If you listen to Haitian music (Rap Kreyòl, compas, drill) or spend time around Haitians, you’ve probably heard slang that doesn’t show up in textbooks. Slang is where the culture lives: jokes, confidence, insults, love, and street reality — all in one.
Here’s a beginner-friendly Haitian Creole slang starter pack: 40 words and expressions you’ll hear in real life and in music.
1) Lari a — “the streets” (street life, street code)
2) Fè bak — back down / step back
3) Fè bri — make noise / go viral
4) Chaje — heavy / intense / loaded (music can be “chaje”)
5) Move tan — hard times / rough period
6) Bòbò — pain / problem / wound (physical or emotional)
7) Tchoul — simp / someone doing too much for love
8) Bawonet — tough guy / someone acting hard
9) Pa jwe avè m — don’t play with me
10) M pa nan sa — I’m not involved
11) M ap boule — I’m good / surviving
12) M ap kenbe — I’m holding on
13) Gade sa — look at that! (shock)
14) Se pa posib — no way!
15) Men wi — exactly / of course
16) Kite sa — drop it
17) Tann mwen — wait for me
18) Fè vit — hurry up
19) Pale anpil — talking too much (often as a criticism)
20) Fè w wont — embarrass you
21) Pase m nan betiz — disrespect / make fun of me
22) M pa pè — I’m not scared (confidence talk)
23) Ban m chans — give me a chance
24) M pa lage — I won’t quit
25) Nan vibe la — in the vibe / in the mood
26) Mizik la frape — the song hits hard
27) Li cho — it’s hot / it’s intense (also: the moment is “cho”)
28) Sezon m rive — my time has come
29) M lage w — I dropped you (relationship / betrayal context)
30) Kòz — reason / drama (“gen kòz” = there’s drama)
31) Gouyad — sensual dance / party vibe
32) Fè wout — go forward / keep moving
33) Fè lajan — make money
34) Fè sa w vle — do what you want (often sarcastic)
35) Pa fè sa — don’t do that (warning tone matters)
36) Fè tèt ou di — be stubborn
37) M ap regle sa — I’ll handle it
38) Fè m ri — you’re making me laugh (can be playful or dismissive)
39) Pa fè moun sa — don’t underestimate that person
40) Nèg / fanm (street usage) — “guy / woman” (context matters; can be neutral or intense)
How to Learn Slang Without Sounding Weird
– Use slang after you’ve heard it used naturally.
– Start with “safe” slang (vibe phrases) before using insults.
– Listen to music + watch Haitian creators — you’ll learn tone and context.
If you want, I can make a “Slang in songs” version where each slang word includes a lyric-style example (clean + safe) and a short cultural note.
