de

Inherited from French deux (“two”), from Middle French deux, from Old French deus, from Latin duōs, masculine accusative plural of duo, from Proto-Italic *duō, from Proto-Indo-European *dwóh₁.


to

head

to (second person informal singular, plural vouzòt, ouzòt, zòt, zo, objective twa, possessive determiner tô, possessive pronoun tokin, tochin)

vouzòt (plural)
ouzòt (plural)
zòt (plural)
zo (plural)
twa (objective)
tô (determiner possessive)
tokin (possessive pronoun without-noun)
tochin (possessive pronoun without-noun)

To té paʼlé gra. / To te pale gra.

You spoke with an accent. (literally: "You had spoken thick.")


non

Inherited from Louisiana French non (“no”).

Non, mo pa las jòdi-la.

1998, Albert Valdman, Thomas A. Klingler, Margaret M. Marshall, Kevin J. Rottet, Dictionary of Louisiana Creole, page 330:

no; a word used to indicate disagreement or negation


bo

Inherited from French beau (“handsome, fine, attractive; boyfriend”).


bo

Compare Saint Dominican Creole French bobo, Haitian Creole bo.


content

From French content (“content”), compare Haitian Creole kontan.


gain

From French gagner (“to gain”), compare Haitian Creole gen.


panier

From French panier (“basket”), compare Haitian Creole panyen.


las

Inherited from French lasse (“weary, tired”).


un

unn (feminine)
ènn (feminine)
in (alternative)


li

head

li (third-person singular, plural yé, objective li, possessive sô, emphatic sokin, sochin)

yé (plural)
li (objective)
sô (possessive)
sokin (emphatic)
sochin (emphatic)

→ French: li


personne

From French personne (“person”), compare Haitian Creole pèsonn.


pa

Inherited from French pas (“step, pace, footstep; not”). For semantic evolution from step to not, see etymology section at French pas.

inh

Li fe so premye pa yèr. [Li fé sô prémyé pa yèr.]

1998, Albert Valdman, Thomas A. Klingler, Margaret M. Marshall, Kevin J. Rottet, Dictionary of Louisiana Creole, page 345:


pa

Çé pa jist.

To pa ka trouvé mô shyin?

Piti-ye astè-la kwa pa dan fifole-ye. [Piti-yé astè-la kwa pa dan fifolé-yé.]

Children today don't believe in will-o'-the-wisps.

Most common adverb of negation in Louisiana Creole, typically translating into English as not, don't, doesn't, etc.


pa

Mo pa sète en FARMER ^([sic]). [Mô pa sèté in farmer.]


pair

From French peur (“fear”), compare Haitian Creole pè.


té

To té paʼlé gra. / To te pale gra.

Si mo té koné ça....

No té gin in nòt fiy.

(with stative verbs) simple past tense marker

Li té brav.


fout

From French foutre (“to mock”), compare Haitian Creole fout.


nou

alternative form of nouzòt (“we, us; our”)


di

Inherited from French dire (“to say, to tell”).


sa

Inherited from French sera (“will be”) or similar (e.g., seras), an inflection of French être (“to be”).


lo

Derived from French l' (“the”) + French eau (“water”), with the definite article re-analyzed as part of the noun.

alternative form of dolo (“water; body of water; tear”)


fou

Inherited from French fou (“mad, crazy”).


fou

Inherited from French four (“oven, stove”).


zo

alternative form of vouzòt (“you, y'all; your, y'all's”)


raison

From French raison (“reason”), compare Haitian Creole rezon.


tè

alternative form of té (past tense marker)


t'

prevocalic form of té (past tense marker)


t'

T'olé ça?


commence

From French commencer (“to commence”), compare Haitian Creole kòmanse.


sou

Inherited from French sou (“sou, cent”).


twa

head

twa (second person singular objective pronoun)


wi

Inherited from Louisiana French oui (“yes”).


mil

Inherited from French mille (“thousand”).


passé

From French passer (“to pass”), compare Haitian Creole pase.


gin

Inherited from French gagner (“to earn, to gain”).

Mâ tant gin dé sœr.

(transitive) to have (to own, to possess)

(transitive) to have under one's control, in one's power

Mo gin swaf.

Mo gin pœr.

(transitive) to have (a condition), to be

Li gin 19 zan.

(transitive) to get, to make (cause someone or something to do something)


mouton

From French mouton (“sheep”), ultimately from Proto-Celtic *moltos.

faib comme ein mouton

troup mouton

Mouton-la ap bele. Li pa konen trouve so moman.

1998, Albert Valdman, “mouton”, in Albert Valdman, Kevin J. Rottet, Margaret M. Marshall, Thomas A. Klingler, editors, Dictionary of Louisiana Creole, Indiana University Press, →ISBN, page 319:

The sheep is bleating. It can't find its mother.

dite mouton

sheep tea, medicinal tea used for a fever


plein

Inherited from French plein (“full”), from
Old French plein, from Latin plēnus, from Proto-Italic *plēnos, from Proto-Indo-European *pl̥h₁nós (“full”). Compare English plenty.


mé

Inherited from French mais (“but, although”).


timid

Inherited from French timide (“shy, timid”).


dit

From French dire (“to tell”), compare Haitian Creole di.


nom

Inherited from Louisiana French nom (“name”).

Mô nom çé Èmé.

Mo fou pa mal apré tô nonm, ki çé tô nom?

I don't care about your man (i.e., romantic partner), what is your name?

Laparwas isit gen si tèlman le ti kanal e le ti bout dolo keu ina ye pa gen leu non dutou. [Laparwas isit gin si tèlmen lê ti kanal é lê ti bout dolo ke ina yé pa gin le nom dutou.

This parish has so many little canals and stretches of water that there are many which have no name at all.


vive

From French vivre (“to live”), compare Haitian Creole viv.


chagrin

From French chagrin (“sorrow”), compare Haitian Creole chagrin.

Fille la té si chagrin li té pas connin ça pout fait.

1895, Alcée Fortier, compiler, Louisiana Folk-Tales, page 70:

The girl was so sorry that she did not know what to do.


perde

From French perdre (“to lose”), compare Haitian Creole pèdi.


vendredi

Inherited from French vendredi (“Friday”).

vendrédi (alternative)
vendròdi (alternative)
vondédri (alternative)
vondrèdi (alternative)


senti

From French sentir (“to feel”), compare Haitian Creole santi.


fais

From French faire (“to do”), compare Haitian Creole fè.


mo

head

mo (first person singular, plural nouzòt, nou, no, objective mò, possessive determiner mô, possessive pronoun mokin, mochin)

nouzòt (plural)
nou (plural)
no (plural)
mò (objective)
mô (determiner possessive)
mokin (possessive pronoun without-noun)
mochin (possessive pronoun without-noun)

Mo té manké twa.

