Haitian Creole

for Health Care

Kreyòl Ayisyen
pou Swen Sante

Marc Prou
& Mel Schorin
HAITIAN CREOLE FOR HEALTH CARE
KREYÒL 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 in-
formational 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
Kreyòl–English aprann to learn boul nan tete lump in the breast
aprè nesans neonatal boul san blood clot
abite, rete to live, reside at
aprèsa after that, afterward boul san ki gonfle thrombosis
abiye to dress up, to wear
asansè elevator boutèy bottle
absè, kis abscess, sore, cyst
asipoze suppose boutèy sewòm IV bottle
adwat to the right
asistan doktè physician assistant bouton sonèt call button
agòch to the left
aspirin aspirin bra arm
akilè at what time
aswè a tonight branka stretcher
akouchman natirèl natural birth
atè down, to the floor bronch, bronchit bronchitis
akouchman nòmal vaginal delivery
atrapan, kontajye contagious bwè to drink
aksidan accident
avan bra, ponyèt forearm byen fine, well
aktif active
avan, anvan before byenveni welcome
aktyèlman actually
avèk, ak with, and
alèji allergy
avòtman, jete pitit abortion chabon charcoal
amidal tonsils
avril April chank herpes
anba kè stomach
ayè, yè yesterday chanm bedroom, room
anbativant lower abdomen
azma asthma chanpiyon yeast infection
anch, senti hip, waist
chèche, chache to look for
andòmi somnolence
bab beard chemiz shirt
anemi anemia
babay bye-bye cheri darling
anestezi anesthesia
bagay woutin routine things cheve hair
anestezi nan rèldo spinal anesthesia
balonnen bloated, gassy chevi, je pye ankle
anfle swollen, inflamed
bandaj bandage chèz woulant wheelchair
ankò again
basen 1. pelvis; 2. bedpan chirijyen, chirijen surgeon
anplat splint
batay to struggle chita to sit down
anrejistre to register
batistè birth certificate cho-frèt hot flashes
ansent pregnant
batman kè, poul pulse chofi, gratèl skin rash
antibyotik antibiotic
baton walking cane chofi kouchèt diaper rash
antòch, foulu sprain (n)
bebe mal parèt breech birth chòk trauma, shock
antre prensipal main entrance
beki, bekiy crutches chòk nan tèt head trauma
anvi to feel like, to envy,
to desire bezwen need to, have to
anvi vomi nauseated bibon, bibwon baby bottle dabò first of all
anwo, anlè up, upstairs biwo enfòmasyon information desk dan teeth
anyen nothing biyopsi biopsy dan pike cavity
anyen ankò nothing else blad pipi, vesi bladder dan zòrèy, dan wisdom teeth
aparèy ki monitè fetal monitor blaze pale, faded sajès
kè bebe blese (v, adj) to wound, wounded dantis dentist
aparèy ki regle pacemaker blesi (n) injury, wound de fwa twice
batman kè dechay vajen vaginal discharge
blouz jacket
aparèy pou colposcope deja already
ekzaminen kòl bò figi cheek
matris bouboun, dèyè buttock, behind dejene breakfast
apèl lokal local call bouch mouth delwen from a distance
apendis appendix bouje to move depatman radiology depart-
radyoloji ment
apeprè about, approxi- bouke tired
mately depi since
boul lump, ball, clot
apeti appetite depi lontan since a long time
boul grenn testicle
aplikatè applicators (Q-tips) depilèsa since that time,
boul je eyeball ever since

GLOSSARY 151
deplase move echap, banday sling fache upset, angry
depre from nearby ede to help fanm saj midwife
depresyon depression ejakile to ejaculate fant bouboun perineal area
deprime stress, depressed ekoulman, pèt discharge fè ekzèsis to exercise
desanm December ekzamen anndan arthroscopy fè lanmou to make love
desann go down, get down jwenti fè pipi, pise to urinate
deside to decide ekzamen gwo trip colonoscopy fè sèks intercourse
detanzantan from time to time ekzamen lestomak upper-endoscopy fè tata, fè poupou to defecate
detire to stretch ekzamen pelvis pelvic exam fè van, pete pass gas
detwajou 2 or 3 days emoraji hemorrhage fèy zòrèy ear lobe
devan in front of emosyonèl emotional fibwòm fibroids
dèyè behind, buttocks emowoyid hemorrhoid fig banana
deyò outside endijesyon indigestion figi face
dezidrate dehydrated endispoze to faint, to pass out finalman finally, at last
difikilte trouble, difficulty enfeksyon infection fini to finish, to run
difisil difficult enfimyè, mis nurse out of
enflamasyon nan encephalitis fon deep
dilatasyon, jete abortion
pitit sèvo fòse pran souf gasping
dilate dilated, enlarged enflamasyon ti meningitis foto kè echocardiogram
vwal sèvo
dimanch Sunday foule to sprain
enflamasyon venn phlebitis
direksyon direction frakti injury, fracture
èni, maklouklou hernia
diri rice fraktire to injure, to wound
èni nan ouvèti hiatal hernia
disk ki deplase herniated disk frape to hit, knock, strike
lestomak
diskite discuss frison chills
enkyete to worry
dispansè health center fwa liver
enpe some
dlo bouyi boiled water fwon forehead
enpòtan important
do back fyèl, sak bil gall bladder
ensilin insulin
doktè timoun, pediatrician enstriksyon instruction
pedyat gade to look at
entesten intestine
domaj nan sèvo brain injury gade sa look at this/that
epi, epitou then, and then
domaje injure, damage gan glove
epidemi epidemic
dòmi to sleep garaj parking lot, garage
epòk era, epoch
dosye record gagari to gargle
eseye to try
doulè kè angina gate renmen to break up (a
eskalye stairs
doulè lestomak epigastric or chest relationship)
pain eskize m excuse me gaz, van, pete gas, flatus
doulè nan do back pain espere to hope genlè it seems, it appears
doulè nan gòj, sore throat esplike to explain gently, softly dousman
malgòj espò sport genyen, gen to have, there is/are
doulè nan kou neck pain estab stable geri to heal
doulè nan tèt, headache estasyon enfimyè nurses’ station glann glands
maltèt
estasyóne to park glas ice, mirror, glass
doulè nan vant abdominal pain
estènye to sneeze globil blan white blood cell
doulè senti low back pain
esterilè, filaman IUD gòj throat
dous sweet, gentle, soft
esterilize sterilize gout (n) drop
dwat right
estwok stroke goute (v) to taste
dwe must, have to
eta sante health status goyin elektrik table saw [electric
dwèt, pwent dwèt finger, fingertip
etaj floor saw]
dwòl strange gra
etid (n) study, learning fat
dyare, vant pase diarrhea grate (v)
etidye to study to scrape, to itch
dyèt, rejim diet gratè, chofi
evite to avoid skin rash
ezofaj esophagus grav serious, grave
echantiyon (pipi) (urine) sample

