This poetic expression is a common way of saying goodbye when you don't know when you'll see each other again next time.
Born in the first half of the 17th century, the Creole language is a mosaic of extraordinary richness. To the Amerindian legacies were added the dialects of the French colonists, the Blacks of West Africa and, later of the Coolies of India or China. Creole expressions, some of which have existed for centuries, have enriched the language and have fully integrated the local culture, way of life and linguistics. Click on the title to read the translation and explanation.
Annou !
Let's go!
The expression Annou is used to encourage people to do the verb that follows it.
"Annou manjé an zoranj" means "Let's eat an orange".
Without a following verb, Annou means "let's go" without further ado.
Ba moun an komisyon
Give a package to deliver
Komisyon means "message or report". The word komisyon is used in Creole to refer to someone reporting to someone.
"An pa té ba ou komisyon pou Marcel" means: I didn't ask you to go and tell everything / report to Marcel.
Ébé
Well
"Ébé" is placed at the beginning of a sentence. It is used to express astonishment.
"Ébé, David kité travay-li" means "Well, David quit his job" (resigned).
Fè an won
Make a round
Expression meaning to take a tour and then specify the place.
"Man ka fè an won Gran Riviè", "I'm going to Grand'Rivière".
I uitè d'maten
Il est 8 heures du matin
En créole, les heures sont utilisées de la même manière que dans les pays anglophones. On précise si c'est le matin ou le soir.
« I uitè d'maten » signifie « Il est 8 heures du matin ».
« I sizè d'swè » signifie « Il est 6 heures du soir ».