Haitian proverbs

This is a collection of Haitian Creole proverbs and idioms, sorted alphabetically.

Some proverbs are literary; that is, from a written source. Most originated orally among folk spiritualists, families, street vendors, other commoners and all walks of life, that has been since transcribed.

B

 * Bay piti pa chich.
 * Translation: To give little is not [being] cheap.


 * Toupre pa lakay.
 * English equivalent: A miss by an inch is a miss by a mile.

D

 * Dèyè mòn, gen mòn.
 * English translation: Beyond mountains, more mountains

L

 * Lafimen pa janm leve san dife.
 * English equivalent: Where there's smoke, there's fire.
 * Meaning: A rumour contains some truth.

M

 * Manman pa janm mode pitit li jouk nan zo.
 * English translation:A mother never bites her child to the bone.


 * Haitian Proverbs: An Integral Part of the Creole Language Kean University
 * Haitian Proverbs


 * Mapou mouri, kabrit manje fey li.
 * English translation: When the mapou (oak-like tree) dies, goats would eat its leaves.
 * Haitian Proverbs: An Integral Part of the Creole Language Kean University
 * Haitian Proverbs


 * Men anpil, chay pa lou.
 * English equivalent: Many hands make light work.


 * Men anpil, chay pa lou.
 * English equivalent: Many hands make light work.


 * Merite pa mande.
 * English equivalent: First deserve, then desire.

P

 * Piti piti zwazo fè nich li.
 * English translation: Little by little the bird builds its nest.
 * Through Haiti's Eyes

Z

 * Zafè kabrit pa zafè mouton.
 * Translation: The goat's business is not the sheep's business.
 * English equivalent: All girdles do not hang on one handle.
 * Meaning: Focus on how you do your own work instead of interfering with other's work.
 * Meaning: Focus on how you do your own work instead of interfering with other's work.


 * en Español: El negocio de las ovejas no es el negocio de la cabra.
 * en français: L'affaire de la chèvre n'est pas l'affaire du mouton.