obstruction of
bowel

trip pse
tris
tib
twalt
twonp
twou dy
twou nen
twou zry
twoub

bowel perforation
sad
catheter, tube
bathroom
fallopian tube
anus
nostril
ear canal
trouble, disorder

vajen
vaksen
vaksen epatit B
vaksen polyo
vaksinasyon
vale
vant
vant-fmal
vaporizat nen
vazlin
v
v solit
venn
vtij, etoudisman
vid
vijilan
vil
vizit (n)
vizite (v)
vizit (n)
volont
vomi, vomisman
vwa

vagina
vaccine, shot
hepatitis B vaccine
polio vaccine
immunization
to swallow
abdomen, belly
abdominal pain
nasal spray
petroleum jelly
1. glass; 2. about; 3.
worms, parasites
tapeworm
vein
vertigo, dizziness
empty
alert, vigilant
city, town
visit
to visit
visitor
volunteer
vomiting
voice

wi
wo
wot
wouj
wout

yes
high, up
height
red
route, road

y, ay
yswa
yon

yesterday
last night
a, an

zanmi
ze
zepl
zo
zo dy
zo do, rldo
zo kase

friend
egg
shoulder
bone
coccyx
spine
broken bone

155

zo kt
zo mou
zo nen
zo saly
zo tt
zo zepl
zong
zry
zrye
zty
zouti

rib
cartilage
bridge of nose
collarbone
skull
shoulder blade
fingernail
ear
pillow
toes
tool

English-Kreyl

appendix

apendis

bowel movement tata, poupou

appetite

apeti

trip pse

April

avril

arm

bra

bowel perforation
BP cuff

armpit

anbabra, zsl

brace (n)

sip

around

areb

brain

svl, svo

around, approximately

v, ozanviwon,
konsa

brain injury

domaj nan svo

break (v)

kase

arrive

rive

breathe

respire

artery

gwo venn

breathing

arthroscopy

ekzamen anndan
jwenti

respire,
respirasyon

bring

pote

ask

mande

bruise (n)

san kaye anba po

asthma

opresyon, azma

bullet

boult, bal

tansyomt

abdomen, belly

vant

August

out, dawou

burp

rann gaz

abdominal pain

doul nan vant

avoid

evite

but

men

abortion

avtman, jete pitit

about

v, konsa

back (n)

do

calf

jart, molt

about, approximately

apepr,
ozanviwon

back pain

doul nan do, do

f mal

call (v)

rele

accident

aksidan

bad

move, pa bon

cerebrospinal
fluid

likid nan rldo ak

svo

acid

asid

bandaj, pansman

cervix

kl matris

adult, older
person

granmoun,
psonaj

bandage,
dressing
bathroom

cesarean section

sezaryn
chanje

afterbirth,
placenta

manman vant,
plasanta

bab

change (v)

beard

kabann

change (n)

chanjman

bed

tcheke

ank

bedpan

basen

check (v)

again

sigart

bedroom

chanm

cigarettes

air

sikonsizyon

alcohol

alkl, tafya

before

anvan, avan

circumcision

klas

tout

begin

kmanse

class, classroom

all

netwaye

allergy

alji

believe

kw

clean (v)

rad pwp

pmt

bend (your knee) pliye (jenou w)

clean clothes

allow

monte

amnesia

pd memwa

fyl

climb, go up

bile

pre

likid ki kenbe
bebe

biopsy

biyopsi

close (adj)

amniotic fluid

batist

close (v)

fmen

birth certificate

sak ki kenbe bebe

birth mark

anvi

kabint

amniotic sac

closet

pami

clot

bite

mde

san kaye, boul san

among

anemi

black

nwa

rad

anemia

clothes

anestezi

coating

bladder

blad pipi, vesi

plak, plak blanch

anesthetic

doul k

blanket

lenn, kouvti

zo dy

angina

coccyx

jepye, chevi

cold

bite (v)

mde

frt

ankle

yon lt

cold compress

bleed

senyen

konprs dlo glase

another
antibiotic
ointment

ponmad
antibyotik

gwoup sangen

colic

blood type

gwo doul vant,

kolik

twou dy

board (n)