I (first person singular nominative (subject) pronoun)


protégé

From French protéger (“to protect”), compare Haitian Creole pwoteje.


prend

From French prendre (“to take”), compare Haitian Creole pran.


marché

From French marcher (“to walk”), compare Haitian Creole mache.


mangé

From French manger (“to eat”), compare Haitian Creole manje.


mæg

Inherited from French maigre (“meagre, skinny”).


tro

Inherited from French trop (“too much”).


risqué

From French risquer (“to risk”), compare Haitian Creole risk.


dormi

From French dormir (“to sleep”), compare Haitian Creole dòmi.


liv

Inherited from French livre (“pound; grade (level)”).


dé

Inherited from French deux (“two”), from Middle French deux, from Old French deus, from Latin duōs, masculine accusative plural of duo, from Proto-Italic *duō, from Proto-Indo-European *dwóh₁.


c'est

From French c'est (“it is”), compare Haitian Creole se.


besoin

From French besoin (“need”), compare Haitian Creole bezwen.


caché

From French cacher (“to hide”), compare Haitian Creole kache.


boi

From French boire (“to drink”), compare Haitian Creole bwè.


vær

alternative form of vèr (“green; unripe; fresh; inexperienced”)


jambalaya

Uncertain. Probably from Provençal/Old Occitan jambalaia.

jambalaya (rice-based dish from Louisiana)


sauté

From French sauter (“to jump”); compare Haitian Creole sote.


piti

Inherited from French petit (“little one, child”).


fim

Zòt apé donné mò fim!


fim

Yé fim?


raté

From French rater (“to miss”), compare Haitian Creole rate.


soufflé

From French souffler (“to blow”), compare Haitian Creole souf.


sê

Inherited from French ses (“his, her, its”).


sis

Inherited from French sucer (“to suck”).


comprende

From French comprendre (“to comprehend”), compare Haitian Creole konprann.


rangé

From French arranger (“to fix, organize”), compare Haitian Creole ranje.


joué

From French jouer (“to play”), compare Haitian Creole jwe.


crai

From French croire (“to believe”), compare Haitian Creole kwè.


m'

M'ap bwa labyèr.


oto

Inherited from French auto (“car”). Compare Mauritian Creole loto.


semble

From French sembler (“to resemble, seem”), compare Haitian Creole sanble.


plin

Inherited from French plein (“full”), from
Old French plein, from Latin plēnus, from Proto-Italic *plēnos, from Proto-Indo-European *pl̥h₁nós (“full”). Compare English plenty.

Kouri-Vini Orthography spelling of plein


jeté

From French jeter (“to throw”), compare Haitian Creole jete.


tombe

From French tomber (“to fall”), compare Haitian Creole tonbe.


bouilli

From French bouillir (“to boil”), compare Haitian Creole bouyi.


resté

From French tuer (“to kill”), compare Haitian Creole touye.


quitté

From French quitter (“to leave”), compare Haitian Creole kite.


porté

From French porter (“to carry”), compare Haitian Creole pote.


forcé

From French efforcer (“to make an effort”).


forcé

From French forcer (“to force”), compare Haitian Creole fòs.


pensé

From French penser (“to think”), compare Haitian Creole panse.


raconté

From French raconter (“to recount”), compare Haitian Creole rakonte.


changé

From French changer (“to change”), compare Haitian Creole chanje.


allé

From French aller (“to go”), compare Haitian Creole ale.


entré

From French entrer (“to enter”), compare Haitian Creole antre.


poussé

From French pousser (“to push”), compare Haitian Creole pouse.


couché

From French coucher (“to sleep”), compare Haitian Creole kouche.


gardé

From French regarder (“to watch, regard”), compare Haitian Creole gade.


sauvé

From French sauver (“to save”), compare Haitian Creole sove.


péché

From French empêcher (“to prevent”), compare Haitian Creole anpeche.


cherché

From French chercher (“to search”), compare Haitian Creole chèche.


marié

From French se marier (“to marry”), compare Haitian Creole marye.


chapé

From French échapper (“to escape”), compare Haitian Creole chape.


consolé

From French consoler (“to console”), compare Haitian Creole konsole.


galopé

From French galoper (“to gallop”), compare Haitian Creole galope.


paren

Inherited from French parent (“parent, relative”).


pende

From French pendre (“to hang”), compare Haitian Creole pandye.


posé

From French reposer (“to rest”), compare Haitian Creole repoze.


mandé

From French demander (“to ask, demand”), compare Haitian Creole mande.


marré

From French amarrer (“to tie with rope”), compare Haitian Creole mare.


monté

From French monter (“to climb”), compare Haitian Creole monte.


respiré

From French respirer (“to breathe”), compare Haitian Creole respire.


taché

From French attacher (“to attach”), compare Haitian Creole tache.


vende

From French vendre (“to sell”), compare Haitian Creole vann.


guéri

From French guérir (“to heal”), compare Haitian Creole geri.


nommé

From French nommer (“to name”), compare Haitian Creole nonmen.


nagé

From French nager (“to swim”), compare Haitian Creole naje.


rende

From French rendre (“to give back”), compare Haitian Creole rann.


servi

From French servir (“to attack”), compare Haitian Creole sèvi.


vini

From French venir (“to come”), compare Haitian Creole vini.


vini

From French devenir (“to become”), compare Haitian Creole vin.


gé

Inherited from French gai (“gay, cheerful, merry”).


mò

mò (first person singular objective pronoun)


yé

yé (third person plural, objective yé, possessive determiner yê, possessive pronoun yékin, yéchin)

yé (objective)
yê (determiner possessive)
yékin (possessive pronoun without-noun)
yéchin (possessive pronoun without-noun)


sha

(a) cat (an animal of the family Felidae)


fermé

From French fermer (“to close”), compare Haitian Creole fèmen.


cassé

From French casser (“to break”), compare Haitian Creole kase.


tende

From French attendre (“to wait”), compare Haitian Creole tann.


parlé

From French parler (“to speak”), compare Haitian Creole pale.


payé

From French payer (“to pay”), compare Haitian Creole peye.


acheté

From French acheter (“to buy”), compare Haitian Creole achte.


zami

From French ami (“friend”), compare Haitian Creole zanmi.


mette

From French mettre (“to put”), compare Haitian Creole mete.


promette

From French promettre (“to promise”), compare Haitian Creole promèt.


apprende

From French apprendre (“to learn”), compare Haitian Creole aprann.


