In order to form a negative phrase or sentence in Kwéyòl, pa is used, usually after the subject of the sentence.
I did not eat last night. Mwen pa té manjé yè òswè. I was not eating last night Mwen pa té ka manjé yè òswè. She has not eaten. I p’òkò manjé. (contraction - pa + ankò) I hadn’t eaten. Mwen p’òkò té manjé. He won’t come later/he won’t be coming later. I pa kay vini pli ta. Pa is also used to translate some negative words containing the prefix un. It is unofficial. I pa ofisyèl. Negative constructions can also include words like pyès (which can mean no, none, or any) and janmen (never). There were no doctors. La pa té ni pyès dòktè. I didn’t see any fire. Mwen pa té wè pyès difé. She had none in the store. I pa té ni pyès an boutik-la. Never give anyone your number. Pa janmen bay pyèsonn limowo’w. |