planch

collar bone

klavikil, zo saly

anus

okenn, nenpt

body

colonoscopy

ekzamen gwo trip

any

nenpt moun

bouyi

coma

koma

anybody

boil

gwo venn k

bone

zo

come

vini, vin

aorta

pd pawl

toude, toulde

concussion

gwo chk nan tt

aphasia

both, both of
them

part, sanble

condom

kapt

appear, seem

156

twalt

HAITIAN CREOLE FOR HEALTH CARE / KREYL AYISYEN POU SWEN SANTE

constipated

konstipe

constipation

konstipasyon

diaphragm

kapt pou fanm,

dyafram
dyare, vant pase

epidemic

epidemi

epilepsy

malkadi

equipment

apary

esophagus

ezofaj, gwo gjt

especially

sitou,
espesyalman

every day

toulejou, chak jou

examine

konsilte,
ekzaminen

contact lenses

kontak

diarrhea

contagious

atrapan, kontajye

diet

dyt, rejim

contraceptive

planin

difficult

difisil

contraceptive
cream
contraceptive
foam
contractions,
labor
convulsion

krm pou planin

dilatation &
curettage
direction

dilitasyon ak kitaj

dirt

t, salte

dirty

sal

examination

konsiltasyon

discharge

koule maty,
ekoulman, pt

except

eksepte

diskite

exercise

ekzsis

discuss

exertion

gwo jf

exhale

lage souf

explain

esplike

extraction

rache dan, f
ekstraksyon

eye

je, zye

eye discharge

lasi zye

eyebrow

sousi

pansman

eyeglasses

lint

drink (v)

bw

eyelash

plim je

drink (n)

bweson

eyelid

ppy je, po je

drive (v)

kondi, kondui

drown

nwaye, neye

face

figi

drunk (adj)

sou (anba tafya)

faint

endispoze

dry (adj)

sch

fall (v)

tonbe

fallopian tube

twonp

kim pou planin

tranche
kriz

direksyon

cook (v)

kwit

cool

fre

disk (spinal)

plak zo do

corn (in toe)

k (nan zty)

dizziness

vtij, etoudisman

cornea

glas je, kne

dizzy

toudi, tt vire

correct, accurate

kork

dous

sweet, gentle, soft

cotton

koton

dousman

cough

tous (n), touse (v)

gently, softly,
slowly

count (v)

konte

at

cover (v)

kouvri

cramps

lakranp, kranp

down, to the
ground
dressing

cranial nerves

n ki nan zo tt

crawl, pull (v)

rale

critical, grave

grav

cross (v)

janbe, travse

crutches

beki, bekiy

cry (v)

kriye

curettage

kitaj

cut, wound (v)

blese

cut, wound (n)

blesi

cyst

kis

ear

zry

family planning

planin familyal

earache

malzry

far

lwen

tanpan, tande
zry

fat

gra

eardrum

fat in the diet

grs nan manje

earlobe

fy zry

fatigue

fatige, k kraze

earth, dirt

lat, t

February

fevriye

easy

fasil

fever

lafyv

eat

manje

fibroids

fibwm

gwoss andey
matris

find

jwenn

fine, well

byen

finger

dwt

fingernail

zong

dark

fonse

daughter

pitit fi

dead, to die

mouri

death

lanm

December

desanm

ectopic pregnancy

delivery

akouchman

effort

jf

dental assistant

asistan dantis

ejaculate

ejakile, voye, vini

dentist

dantis

EKG

kadyogram

dentures

fo dan

elbow

koud bra

depressed

deprime, konn
chagren

elevator

asans

emergency

ijans

encephalitis

enflamasyon nan
svo

enough

fingertip

pwent dwt

firefighter

ponpye

firstly

premyman, dab

fist

pwen

floor

etaj, fl

ase

flu

grip
swiv

depression

depresyon

dermatitis

maladi po anfle

desk; office

biwo

diaper

koucht

enter

antre

follow

diaper rash

chofi koucht

entrance

ptay antre

food

manje

foot

pye

GLOSSARY

157

forearm

avan bra, ponyt

here

isit

jaw

machw, machwa

forehead

fwon

here is/are

men

joint

jwenti

forget

bliye

hernia

ni (maklouklou)