rendi

From French rendu (“given, arrived”), from French se rendre (“to arrive”).


gri

Inherited from French gris (“gray, grey”).


gri

Inherited from French grille (“screen”).


travaille

From French travailler (“to work”), compare Haitian Creole travay.


vè

Inherited from French verre (“glass; drinking glass”).

alternative form of vèr (“glass; drinking glass”)


minou

Inherited from French minou (“kitty, small cat”).


gombo

Inherited from French gombo (“okra; gumbo; Louisiana Creole language”).


croi

From French croire (“to believe”), compare Haitian Creole kwè.


endormi

From French endormir (“to go to sleep”).


dérivé

From French dériver (“to derive, drift”).


fouillé

From French fouiller (“to dig”), compare Haitian Creole fouye.


nourri

From French nourrir (“to nourish”), compare Haitian Creole nouri.


accusé

From French accuser (“to accuse”), compare Haitian Creole akize.


crié

From French crier (“to shout, cry”), compare Haitian Creole kriye.


chanté

From French chanter (“to sing”), compare Haitian Creole chante.


baissé

From French baisser (“to lower”), compare Haitian Creole bese.


expliqué

From French expliquer (“to explain”), compare Haitian Creole eksplike.


douté

From French douter (“to doubt”), compare Haitian Creole dout.


volé

From French voler (“to steal, to fly”), compare Haitian Creole vòlè.


compté

From French compter (“to count”), compare Haitian Creole konte.


prouvé

From French prouve (“to prove”), compare Haitian Creole pwouve.


pardonné

From French pardonner (“to forgive”), compare Haitian Creole padonnen.


augmenté

From French augmenter (“to augment”), compare Haitian Creole ogmante.


conseillé

From French conseiller (“to advise”), compare Haitian Creole konseye.


roulé

From French rouler (“to roll”), compare Haitian Creole woule.


craqué

From French craquer (“to break, give up”), compare Haitian Creole krak.


profité

From French profiter (“to take advantage”).


bouché

From French boucher (“to plug”), compare Haitian Creole bouche.


réveillé

From French réveiller (“to awaken”), compare Haitian Creole reveye.


démarré

From French démarrer (“to untie, begin”).


ramassé

From French ramasser (“to gather”), compare Haitian Creole ranmasse.


déclaré

From French déclarer (“to declare”), compare Haitian Creole deklare.


accepté

From French accepter (“to accept”), compare Haitian Creole aksepte.


frotté

From French frotter (“to rub”), compare Haitian Creole fwote.


étouffé

From French étouffer (“to smother”), compare Haitian Creole toufe.


vayan

Inherited from French vaillant (“valiant, nice”).


babillé

From French babiller (“to babble, chat”), compare Haitian Creole babye.


jonglé

From French jongler (“to think, juggle”), compare Haitian Creole jungler.


contré

From French rencontrer (“to encounter”), compare Haitian Creole rankontre.


gratté

From French gratter (“to scratch”), compare Haitian Creole grate.


chargé

From French charger (“to load”), compare Haitian Creole chaj.


engagé

From French engager (“to involve”), compare Haitian Creole angaje.


vengé

From French venger (“to avenge”), compare Haitian Creole revanj.


dérangé

From French déranger (“to disturb”), compare Haitian Creole deranje.


encouragé

From French encourager (“to encourage”), compare Haitian Creole ankouraje.


commencé

From French commencer (“to commence”). Compare Saint Dominican Creole French commencé, Haitian Creole kòmanse.


remercié

From French remercier (“to thank”), compare Haitian Creole remèsye.


trahi

From French trahir (“to betray”), compare Haitian Creole trayi.


descende

From French descendre (“to descend”), compare Haitian Creole desann.


réponde

From French répondre (“to respond”), compare Haitian Creole reponn.


défende

From French défendre (“to defend, prohibit”), compare Haitian Creole defann.


répété

From French répéter (“to repeat”), compare Haitian Creole repete.


rappelé

From French rappeler (“to recall, remember”), compare Haitian Creole raple.


détruit

From French détruire (“to destroy”), compare Haitian Creole detwi.


accroupi

From French accroupir (“to crouch”), compare Haitian Creole akoupi.


couvé

From French couver (“to brood”), compare Haitian Creole kouve.


accouché

From French accoucher (“to give birth”), compare Haitian Creole akouche.


sifflé

From French siffler (“to whistle”), compare Haitian Creole sifle.


navigué

From French naviguer (“to navigate”), compare Haitian Creole navige.


préparé

From French préparer (“to prepare”), compare Haitian Creole prepare.


vidé

From French vider (“to empty”), compare Haitian Creole vide.


fié

From French confier (“to confide”), compare Haitian Creole konfye.


chauffé

From French chauffer (“to heat”), compare Haitian Creole chofe.


renvoyé

From French renvoyer (“to resend, send back”), compare Haitian Creole renvwaye.


traité

From French traiter (“to treat”), compare Haitian Creole trete.


Alman

Germany (a country in Central Europe, formed in 1949 as West Germany, with its provisional capital Bonn until 1990, when it incorporated East Germany)


dolo

Derived from French de l' (“some”) + French eau (“water”), with the partitive article re-analyzed as part of the noun.

dilo (alternative)
dlo (alternative)
lo (alternative)

(a) tear (a drop of clear, salty liquid produced from the eyes by crying or irritation)


pè

alternative form of pœr (“(to be) scared”)


drogué

From French droguer (“to drug”), compare Haitian Creole dwòg.


bèl

Inherited from French belle (“handsome, fine, attractive; girlfriend”).

feminine of bo (“handsome, beautiful, pretty”)


verti

From French avertir (“to notify”), compare Haitian Creole avèti.


mèsi

Inherited from French merci (“thank you”).


brulé

From French brûler (“to burn”), compare Haitian Creole boule.


arien

From French rien (“nothing”). Compare Saint Dominican Creole French arien, Haitian Creole anyen.


détaché

From French détacher (“to detach”), compare Haitian Creole detache.


grimpé

From French grimper (“to climp up”), compare Haitian Creole grenpe.


bwason

Inherited from Louisiana French boisson (“(alcoholic) beverage”).


caressé

From French caresser (“to caress”), compare Haitian Creole karès.


recommencé

From French recommencer (“to recommence”), compare Haitian Creole rekòmanse.


garantis

From French garantir (“to guarantee”), compare Haitian Creole garanti.


nomme

From French homme (“man”), compare Haitian Creole nonm.

nòm (alternative)
n'homme (alternative)
nonm (alternative)


débarrassé

From French débarasser (“to rid”), compare Haitian Creole debarase.


jappé

From French japper (“to bark”), compare Haitian Creole jape.


moqué

From French moquer (“to mock”), compare Haitian Creole moke.


boité

From French boiter (“to limp”), compare Haitian Creole bwete.


tremblé

From French trembler (“to tremble”), compare Haitian Creole tranble.


gouté

From French goûter (“to taste”), compare Haitian Creole goute.


dégouté

From French dégoûter (“to disgust”), compare Haitian Creole degou.


régalé

From French se régaler (“to have a great meal”).


vanté

From French vanter (“to boast”), compare Haitian Creole vante.


surveillé

From French surveiller (“to monitor, survey”).


mouri

From French mourir (“to die”), compare Haitian Creole mouri.


rish

Inherited from French ruche (“hive, beehive”).


résonné

From French résonner (“to resonate”), compare Haitian Creole rezone.


y'

Y'a gin traka.


nwa

Inherited from French noir (“black”) and perhaps French Noir (“Black person”).

