PRONUNCIATION KEY:
an   an, as in animal
ch   sh, as in shame
dj   as in jam
é   ay
è   eh, as in yet
en   as in penny
ò   oh (nasal), as in hot
on   as in honey
ou   as in foot
tj   as in catch
In this lesson, we take a look at a typical Creole house, learn the essential words to describe various parts of the house.

An lison sala, nou ka gadé yon kay kwéyòl, apwonn lé mo esansyel pou diféwan bagay an kai la.

Vocabulary

house kai, kaz rooms chanm floor planche
roof fetay door lapot walls miway
partition klowizon windows founet shutters jalouzi
verandah potiko, veronnda steps mach yard lakou

Tjwizin = Kitchen
stove stov fridge fridj cupboard potajé
sink sinyk tap, faucet tèt sitenn shelf letajé


Chanm = Bedroom
bed kouch wardrobe biwo rug, mat sipyé


Bafroum = Bathroom
bathroom, shower chanm benyen mirror miwé toilet tòylit
shower ben tiles kawo


Lasal = Living room
sofa kannapé settee seti armchair chez
television télévizyon carpet kapit, tapi


Lasal manjé = Dining room
table tab chairs chez cupboard potajé
sink sinyk tap, faucet tèt sitenn shelf letajé


pillars pilotwi pit toilet privi concrete masonn

Kwéyòl Proverbs
Akay manman glo, lanmowi se soup.
At my mother’s home, codfish water is soup.
At home, you make do with whatever you’ve got.
Sa wat ka di an fetay kay se pa sa I ka di anba kav.
What the rat says in the roof is not what it says in the cellar.
Different contexts, different vibes.
Le ou an bon kay, move kay ka kiye w.
When you are in a good home, a bad home calls you.
When you are in a good situation, you should be happy; instead you are tempted to make bad decisions that will land you in a bad situation.

Tim Tim Bwa Ches (Riddle)
Manman mmwen fe yon kay epi kat poto.
My mother made a house with four pillars.
WEPONS (ANSWER): Tab (table). Manman mwen fe yon kay epi yon poto.
My mother made a house with one pillar.
WEPONS: Pawosol (umbrella).