Bonjou
everyday, Haitian Creole
In Haitian Creole, the best known French-based creole, good morning is Bonjou. You can follow it with Ki jan ou ye?, which means how are you?
Bonjou is used from the morning until around midday. In the afternoon and evening people switch to Bonswa.
Meaning: morning greeting (phrase)
Which one should you use?
The word comes from French bonjour, but Haitian Creole spells it the way it sounds. There is no formal and informal split, so the same word works with elders and friends.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Other French-based creoles have close forms of this greeting, but the spelling and the replies differ. This page gives the Haitian form.
Did you know?
- Greeting people is expected in Haiti, and walking into a room or shop without saying Bonjou or Bonswa is considered rude.
Examples in context
- Bonjou, ki jan ou ye?Good morning, how are you?
- Bonjou tout moun.Good morning, everyone.
- Bonjou, manman.Good morning, mom.
Example conversation
Marie greets her neighbor Jean in the morning in Port-au-Prince.
- MarieBonjou, Jean. Ki jan ou ye?Good morning, Jean. How are you?
- JeanBonjou, Marie. Mwen byen, mèsi. E ou menm?Good morning, Marie. I am fine, thanks. And you?
- MarieMwen byen tou.I am fine too.
