Before laughing at those who limp, check the way you walk. I leave you with a few Haitian proverbs: Bay piti pa chich (To give little is not being cheap) Translation : The hungry dog does not go to bed. Se nan Chimen jennen yo kenbe chwal malen. Sorry doesn't heal the scars. Little by little birds build their nests.-Nan pwem lapriyè ki pa gen amen. "Chemen long pa touye ou." We'll share many of the popular Haitian proverbs with you. The constitution is … -Madichon ou bay bèlmè ou, se li'k rive manman ou. -Menm nan lanfè gen moun pa. -Avan ou ri moun bwete, gad jan ou mache. Translation : You won’t benefit from the goods without sweat. Enjoy a sampling of these proverbs and their meanings and a deeper look at the Haitian culture. 4 • FOLKLORE. Translation : What we give to the poor, we lend to God. A clay pot must not wrestle with the iron pot. Woman is like mahogany: The older she is, the better she is. The "deserved" don't have to ask. Meaning : You shouldn’t ask someone to watch over something they want. Walk on caution so you don't step on "if I had known.". This site provides videos in Haitian Creole for those who would like to learn the most common language spoken in Haiti. Meaning : It’s not because we give little that we are necessarily stingy or that we have bad intentions. Meaning : A good action will always be rewarded. There are hundreds of proverbs. p>. Rude kids grow beards in the cemetery. What is in your stomach, is what's yours. Here is a look at some of the best Haitian Creole quotes and sayings to use in country and enrich your time there. Illness doesn't know the brave. you have the pikliz, which is sort of a pickled cabbage, carrots, like a spice that you sprinkle on top. Literal Meaning Dèyè […] Meaning : A person without power can feel brave in the presence of his superiors. The hole of lie, is not too deep. A leaking house (roof) fool the sun, but cannot fool the rain. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to enjoy weekly Haitian proverbs. Lè ou wè yon vye zo sou chimen ou, sonje li t gen chè sou li. Some expressions in creole are more well known than others and these are the ones will be covered by this article. Proverbs About Health “When the head aches, all the body is the worse.” — English Proverb “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” — English Proverb “Joyfulness is half your health.” — Czech Proverb “The beginning of health is […] Meaning : We must respect those who helped us. Translation : Even if your fingers stink, you can not cut them to throw them. Translation : The hole of lies isn’t deep Meaning : You don’t have to look far for the truth to be revealed. Meaning : A mother gives what she can to her child. Meaning : A true friend will always be ready to support you in the most difficult times. S ak vid pa kanpe.Translated, it means “an empty sack cannot stand” in Kreyòl, Haiti’s lingua franca. What happened to the turkey, can happen to the rooster. Little by little birds build their nests. -Wòch nan dlo pa konn doulè wòch nan solèy. Meaning : Exploring the world gives us more possibilities than staying where we are. Translation : A cow never grow tired of its horns. Timoun fronte fè bab nan simityè. Avan chen manje zo, li mezire machwè'l. Sitting doesn't give. -Chemen bezwen pa janm long. Haitian Proverb September 30th Haitian Proverb September 30th Haitian Proverbs. Meaning : A family member may commit shameful or reprehensible acts. -Anpil men chay pa lou. Loving everything makes you loose everything. Oral literature is abundant and includes songs, proverbs, and riddles. Translation : What does not kill you, fattens you. Translation: "If there were no donkeys, there would be no mules. "Mapou tonbe, kabrit manje fèy li." Translation: "The long road doesn't kill you. Dogs has four legs, but can't run in four paths at the same time. Meaning : If things go wrong the first time, you will have to try again until it works. If you are in the slaughter house, blood will get on you. Translation : Whoever holds the wooden spoon is the one who knows if it is hot. Stones in water don't know the pain of stones  in the sun. Here is a list of proverbs that originate directly from Haitian culture : Se rat kay k ap manje kay. Mwen pa manje pwa, mwen pap kaka pwa. Recent Posts. Meaning : It is only when a person admits defeat that can one see his true nature. Lè Ti Poul Fè Dan. Lang pa lanmè, men li ka neye ou. Beard is longer, but eyebrows are older. Translation : A year does not kill you, it’s not a day that