Ça té fé nwa déyò.


nwa

Inherited from French noix (“walnut; nut; testicule”).


bonjou

Inherited from French bonjour (“hello, good morning, goodbye”).


èske

Inherited from French est-ce que (“is it that...”).

aske (alternative)
ésk (alternative)
èské (alternative)
èskè (alternative)
iskè (alternative)


parenté

Inherited from French parenté (“kinship”). Compare Congo-Brazzaville French parenté (“related”).


nèf

Inherited from French neuf (“brand new, very new”).


trèz

Inherited from French treize (“thirteen”).


katòz

Inherited from French quatorze (“fourteen”).


sèz

Inherited from French seize (“sixteen”).


karant

Inherited from French quarante (“forty”).


swasant

Inherited from French soixante (“sixty”).


débatte

From French se débattre (“to struggle”), compare Haitian Creole deba.


koulè

alternative form of koulær (“color; Black person, person of color”)


koulè

alternative form of koulær (“Black, Colored”)


tô

head

tô (second person singular possessive pronoun)


dromi

From French dormir (“to sleep”), compare Haitian Creole dòmi.


cré

From French créer (“to create”), compare Haitian Creole kreye.


zoranj

Derived from a French plural determiner—such as aux, des, les, or mes—and French oranges (“oranges”). In French, these determiners' final ⟨s⟩ or ⟨x⟩ is pronounced /z/ before vowels (and is otherwise silent). As a result, the /z/ was re-analyzed in Louisiana Creole as part of the noun and probably from there the adjective.


zoranj

joranj (alternative)
jòranj (alternative)
zoronj (alternative)


assite

From a form of French asseoir (“to sit”), ; compare Haitian Creole chita, Cajun French assir.


gro

Inherited from French gros (“big, fat, thick; important”).


latab

Derived from French la (“the”) + French table (“table”), with the definite article re-analyzed as part of the noun.


vèr

vær (alternative)
væt (alternative)
vè (alternative)


vèr

Inherited from French verre (“glass; drinking glass”).


vèr

dévè (alternative)
dévèr (alternative)
lévèr (alternative)


oua

From French voir (“to see”). Compare Saint Dominican Creole French voir, Haitian Creole wè.


nòm

From French un homme (“a man”), through rebracketing.

nonm (alternative)
n'homme (alternative)
nomme (alternative)

en nòm


mamzelle

From French mademoiselle (“young lady”).


foute

From French foutre (“to tease”), compare Haitian Creole fout.


shar

Inherited from French char (“car, train car”).


ouvri

From French ouvrir (“to open”), compare Haitian Creole louvri.


kinz

Inherited from French quinze (“fifteen”).


bonswar

alternative form of bonswa (“good evening”)


posson

…Oua cila dans nous zotes qua mangé posson d'Avril la.

…see who among us will eat the April fish.


lèg

Derived from French l' (“the”) + French aigle (“eagle”), with the definite article re-analyzed as part of the noun.


konten

Inherited from French content (“content, pleased”).


sô

Inherited from French son (“his, her, its”).


souffri

From French souffrir (“to suffer”), compare Haitian Creole soufri.


mô

Inherited from French mon (“my”). A circumflex was added to the word to differentiate it from mo (“I”) in writing.


trent

Inherited from French trente (“thirty”).


milyon

Inherited from French million (“million”).


tripé

From French attraper (“to trap”), compare Haitian Creole trape.


sâ

Inherited from French sa (“his, her, its”).


pwason

Mo manj pa pwason.


croché

From French accrocher (“to hook”), compare Haitian Creole kwoke.


jonn

Inherited from French jaune (“yellow; egg yolk”).

jann (alternative)
jènn (alternative)
jònn (alternative)


billé

From French habiller (“to dress”), compare Haitian Creole abiye.


trappé

From French attraper (“to catch”), compare Haitian Creole trape.


mordé

From French mordre (“to bite”), compare Haitian Creole mòde.


tendé

From French entendre (“to hear”), compare Haitian Creole tande.


unn

un (masculine)
in (masculine)
ènn (alternative)


printem

Inherited from French printemps (“spring”).


bwa

Inherited from Louisiana French boire (“to drink”).

Mo bwa.

Mo bwá.

Dan tan-sa-la, ye te pa gen de RUNNING^([sic]) dolo. To te gen mèt en BRIDLE onn vyeu chwal-la e kouri kote la rivyè, fe li bwa. [Dan tem-çála, yé té pa gin de running dolo. To té gin mèt in bridle onn vye shwal-la é kouri koté larivyè, fé li bwa.]

1998, Albert Valdman, Thomas A. Klingler, Margaret M. Marshall, Kevin J. Rottet, Dictionary of Louisiana Creole, page 90:

In those days they didn't have running water. You had to put a bridle on the horse and take it to the river and make it drink.


bwa

Inherited from Louisiana French bois (“wood; etc.”).

Mo sòrti [sòrtí] dan fon bwa.

alternative form of dibwa (“wood(s); stick; tree; stalk”)


oté

From French ôter (“to take off”), compare Haitian Creole wete.


wé

Inherited from Louisiana French ouais (“yeah, yes”), itself likely from oui (“yes”).


apé

Inherited from French (être) après (“(to be) in the process of”).

ap (alternative)
apré (alternative)
ê (alternative)

Lòragan-la apé pasé.

Lanèj t'apé tombé.

Pendant yé t'apé batt' ein gros zozo qui t'apé voler en haut, oua yé. [Pendan yé t'apé bat, in gro zozo ki t'apé volé enho wá yé.]

1998, Albert Valdman, Thomas A. Klingler, Margaret M. Marshall, Kevin J. Rottet, Dictionary of Louisiana Creole, page 49:

While they were fighting, a big bird that was flying up above saw them.