152 HAITIAN CREOLE FOR HEALTH CARE / KREYÒL AYISYEN POU SWEN SANTE
grèf graft, transplant kabann woulèt wheeled bed, kotèks, lenj sanitary napkin
grenn planin birth control pill stretcher koton cotton
kabinèt closet, cabinet
grenn vant, ren kidney kou neck
kage lean back
grès (nan manje) fat (in the diet) koub do low back (curve of
kagou lethargic the back)
grip cough, flu
kalbas tèt skull koub nan pla pye arch of the foot
gwo chòk nan tèt concussion
kalite, tip kind, type koube, bese bend down
gwo doulè vant colic
kalme to calm down kouche lie down
gwo nè ki desann sciatic nerve
nan janm kalson men’s briefs kouchèt diaper
gwo pous thumb kamyon truck koud bra elbow
gwo seksyon kè ventricle kanal pipi urethra koulè color
gwo trip large intestine kanpe stand (v) koulwa hall
gwo venn kè aorta kansè cancer kounyeya now
gwosès pregnancy kansè poumon lung cancer koupe to cut
gwosès andeyò ectopic pregnancy kansè pwostat prostate cancer kouri to run
matris kapòt condom koute, tande to listen, to hear
gwoup sangen blood type kas cast kouti, koutu stitches, sutures
kase to break kouto knife
ilsè ulcer kase lezo to break water kouvèz incubator
inèdtan one hour kè heart kouvri to cover
iris, mitan je iris kè bat fò heart pounding krache to spit
isit, isi here kè brile heartburn krèm pou planin contraceptive cream
itilize to use, utilize kè kap bat vit rapid heartbeats kriye to cry
kèplen nausea kriz seizure, crisis
janm leg kim pou planin contraceptive foam kriz denè eclampsia
jansiv gums kis cyst kriz endispozisyon syncope
janvye January kitaj curettage kriz kadyak, kè heart attack
jarèt, molèt calf klavikil, zo salyè collar bone rete
je, zye eyes kle key kuis, kwis thigh
je vewon cross-eyed klè clear kwè to believe, think
jedi Thursday klinik òtopedik orthopedic clinic
jèfò effort kò body lache kò ou, rilaks relax
jen June kò (nan zòtèy) corn (of toe) lafyèv fever
jenn fanm young woman kòd lonbrit umbilical cord lage souf ou exhale
jennonm young man kòf lestomak chest lajan money
jenou knee kòk, pijon penis lajonis jaundice
jepye, chevi ankle koklich pertussis lakay house, home
ji juice kòl matris cervix lakranp, kranp cramps
jinekològ gynecologist kolestewòl cholesterol lang tongue
jis, jouk, jiskaske until kolik (gwo vant fè colic lanmò death
jiyè July mal) lannuit, nuit night
jodiya today koma coma lapenn sorrow, pity, worry
joure to swear, to curse kondisyon grav serious condition lapolis police
jwe to play, to wiggle konfizyon confusion larat spleen
jwenn to find konsa like that, as such, ago lasi zye eye discharge
jwenti joint konstipasyon constipation latè, tè earth, dirt
jwenti dwèt knuckle konstipe to be constipated latranblad shaking chills
jwenti men, wrist konstriksyon construction lavabo sink
ponyèt kontak seksyèl sexual contact lave to wash, to clean
kontwa counter lavman enema
ka, kapab can, able kontwole to control legim vegetable
kabann bed kòt (zo kòt) ribs lestomak, stomach, chest
lestòmak
GLOSSARY 153
lèt milk mouye wet piki (n) shot, vaccine
lèt bebe formula move bad pikotman tingling
leve to lift, elevate, get up mwèl marrow pipi urine
lide idea pla men palm
likid liquid nanpwen not any (no more) planin contraceptive
likid ki kenbe amniotic fluid nè, venn nerves (planning)
bebe sansasyon planin familyal family planning
likid nan rèldo ak cerebrospinal fluid nè ki konekte nan spinal nerve plim pen, feather, body
sèvo rèldo hair
limyè light (n) nè ki pense pinched nerve plim je eyelash
linèt eyeglasses nechèl ladder pliye to bend, fold
lobo noise nemoni pneumonia po bouch lips
lonbrit navel, belly button nen (twou nen) nose (nostril) pòch ze ovary
lonje dwèj to point to nen bouche stuffy nose, nasal pòmdetè potato
lopital hospital congestion ponp pump
nen koule dripping nose ponyèt wrist
lòt (yon lòt) other (another)
nen senyen nosebleed pòpyè je eyelid
lòtrejou the other day
nenpòt any poul 1. pulse; 2. chicken
lwen far
nenpòt kote anywhere poumon lung
lwil, luil oil
nèt completely, all the poupou stool
way pous
mache 1. to walk; 2. market thumb
nwa je, grenn je pupil
machwa jaw pousan percent
magazen store pouse to push
òdinatè computer
mak mark, scar pousèt timoun stroller
ofisyèlman officially
malad patient pran to take
oksijèn oxygen
maladi illness pran randevou to make an appoint-
omwens at least ment
maladi kè heart disease operasyon operation pre close (adj)
maladi tranble Parkinson’s disease opresyon asthma premye first
maleng sore otreman otherwise prese to hurry
malkadi epilepsy ovèdoz overdose prèske almost
maltèt, tèt fè mal headache ozanviwon around, about preskripsyon prescription
manje food (n); to eat (v) presyon lavi stress
manman vant placenta pa grav benign priye to pray
manton chin pafwa sometimes pwa 1. weight; 2. peas,
marasa twin pale dousman to speak slowly beans
mare to tie, to fasten, palèt palate pwatrin, lestomak chest
attach pwen fist
palpitasyon palpitation
matris uterus pwent (n) point, tip
pankreyas pancreas
men here’s, hand, but pwent tete nipple
pansman dressing
Men nou. Here we are. pwoblèm kè heart problem
paran parent
mennaj boyfriend, girl- pwoblèm mantal mental disorder
friend parèt to appear, seem
menopoz pasyan patient pwoblèm breathing difficulty
menopause
respirasyon
mezi measure pasyans patience
pwogrè progress
migrèn, gwo migraine headache pèd memwa amnesia
maltèt pwostat prostate
pèd pawòl aphasia
mililèt pye foot
milliliters pèdi to lose
misk pyebwa tree
muscle pèdi souf out of breath
mo word petèt maybe, perhaps
montre rad clothes
to show peze to weigh, press
mòpyon radyografi X-ray
ticks pibète puberty
mouri radyografi detaye CAT scan
to die (v); dead (adj) pijon penis
mouvman rale to pull, crawl
movement pike (v) to prick, stab