will kill you. Meaning : Hunger gives us the energy to continue. Twou manti pa fon. Although Haitian cuisine is largely based on Creole and French cooking styles, throughout its history several foreign countries gained control of Haiti, introducing food and ideas from their native lands. Meaning : Food is free to be shared at mealtime. Meaning : We can not get tired of what belongs to us. When the 'Mapou' [huge tree] is down, the goats eat its leaves. Meaning : We must consider our neighbors as family. Mouth eats all kind of food, but doesn't speak every word. Translation : Men experience fatigue, but not women. The curse that you give to your step mom, will happen to your mother. Meaning : It is not shameful to ask for advice. Here's a small sampling to start. Food Crisis. -Kote yo plimen kodenn, poul pa ri. Translation : The drum is beaten in the grass, but it is at home that it comes to dance. PWOVÈB AYISYEN One of the most characteristic expressions of Haiti’s culture: the proverb. -Pòt tè pa goumen ak pòt fè. -Sa'k rive kodenn nan, ka rive kòk la. But Haitian food, in particular, I love because we have great spices, and even if the food is a little fad in some cases . -Lè pye bwa jwe ak van, li pèdi fèy li. Bèf san ke, Bondye pouse mouch pou li. Haitian Proverbs. Konstitisyon se papie, bayonet se fe. Haitian creole is a language rich in nuances and has a wide variety of popular expressions that reflect the dynamics of its language. Tete pa janm twò lou pou met li. Meaning : The strongest side will always win. Knowing the proverbs of a people can help you better understand their shared values and beliefs. Meaning : You must dare to venture to see what life can bring you. Meaning : Even though a mother may sometimes seem strict with her own children, the intention is never to truly hurt them. "Marengwen mòde-w sou nen, men ou pa ka ba-l kou fò." Meaning : You have to be careful about things that look too good to be true. The ox with no tail, God clears out the flies for it. Translation : Speak Creole, understand Creole. There's always leftovers at the tailor's house. - A beautiful funeral doesn't guarantee heaven. Remember the rain that grew you your corn. -Piti piti, zwazo fè nich. Meaning : The opinion of a person who has experience in the field counts more than the opinion of those who have not experienced similar experiences. Haitian food recipes are often passed on orally by family members. Hunger is misery, a full stomach is trouble. Let me send you a copy so you can read it when it’s convenient for you. Meaning : Being “almost there” is not as good as being there for real. One very famous one is: Piti, piti, wazo fe nich li. Byen pre pa lakay.very close is not home yet. Meaning : We can not deny the nature of a person. The way you come, is the way they will receive you. Translation : Sitting down brings you nothing. Djòl fè dèt, bouda peye. Examples of Haitian Creole proverbs are: Yon sel dw è t pa manje kalalou. Translation : Children are the wealth of the poor. In this post you will find 65 Best Proverbs About Health. Memory is a strainer. Twou manti pa fon. They are also the future of their families. Chita pa bay. Gwo vant pa gwòs, gwo tèt pa lespri. Meaning : When a disaster hits a family member, the rest of the family will also suffer. Meaning : This saying implies that you should offer what you have to others and also that you should be content with what you have. Weeds you don't want to grow in your garden, grow in your front door. There's no craft that will not feed the craftsman. "If I had known" is always behind. The high tree says he sees far, the traveling seed says he see further. Before the dog eats bones, he measures his jaw. Like most examples of folk wisdom, the sayings tend to reflect a realistic rather than an idealistic view of life, and they can cast an interesting side-light on the society which gave them birth. John Hope Franklin Center at Duke University 2,924 views. -Jan ou vini, se jan yo resevwa ou. Translation : It’s the clay that drinks the rain. Literal Meaning Dèyè […] Translation : It’s better to work than to beg. Pa konnen pa al lajistis. Cooked food has no master. Memory is a strainer. Translation : Beat the dog, wait for its master. Promès se dèt. Translation : It’s the desire to give that gives. 