malelve
adjective, Haitian Creole
In Haitian Creole "rude" is malelve, which describes someone with bad manners. This page covers Haitian Creole.
You can say Ou malelve for "you are rude" or Li malelve for "he is rude". It is a direct criticism, so it can sound sharp.
Meaning: impolite, badly behaved (adjective)
Which one should you use?
The word is built from mal, meaning badly, and elve, meaning raised, so it literally means badly raised.
Did you know?
- Respect for older people is a strong value in Haitian families, and children usually greet adults first.
Examples in context
- Pitit sa a malelve.This child is rude.
- Pa malelve avèk granmoun.Do not be rude to older people.
Example conversation
Two parents, Gisèle and Marc, talk after a boy spoke badly to a teacher.
- GisèleOu tande sa li di mèt la?Did you hear what he said to the teacher?
- MarcWi, li malelve anpil.Yes, he is very rude.
- GisèleLi dwe mande eskiz.He must apologize.