154 HAITIAN CREOLE FOR HEALTH CARE / KREYÒL AYISYEN POU SWEN SANTE
rale souf ou to inhale sipò pye stirrups trip pèse bowel perforation
rann gaz to burp sipò brace, splint tris sad
rèd stiff, hard siveye to observe, to watch tib catheter, tube
refè to recover siviv to survive twalèt bathroom
reflechi to reflect, to think siyen (non ou) sign (your name) twonp fallopian tube
règ, peryòd menstrual period sòs pòm applesauce twou dèyè anus
regilye regular souf breath twou nen nostril
rejim nòmal regular diet soupe (n, v) (to) supper twou zòrèy ear canal
rèldo spine, spinal cord sousi eyebrow twoub trouble, disorder
ren, grenn vant kidney swen medikal medical care
renouvle to renew, refill swete to wish vajen vagina
repoze to rest swiv to follow vaksen vaccine, shot
respirasyon artificial respiration vaksen epatit B hepatitis B vaccine
atifisyèl tach spot vaksen polyo polio vaccine
respire to breathe talon heel vaksinasyon immunization
retade mantal mental retardation tande, koute to hear, listen vale to swallow
rezilta result tandon tendon vant abdomen, belly
rezon reason, right (n) tanp temple vant-fèmal abdominal pain
rim nasal drip tanpan, tande eardrum vaporizatè nen nasal spray
rive to arrive, to occur zòrèy vazlin petroleum jelly
tanperati temperature vè 1. glass; 2. about; 3.
sak fyèl, sak bil gall bladder tansyon blood pressure worms, parasites
sak grenn scrotum tansyon wo high blood pressure vè solitè tapeworm
sak ki kenbe bebe amniotic sac tay waist venn vein
sak ze, ovè ovary temwen witness vètij, etoudisman vertigo, dizziness
sal ijans emergency room terapi fizik physical therapy vid empty
san blood, without, tèt head vijilan alert, vigilant
hundred tete, sen breast vil city, town
san kaye, boul san blood clot vizit (n)
tete anfle mastitis visit
sanble seem, appear vizite (v)
ti bebe infant to visit
sansasyon sensation vizitè (n)
ti dwèt small finger, pinky visitor
sansib sensitive, tender volontè
ti trip small intestine volunteer
sant smell, scent, center vomi, vomisman
ti venn capillary vomiting
santi to feel, to smell vwa
tòdye twist voice
sanzatann suddenly
tonbe to fall
sèch dry wi
touche to touch yes
selil cell wo
toude both high, up
senti waist wotè
toudi, etoudisman vertigo height
sentòm symptom wouj
toufe to choke red
senyen bleeding wout
tounen to return route, road
sereng syringe
tous (n), touse (v) (to) cough
sèvèl, sèvo brain yè, ayè
toutalè very soon yesterday
sèvi ak to use yèswa
toutotou all around last night
sevre to wean yon
tranble trembling a, an
sezaryèn cesarean section
tranche contractions, labor
SIDA HIV/AIDS zanmi
tranche fòse induced labor friend
sifilis syphilis ze
transparan transparent egg
sikilasyon circulation zepòl
transpire, swè to sweat, perspire shoulder
sikolojis psychologist zo
tretman treatment bone
sikonsizyon circumcision zo dèyè
trip intestines coccyx
sikyat psychiatrist zo do, rèldo
trip bouche obstruction of spine
sinis bouche sinus congestion bowel zo kase broken bone

