local_library What You Will Learn
There are several ways to use Creole verb se. In this lesson, here's what you will learn about se:
1. The Meaning of the Verb Se
2. How to Use Se Correctly
3. When Not to Use Se
There are several ways to use Creole verb se. In this lesson, here's what you will learn about se:
1. The Meaning of the Verb Se
2. How to Use Se Correctly
3. When Not to Use Se
The Meaning of the Verb "Se"
The Creole verb se has the same meaning as the English verb to be.
Consider These Examples
1. Mwen se → I am
2. Ou se → You are
3. Yo se →They are
How to Use "Se" the Correctly
You can use the verb se identify a noun (person, place or object)
Consider These Examples
1. Mwen se pwofesè a* → I am the teacher
2. Nou se yon ekip → We are a team
3. Ou se yon elèv → You are a student
*The word a means "the." See lesson on using the definite article in Haitian Creole for more info
When Not to Use "Se"
You cannot use se before adjectives and prepositions
For example, let us suppose that you want to say you are beautiful in Haitian Creole.
The correct translation of that is Ou bèl. This is because the word bèl (beautiful) is an adjective. [Please see endnote 1*]
Consider These Examples
The Creole words bon (good) and rapid (fast) are adjectives
1. You are good
✓ Ou bon
✗ Ou se bon
2. I am fast
✓ Mwen rapid
✗ Mwen se rapid
The Creole words anndan (inside) and prè (near) are prepositions
1. He is inside
✓ Li anndan
✗ Li
2. They are near
✓ Yo prè
✗ Yo
Endnotes*
1. When the person, place or thing you are describing comes directly next to the adjective, it is okay to use se. For example, let us suppose that you want to say You are a beautiful woman in Creole.
The translation of that would be Ou se yon bèl fi. As you can see in that example, it is okay to use se because the adjective bèl is describing a noun, fi.