M ape fatige ek tez-istwar. [M'apé fatigé ék tê zistwar.]

1998, Valdman, et al., Dictionary of Louisiana Creole, page 49:

I'm starting to get tired of your stories.

N ape vini mwa ki vyen. [N'apé vini mwa ki vyin.]

M a pyèste men m pe e koud. [M'a pyèsté min m pé é koud.]


kabann

Inherited from French cabane (“cabin, hut, shed”).


reconnaite

From French reconnaitre (“to recognize”), compare Haitian Creole rekonèt.


nèg

Inherited from French nègre (“Black person, Negro; buddy, friend”).

(derogatory) (a) Black person, (a) Negro

(derogatory) the Louisiana Creole language

(a) buddy, (a) pal, (a) friend, (a) fellow


nèg

Derived from French un (“an”) + French aigle (“eagle”), with the phonological liaison /n/ of the indefinite article re-analyzed as part of the noun.


abatwa

Inherited from French abattoir (“slaughterhouse, abattoir”).


gròs

Inherited from French grosse (“big, fat, thick; important”).

feminine of gro (“big, fat, thick; important; bad”)


byin

Inherited from French bien (“good; well; very; property”).


byin

abin (alternative)
bin (alternative)
ébin (alternative)
o bin (alternative)


nwar

alternative form of nwa (“Black person”)


zanimo

From French les animaux pl (“the animals”).


boug

Inherited from French bougre (“fellow, guy, chap”).


bonnwi

Inherited from French bonne nuit (“good night”).


kouri-vini

Inherited from French courez-venez (“come and go”, literally “go-come”).


fransé kasé

Inherited from French français cassé (“broken French”).


fransé

Inherited from French français (“French”).


larjan

From French l'argent (“money”), through rebracketing.


lamone

From French la monnaie (“coin”), through rebracketing.


lafrik

From French l'Afrique (“Africa”), through rebracketing.


abitan

Inherited from French habitant (“inhabitant, farmer”).

labitan (alternative)
nabitan (alternative)


tcheu

From French queue (“tail”), compare Haitian Creole ke.


lalyans

From French l'alliance (“alliance, marriage”), through rebracketing.


vini pli mal

From French venir (“to come”) + plus (“more”) + mal (“bad”).


diven

From French du vin (“wine”), through rebracketing.


dèt

Derived from French d' (“to”) + French être (“be”), with the preposition re-analyzed as part of the verb.

dèt konten

M'a dèt la.

Dèt trankil mô nèg.


bonswa

Inherited from French bonsoir (“ɡood evening”).


laimin

From French aimer (“to love”), compare Haitian Creole renmen.


taqué

From French attaquer (“to attack”), compare Haitian Creole atak.


liché

From French lécher (“to lick”), compare Haitian Creole niche.


sinkant

Inherited from French cinquante (“fifty”).


choal

From French cheval (“horse”), compare, Saint Dominican Creole French choual, Haitian Creole chwal.


n'homme

From French homme (“man”), compare Haitian Creole nonm.

nòm (alternative)
nonm (alternative)
nomme (alternative)

Michié la c'était ein taureau qui té connin tourné n'homme.

That gentleman was a bull who knew how to turn into a man.


capabe

From French capable (“capable”), compare Haitian Creole kapab.


gagnin

From French gagner (“to gain”), compare Haitian Creole genyen.


oulé

From French vouloir (“to want”), compare Saint Dominican Creole French vlé, Haitian Creole vle.


lhistoire

From French histoire (“story, history”), compare Haitian Creole istwa.


dézef

From French oeuf (“egg”), compare Haitian Creole ze.


lapierre

From French pierre (“stone”), from la+pierre.


manzé

From French manger (“to eat”), compare Haitian Creole manje.


connin

From French connaître (“to know”). Compare Saint Dominican Creole French coné, Haitian Creole konnen.


l'Afrique

From French l'Afrique (“Africa”), through rebracketing.


zaffair

From French affair (“affair, business”).


récommencé

From French recommencer (“to recommence”), compare Haitian Creole rekòmanse.


metté

From French mettre (“to put”), compare Haitian Creole mete.


neyé

From French noyer (“to drown”), compare Haitian Creole nwaye.


tchué

From French tuer (“to kill”), compare Haitian Creole touye.


couri

From French courir (“to run”), compare Haitian Creole kouri.


tchui

From French cuire (“to cook”), compare Haitian Creole kwit.


jigé

From French juger (“to judge”), compare Haitian Creole jije.


réponne

From French repondre (“to respond”), compare Haitian Creole reponn.


tournin

From French retourner (“to return”), compare Haitian Creole retounen.


doite

From French devoir (“to own”), compare Haitian Creole dwe.


bourbé

From French embourber (“to sink in mud”).


débourbé

From French débourber (“to get out of mud”).


réfisé

From French refuser (“to refuse”), compare Haitian Creole refuse.


trainin

From French traîner (“to drag”), compare Haitian Creole trennen.


tordé

From French tordre (“to twist”), compare Haitian Creole tòdye.


réissi

From French réussir (“to succeed”), compare Haitian Creole reyisi.


chimin

From French chemin (“path, way”), compare Haitian Creole chemen.


proché

From French approcher (“to approach”), compare Haitian Creole apwòch.


corché

From French écorcher (“to skin”), compare Haitian Creole ekorché.


vlopé

From French enveloper (“to envelop”), compare Haitian Creole anvlòp.


poisonin

From French empoisonner (“to poison”), compare Haitian Creole anpwozonnen.


voyé

From French envoyer (“to send”), compare Haitian Creole voye.


blié

From French oublier (“to forget”), compare Haitian Creole bliye.


continié

From French continuer (“to continue”), compare Haitian Creole continye.


norphelin

From French orphelin (“orphan”), compare Haitian Creole òfelen.


quichose

From French quelque chose (“something”), compare Guianese Creole kichoz, Saint Dominican Creole French quichoy.


l'aimin

From French aimer (“to like, love”). Compare Saint Dominican Creole French haimé, Haitian Creole renmen.


rémarqué

From French remarquer (“to remark”), compare Haitian Creole remake.


limin

From French allumer (“to light”), compare Haitian Creole limen.


déjénin

From French déjeuner (“to have lunch, have breakfast”).


colaire

From French colère (“anger”), compare Haitian Creole kòlè.


surprende

From French surprendre (“to surprise”), compare Haitian Creole sipriz.


assiré

From French assurer (“to assure”), compare Haitian Creole asire.


béglé

From French beugler (“to moo”), compare Haitian Creole ble.


