Language/Haitian/Grammar/How-to-Use-Have

Haitian Grammar - How to Use "Have"

Hi Haitian learners! 😊
In this lesson, we will focus on the usage of "have" in Haitian. Learning the correct usage of "have" is key to mastering Haitian language. We will not only explain the grammar rules but also share some interesting cultural information about Haitian language and culture.

Let's get started!

Basic Rule

In Haitian, "avek" means "with," but when "avek" is used with the verb "gen," it means "have." Gen and avek can be used interchangeably in some sentences.

Examples

Haitian	Pronunciation	English
Mwen gen yon machin.	Mwen gen yon machin.	I have a car.
Mwen gen toujou anpil travay.	Mwen gen toujou anpil travay.	I always have a lot of work.
Mwen gen yo nan men mwen.	Mwen gen yo nan men mwen.	I have them in my hands.

Specific Usages

There are three main usages of "have" that we will explore.

Possession

"Paske" and "genyen" are two verbs that can be used for possession. "Paske" is used more to show temporary possession, while "genyen" is often used to indicate permanent possession.

Examples

Haitian	Pronunciation	English
Mwen genyen yon kouto.	Mwen genyen yon kouto.	I have a knife.
Li pèdi pa yo paske li pa genyen lajan.	Li pèdi pa yo paske li pa genyen lagan	He lost his shoes because he doesn't have money.

To Have to Do Something

To convey the idea of having to do something, we use "oblije" or "dwe."

Examples

Haitian	Pronunciation	English
Mwen dwe ale lekòl.	Mwen dwe ale lekòl.	I have to go to school.
Li oblije manje ebònman pou l sak plen.	Li oblije manje ebònman pou l sak plen.	He had to eat garbage because he was starving.

Auxiliary Verb (Habitude)

The auxiliary verb used to express the present habit in Haitian is "ap." "Ap" short for "apre," and it means "to be."

Examples

Haitian	Pronunciation	English
Mwen ap fè travay lajounen.	Mwen ap fè travay lajounen.	I am doing work during the day.
Li ap vini al toutan.	Li ap vini al toutan.	He regularly comes every day.

Interesting Facts

• The pronunciation of the word "avek" is crucial in Haitian culture because it is often used to distinguish between social classes. The pronunciation "avèk" is a sign of aristocracy, while "avek" is the standard pronunciation.

• Haitian is a fascinating language with a mixture of French, African and Taino roots. It is one of the few languages in the world that has evolved from a creole to a proper language.

• In Haitian culture, it's typical for people to use the word "genyen" instead of "gen." When used in a sentence, "genyen" has a more positive connotation compared to "gen."

Dialogue

Here's an example dialogue to help you understand the usage of "have" in Haitian

• Person 1: Gen youn nan Ayiti? (Do you have family in Haiti?)
• Person 2: Wi, mwen genyen sè mwen. (Yes, I have my sister.)
• Person 1: O, kijan li ye? (Oh, how is she?)
• Person 2: Li byen, mèsi. (She's doing well, thanks.)

Practice Exercise

Translate the following sentence to Haitian: "She has to go to the store."

<details><summary>Answer</summary>

Li dwe ale nan magazen an.

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Conclusion

That's it! Now you understand the different usages of "have" in Haitian. It's important to practice using these rules in context, so don't forget to try to incorporate them into your daily conversations. To improve your Haitian find native speakers and ask them any questions. You can also refer to the [Language/Haitian/Grammar|grammar] section of the [Language/Haitian|Haitian] page for more guidance.

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