July

jiy

formula (for
infant)
fracture

lt bebe

herniated disk

disk ki deplase

June

jen

herpes

chank

just

fk, apn

Friday

vandredi

hiatal hernia

ni nan ouvti
lestomak

nan

kidney

sotirive

knee

jenou

fromto

high blood
pressure
hip

tansyon wo

ren, grenn vant

from

anch, senti

knife

kouto

sak fyl, blad bil,

sak bil

hit (v)

frape

know

konnen

gall bladder

HIV/AIDS

SIDA

knowledge

konesans

gargle

gagari

hold on

kenbe

knuckle

jwenti dwt

gas

gaz, van, pete

hole

twou

gauze pad

twal gaz

hope

espere

sal matnite

give

bay, ba

hospital

lopital

give me

ban m

hot

cho

labor & delivery

(maternity)
labor pains

hot flashes

cho frt

gwo trip

gland

glann

large intestine

glove

gan

hot compresses

konprs cho

go

ale, al

house, home

kay, lakay

gown, robe

wb

husband

mari

great, good

anfm

grow up

grandi

IV, serum

sewm

gums

jansiv

ice, mirror

glas

leave, let

kite

gun (revolver)

revolv
jinekolg

seksyon swen
ijans

gch (agch)

gynecologist

ICU (intensive
care unit)

left (to the left)

janm

malad

leg

ill

mwens,mwen

cheve

illness

maladi

less

kagou

mwatye

vaksinasyon

lethargic

immunization

kouche

koulwa

nan

lie down

in

limy

hand

men

devan

light (n)

in front of

renmen

have

incubator

kouvz

like, love (v)

genyen, gen

tankou sa

have to, must

dwe

indigestion

lips

po bouch

head

tt

endijesyon,
gonfleman

like this/that
liquid

likid

headache

maltt, tt f mal

listen, hear

koute, tande

heal

geri

little girl

fiyt

health

lasante, sante

live

viv

heart

live at, reside

abite, rete

heart attack

kriz kadyak, k rete

liver

fwa

heart monitor

monit pou k

living

vivan

heartburn

k brile

look at

gade

heel

talon

look like, seem

sanble

hear

tande, koute

loose

souke

height

wot

lower (v)

bese

help

ede

anbavant, vant

hemorrhage

emoraji

hemorrhoid

emowoyid

lower abdomen,
belly
lumbar

hepatitis B
vaccine

vaksen epatit B

hair
half, halfway
hallway

158

zo kase

infant

ti bebe

information desk biwo enfmasyon

tranche

last night

yswa

lead, to take
somewhere
lean on

mennen

lean back

kage

learn

aprann

apiye

inhale

rale souf

injure

domaje

insect bite

mak dan moustik

insulin

ensilin

intercourse

f sks, f kontak

intestine

trip, entesten

iris

iris, mitan je

itch, scratch (v)

grate

itching, rash (n)

gratl

IUD

esteril, filaman

January

janvye

lump

boul

jaundice

lajonis

lung

poumon

koub do

HAITIAN CREOLE FOR HEALTH CARE / KREYL AYISYEN POU SWEN SANTE

make, do

new

nouvo, nf

panties

kilt, pantalt

malnourished

malnouri,
malmanje

next to

b kote, akote

pants

pantalon, kanson

nonm, gason, ng

no

non

paramedics

man

medik, gad
medikal

mas

psonn

March
marrow

mwl

no one, not
anyone
none, not any

mastitis

tete anfle

nose

nen

May

me

nosebleed

may

mt

nostrils

measles

lawoujl

medical school
medication

park (v)

estasyne
garaj

nen senyen

parking lot,
garage
patience

twounen

patient

pasyan, malad

not

pa

pediatrician

lekl lamedsin

not at all

medikaman,
renmd

pa ditou, pa
menm

dokt timoun,
pedyat

pelvic exam

egzamen plvis

not enough

pa ase

pelvis

basen, plvis
kk, pijon

okenn

pasyans

medic

gad medikal

not only

pa slman

penis

meninges

vwal ki kouvri
svo

not yet

poko

period

rg, peryd

not either

non plis

pertussis

koklich

nothing

anyen

petroleum jelly

vazlin

November

novanm

pharmacy

fanmasi, famasi

now

kounyeya

phlebitis

enflamasyon venn

nowhere

okenn kote

physical therapy

terapi fizik

nurse

enfimy, mis

pillow

zrye

nurses station

estasyon enfimy

pistol

pistol

please

souple, tanpri

meningitis

enflamasyon ti
vwal vo

menopause

menopoz

menstrual period rg, peryd

mental disorders

pwoblm mantal

mental retardation
meter

retade mantal

middle

mitan

October

oktb

pneumonia

nemoni

midwife

fanm saj

of course

police

lapolis

migraine

migrn, gwo
maltt

men wi,
natirlman

policeman

polisye

offer (v)