GLOSSARY 155
zo kòt rib appendix apendis bowel movement tata, poupou
zo mou cartilage appetite apeti bowel perfora- trip pèse
zo nen bridge of nose April avril tion
zo salyè collarbone BP cuff tansyomèt
arm bra
zo tèt skull brace (n) sipò
armpit anbabra, zèsèl
zo zepòl shoulder blade brain sèvèl, sèvo
around arebò
zong fingernail brain injury domaj nan sèvo
around, approxi- vè, ozanviwon,
zòrèy ear mately konsa break (v) kase
zòrye pillow arrive rive breathe respire
zòtèy toes respire,
artery gwo venn breathing
zouti tool respirasyon
arthroscopy ekzamen anndan
jwenti bring pote
ask mande bruise (n) san kaye anba po
opresyon, azma bullet boulèt, bal
English-Kreyòl asthma
August out, dawou burp rann gaz
abdomen, belly vant
avoid evite but men
abdominal pain doulè nan vant
abortion avòtman, jete pitit
back (n) do calf jarèt, molèt
about vè, konsa
back pain doulè nan do, do call (v) rele
about, approxi- apeprè, fè mal
mately ozanviwon cerebrospinal likid nan rèldo ak
bad move, pa bon fluid sèvo
accident aksidan
bandage, bandaj, pansman cervix kòl matris
acid asid
dressing cesarean section sezaryèn
adult, older granmoun, bathroom twalèt
person pèsonaj change (v) chanje
beard bab chanjman
afterbirth, manman vant, change (n)
placenta plasanta bed kabann tcheke
check (v)
again ankò bedpan basen sigarèt
cigarettes
air lè bedroom chanm sikonsizyon
circumcision
alcohol alkòl, tafya before anvan, avan klas
class, classroom
all tout begin kòmanse netwaye
clean (v)
allergy alèji believe kwè rad pwòp
clean clothes
allow pèmèt bend (your knee) pliye (jenou w) climb, go up monte
amnesia pèd memwa bile fyèl pre
close (adj)
amniotic fluid likid ki kenbe biopsy biyopsi fèmen
close (v)
bebe birth certificate batistè
closet kabinèt
amniotic sac sak ki kenbe bebe birth mark anvi
clot san kaye, boul san
among pami bite mòde
clothes rad
anemia anemi black nwa
coating plak, plak blanch
anesthetic anestezi bladder blad pipi, vesi
coccyx zo dèyè
angina doulè kè blanket lenn, kouvèti
cold frèt
ankle jepye, chevi bite (v) mòde
cold compress konprès dlo glase
another yon lòt bleed senyen
colic gwo doulè vant,
antibiotic ponmad blood type gwoup sangen kolik
ointment antibyotik
board (n) planch collar bone klavikil, zo salyè
anus twou dèyè
body kò colonoscopy ekzamen gwo trip
any okenn, nenpòt
boil bouyi coma koma
anybody nenpòt moun
bone zo come vini, vin
aorta gwo venn kè
both, both of toude, toulède concussion gwo chòk nan tèt
aphasia pèd pawòl them condom kapòt
appear, seem parèt, sanble

