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70+ Haitian Creole Quotes, Sayings & Proverbs + Their Meanings

Haitian people use a lot of sayings and expressions in daily life which offer advice and even sometimes have hidden meanings.

Check out these Haitian Creole proverbs and quotes below to gain some insight into Haitian beliefs and ways of thinking. 

Below I’ve listed famous Haitian Creole quotes, inspiring Haitian Creole sayings and common Haitian Creole proverbs. 

Famous Haitian Creole Proverbs & Meanings + Haitian Creole Sayings

Below I’ve listed the most famous Haitian proverbs and their meanings as well as some common Haitian Creole sayings. 

These Kreyol proverbs (as the language is known in Haiti) are used often in day to day life.

  1. Kouri lapli, tonbe larivyè – Running in the rain, falling in the river.

This famous Haitian Creole quote means that by avoiding a certain outcome, we often fall into an even worse situation.

  1. Avan ou monte bwa, gade si ou ka desann li – Before climbing up a tree, make sure you can climb back down.

This Haitian Creole proverb teaches us to think things through before we act.

  1. Pye chat dous men zong li move – The paw of the cat is sweet but its claws are nasty.

This famous proverb teaches us that you need to be careful around things that look too good to be true. 

Famous Haitian Creole quote which reads 'the paw of the cat is sweet but its claws are nasty'.
  1. Se rat kay k ap manje kay – It’s the house’s rat that eats the house.

This Haitian Creole proverb teaches that when looking for a culprit, he or she is often found close to us.

  1. Fòse moun fè sa yo pa vle fè se tankou esye plen lanmè ak wòch – Forcing people to do what they do not want to do is like trying to fill the ocean with rocks.

This proverb in Haitian Creole teaches us that you cannot force people to act against their will.

  1. Kay koule twonpe solèy, men li pa twonpe lapli – A leaky roof tricks the sun, but it does not deceive the rain.

This Haitian proverb means that a person’s mistakes will come out sooner or later. 

  1. ​​Ou vle tout, ou pèdi tout – You want everything, you lose everything.

This famous Haitian Creole proverb teaches us that if you try to have everything, you will end up with nothing.

  1. Mande chemen pa di pèdi pou sa – Asking one’s way does not mean one is lost.

This Haitian Creole saying means that it is not shameful to ask for advice.

  1. ​​Bèf plizye met mouri grangou – A cow who has several masters will starve.

This proverb in Haitian Creole teaches us that if no one takes responsibility for something then nothing will be done. 

  1. Konn li pa di lespri pou sa – Knowing how to read does not mean you have wisdom.

This famous saying in Haitian Creole means that the level of education of a person is not proof of their intelligence. 

  1. Bel dan pa di zanmi – Beautiful teeth does not mean a friend.

This Haitian saying teaches us that just because a person smiles at you, does not mean they are your friend.

  1. Sel pa vante tet li di li sale – Salt does not boast that it is salty.

This proverb teaches us to be humble. 

Famous Haitian Creole proverb which reads 'salt does not boast that it is salty'.
  1. Sa ki pa touye ou, li angrese ou – What does not kill you makes you fat.

This Haitian proverb is similar to the English version ‘what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger’ and means that every failure is an opportunity for growth.

  1. Se lè koulèv mouri ou wè longèl – It is only when the snake dies that we see its whole length.

This proverb in Haitian Creole teaches us that it is only when a person admits defeat that we can see his/her true nature. 

  1. Pitit tig, se tig – A baby tiger is still a tiger.

This Haitian Creole saying means that we cannot deny the true nature of a person.

  1. Se bon kè krapo ki fe l san tet – It’s the good heart of the toad that made him foolish.

This proverb teaches us that if you are too kind to people, they will take advantage of you.

  1. Tout kod gen de bout – Every rope has two ends.

This proverb teaches us that there are two sides to every story. 

  1. Tout sa ki klere pa lò – All that glitters is not gold.

This saying means that appearances can be deceiving. 

  1. Met do pa grate do – The back does not scratch its own back.

This proverb in Haitian Creole means that you cannot always do everything by yourself and will need help from others to do certain things. 

  1. Chita pa bay – Sitting down brings you nothing.

This proverb teaches that sitting down and waiting for something to happen is not productive.

  1. ​​Piti piti zwazo fè nich li – Little by little, the bird makes its nest.

This proverb means that with time, everything is possible.

Famous Haitian Creole quote which reads 'little by little, the bird makes its nest'.
  1. Lafimen pa janm leve san dife – Smoke never rises without fire.

This Haitian Creole proverb indicates that a rumor always contains some truth. 

  1. Dèyè mòn gen mòn – Behind a mountain is another mountain.

This proverb means that you may think you are strong but there will always be another one who is stronger than you.