bligé

From French obliger (“to oblige”), compare Haitian Creole oblije.


paraite

From French paraître (“to appear”), compare Haitian Creole parèt.


bésoin

From French besoin (“need”), compare Haitian Creole bezwen.


galpé

From French galoper (“to gallop”), compare Haitian Creole galope.


sicé

From French sucer (“to suck”), compare Haitian Creole souse.


voltizé

From French voltiger (“to fly”), compare Haitian Creole voltijé.


mercié

From French remercier (“to thank”), compare Haitian Creole remèsye.


coutime

From French accoutumer (“to be accustom to”).


seyé

From French essayer (“to try”), compare Haitian Creole eseye.


salié

From French saluer (“to greet”), compare Haitian Creole salye.


jété

From French jeter (“to throw”), compare Haitian Creole jete.


plainde

From French plaindre (“to pity”), compare Haitian Creole plenyen.


disparaite

From French disparaitre (“to disappear”), compare Haitian Creole disparèt.


réjété

From French rejeter (“to reject”), compare Haitian Creole rejte.


retournin

From French retourner (“to return”), compare Haitian Creole retounen.


sipplié

From French supplier (“to beg”), compare Haitian Creole sipliye.


sécoué

From French secouer (“to shake”), compare Haitian Creole souke.


cepté

From French excepté (“except”), compare Haitian Creole eksepte.


couvri

From French couvrir (“to cover”), compare Haitian Creole couvèti.


découvri

From French découvrir (“to uncover, discover”), compare Haitian Creole dekouvri.


continuin

From French continuer (“to continue”), compare Haitian Creole kontinye.


chappé

From French échapper (“to escape”), compare Haitian Creole chape.


batisé

From French baptiser (“to baptize”), compare Haitian Creole batize.


habitoué

From French habituer (“to have the habit (of)”), compare Haitian Creole abitye.


tchoué

From French tuer (“to kill”), compare Haitian Creole touye.


grongnin

From French grogner (“to growl”), compare Haitian Creole gwonde.


bourlé

From French brûler (“to burn”), compare Haitian Creole boule.


laché

From French lâcher (“to release”), compare Haitian Creole lach.


mélioré

From French améliorer (“to improve”), compare Haitian Creole amelyore.


ouété

From French ôter (“to take off”), compare Haitian Creole wete.


maddi

Inherited from French mardi (“Tuesday”).


anfan

zanfan (plural)
zanfans (plural)
zanfan (alternative)
zonfon (alternative)
lanfan (alternative)


apòrte

aporté (alternative)
aporte (alternative)
apòte (alternative)


beché

From French bêcher (“to dig with a spade”).


komen ça va

Inherited from French comment ça va (“how's it going?”).


komen lê zafær

Inherited from French comment [vont] les affaires (“how are things?”).


ç’apé kouri

(idiomatic, as a question) is it going well?


nouzòt

head

nouzòt (first person plural, objective nouzòt, possessive determiner nô, nou, nouzòt, possessive pronoun nokin, nochin)

nouzòt (objective)
nô (determiner possessive)
nou (determiner possessive)
nouzòt (determiner possessive)
nokin (possessive pronoun without-noun)
nochin (possessive pronoun without-noun)
nou (alternative)
no (alternative)

Inherited from French nous autres (“we”).


vouzòt

vouzòt (second person singular or plural, objective vouzòt, possessive vô, vouzòt)

vouzòt (objective)
vô (possessive)
vouzòt (possessive)
ouzòt (alternative)
zòt (alternative)
zo (alternative)

Inherited from French vous autres (“you, you all”).


vouzòt

ouzòt (alternative)
zòt (alternative)
zo (alternative)


ouzòt

alternative form of vouzòt (“you, y'all; your, y'all's”)


famm

alternative form of fenm (“woman; wife; mistress”)


Toi

English: Toi

French: Toi

Spanish: Toi


pœr

Zòt pœr, hin?


pœr

Li pa pœr.


éksité

Inherited from French excité (“excited”).


èrè

Inherited from French heureux (“happy”).


jalou

Inherited from French jaloux (“jealous”).


sériyé

Inherited from French sérieux (“serious”).


apré

No fashé apré maringwin-layé.

Liv-çila çé apré nouzòt!


astè

Inherited from French asteur (“now”). Contraction of French à cette heure (“now, presently”, literally “at this hour”).


di-sèt

Inherited from French dix-sept (“seventeen”).

alternative form of dis-sèt (“seventeen”)


diz-wit

Inherited from French dix-huit (“eighteen”).


diz-nèf

Inherited from French dix-neuf (“nineteen”).


vin-ché-un

/vɛ̃.t͡ʃeˈœ̃/

Inherited from French vingt et un (“twenty-one”, literally “twenty and one”).


swasant-dis

Inherited from French soixante-dix (“seventy”, literally “sixty-ten”).


katre-vin

Inherited from French quatre-vingts (“eighty”, literally “four twenties”).


katre-vin-dis

Inherited from French quatre-vingt-dix (“ninety”, literally “four-twenty-ten”).


çé

head

çé (past tense çé té, future tense sa, infinitive or imperative dèt)

çé té (past)
tense sa (future)
dèt (imperative infinitive)

Inherited from French c'est (“he/she/it/this/that is”).

Ki çé ça?

Çé sho.

Li çé sho!


yê

yê (third person plural possessive pronoun)


mèg

alternative form of mæg (“skinny, thin”)


kouvær

Inherited from French couvert (“covered, cloudy, overcast”).

inh

kouvè (alternative)
kouvèr (alternative)


kouvè

alternative form of kouvær (“cloudy, overcast”)


larozé

Derived from French la (“the”) + French rosée (“dew”), with the definite article re-analyzed as part of the noun.


fatigé

Inherited from French fatigué (“tired”).


fòl

Inherited from French folle (“crazy, mad”).


dròl

Inherited from French drôle (“funny, weird”).


aréwa

Inherited from French au revoir (“goodbye”, literally “until the reseeing”).

aréwar (alternative)
oréwar (alternative)


a démin

Inherited from French à demain (“see you tomorrow”).


pokapok

Inherited from French poc à poc (“so-so”).


lékòl

Derived from French l' (“the”) + école (“school”), with the definite article re-analyzed as part of the noun.


lamézon

Derived from French la (“the”) + French maison (“house”), with the definite article re-analyzed as part of the noun.


kabònn

alternative form of kabann (“cabin, house”)


nonm

Derived from French un (“a”) + French homme (“man”), with the prevocalic /n/ of the indefinite article re-analyzed as part of the noun.

n'homme (alternative)
nòm (alternative)
nomme (alternative)


gaçon

Inherited from French garçon (“boy, young man”).


fenm

Inherited from French femme (“woman, wife”).


fiy

Inherited from French fille (“girl, daughter”).


légliz

Derived from French l' (“the”) + French église (“church”), with the definite article re-analyzed as part of the noun.


famiy

Inherited from French famille (“family”).


mærsi

alternative form of mèsi (“thank you, thanks”)


françé

alternative form of fransé (“the French language”)


otònn

Inherited from French automne (“autumn, fall”).


lotònn

Derived from French l' (“the”) + French automne (“autumn, fall”), with the definite article re-analyzed as part of the noun.

alternative form of otònn (“autumn, fall”)


livè

Derived from French l' (“the”) + French hiver (“winter”), with the definite article re-analyzed as part of the noun.


sézon

Inherited from French saison (“season”).


