Haitian Creole
Kreyòl Ayisyen
Haitian Creole (Kreyòl Ayisyen) is the everyday language of nearly everyone in Haiti, spoken alongside French. It's the language most TimTim.Live songs are sung in, including “Gita Blan.”
About Haitian Creole
Haitian Creole grew out of contact between French and West African languages during the colonial era and is now Haiti's most widely spoken language, used by virtually the entire population in daily life. French remains an official language alongside it, mainly in government, schooling, and formal writing.
For TimTim.Live, Kreyòl is more than a language choice — it's the sound of home. Songs written in Kreyòl carry the rhythm, humor, and storytelling style of Haitian speech directly into the music.
Where it’s spoken
How many people speak it, and where
These numbers show where people may speak it. They are possible listeners for music in this language, not people TimTim.Live has reached.
Countries where it is spoken: 1
Largest groups of speakers by country
- Haiti 9,520,659 people (81%)
Cities and areas with the most speakers
- Miami-Port St. Lucie-Fort Lauderdale, FL CSA (area) 316,877 speak it at home
- New York-Newark, NY-NJ-CT-PA CSA (area) 211,579 speak it at home
- Montréal (CMA), Que. (area) 110,260 can speak it
- Boston-Worcester-Providence, MA-RI-NH CSA (area) 94,273 speak it at home
- Orlando-Lakeland-Deltona, FL CSA (area) 70,400 speak it at home
- Cape Coral-Fort Myers-Naples, FL CSA (area) 26,025 speak it at home
- Philadelphia-Reading-Camden, PA-NJ-DE-MD CSA (area) 23,312 speak it at home
- Atlanta--Athens-Clarke County--Sandy Springs, GA-AL CSA (area) 20,563 speak it at home
- Washington-Baltimore-Arlington, DC-MD-VA-WV-PA CSA (area) 14,869 speak it at home
- Ottawa - Gatineau (CMA), Ont./Que. (area) 12,180 can speak it
From national censuses (about 16 countries count languages or origins city by city) and the Unicode CLDR language estimates. Areas are shown as the census measured them.
Greetings & phrases
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Bonjou | Good morning / hello |
| Bonswa | Good evening |
| Koman ou ye? | How are you? |
| N ap boule | We're doing well (casual) |
| Mèsi | Thank you |
| Orevwa | Goodbye |
Songs in Haitian Creole
All music →
Questions & Answers
What is Haitian Creole?+
Haitian Creole (Kreyòl Ayisyen) is the everyday language of nearly everyone in Haiti, spoken alongside French.
Is Haitian Creole the same as French?+
No. Haitian Creole grew out of French and West African languages during Haiti's colonial era and is now its own distinct language, though French is still spoken alongside it.
What TimTim.Live songs are in Haitian Creole?+
“Gita Blan” (White Guitar) is sung in Haitian Creole, with an English translation available on its song page.
How do I say hello in Haitian Creole?+
Bonjou in the morning, or Bonswa in the evening — both are common ways to greet someone.