ofri

polio vaccine

vaksen polyo

miscarriage

movz kouch,
pdi pitit

office, desk

biwo

possible

posib

often

souvan, dri

pregnancy

gwoss

Monday

lendi

oil

lwil, luil

pregnancy test

ts gwoss

money

lajan

only

slman

pregnant

ansent

more

plis, pi

open

ouv, louvri

problem

pwoblm

more than

plis pase

operation

operasyon

prostate

pwostat

mouth

bouch

operating room

sal operasyon

psychiatry

sikyatri

move

deplase

or

sikyat

misk

oswa, oubyen,
osnon

psychiatrist

muscle

pibte

dwe

orthopedic clinic

klinik topedi

puberty

must, have to

rale

other (another)

lt (yon lt)

pull, crawl (v)

pulse

batman k, poul

punch

kout pwen

pupil (optic)

nwa je, grenn je

push (v)

pouse

put on, to place

mete

mt

natural

natirl

outside

dey

nausea

kplen, k tounen

ovary

navel

lonbrit

pch ze, sak ze,

ov

near

pre

oxygen

oksijn

neck

kou

need

bezwen

pacemaker

quiet

trankil

needle

zegwi

apary ki regle
batman k
palt, anl bouch

quit

kite

apr nesans

palate

neonatal

plamen

tranble

nerve

n, venn
sansasyon

palm

quivering

batman k,
palpitasyon

never

pa janm

palpitations
(heartbeat)

radiology

radyoloji

pancreas

pankreyas

raise (v)

leve

GLOSSARY

159

rapid

vit

sleepy

anvi dmi

rash, itching

gratl

sling

echap, banday

recently

pa gen lontan,
resaman

slipped disk

etid

zo deplase

study, learning
(n)
study (v)

small intestine

ti trip

sudden

sanzatann

small, little

piti, ti

suddenly

toudenkou

smoke

fimen (v), lafimen

(n)

suffer

soufri

Sunday

dimanch

surgery clinic

klinik chiriji

etidye

recognize

rekont

record (n)

dosye

reflect, think

reflechi

register

anrejistre

sneezing

estnye

regular

regilye

soap

savon

surgical ward

seksyon chiriji

remember

sonje

some, a few

kk, enpe

surprise

sipriz, sezisman

remove

retire

somnolence

andmi

swallow

vale

restroom

twalt, saldeben

soon

tal

swollen

anfle

return (v)

retounen, tounen

abs, kis, maleng

symptom

sentm

ribs

kt (zo kt)

syphilis

sifilis

right (side)

(b) dwat

sore (abscess,
cyst)
spasm

right, correct

rezon

speak

pale

take

pran

right away

tousuit

piki nan rldo

wete, retire

ring

bag

spinal tap

take off
tankou

as, like

rub (v)

fwote

bann (adezif)

run (v)

kouri

runny nose

nen koule rim

sanitary napkin

kotks, lenj

Saturday

samdi

scale

pz, balans

scar, mark

mak

scrape (v)

grate

scrotum

sak grenn

seatbelt

senti sekirite

see

seem, appear

genl, part

seizure

kriz

September

septanm

serious

serye

sexual contact

kontak seksyl

sexual relations

relasyon seksyl

shake (v)

souke, sekwe

shirt

chemiz

shoes

soulye

shoulder

zepl

shoulder blade

zo zepl

sign (your name) siyen (non ou)

since

depi

sink (n)

lavabo

sit

chita

skin

po

skull

zo tt, kalbas tt

sleep

160

domi

mouvman
envolont

spine, spinal cord rldo

spit (v)

krache

tape

spleen

larat

tapeworm

v solit

splint

sip (pou kenbe)

taste (v)

goute

sports

esp

teeth

dan

spot (n)

tach

tell

di, rakonte

spotting blood

tak san

temple

tanp

sprain

antch

tender

sansib

stairs

eskalye

tendon

tandon

stand (v)

kanpe

testicles

grenn, boul grenn

stay (v)

rete

then, and then

epi, epitou

steering wheel

volan

there is/are

gen

sterilize

esterilize

thermometer

tmomt

stiff

red

thigh

kuis, kwis

still, always

toujou

think

panse, kw

stirrups

sip pye

throat

gj

stitches

kouti

thumb

pous

stomach, chest

lestomak

Thursday

jedi

stone

py, ti wch

tingling

pikotman

(kidney stone)

