The possessive form in Kwéyòl is expressed using a combination of the Kwéyòl pronouns (mwen, ou, li, nou, yo, zòt) and sa, or san. In this first example, “my neighbor’s house” becomes “the house (belonging to) my neighbor”
Possessive Nouns I am going to my neighbour’s house. Mwen ka alé lakay vwazinaj mwen. This is my friend’s dog. Sa sé chyen kanmawad mwen. Possessive Adjectives Kwéyòl possessive adjectives are the same as the subject and object pronouns. My book Liv mwen Your book Liv ou His/her/its book Liv li Our book Liv nou Your (plural) book Liv zòt Their book Liv yo When the noun ends in a vowel or nasal sound, contractions are used for the 2nd and 3rd persons singular. Pla’w (pla + ou) – your plate Pla’y (pla + li) – his/her/its plate Manman’w (manman + ou) – your mother Manman’y (manman + li) – his/her/its mother Possessive Pronouns Kwéyòl possessive pronouns are formed by adding sa or san before the pronoun. The land is mine. Tè-a sé san (or sa) mwen The land is yours. Tè-a sé sa ou. The land is his/hers. Tè-a sé sa li. The land is ours. Tè-a sé san (or sa) nou? The land is yours (plural). Tè-a sé sa zòt. The land is theirs. Tè-a sé sa yo. Asking Questions We use sa ki when asking questions about possession. Whose mango is that? Sa ki mango sala? Whose shoes are those? Sa ki sé soulyé sala? |