-yé

Per The Dictionary of Louisiana Creole (Valdman 1998, p. 16) -yé, along with other postposed determiners in Louisiana Creole, mirrors features found both in some African languages and in Louisiana French (cf. French -là).

zami, zami-yé

Piti-yé dròl.

Sa to pel le flèr-ye, le flèr jonn-ye, y ape konmonse flèri astè? [Ça to pél lê flèr-yé, lê flèr jonn-yé, y'apé konmonsé flèri astè?]

1998, Albert Valdman, Thomas A. Klingler, Margaret M. Marshall, Kevin J. Rottet, Dictionary of Louisiana Creole, page 160:

What do you call the flowers, the yellow flowers that are blooming right now?

Mo gen en larmanak pou 1997. Mo ekri tou mo BIRTHDAYS-ye^([sic]) an mo larmanak. [Mo gin in larmanak pou 1997. Mo ékri tou mô birthdays-yé en mô larmanak.]

1998, Albert Valdman, Thomas A. Klingler, Margaret M. Marshall, Kevin J. Rottet, Dictionary of Louisiana Creole, page 38:

I have a calendar for 1997. I write all my birthdays on my calendar.

Li te gen bon lespri e li te kouri fe so di pyas-ye sir. [Li té gin bon léspri é li té kourí fé sô di pyas-yé sîr.]

1998, Albert Valdman, Thomas A. Klingler, Margaret M. Marshall, Kevin J. Rottet, Dictionary of Louisiana Creole, page 125:

He was a clear thinker, and he was surely going to earn his ten dollars.

Moun koulè-ye bat, ye kase sa. [Moun koulè-yé bat, yé kasé ça.]

1998, Albert Valdman, Thomas A. Klingler, Margaret M. Marshall, Kevin J. Rottet, Dictionary of Louisiana Creole, page 252:

Black people [pl.] fought and defeated that [racial segregation].

Mon se katriyenm. Mo mo se katriyenm-la dan nèf-ye. [Mon çé katriyinm. Mo, mo çé katriyinm-la dan nèf-yé.]

1998, Albert Valdman, Thomas A. Klingler, Margaret M. Marshall, Kevin J. Rottet, Dictionary of Louisiana Creole, page 226:

I'm the fourth, I'm the fourth out of nine [children].

En gar-monje s p met ta laveseyl, to fourchet e to kiyè-ye, to vèr, sa to bwa andon. [In gar-monjé ç'p mét tâ lavéséyl, tô fourshèt é tô kiyè-yé, tô vèr, ça to bwa endon.]

1998, Albert Valdman, Thomas A. Klingler, Margaret M. Marshall, Kevin J. Rottet, Dictionary of Louisiana Creole, page 166:

A larder is for putting your dishes, your forks and spoons, your glasses [note contextual plurality], what you drink out of.

Moun laba Lafiyet-ye, moun-sa-ye parl tou fronse laba-la. [Moun laba Lafiyét-yé, moun-çayé parl tou fronçé laba la.]

1998, Albert Valdman, Thomas A. Klingler, Margaret M. Marshall, Kevin J. Rottet, Dictionary of Louisiana Creole, page 269:

The people [pl.] of Lafayette, they all speak French over there.

Lav le ròb-ye. [Lav lê ròb-yé.]

1998, Albert Valdman, Thomas A. Klingler, Margaret M. Marshall, Kevin J. Rottet, Dictionary of Louisiana Creole, page 9:

Plural marker, the most common in Louisiana Creole.

Apre soley kouche, sa te fe nwar e mouch-a-fe-ye komanse soti. [Apré soléy koushé, ça té fé nwar é moush-a-fé-yé komensé soti.]

1998, Albert Valdman, Thomas A. Klingler, Margaret M. Marshall, Kevin J. Rottet, Dictionary of Louisiana Creole, page 493:

After the sun set, it was dark and the fireflies began to come out.


shawi

French: chaoui

Borrowed from Choctaw shaui (“raccoon”). Compare Chickasaw shawi (“raccoon”), Koasati sawi (“raccoon”).


lashèz

Derived from French la (“the”) + French chaise (“chair”), with the definite article re-analyzed as part of the noun.

lashèj (alternative)
shèj (alternative)
shèz (alternative)


væt

alternative form of vèr (“green; unripe; fresh; inexperienced”)


vyolé

Inherited from French violet (“purple”).


vyolèt

Inherited from French violette (“purple”).


larjên

Derived from French l' (“the”) + French argent (“silver”), with the definite article re-analyzed as part of the noun. A circumflex was added to to differentiate it from larjen (“money”) in writing, though they are effectively the same word.


sèrsèl

Inherited from French sarcelle (“teal (ducklike bird)”).


koulær

Inherited from French couleur (“color; Black, Colored person”).

kòlè (alternative)
koulè (alternative)
koulèr (alternative)
koulœr (alternative)
lakoulyèr (alternative)


koulèr

alternative form of koulær (“color; Black person, person of color”)


koulèr

alternative form of koulær (“Black, Colored”)


lasmènn

Derived from French la (“the”) + French semaine (“week”), with the definite article re-analyzed as part of the noun.

lasmènn ki vyin

lasmènn pasé

tou lasmènn


dimansh

Inherited from French dimanche (“Sunday”).

lê dimansh


mékrédi

Inherited from French mercredi (“Wednesday”).

mærkrédi (alternative)
mèkrédi (alternative)
mèkrèdi (alternative)
mèrkrédi (alternative)
mèrkrèdi (alternative)


mèkrèdi

alternative form of mékrédi (“Wednesday”)


jédi

Inherited from French jeudi (“Thursday”).


sanmdi

Inherited from French samedi (“Saturday”).


abichud

(auxiliary) to be used to; accustomed to

(auxiliary, with té) marks the past habitual: "used to"


sasakwa

Inherited from French sassaquois (“noise, racket”).


dis-sèt

Inherited from French dix-sept (“seventeen”).


gin swaf

Literally, “to have thirst”. Compare French avoir soif (“to be thirsty”).


lété

Derived from French l' (“the”) + French été (“summer”), with the definite article re-analyzed as part of the noun.


larjen

Derived from French l' (“the”) + French argent (“money”), with the definite article re-analyzed as part of the noun. Effectively the same word as its homophone larjên (“silver”).


larjon

Derived from French l' (“the”) + French argent (“money; silver”), with the definite article re-analyzed as part of the noun.