(py nan ren)

tired, fatigued

bouke, fatige

stop

rete, sispann

today

jodiya

store

magazen

toe

zty

straighten

redrese

together

ansanm

strange

dwl

toilet paper

papye ijyenik

streak, trace (n)

tras

tongue

lang

stress

deprime, presyon
lavi

tonsils

amidal

too much

twp, two

stretch (v)

detire

touch

manyen, touche

stretcher

branka, kabann
woult

trachea

ti gjt

transplant (graft)

transplant (grf)

stroke

estwok

tree

pyebwa

stroller

poust timoun

HAITIAN CREOLE FOR HEALTH CARE / KREYL AYISYEN POU SWEN SANTE

trouble

pwoblm, twoub

vein

ti venn, venn

weigh

peze

truck

kamyon

ventricle

gwo seksyon k

weight

pwa, liv (lbs.)

try (v)

eseye

vertigo

toudi, etoudisman

welcome

byenveni

tubal ligation

mare twonp, ligati

very

tr, anpil

well, so, thus

enben

Tuesday

madi

very little

tou piti

wet

mouye

turn (v)

vire

very quick

rapido-presto

while, during

pandan

twice

de fwa

visit (v)

vizite

white blood cell

globil blan

twice a day

2 fwa pa jou

visitor

vizit

whooping cough

koklich

twist

tde, todye

vomit

vomi, vonmi

wiggle (v)

ajite, jwe

vomiting

vomi, vomisman

window

fent

ulcer

ils

wisdom teeth

umbilical cord

kd lonbrit

waist

senti, tay

dan zry, dan

sajs

umbilicus, navel

lonbrit

wait for

tann

with, and

avk, ak

understand

konprann

waiting room

saldatant

worm, parasite

v, parazit
enkyete

until

jouk, jis, jiska

wake up

reveye, leve

worry (v)

up, upstairs

anl, anwo

walk (v)

mache

blese (v, adj)

urinate

pise, f pipi

use, utilize

itilize

walk towards me mache rive sou

mwen

uterus

matris

want

vle

ward

seksyon

wound,
wounded
wound, cut,
injury
wrist

vajen, pati fanm

wash

lave

akouchman
normal

weak

fb

X-ray

radyografi

wean (v)

sevre

wear (v)

mete, abiye

yeast infection

chanpiyon

Wednesday

mkredi

yellow

jn

week

semenn, semn

yesterday

y, ay

vagina
vaginal delivery

vaginal discharge dechay vajen

vaseline

vazlin, ponmad

vegetables

legim

GLOSSARY

blesi (n)
ponyt, jwenti
men

161

ONE-PAGE HAITIAN CREOLE for medical practitioners

Do you speak Creole (English)?
Ou pale kreyl (angle)?
Good morning. (aft., eve)
Bonjou. (Bon apr-midi, bon swa)
Do you need an interpreter?
Ou bezwen yon entprt?
I dont speak Creole.
M pa pale kreyl.
Answer yes or no.
Reponn wi oubyen non.
Do you have an insurance card?
Ou gen kat asirans?
Do you have an I.D.?
Ou gen I.D.?
Can I see? Show me.
M ka w? Montre mwen.
Have you come here before?
ske ou te vini isit la deja?
Whats your name?
Kijan ou rele?
Address? Phone?
Adres? Telefonn?
Write your name for me.
Ekri non ou pou mwen.
Repeat. Speak slowly.
Repete. Pale dousman.
Is this correct?
ske sa krk?
Sign here, please.
Siyen la a, souple.
Wait here/Give me a moment. Tann isit/Ban m yon ti moman.
Wait over there. Go
Tann la ba a. Ale
Come this way
Vini b isit.
Were busy today.
Nou okipe jodi a.
The nurse is coming soon.
Enfimye a ap vini tal.

How are you? You OK?

