This journey leads to Nan Jaden Amoni, a work of Haitian Kreyòl literature by Marleen Julien. Available now. Order the Book →

Week 4 · May 22–25

Kreyòl se nou.

Kreyòl is not broken French. A full, sovereign language spoken by all 11 million Haitians — born from African languages, French, Spanish, Arabic, and Indigenous Taíno influence.

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Èske W Te Konnen? · Did You Know?

Haitian Kreyòl Is Central to Haiti's Identity

Kreyòl ayisyen se nanm peyi a.

Haitian Kreyòl is one of Haiti's two official languages, and UNESCO has highlighted its importance in education, inclusion, and national life. It is the language that unites all 11 million Haitians — and carries the country's culture, memory, and voice across generations.

📖 UNESCO · Haitian National Language Policy

Kreyòl se nou · Our Language

Kreyòl is not a broken form of French.
It is a complete language — born in resistance.

Born from the meeting of African, European, and Indigenous peoples. Shaped by enslaved Africans into the language of revolution — and the language that Nan Jaden Amoni teaches through story.

11M+

Speakers worldwide

20+

African language roots

1979

Official language status

#1

Language of the revolution

Vire Mo Yo · Flip Cards

Vocabulary

Choose a category, tap any card to flip it, press Listen to hear the word.

Espas Pratik · Practice Space

10 sounds and 23 useful phrases

Phrases for the moments that matter: talking to family, asking for help, expressing identity. Tap to listen. Tap record to practice. Play back to compare.

💭 De ti mo pou ou · A note for you

If you grew up hearing Kreyòl but never felt confident speaking it, this space is for you. Practice here, on your own, with no one watching. Your voice never leaves your device.

Vwayèl · Vowels

a
papa
father
e
bebe
baby
è
bèbè
mute / silent
i
diri
rice
o
poto
post / pillar
ò
bòzò
stylish / sharp
ou
moumou
loose dress

Vwayèl Nazal · Nasal Vowels

an
manman
mother
en
genyen
to have
on
bonbon
cookie / candy

👪 Pale ak Fanmi · Talking to Family

The phrases your grandmother will smile at.

Manman, mwen renmen w.

Mom, I love you.

Papa, kijan ou ye?

Dad, how are you?

Grann, fè yon ti bo pou mwen.

Grandma, give me a kiss.

Granpapa, mwen sonje w.

Grandpa, I miss you.

Mwen kontan wè w.

I'm happy to see you.

Mwen sonje w anpil.

I miss you a lot.

📖 Mande Èd · Asking for Help

When you don't know, ask. That's how you learn.

Mwen pa pale Kreyòl byen, men m ap aprann.

I don't speak Kreyòl well, but I'm learning.

Èske ou ka repete, souple?

Can you repeat, please?

Èske ou ka pale pi dousman?

Can you speak more slowly?

Kijan ou di sa an Kreyòl?

How do you say that in Kreyòl?

Mwen pa konprann.

I don't understand.

Ki sa sa vle di?

What does that mean?

💖 Mo pou Montre Apresiyasyon · Everyday Warmth

The small phrases that carry big feeling.

Mèsi anpil.

Thank you very much.

Pa gen pwoblèm.

No problem.

Bondye beni w.

God bless you.

Bòn apeti!

Enjoy your meal!

Pran swen tèt ou.

Take care of yourself.

🇭🇹 Idantite ak Fyète · Identity and Pride

Say who you are. Out loud.

Mwen se Ayisyen.

I am Haitian.

Mwen fyè dèske mwen se Ayisyen.

I'm proud to be Haitian.

Kreyòl se lang manman m.

Kreyòl is my mother's language.

M ap aprann lang zansèt mwen yo.

I'm learning the language of my ancestors.

💭 Fraz ki Soti nan Fon Kè Ou · From the Heart

If you've ever been afraid to try, these are for you.

Pa ri m, ede m pito.

Don't laugh at me, help me instead.

M ap fè efò.

I'm making the effort.

Mo & Diksyonè · Words & Dictionary

Want more words?

Explore the full Haitian Kreyòl dictionary on Mo Jodi a, our daily Kreyòl reference. New words added regularly.

Open Mo Jodi a

📖 Liv la · The Book

Continue the journey with Nan Jaden Amoni

You have explored Haitian Kreyòl as a living language. Now experience it through stories.

Nan Jaden Amoni is a collection of fables and original stories written in authentic Haitian Kreyòl, for readers, families, teachers, and heritage learners.

Order Nan Jaden Amoni

Next chapter

Week 5 · Stories

Enter the world of Nan Jaden Amoni.

🔒 Coming May 26

🥄 Fason Nou Konnen · Haitian Ways of Knowing

“Moun ki kenbe kiyè bwa se li ki konnen si li cho.”

Whoever holds the wooden spoon knows if it is hot.

This proverb honors lived experience and firsthand knowledge. Those closest to the work — the cook, the farmer, the storyteller, the speaker — often understand it best. In language learning, the person who speaks knows things a textbook never will.

What kinds of knowledge can only come from experience — not from reading or watching?

You have learned the language — now hear its stories

The language you practiced this week is the language Nan Jaden Amoni is written in — fully, intentionally, without translation. Kreyòl is not a bridge to another language in this book. It is the destination.

Week 5 is where the journey completes.

In Week 5: a new fable from the second edition of Nan Jaden Amoni, published there first. Plus the final quiz, reflection, and the drawing for 10 signed copies of the book.

"The language you practiced this week is the bridge to Nan Jaden Amoni — a collection of fables and original stories by Marleen Julien."

Semèn 5 · Complete the Journey →