Maddi Gra

Inherited from French mardi gras (“Mardi Gras, Shrove Tuesday”, literally “fat Tuesday”).


kagou

Inherited from French cagou (“out of sorts, sickly looking, languid”).


kom-çi-kom-ça

Inherited from French comme ci comme ça (“neither good nor bad, so-so”).

comme ci comme ça, neither good nor bad, so-so, OK


djaz

Probably inherited from French jazz (“jazz”).


Lwizyàn

Louisiana (a state in the Deep South and South Central regions of the United States)


sitoplé

Almost certainly related to (and perhaps inherited from) French s'il te plaît (“please”, literally “if it pleases you”).


sivouplé

Almost certainly related to (and perhaps inherited from) French s'il vous plaît (“please”, literally “if it pleases you”).


tanpri

Inherited from French (je) t'en prie (“please”, literally “I beg you”)


lañap

Inherited from French lagniappe (“lagniappe”).

(a) lagniappe (extra or unexpected gift or benefit to, for example, a customer)


Létazini

Derived from French les (“the”) + French États-Unis (“United States”), with the definite article re-analyzed as part of the noun.

Se keken ke rès dan Letazini e li parl pa kreol. [Çé kékin ké rès dan Létazini é li parl pa kréol.]

1998, Albert Valdman, Thomas A. Klingler, Margaret M. Marshall, Kevin J. Rottet, Dictionary of Louisiana Creole, page 149:

It's someone who lives in the United States, and he doesn't speak Creole.

the United States (a country in North America)


Lalwizyann

Derived from French la (“the”) + French Louisiane (“Louisiana”), with the definite article re-analyzed as part of the noun.

Lwizyàn (alternative)
Lwizyann (alternative)


épwisé

Inherited from French épuisé (“exhausted”).


manjé

manj (short-form)
monjé (alternative)
monyj (alternative)

Inherited from Louisiana French manger (“to eat; food”).

Pa manj ça!

Mo manj pa otan ke mo te manje kan mo te pli jenn. [Mo manj pa otan ke mo té manjé kan mo té pli jènn.]

1998, Albert Valdman, Thomas A. Klingler, Margaret M. Marshall, Kevin J. Rottet, Dictionary of Louisiana Creole, pages 297–8:

I don't eat as much as I did [/ate] when I was younger.

Sa manj ben. [Ça manj bin.]

(intransitive) to taste (good, bad, etc.)


manjé

Kan piti-ye manj, ye jèt manje an planche. [Kan piti-yé manj, yé jèt manjé en planshé.]

When children eat, they throw food on the floor.


linmé

Inherited from Louisiana French aimer (“to love; to like”), with the initial /l/ resulting perhaps from a re-analysis of the final /l/ of French il (“he, it”), alle (“she”), or similar as part of the verb. The /l/ sound, which would normally go unpronounced in Louisiana French, would have reappeared as liaison before the vowel sound /ɛ̃-/ in French aime. This could have given the ostensible impression that /l/ is intrinsic to the verb.

Mo linm twa.

Mo lenm mo piti-ye. [Mo linm mô piti-yé.]

1998, Albert Valdman, Thomas A. Klingler, Margaret M. Marshall, Kevin J. Rottet, Dictionary of Louisiana Creole, page 281:

To sé linmé dèt bòs-la?

2020, Adrien Guillory-Chatman, Oliver Mayeux, Nathan Wendte, Herbert Wiltz, Ti Liv Kréyòl: A Learner's Guide to Louisiana Creole (2nd ed.), page 51:


mo linm twa

Mo bo twa. Mo lenm [linm] twa.

1998, Albert Valdman, Thomas A. Klingler, Margaret M. Marshall, Kevin J. Rottet, Dictionary of Louisiana Creole, page 74:


linm

short form of linmé (“to love; to like”)


bwá

An acute accent is added to differentiate from its present form, bwa, in writing.


labwason

Derived from Louisiana French la (“the”) + Louisiana French boisson (“(alcoholic) drink”), with the definite article re-analyzed as part of the noun.

der

alternative form of bwason (“alcoholic beverage”)


pèlé

pèl (short-form)
apélé (alternative)
apèl (alternative)
apèyl (alternative)
aplé (alternative)
pél (alternative)
pélé (alternative)

Inherited from Louisiana French appeler (“to call”).

Mo di 'aben pel en NURSE^([sic]), pètèt li ka ouvè li.' [Mo dí, 'abin, pél in nurse, pètèt li ka ouvè li.]

1998, Albert Valdman, Thomas A. Klingler, Margaret M. Marshall, Kevin J. Rottet, Dictionary of Louisiana Creole, page 48:

I said, 'Well, call a nurse, maybe she can open it up.'

Yavé eune foi eune madame ki té gagnin dé fille yé té pélé Rose et Blanche. [Yavé ènn(?) fwa ènn madamm ki té gañin(?) dé fiy yé té pélé Rose é Blanche.]

There was once a woman who had two daughters named Rose and Blanche.

(transitive) to call (to name, to identify, to describe)

Mo pèl mò Shal.

Mo pèl mon Magi... Li pele li-menm Kriket. [Li pélé li-minm Krikét.]

My name is Maggie... His name was Cricket.

Mo te e lave mo lasyet tan telefòn-la pele. [Mo té ê lavé mô lasyét tan téléfònn-la pélé.]

I was washing the dishes when the telephone rang.


ti-nom

Inherited from Louisiana French petit nom (“nickname”), via Louisiana Creole ti (“little”) + nom (“name”).

Mo ti non te Tout. Tou kèken pèl mwa Tout. Mo non se FABIOLA^([sic]). [Mô ti-nom té Tout. Toukèkin pèl mwa Tout. Mô nom çé Fabiola.]

1998, Albert Valdman, Thomas A. Klingler, Margaret M. Marshall, Kevin J. Rottet, Dictionary of Louisiana Creole, page 330:

My nickname was Toute. Everyone called me Toute. My first name is Fabiola.