Kijan ou ye? Ou byen?
Good. (Not too bad, thanks.)
Byen. (Pa pi mal, msi.)
(Are you taking) Medications?
(W ap pran) renmd?
What kind?
Ki kalite?
(Do you have) Allergies?
(ske ou gen) alji?
Is it possible youre pregnant?
ske li posib ou ansent?
When (what date) was your LMP?
Ki dat dnye rg ou?
Urinate in this jar.
Mete pipi nan bokal sa a.
Heres the bathroom.
Men twalt la.
Have you ever had...
Ou pa janm genyen
heart problem? (MI)
pwoblm k? (kriz kadyak)
high blood pressure
tansyon
pneumonia
nemoni
sugar (diabetes)
sik
AIDS
SIDA
disease of liver (kidney)
maladi nan fwa (ren)
operations
operasyon
asthma
opresyon
this same thing before
menm bagay sa deja
How many times?
Konbyen fwa?
Do you smoke? (drink alcohol)
Ou fimen? (bw alkl)
Are you... cold?
ske ou frt?
thirsty (want water)
swaf (vle dlo)
Take off (shirt/pants/clothes) Wete (chemiz/pantalon/rad) ou
(not your bra/panties/underwear) (pa soutyen/kilt/kalson ou)
Put this on you. (your clothes)
Mete sa a sou ou. (rad ou)

I am Dr.
Mwen se dokt .
Do you have pain? (Now?)
Ou gen doul? (Kounyeya?)
How much? A little, a lot.
Konbyen? Enpe, anpil.
Where does it hurt? Here?
Ki kote kap f ou mal? Isit?
Do you have a cold?
Ou gripe?
Does he/she have.... fever?
ske li gen . lafyv?
Do you have acough
ske ou gen touse
headache
tt-f-mal
sore throat, earache
goj-f-mal, zry-f-mal
neck pain
kou-f-mal
chest pain
kof lestomak ou f ou mal
abdominal pain
vant-f-mal
back pain
do f ou mal, doul do
nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
k plen, vonmi, dyare
BM with blood; black BM
poupou san; poupou nwa
bleeding
senyen
problems with urine
pwoblm pou pipi
trouble breathing?
pwoblm respire?
Are your legs swollen?
ske janm ou anfle?
You have (swelling/inflammation)
Ou gen (enflamasyon)

Does your body itch?

ske k ou grate ou?
When did it start?
Ki l li kmanse?
For how long? Since when?
Pou konbyen tan? Depi ki l?
Yest. (eve), at night, a long time
y (swa), lannuit, lontan
today, this AM, a few days
jodi a, maten an, kk jou
Is he eating/drinking/making urine?
Li manje/bw/pipi?
Did you have an accident?
Ou te f yon aksidan?
Did you fall?
ske ou te tonbe?
Did you lose consciousness?
ske ou te endispoze?
Did it happen at your home?
ske li pase lakay ou?
(at your work)?
(nan travay ou)?

Look here. (up, down)

Gade isit. (anwo, anba)
Open your mouth/eyes. (close)
Louvri bouch/je. (fmen)
Say ahh.
Di ahh.
Sit, please. (on the bed)
Chita, souple. (nan kabann)
Breathe. Take a deep breath.
Respire. Rale yon gwo souf.
Stop. Again.
Sispann. Ank.
Lie down.
Kouche.
Turn (right, left)
Vire (a dwat, a gch)
Lift your arm (leg). (both)
Leve bra (janm) ou. (toude)
Bend your knees.
Pliye jenou ou.
Stand up.
Kanpe.
(Can you) walk?
(Ou kab) mache?
Does this hurt you?
Sa f ou mal?
A little pain
Doul piti
Do like this.
F kon sa.
Move your fingers (toes).
Jwe dwt ou (zty ou).
Do you feel this?
ske ou santi sa?
Squeeze my hand.
Peze men mwen.
Relax your body. Rest.
Lache k ou. Repoze.
Dont move.
Pa f mouvman. (or Pa bouje.)
Are you ready?
Ou pare?
Almost done.
Prske fini.