39 haitian creole swear words, curse words & insults, 85 haitian creole proverbs that are full of wisdom. Bèl fanm se traka. To avoid is better than to ask for forgiveness. Translation : What an ant has, it’s what she will give to her child. The constitution is … Haitian sayings with pictures to inspire and motivate you. Translation : The nose takes a hit; the eyes fill with water. Meaning : This saying talks about the importance of politeness and greeting people we meet. A warning of war doesn't kill the handicaps. "Marengwen mòde-w sou nen, men ou pa ka ba-l kou fò." -Dèyè mòn gen mòn. “Behind mountains, more mountains,” one says, to which another proverb is echoed in reply: “Many hands lighten the load.” Indeed, the load is heavy. The way the cat walks is not the way it chases rats. Maladi pa konn vanyan. Malere pa bwòdè. Translation : It is the taste of the broth that makes the tongue stick out. Subscribe to our free newsletter in order to get : - A free PDF version of this guide ("85 haitian creole proverbs that are full of wisdom"), - Weekly e-mails to learn more about haitian creole and haitian culture. Traveling through Haitian Creole Proverbs - Duration: 6:31. Meaning : When we harm a defenseless person, we must expect reprisals. Konstitisyon se papie, bayonet se fe. Veves Rituals commonly involve the drawing of certain symbols known as veves with cornmeal or another powder.Each lwa has its own symbol and some have … Every dog lifts its legs and pees its own way. The offspring of the tiger, are tigers. Meaning : If you’re too kind, people will take advantage of you. Meaning : Do not complain when you work to get what you want. Translation : It’s the house’s rat that eats the house Meaning : When looking for a culprit, he is often around us or near us. It is the shoe that knows if the sock has a hole. Meaning : Good food leads to good conversations. Meaning : Family issues must be solved within the family. Translation : All that glitters is not gold, Translation : Look at what I’m doing; don’t do what I’m doing, Translation : The front door becomes the back of the house. It is still tough to keep the good people in the food line… and the bad people away from it. Translation : Never cut off the finger of the one who gives you food. "Menm nan lanfè gen mounpa." The goat's business is not the sheep's business. Haitian Proverbs-Piti piti, zwazo fè nich. "Mapou tonbe, kabrit manje fèy li." Also, the majority of … Bel dan pa di zanmi. Meaning : When we run out of money, we have to find ways to stretch it as best we can. When your friend's beard is caught on fire, put yours in water. The mouth makes debt, the behind pays back. Translation : It’s the good heart of the toad that made him foolish. -Sak vid pa kanpe. Promises are debts. Even in hell there are people from your clan. Translation : You have to beat the drums to hear its sound. One very famous one is: Piti, piti, wazo fe nich li. This common dish is also… Beautiful women are troubles. If you deserve praises, let others do it for you. Translation : A cow who has several masters will starve. Translation : What the poor have is what he brings to the market. Renmen tout fè ou pèdi tout. Behind mountains, there are more mountains Dèyè mòn, gen mòn This is the most famous of Haitian proverbs, especially after the book about medical pioneer Paul Farmer’s work in Haiti. -Sim te konnen toujou dèyè. you have the pikliz, which is sort of a pickled cabbage, carrots, like a spice that you sprinkle on top. Today we are going to look at a collection of the best Haitian Quotes in Creole. - Just becasue someone is smiling at you doesn't mean they're your friend. Translation : A cockroach is never right in front of a chicken. A big belly doesn't mean pregnancy, a big head doesn't mean intelligence. . Meaning : You must always assume your responsibilities, even if it is difficult. . In Haiti, some proverbs permeate the country’s popular culture and are even part of the country’s heritage. He who must go out, search for the door. Translation : It is when the snake dies that we can see its length. Meaning : Make sure you know the details before committing to a new project. Many artists choose Haitian history or daily life for their subjects. Meaning : Be humble. Meaning : The people who you care about can tell a lot about who you are. Meaning : It is always possible to give up. Translation : Stupidity doesn’t kill, but it makes us sweat. Don't wait for someone to drown before showing them how to swim. The mosquito bites you on the nose, but you cannot hit it hard. The pronunciation can be a little tricky if you’re just learning the language, listen to the example above and repeat as needed. 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