156 HAITIAN CREOLE FOR HEALTH CARE / KREYÒL AYISYEN POU SWEN SANTE
constipated konstipe diaphragm kapòt pou fanm, epidemic epidemi
konstipasyon dyafram malkadi
constipation epilepsy
kontak diarrhea dyare, vant pase aparèy
contact lenses equipment
atrapan, kontajye diet dyèt, rejim ezofaj, gwo gòjèt
contagious esophagus
planin difficult difisil sitou,
contraceptive especially
krèm pou planin dilatation & dilitasyon ak kitaj espesyalman
contraceptive
cream curettage every day toulejou, chak jou
kim pou planin direction direksyon
contraceptive examine konsilte,
foam dirt tè, salte ekzaminen
contractions, tranche dirty sal examination konsiltasyon
labor
discharge koule matyè, except eksepte
convulsion kriz ekoulman, pèt
exercise ekzèsis
cook (v) kwit discuss diskite
exertion gwo jèfò
cool fre disk (spinal) plak zo do
exhale lage souf
corn (in toe) kò (nan zòtèy) dizziness vètij, etoudisman
explain esplike
cornea glas je, kòne dizzy toudi, tèt vire
extraction rache dan, fè
correct, accurate korèk dous sweet, gentle, soft ekstraksyon
cotton koton dousman gently, softly, je, zye
eye
cough tous (n), touse (v) slowly
eye discharge lasi zye
count (v) konte down, to the atè
eyebrow sousi
ground
cover (v) kouvri linèt
dressing pansman eyeglasses
cramps lakranp, kranp plim je
drink (v) bwè eyelash
cranial nerves nè ki nan zo tèt pòpyè je, po je
drink (n) bweson eyelid
crawl, pull (v) rale
drive (v) kondi, kondui
critical, grave grav figi
drown nwaye, neye face
cross (v) janbe, travèse endispoze
drunk (adj) sou (anba tafya) faint
crutches beki, bekiy tonbe
dry (adj) sèch fall (v)
cry (v) kriye twonp
fallopian tube
curettage kitaj planin familyal
ear zòrèy family planning
cut, wound (v) blese lwen
earache malzòrèy far
cut, wound (n) blesi gra
eardrum tanpan, tande fat
cyst kis zòrèy grès nan manje
fat in the diet
earlobe fèy zòrèy fatigue fatige, kò kraze
dark fonse earth, dirt latè, tè fevriye
February
daughter pitit fi easy fasil lafyèv
fever
dead, to die mouri eat manje fibwòm
fibroids
death lanmò ectopic preg- gwosès andeyò jwenn
find
December desanm nancy matris
fine, well byen
delivery akouchman effort jèfò
finger dwèt
dental assistant asistan dantis ejaculate ejakile, voye, vini
fingernail zong
dentist dantis EKG kadyogram
fingertip pwent dwèt
dentures fo dan elbow koud bra
firefighter ponpye
depressed deprime, konn elevator asansè
firstly premyèman, dabò
chagren emergency ijans
fist pwen
depression depresyon encephalitis enflamasyon nan
floor etaj, flò
dermatitis maladi po anfle sèvo
flu grip
desk; office biwo enough ase
follow swiv
diaper kouchèt enter antre
food manje
diaper rash chofi kouchèt entrance pòtay antre
foot pye

GLOSSARY 157
forearm avan bra, ponyèt here isit jaw machwè, machwa
forehead fwon here is/are men joint jwenti
forget bliye hernia èni (maklouklou) July jiyè
formula (for lèt bebe herniated disk disk ki deplase June jen
infant) herpes chank just fèk, apèn
fracture zo kase
hiatal hernia èni nan ouvèti
Friday vandredi lestomak
kidney ren, grenn vant
from nan high blood tansyon wo
knee jenou
from…to… soti…rive… pressure
anch, senti knife kouto
hip
frape know konnen
gall bladder sak fyèl, blad bil, hit (v)
sak bil SIDA knowledge konesans
HIV/AIDS
gagari kenbe knuckle jwenti dwèt
gargle hold on
gas gaz, van, pete hole twou
twal gaz espere labor & delivery sal matènite
gauze pad hope
(maternity)
give bay, ba hospital lopital tranche
labor pains
give me ban m hot cho gwo trip
large intestine
gland glann hot flashes cho frèt yèswa
last night
glove gan hot compresses konprès cho mennen
lead, to take
go ale, al house, home kay, lakay somewhere
gown, robe wòb husband mari lean on apiye
great, good anfòm lean back kage
grow up grandi IV, serum sewòm learn aprann
gums jansiv ice, mirror glas leave, let kite
gun (revolver) revolvè ICU (intensive seksyon swen left (to the left) gòch (agòch)
jinekològ care unit) ijans leg janm
gynecologist
ill malad less mwens,mwen
cheve illness maladi lethargic kagou
hair
mwatye immunization vaksinasyon lie down kouche
half, halfway
koulwa in nan light (n) limyè
hallway
men in front of devan like, love (v) renmen
hand
genyen, gen incubator kouvèz like this/that tankou sa
have
dwe indigestion endijesyon, lips po bouch
have to, must
gonfleman
head tèt liquid likid
infant ti bebe
headache maltèt, tèt fè mal listen, hear koute, tande
information desk biwo enfòmasyon
heal geri little girl fiyèt
inhale rale souf
health lasante, sante live viv
injure domaje
heart kè live at, reside abite, rete
insect bite mak dan moustik
heart attack kriz kadyak, kè rete liver fwa
insulin ensilin
heart monitor monitè pou kè living vivan
intercourse fè sèks, fè kontak
heartburn kè brile look at gade
intestine trip, entesten
heel talon look like, seem sanble
iris iris, mitan je
hear tande, koute loose souke
itch, scratch (v) grate
height wotè lower (v) bese
itching, rash (n) gratèl
help ede lower abdomen, anbavant, vant
IUD esterilè, filaman belly
hemorrhage emoraji
lumbar koub do
hemorrhoid emowoyid
January janvye lump boul
hepatitis B vaksen epatit B
jaundice lajonis lung poumon
vaccine

