Glossary of Creole expressions on Saint Barthelemy : Practical information

Practical Information : Glossary of Creole expressions

Although the official language is French, English is also widely used. Certain locals of traditional descent sometimes converse in a local patois referred to as “vieux francois”, which originates from Breton and Norman dialects of the 18th century. As a matter of fact, two sorts of vieux francois are spoken on the island, depending on the area: Sous le Vent and Saline dialects differ slightly. Two varieties of Creole are also present on Saint Barth: one rather similar to French, widespread in the areas of “Vent de l’Ile”, and another, identical to Guadeloupean Creole, mostly used in Gustavia. Languages are thus rather varied for an area so small, which makes this island all the more interesting.

Glossary of Creole expressions

Mésyé zé dam bonjou ! : Ladies and gentlemen, good morning/ good afternoon.
Bonjou :Good morning/ good afternoon.
Bonswa : Good evening
Ba mwen… : Can I have…
Doudou : Dear/ darling
Sa ou fé ? : How are you ?
Sa ka maché : Fine.
Si ou plé : Please
Ka ki là ? : Who is there ?
Ka sa yé ? : What’s that ?
Resté la, an ka vin ! : Stay there, I’m coming !
Tanzantan : Sometimes, from time to time
I pa bon : It’s bad
Annou ay ! : Let’s go !
Gidé mwen : Guide me.
Lagé-i ! : Let them go.
Sèk-sèk : Small glass of pure rum.
Ti-bo : A kiss
Vini : Come
Z’oreille : White
Bagail la chô : It’s very hot !
Mi plisi ! : What a pleasure !
An pa tini pwen lajan : I have no money.
Ki moun ki di ou sa ? : Who told you that ?
Mwen aimé ou doudou : I love you dear.
Pani problem : No problem.
Tiembè raid, pa moli ! : Hold on !
Fait bon i bon memm ! : It’s really excellent !
An nou zouké ô swé a : Let’s go dancing tonight.
Ki laj a ou ? et Ki laj ou ka fè ? : How old are you ?
An kay fè on ti poz : I’m going to take a rest.
An nou pran on lagout : Let’s have a glass of rum.
Es ou tandé sa mwen di ou ? : Did you hear what I said ?
Ba mwen an CRS souplé : Can I have a rum punch (lemon, rhum, sugar) please.
Fréquenté chien, ou ka trapé pice : If we mix with bad people, we will get into trouble.
Fok ou mimyin pou apprend nagé : You need to have suffered to learn to come to the surface.
Sa ki pa bon pou zwa pa bon pou kan na : Don’t do to others what you wouldn’t like them to do to you.