  1. Pousyè mache pi bon pase pousyè chita – Dust from walking is better than dust from sitting.

This Haitian Creole saying teaches us to not sit around doing nothing. We should get up and find something to do.

Beautiful Haitian Creole Quotes & More Haitian Creole Sayings

Below I’ve listed a range of famous and inspirational Haitian Creole quotes as well as some common Haitian Creole sayings.

  1. Tout moun se moun – Everyone is human.

This Haitian Creole quote teaches us that everyone deserves to be treated as a human being.

  1. Depi tèt pa ko koupe, li espere met chapo – While there is life, there is hope.
  1. Pitit se richès malere – Children are the wealth of the poor.

This beautiful quote in Haitian Creole means that children bring happiness and comfort to those who are less fortunate. They also represent hope for a family’s future.

  1. Bwa pi wo di li wè lwen, men grenn pwomennen di li wè pi lwen pase l – The tallest tree says that it can see far but the seed that travels says that it can see even further.

This quote in Haitian Creole means that exploring the world gives us more opportunities than staying where we are.

  1. Se lè ou nan bezwen, ou konn ki moun ki zanmi ou – When we are in need we know who our true friends are.

This quote means that a true friend will always be there to support you through difficult times. 

Famous Haitian Creole saying which reads 'when we are in need, we know who our true friends are'.
  1. Twou manti pa fon – The hole of a lie isn’t deep.

This Haitian Creole quote means that you don’t have to look far to find the truth.

  1. Tout otan ou gen tèt, ou ka mete chapo – As long as you have a head, you can wear a hat.

This Haitian Creole saying means that as long as you are alive, you can accomplish anything. 

  1. Moun ki ba ou konsèy achte kabrit nan lapli, se pa li ki ede w pran swen li nan lesèk – People who tell you to buy goats in the rain won’t help you feed them during a drought.

This Haitian quote about life means that people around you may give you advice but it is you that is solely responsible for your actions.

  1. Manman chen pa janm mòde pitit li jous nan zo – A dog’s mother will never bite her little ones to the bone.

This quote in Haitian Creole means that even though a parent may seem strict with their children, their intention is not to hurt them.

  1. ​​Sonje lapli ki leve mayi ou – Remember the rain that made your corn grow.

This proverb means that we must have gratitude for what took us to where we are now.

  1. Dwèt ou santi ou pa ka koupe l jete – Even if your fingers stink, you can’t cut them off and throw them away.

This famous Haitian Creole saying means that if a family member does something bad, you shouldn’t disown them as they are family.

  1. Pa janm koupe dwèt moun k ap ba ou manje – Never cut off the finger of the one who gives you food.

This Haitian Creole saying teaches us to be grateful to those who have helped us.

  1. Se anvi bay ki bay – It’s the desire to give that gives.

This quote means that we give to others because we are generous.

Famous Haitian Creole saying which reads 'it's the desire to give that gives'.
  1. Di m kisa ou renmen, ma di ou ki moun ou ye – Tell me who you love and I’ll tell you who you are.

This famous Haitian quote means that you can tell who a person is based on who that person hangs out with. 

  1. Sòt pa touye w, men li fè w swè – Stupidity won’t kill you, but it’ll make you sweat.

This proverb means that whilst stupidity isn’t fatal, it will create a lot more work for you.

  1. Se apre batay ou konte blese – It is after the battle that we count the wounded.

This proverb means that you should always keep fighting until the end.  

  1. ​​Nen pran kou; je kouri dlo – The nose takes a hit, the eyes fill with water.

This quote means that when a disaster hits one person in a family, the whole family suffers. 

  1. Si bèf te konn fòs yo, majoral pa ta lanse yo – If the cows knew their strength, they would not be butchered.

This quote in Haitian Creole means that people are often stronger that they think.

  1. Devan pòt tounen dèyè kay – The front door can become the back of the house.

This Haitian quote about life means that things can change and situations can reverse.

  1. Sa foumi genyen, se sa l bay pitit li – What an ant has is what it will give to its child.

This quote means that a parent will give whatever they can to their child. 

  1. Fòk ou bat tanbou a pou tande son l – You have to beat the drums to hear its sound.

This saying means that you need to talk to a person to understand who they truly are.

  1. Byen san swe pa profite – You won’t benefit from the good without the sweat.

This quote means that you don’t appreciate things as much if you haven’t worked for them yourself.

  1. ​​Fok ou mache pou ou wè kote lari a kwen – You have to walk to see where the corner of the street is.

This quote means that you need to venture out to see what opportunities life can bring.

  1. Pa janm mete chat veye bè – Never put the cat in charge of looking after the butter.

This quote in Haitian Creole means that you shouldn’t ask someone to watch over something that they want themselves as it may lead to trouble. 

