How to Count from Zero to Nine
Counting from zero to nine in Creole is simple because all of the numbers except for zero have one syllable or sound when you pronounce them.
Be Very Careful When Using En (One)
The only time you can say en is when you are referring to a numerical identification such as pin numbers, phone numbers, IDs and numbered lists
Examples of When to Say "En"
1. Phone numbers
Nimewo mwen kòmanse ak en → My number starts with one
2. Identification numbers, pins and codes
ID mwen kòmanse ak en → My ID starts with one
3. Numbered lists
Nimewo en nan lis la → Number one in the list
For all other situations, say yon or yonn ( "a" or "an")
Mwen gen yon machin → I have a car
Ou gen yon zoranj → You have an orange
► Check our lesson on how to say "a" or "an" in Haitian Creole for more info
How to Count By 10 (10 - 100)
Try learning how to count by 10 before learning the larger and more complex numbers, because they allow you to make estimations.
For instance, suppose someone who speaks Creole asks you Konbyen? (How many?)
You can simply reply by giving an estimated number such as anviwon ven ( around 20) instead of something specific like venntwa (23).
How to Count from 10 to 19
Numbers 17 through 19 all start with the word as di- which stands for the number 10.
They start as diz- for 18 and 19 to make pronunciation easier.
How to Count from 20 to 100 (All Numbers)
From 21 and after every 10 digit onwards, all numbers end as eyen in Creole. The word eyen literally means and-one in English.
As such, a Creole number such as tranteyen (31) literally means "thirty-and-one."
Numbers in the 70s and 90s work differently in Haitian Creole.
All you have to do is add to the previous number set by starting with +10 and then continuing with +11, +12, +13 and so on.
So, in the case of the 70s in Creole, you are going to start by adding 10 to 60 and then going up from there (e.g. 60+10 → swasann-dis, 60+11 → swasann-onz, 60+12 → swasann-douz).
The same applies to the 90s in Creole (e.g. 80+10 → katreven-dis, 80+11 → katreven-onz, 80+12 → katreven-douz).
Counting in Haitian Creole - Knowing the Patterns is Key
While counting in Haitian Creole has slightly different patterns from English, they are not complicated to learn. Once you know the basic patterns, you have won half the battle!The patterns you must especially focus on are the numbers that end as eyen and the addition patterns of numbers in the 70s and 90s.
You may easily make a mistake while saying numbers in Creole if you don't know them. Therefore, if you really try to know the patterns, counting in Creole will be easy for you.