We need to do blood tests

Nou bezwen f... ts san
urine test
ts pipi
You (dont) need... X-rays
Ou (pa) bezwen... radyografi
an operation
yon operasyon
IV fluids
sewm nan venn
stitches
kouti
a tube (in nose/throat/bladder)yon tib (nan nen/gj/blad pipi)
I want... to call a specialist.
M vle... rele yon espesyalis.
another opinion.
lt opinyon.
I spoke with your doctor.
M te pale ak dokt ou.
Were giving you an injection.
N ap ban ou yon piki.
medication for the pain
renmd pou doul a.
Under your tongue.
Anba lang ou.
Swallow.
Vale.
Help me.
Ede mwen.
Excuse me. (Sorry.)
Eskize m. (M regrt.)
I dont know. I think so.
M pa konnen. M kw sa.
Do you feel better? worse? ske ou santi pi byen? pi mal?
Everything looks okay.
Tout bagay part byen.
Your ankle (wrist) is sprained.
Je pye (Ponyt) ou foule.
You have a broken bone.
Ou gen yon zo kase.
You need to stay in the hospital.
Ou bezwen rete lopital.
Antibiotic (for infection)
Antibyotik (pou enfeksyon)
Go to a pharmacy (clinic)
Ale nan famasi (klinik).
Call your doctor (for an appt). Rele dokt ou (pou yon randevou).
Return here tomorrow.
Tounen isit demen.
Do you understand?
ske ou konprann?
I (dont) understand.
M (pa) konprann.
Do you have questions?
Ou gen kesyon?
Good-bye.
Orevwa.
Thanks (a lot).
Mesi (anpil).
No problem.
Pa gen pwoblm.


Okay, two pages if you count this side. Our goals include simplicity, phrases seeking actions or yes/no responses, and emphasis on whats most useful prior to interpreter arrival. Loosely divided into 5 sections: registration, triage, Hx, PE, Rx. Try
starting with Pronunciation and the boldface words; you might highlight phrases youd use the most.
This guide does not replace an interpreter. It was prepared to help you say hello and get an idea of whats going on before
an interpreter arrives. Further, a patient may speak some English and be embarrassed to request oneBetter to assume
your patient needs an interpreter.
-

Pronunciation:
Spelling is phonetic. Pronounce every letter, each letter always the same.
a ah (chak sounds something like shuck)
e eh (ede = eh-deh or ay-day)
like the e in leg
i short i, like see
o long o
short o
ou like you
an, on, en nasal vowels, dont pronounce the n
n, n, n (with accents) not nasal
g is hard (like get), j is soft (like the s in measure), ch is like sh, s is soft

Pronouns:
Mwen means I, me, my
Ou = you, your (sing.) Li = he, she, it, him, her, his, her, its
Nou = we, us, our, you, your (plural) Yo = they, them, their Theyre often shortened to m, w, l, n, y.
Possessive pronoun follows the noun: men li, tt mwen
Article also follows noun (a, an, la, nan for singular [depends on preceding sound], yo for plural):
the book = liv la, the doctor comes = dokt-a vini, the doctors come = dokt-yo vini, the car = machin nan,
the children = timoun yo

Verb tenses:
ap
te
ta
a
pral

M tann = I wait, M ap tann = I am waiting

Li gen = He/she has, Li te gen = He/she had
Mwen renmen = I like, M ta renmen = I would like
Nou w = We see, Nou a w (or N a w) = We will see
Yo vini = They come, Yo pral vini = Theyre going to come

PRESENT PROGRESSIVE
PAST
CONDITIONAL
FUTURE

1 en, youn

6 sis

11 onz

16 sz

21 venteyen

30 trant

71 swasantonz

2 de

7 st

12 douz

17 dist

22 vennde

40 karant

80 katreven

3 twa

8 uit

13 trz

18 dizuit

23 venntwa

50 senkant

90 katrevendis

4 kat

9 nf

14 katz

19 diznf

24 vennkat

60 swasant

100 san

5 senk

10 dis

15 kenz

20 ven

25 vennsenk

70 swasantdis

1000 mil

1:00, 2:00, etc.in, dez, twaz, katr, senk, siz, set, uit, nev, diz, onz; Noon = midi, MN = minwit,
1:30 = in edmi
1 pill (1 teaspoon) each day = yon grenn (yon ti kiy) chak jou

2x/day = de fwa pa jou

(2 drops) every 4 hours = (de gout) chak katr

3x/day = twa fwa pa jou

First, second (time), third (floor), last = Premye, dezym (fwa), twazym (fl), dnye

for 10 days = pandan dis jou

Days: dimanch, lendi, madi, mkredi, jedi, vandredi, samdi

2003, 2007 Mel Schorin, MD. Printed in Haitian Creole for Health Care /
Kreyl Ayisyen pou Swen Sante, by M. Prou & M. Schorin (2007). Available
from EDUCA VISION, Inc. (www.educavision.com).