This is a collection of Haitian Creole proverbs and idioms, sorted alphabetically.

Some proverbs are literary; that is, from a written source. Most originated orally among folk spiritualists, families, street vendors, other commoners and all walks of life, that has been since transcribed.

B

• Bay piti pa chich.
  • To give little is not [being] cheap.
  • Smith (2001). When the Hands Are Many: Community Organization and Social Change in Rural Haiti. Cornell University Press. p. 74. 

• Toupre pa lakay.
  • English equivalent: A miss by an inch is a miss by a mile.
  • Toussaint (2005). Haiti, a Different Image. AuthorHouse. p. 23. 

D

• Dèyè mòn, gen mòn.
  • English equivalent: Beyond mountains, more mountains

L

• Lafimen pa janm leve san dife.
  • English equivalent: Smoke never rises without fire.
  • Meaning: Everything happens for a reason.
  • Other meaning: A rumour contains some truth.
  • Silva, Spear (2004). A quoi rêve Haïti?. Éditions L'Harmattan. p. 140. 

M

• Manman pa janm mode pitit li jouk nan zo.
  • English Equivalent :A mother never bites her child to the bone
  • Haitian Proverbs: An Integral Part of the Creole Language Kean University
  • Haitian Proverbs

• Mapou mouri, kabrit manje fey li.
  • English equivalent: When the mapou (oak-like tree) dies, goats would eat its leaves.
  • Haitian Proverbs: An Integral Part of the Creole Language Kean University
  • Haitian Proverbs

• Men anpil, chay pa lou.
  • English equivalent: Many hands make light work.
  • Averill (1997). A Day for the Hunter, a Day for the Prey: Popular Music and Power in Haiti. University of Chicago Press. 

• Men anpil, chay pa lou.
  • English equivalent: Many hands make light work.
  • Smith (2001). When the Hands Are Many: Community Organization and Social Change in Rural Haiti. Cornell University Press. p. 170. 

• Merite pa mande.
  • English equivalent: First deserve, then desire.
  • Heurtelou, Vilsaint (2004). Guide to Learning Haitian Creole. Educa Vision. p. 189. 

P

• Piti piti zwazo fè nich.
  • Little By Little The Bird Builds His Nest
  • Through Haiti's Eyes

• Piti Piti zwazo fè niche li. (variation)
  • Little by little the bird makes its nest
  • SOIL

Z

• Zafè kabrit pa zafè mouton.
  • Translation: The goat's business is not the sheep's business.
  • English equivalent: All girdles do not hang on one handle.
  • Maximin (2008). Dynamiques interculturelles dans l'aire caribéenne. Karthala. p. 213. 
  • Meaning: Focus on how you do your own work instead of interfering with other's work.

• • en Español: El negocio de las ovejas no es el negocio de la cabra.
  • en français: L'affaire de la chèvre n'est pas l'affaire du mouton.

See also

• Haiti