158 HAITIAN CREOLE FOR HEALTH CARE / KREYÒL AYISYEN POU SWEN SANTE
make, do fè new nouvo, nèf panties kilòt, pantalèt
malnourished malnouri, next to bò kote, akote pants pantalon, kanson
malmanje non medik, gad
no paramedics
man nonm, gason, nèg pèsonn medikal
no one, not
March mas anyone park (v) estasyòne
marrow mwèl none, not any okenn parking lot, garaj
mastitis tete anfle nose nen garage
nen senyen patience pasyans
May me nosebleed
twounen patient pasyan, malad
may mèt nostrils
pa pediatrician doktè timoun,
measles lawoujòl not
pedyat
medical school lekòl lamedsin not at all pa ditou, pa
menm pelvic exam egzamen pèlvis
medication medikaman, basen, pèlvis
pa ase pelvis
renmèd not enough
pa sèlman penis kòk, pijon
medic gad medikal not only
poko period règ, peryòd
meninges vwal ki kouvri not yet
sèvo non plis pertussis koklich
not… either
meningitis enflamasyon ti anyen petroleum jelly vazlin
nothing
vwal èvo pharmacy fanmasi, famasi
November novanm
menopause menopoz phlebitis enflamasyon venn
now kounyeya
menstrual period règ, peryòd physical therapy terapi fizik
nowhere okenn kote
mental disorders pwoblèm mantal pillow zòrye
nurse enfimyè, mis
mental retarda- retade mantal pistol pistolè
tion nurses’ station estasyon enfimyè
please souple, tanpri
meter mèt
oktòb pneumonia nemoni
middle mitan October
men wi, police lapolis
midwife fanm saj of course
natirèlman policeman polisye
migraine migrèn, gwo
maltèt offer (v) ofri polio vaccine vaksen polyo
miscarriage movèz kouch, office, desk biwo possible posib
pèdi pitit often souvan, dri pregnancy gwosès
Monday lendi oil lwil, luil pregnancy test tès gwosès
money lajan only sèlman pregnant ansent
more plis, pi open ouvè, louvri problem pwoblèm
more than plis pase operation operasyon prostate pwostat
mouth bouch operating room sal operasyon psychiatry sikyatri
move deplase or oswa, oubyen, psychiatrist sikyat
muscle misk osnon pibète
puberty
must, have to dwe orthopedic clinic klinik òtopedi rale
pull, crawl (v)
other (another) lòt (yon lòt) batman kè, poul
pulse
natural natirèl outside deyò kout pwen
punch
nausea kèplen, kè tounen ovary pòch ze, sak ze, nwa je, grenn je
pupil (optic)
ovè
navel lonbrit push (v) pouse
oxygen oksijèn
near pre put on, to place mete
neck kou
pacemaker aparèy ki regle
need bezwen batman kè quiet trankil
needle zegwi palèt, anlè bouch quit kite
palate
neonatal aprè nesans plamen quivering tranble
palm
nerve nè, venn batman kè,
palpitations
sansasyon palpitasyon
(heartbeat) radiology radyoloji
never pa janm pankreyas
pancreas raise (v) leve

GLOSSARY 159
rapid vit sleepy anvi dòmi study, learning etid
rash, itching gratèl sling echap, banday (n)
study (v) etidye
recently pa gen lontan, slipped disk zo deplase
resaman sudden sanzatann
small intestine ti trip
recognize rekonèt suddenly toudenkou
small, little piti, ti
record (n) dosye suffer soufri
smoke fimen (v), lafimen
reflect, think reflechi (n) Sunday dimanch
register anrejistre sneezing estènye surgery clinic klinik chiriji
regular regilye soap savon surgical ward seksyon chiriji
remember sonje some, a few kèk, enpe surprise sipriz, sezisman
remove retire somnolence andòmi swallow vale
restroom twalèt, saldeben soon talè swollen anfle
return (v) retounen, tounen sore (abscess, absè, kis, maleng symptom sentòm
ribs kòt (zo kòt) cyst) syphilis sifilis
spasm mouvman
right (side) (bò) dwat envolontè
right, correct rezon take pran
speak pale
right away tousuit take off wete, retire
spinal tap piki nan rèldo
ring bag tankou as, like
spine, spinal cord rèldo
rub (v) fwote tape bann (adezif)
spit (v) krache
run (v) kouri tapeworm vè solitè
spleen larat
runny nose nen koule rim taste (v) goute
splint sipò (pou kenbe)
teeth dan
sports espò
sanitary napkin kotèks, lenj tell di, rakonte
spot (n) tach
Saturday samdi temple tanp
spotting blood tak san
scale pèz, balans tender sansib
sprain antòch
scar, mark mak tendon tandon
stairs eskalye
scrape (v) grate testicles grenn, boul grenn
stand (v) kanpe
scrotum sak grenn then, and then epi, epitou
stay (v) rete
seatbelt senti sekirite there is/are gen
steering wheel volan
see wè thermometer tèmomèt
sterilize esterilize
seem, appear genlè, parèt thigh kuis, kwis
stiff red
seizure kriz think panse, kwè
still, always toujou
September septanm throat gòj
stirrups sipò pye
serious serye thumb pous
stitches kouti
sexual contact kontak seksyèl Thursday jedi
stomach, chest lestomak
sexual relations relasyon seksyèl tingling pikotman
stone pyè, ti wòch
shake (v) souke, sekwe tired, fatigued bouke, fatige
(kidney stone) (pyè nan ren)
shirt chemiz today jodiya
stop rete, sispann
shoes soulye toe zòtèy
store magazen
shoulder zepòl together ansanm
straighten redrese
shoulder blade zo zepòl toilet paper papye ijyenik
strange dwòl
sign (your name) siyen (non ou) tongue lang
streak, trace (n) tras
since depi tonsils amidal
stress deprime, presyon
sink (n) lavabo lavi too much twòp, two
sit chita stretch (v) detire touch manyen, touche
skin po stretcher branka, kabann trachea ti gòjèt
zo tèt, kalbas tèt woulèt transplant (graft) transplant (grèf)
skull
domi stroke estwok tree pyebwa
sleep
stroller pousèt timoun

