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85 Haitian Creole Proverbs That Are Full of Wisdom
85 Haitian Creole Proverbs That Are Full of Wisdom
Knowing the proverbs of a people can help you better understand their shared values and
beliefs.
In Haiti, some proverbs permeate the country’s popular culture and are even part of the
country’s heritage.
Meaning : You don’t have to look far for the truth to be revealed.
Sa ou fè se li ou wè
Translation : What you do is what you see
Meaning : People around you may give you advice, but you are still solely responsible for
your actions.
Meaning : You can not force people to act against their will.
Meaning : Children bring happiness and comfort to the less fortunate. They are also the
future of their families.
Meaning : Acts that are done outside the home end up having repercussions in the
family.
Manman chen pa janm mòde pitit li jous nan zo
Translation : A dog’s mother will never bite her little ones to the bones
Meaning : Even though a mother may sometimes seem strict with her own children, the
intention is never to truly hurt them.
Meaning : A family member may commit shameful or reprehensible acts. Despite this, we
can not get rid of them because the family ties are too strong.
Meaning : Even if we may not like someone, we can not accuse him or her of things that
he or she wouldn’t be able to do.
Meaning : Exploring the world gives us more possibilities than staying where we are.
Pa janm koupe dwèt moun k ap ba ou manje
Translation : Never cut off the finger of the one who gives you food
Meaning : Make sure you know the details before committing to a new project.
Meaning : It’s not because we give little that we are necessarily stingy or that we have bad
intentions.
Meaning : This saying implies that you should offer what you have to others and also that
you should be content with what you have.
Meaning : The people who you care about can tell a lot about who you are.
Meaning : Only because one person smiles on you, that does not mean that he is your
friend.
Meaning : A person without power can feel brave in the presence of his superiors.
Vwazinaj se fanmi
Translation : The neighborhood is the family
Meaning : It is only when a person admits defeat that can one see his true nature.
Bondye bon
Translation : God is good
Meaning : You have to be careful about things that look too good to be true.
Premye so pa so
Translation : The first jump is not a jump
Meaning : A missed first try does not really count, you have to roll up your sleeves and try
again.
Pou fe kob la fe mwa a, lave li, bwe dlo li
Translation : To make money last a month, we wash it, then drink its water
Meaning : When we run out of money, we have to find ways to stretch it as best we can.
Lespwa fe viv
Translation : Hope is alive
Meaning : When a disaster hits a family member, the rest of the family will also suffer.
Meaning : Those who are the most seen by the public are often the ones most
susceptible to scandals.
Tout sa ki klere pa lò
Translation : All that glitters is not gold
Wè sa m fè; pa fè sa m fè
Translation : Look at what I’m doing; don’t do what I’m doing
Meaning : If things go wrong the first time, you will have to try again until it works.
Fòk ou bat tanbou a pou tande son l
Translation : You have to beat the drums to hear its sound
Meaning : We appreciate less the things for which we have not made an effort.
Meaning : Do not complain when you work to get what you want.
Meaning : You must dare to venture to see what life can bring you.
Meaning : A true friend will always be ready to support you in the most difficult times.
Achte, peye; prete, remèt. Men sa ki fè yon nonm
Translation : Buy, pay; lend, give back. That’s what makes a man
« Bonjou » se paspo ou
Translation : “Hello” is your passport
Meaning : This saying talks about the importance of politeness and greeting people we
meet.
Met do pa grate do
Translation : The back does not scratch its own back
Meaning : You can not always do everything yourself and you can ask others for help with
these things.
Meaning : A busy person is not going to be lazy and do nothing, he will keep himself busy
with work!
Meaning : Being “almost there” is not as good as being there for real.
Chita pa bay
Translation : Sitting down brings you nothing
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.
Malere pa dezonè
Translation : Poverty is not shameful
Meaning : Poverty is one thing, but what’s more important is the strength of a person’s
actions and willpower.
Meaning : You shouldn’t ask someone to watch over something they want.
Meaning : In Haiti, speaking French is a sign of education and some Haitians will
sometimes judge people whenever they speak french. The proverb evokes that it is not
because a person is school educated that he is necessarily intelligent.
Meaning : We must have gratitude for what took us where we are now.