Famous Haitian Creole proverb which reads 'never put the cat in charge of looking after the butter'.
  1. Bay kou bliye, pote mak sonje – The culprit forgets, the victim remembers.
  1. Zafè kabrit pa zafè mouton – The goat’s business is not the sheep’s business.

This quote in Haitian Creole means that you should focus on yourself and your own work instead of interfering with others’ work.

  1. Sa ou swete pou bèl mè w, se manman w l ap rive – What you wish for your stepmother will happen to your mother.

This Haitian Creole saying means that you shouldn’t wish bad things for others because they will end up happening to you. 

  1. Wòsh nan dlo pa konn mizè wòsh nan solèy – A rock in water doesn’t know the pain of a rock in the sun.

This saying means that people who are comfortable don’t understand the pain of someone who is struggling. 

It can also refer to rich people not understanding the struggles of poor people.

  1. Chat ki boule nan dlo cho pè dlo frèt – A cat that gets burned in hot water is afraid of cold water.

This saying means that people who have been hurt in the past are usually afraid of getting hurt again.

Best Haitian Creole Idioms & Haitian Creole Expressions

Below I’ve listed the most well-known Haitian Creole idioms and expressions. Many of these have hidden meanings. 

  1. Mwen bwe pwa

This Haitian Creole idiom literally means ‘I drink beans’. This expression is actually used to mean ‘I have no clue’ and is used when you have no idea about something.

  1. ​​Mare sòsis

This Haitian Creole idiom literally means ‘to tie your sausage together with someone else’s’. The true meaning is that you are in cahoots with someone. 

  1. Bat chen an tann mèt li

This Haitian Creole idiom literally means ‘beat the dog, wait for its master’ but the true meaning is that if you harm a defenseless person, we must expect consequences.

  1. Sezi kou berejèn

This funny Haitian saying literally means ‘surprised as an eggplant’ however it is used to say that you are really surprised or shocked about something. 

  1. ​​Rad sal lave nan fanmi

This Haitian Creole idiom literally means ‘dirty clothes are washed within the family’ but the true meaning is that family issues should be solved within the family.

Famous Haitian Creole idiom which reads 'dirty clothes should be washed within the family'.
  1. Depi djab te kaporal

This idiom literally means ‘ever since the Devil was a corporal’ however its true meaning is ‘since the beginning of time’. 

This phrase comes from the belief that the Devil has been a general for a long time so if he was a lower ranking officer, it would have been a very long time ago.

  1. Mete dlo nan diven ou

This idiom literally means ‘put some water in your wine’ but it is actually used as a way to tell someone to calm down.

  1. Se lave men siye atè

This idiom literally means ‘washing hands and wiping them on the ground’. It’s used to say that something is a waste of time. 

  1. ​​Zwazo pose sou tout branch 

This Haitian Creole idiom literally means ‘birds land on all branches’ but it is used to say that everyone will have their turn. 

  1. Benyen san kache lonbrit

This idiom literally means ‘bathing without hiding your belly button’. The true meaning is that you’re letting it all hang out or you don’t have any secrets.

  1. ​​Mete absè sou klou

This Haitian Creole idiom literally means ‘putting an abscess on top of a boil’ but is used to tell someone that they are making a bad situation even worse. 

  1. Nou se lanmè, nou pa kenbe kras

This idiom literally means ‘we are like the sea, we wash away the dirt’ but it truly means ‘we reveal the truth, we don’t keep secrets’.

Famous Haitian Creole idiom which reads 'we are like the sea, we wash away the dirt'.
  1. Lè ti poul fè dan​​

This idiom literally means ‘when chicks teethe’ but it is actually used as a way to say ‘never’ or ‘that will never happen’. It is similar to the English version ‘when pigs fly’. 

  1. ​​Li pa gen nen nan figi li

This idiom in Haitian Creole literally means ‘he/she doesn’t have a nose on his/her face’. It actually means that a person has no sense of dignity, pride or shame.

  1. Tout chen jennen mòde

This idiom literally means ‘all dogs that are cornered, bite’ but it is used to say that if you bother someone long enough, they will fight back. 

  1. Pa manje anyen frèt 

This idiom literally means that a person ‘doesn’t eat anything cold’ however it truly means that a person doesn’t play around and doesn’t put up with nonsense. 

  1. Tèt nèg

This phrase literally means ‘man’s head’ but is actually used to say that something is expensive. 

  1. Ban m tèt mwen

This idiom literally means ‘give me my head’ but its true meaning is ‘stop making noise’. For example, you could use it if a child was crying or talking too loud.

Check out the videos below which feature a range of famous Haitian Creole quotes and well-known Haitian Creole sayings & proverbs.

Thanks for reading this post on the best Haitian Creole quotes about life, famous Haitian Creole sayings and fascinating Haitian Creole proverbs with their meanings.

These Haitian Creole quotes & sayings give an interesting insight into Haitian beliefs and language.

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