160 HAITIAN CREOLE FOR HEALTH CARE / KREYÒL AYISYEN POU SWEN SANTE
trouble pwoblèm, twoub vein ti venn, venn weigh peze
truck kamyon ventricle gwo seksyon kè weight pwa, liv (lbs.)
try (v) eseye vertigo toudi, etoudisman welcome byenveni
tubal ligation mare twonp, ligati very trè, 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 vizitè whooping cough koklich
twist tòde, todye vomit vomi, vonmi wiggle (v) ajite, jwe
vomiting vomi, vomisman window fenèt
ulcer ilsè wisdom teeth dan zòrèy, dan
kòd lonbrit senti, tay sajès
umbilical cord waist
lonbrit tann with, and avèk, ak
umbilicus, navel wait for
konprann saldatant worm, parasite vè, parazit
understand waiting room
jouk, jis, jiska reveye, leve worry (v) enkyete
until wake up
anlè, anwo mache wound, blese (v, adj)
up, upstairs walk (v)
wounded
urinate pise, fè pipi walk towards me mache rive sou blesi (n)
wound, cut,
itilize mwen
use, utilize injury
matris want vle wrist ponyèt, jwenti
uterus
ward seksyon men

vajen, pati fanm wash lave

vagina
weak fèb X-ray radyografi
vaginal delivery akouchman
normal wean (v) sevre
vaginal discharge dechay vajen wear (v) mete, abiye yeast infection chanpiyon
vaseline vazlin, ponmad Wednesday mèkredi yellow jòn
vegetables legim week semenn, semèn yesterday yè, ayè

GLOSSARY 161

ONE-PAGE HAITIAN CREOLE …for medical practitioners
Do you speak Creole (English)?
Good morning. (aft., eve) Bonjou. (Bon aprè-midi, bon swa)
Do you need an interpreter?
I don’t speak Creole.
Answer yes or no.
Do you have an insurance card?
Do you have an I.D.?
Can I see? Show me.
Have you come here before?
What’s your name?
Address? Phone?
Write your name for me.
Repeat. Speak slowly.
Is this correct?
Sign here, please.
Wait here/Give me a moment. Tann isit/Ban m yon ti moman.
Wait over there. Go…
Come this way
We’re busy today.
The nurse is coming soon.
——————————————————————
How are you? You OK?
Good. (Not too bad, thanks.)
(Are you taking) Medications?
What kind?
(Do you have) Allergies?
Is it possible you’re pregnant?
When (what date) was your LMP?
Urinate in this jar.
Here’s the bathroom.
Have you ever had...
heart problem? (MI)
high blood pressure
pneumonia
sugar (diabetes)
AIDS
disease of liver (kidney)
operations
asthma
this same thing before
How many times?
Do you smoke? (drink alcohol)
Are you... cold?
thirsty (want water)
Take off (shirt/pants/clothes) Wete (chemiz/pantalon/rad) ou
(not your bra/panties/underwear) (pa soutyen/kilòt/kalson ou)
Put this on you. (your clothes)
——————————————————————
I am Dr. …
Do you have pain? (Now?)
How much? A little, a lot.
Where does it hurt? Here?
Do you have a cold?
Does he/she have.... fever?
Do you have a…cough
headache
sore throat, earache
neck pain
chest pain
abdominal pain
back pain
nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
BM with blood; black BM
bleeding
problems with urine
trouble breathing?
Are your legs swollen?
You have (swelling/inflammation)
Ou pale kreyòl (angle)? Does your body itch?
When did it start?
Ou bezwen yon entèprèt? For how long? Since when?
M pa pale kreyòl. Yest. (eve), at night, a long time
Reponn wi oubyen non. today, this AM, a few days
Ou gen kat asirans? Is he eating/drinking/making urine?
Ou gen “I.D.”? Did you have an accident?
M ka wè? Montre mwen. Did you fall?
Èske ou te vini isit la deja? Did you lose consciousness?
Kijan ou rele? Did it happen at your home?
Adres? Telefonn? (at your work)?
Ekri non ou pou mwen. ——————————————————————
Repete. Pale dousman. Look here. (up, down)
Èske sa kòrèk? Open your mouth/eyes. (close)
Siyen la a, souple. Say “ahh”.
Sit, please. (on the bed)
Tann la ba a. Ale… Breathe. Take a deep breath.
Vini bò isit. Stop. Again.
Nou okipe jodi a. Lie down.
Enfimye a ap vini talè. Turn (right, left)
Lift your arm (leg). (both)
Kijan ou ye? Ou byen? Bend your knees.
Byen. (Pa pi mal, mèsi.) Stand up.
(W ap pran) renmèd? (Can you) walk?
Ki kalite? Does this hurt you?
(Èske ou gen) alèji? A little pain
Èske li posib ou ansent? Do like this.
Ki dat dènye règ ou? Move your fingers (toes).
Mete pipi nan bokal sa a. Do you feel this?
Men twalèt la. Squeeze my hand.
Ou pa janm genyen… Relax your body. Rest.
pwoblèm kè? (kriz kadyak) Don’t move. Pa fè mouvman. (or… Pa bouje.)
tansyon Are you ready?
nemoni Almost done.
sik —————————————————————
SIDA We need to do… blood tests
maladi nan fwa (ren) urine test
operasyon You (don’t) need... X-rays
opresyon an operation
menm bagay sa deja IV fluids
Konbyen fwa? stitches
Ou fimen? (bwè alkòl) a tube (in nose/throat/bladder)yon tib (nan nen/gòj/blad pipi)
Èske ou… frèt? I want... to call a specialist.
swaf (vle dlo) … another opinion.
I spoke with your doctor.
We’re giving you an injection.
Mete sa a sou ou. (rad ou) … medication for the pain
Under your tongue.
Mwen se doktè …. Swallow.
Ou gen doulè? (Kounyeya?) Help me.
Konbyen? Enpe, anpil. Excuse me. (Sorry.)
Ki kote kap fè ou mal? Isit? I don’t know. I think so.
Ou gripe? Do you feel better? worse? Èske ou santi pi byen? pi mal?
Èske li gen …. lafyèv? Everything looks okay.
Èske ou gen… touse Your ankle (wrist) is sprained.
tèt-fè-mal You have a broken bone.
goj-fè-mal, zòrèy-fè-mal You need to stay in the hospital.
kou-fè-mal Antibiotic (for infection)
kof lestomak ou fè ou mal Go to a pharmacy (clinic)
vant-fè-mal Call your doctor (for an appt). Rele doktè ou (pou yon randevou).
do fè ou mal, doulè do Return here tomorrow.
kè plen, vonmi, dyare Do you understand?
poupou san; poupou nwa I (don’t) understand.
senyen Do you have questions?
pwoblèm pou pipi Good-bye.
pwoblèm respire? Thanks (a lot).
Èske janm ou anfle? No problem.
Ou gen (enflamasyon)
Èske kò ou grate ou?
Ki lè li kòmanse?
Pou konbyen tan? Depi ki lè?
yè (swa), lannuit, lontan
jodi a, maten an, kèk jou
Li manje/bwè/pipi?
Ou te fè yon aksidan?
Èske ou te tonbe?
Èske ou te endispoze?
Èske li pase lakay ou?
(nan travay ou)?
Gade isit. (anwo, anba)
Louvri bouch/je. (fèmen)
Di “ahh”.
Chita, souple. (nan kabann)
Respire. Rale yon gwo souf.
Sispann. Ankò.
Kouche.
Vire (a dwat, a gòch)
Leve bra (janm) ou. (toude)
Pliye jenou ou.
Kanpe.
(Ou kab) mache?
Sa fè ou mal?
Doulè piti
Fè kon sa.
Jwe dwèt ou (zòtèy ou).
Èske ou santi sa?
Peze men mwen.
Lache kò ou. Repoze.
Ou pare?
Prèske fini.
Nou bezwen fè... tès san
tès pipi
Ou (pa) bezwen... radyografi
yon operasyon
sewòm nan venn
kouti
M vle... rele yon espesyalis.
… lòt opinyon.
M te pale ak doktè ou.
N ap ban ou yon piki.
… renmèd pou doulè a.
Anba lang ou.
Vale.
Ede mwen.
Eskize m. (M regrèt.)
M pa konnen. M kwè sa.
Tout bagay parèt byen.
Je pye (Ponyèt) ou foule.
Ou gen yon zo kase.
Ou bezwen rete lopital.
Antibyotik (pou enfeksyon)
Ale nan famasi (klinik).
Tounen isit demen.
Èske ou konprann?
M (pa) konprann.
Ou gen kesyon?
Orevwa.
Mesi (anpil).
Pa gen pwoblèm.
 
Okay, two pages if you count this side. Our goals include simplicity, phrases seeking actions or yes/no responses, and em-
phasis on what’s 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 you’d use the most.
This guide does not replace an interpreter. It was prepared to help you say hello and get an idea of what’s going on before
an interpreter arrives. Further, a patient may speak some English and be embarrassed to request one—Better 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)
è – like the “e” in “leg” i – short i, like “see”
o – long o ò – short o ou – like “you”
an, on, en – nasal vowels, don’t pronounce the “n”
àn, òn, èn – (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 They’re often shortened to m, w, l, n, y.
Possessive pronoun follows the noun: men li, tèt 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 = doktè-a vini, the doctors come = doktè-yo vini, the car = machin nan,
the children = timoun yo

Verb tenses:
ap M tann = I wait, M ap tann = I am waiting PRESENT PROGRESSIVE

te Li gen = He/she has, Li te gen = He/she had PAST

ta Mwen renmen = I like, M ta renmen = I would like CONDITIONAL

a Nou wè = We see, Nou a wè (or N a wè) = We will see FUTURE

pral Yo vini = They come, Yo pral vini = They’re going to come

————————————————————————————————————————-

1 en, youn 6 sis 11 onz 16 sèz 21 venteyen 30 trant 71 swasantonz

2 de 7 sèt 12 douz 17 disèt 22 vennde 40 karant 80 katreven
3 twa 8 uit 13 trèz 18 dizuit 23 venntwa 50 senkant 90 katrevendis
4 kat 9 nèf 14 katòz 19 diznèf 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.—inè, dezè, twazè, katrè, senkè, sizè, setè, uitè, nevè, dizè, onzè; Noon = midi, MN = minwit,
1:30 = inè edmi
————————————————————————————————————————-

1 pill (1 teaspoon) each day = yon grenn (yon ti kiyè) chak jou 2x/day = de fwa pa jou
(2 drops) every 4 hours = (de gout) chak katrè 3x/day = twa fwa pa jou
First, second (time), third (floor), last = Premye, dezyèm (fwa), twazyèm (flò), dènye for 10 days = pandan dis jou
Days: dimanch, lendi, madi, mèkredi, jedi, vandredi, samdi

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