It can be difficult for someone who has an emergency to communicate with emergency responders when he or she does not speak English. The following phrases are what an LEP may say when requesting help. Click on the audio icon to listen.
Li kapab difisil lè yon moun ki pa pale angle gen yon ijans epi li pa ka kominike ak moun ki ka voye sekou pou li a. Piba la a se kèk fraz yon moun ki pa pale angle bezwen konnen lè l ap mande èd. Klike sou ikòn odyo a pou w ka tande.
English (Angle)
Creole (Kreyòl)
Listen/Koute
I have an emergency.
Mwen gen yon ijans.
Please send help immediately.
Tanpri voye èd imedyatman.
I need help, please.
Mwen bezwen èd, souple.
Can you help me please?
Èske ou ka ede m, souple?
Please send me an ambulance.
Tanpri, voye yon anbilans pou mwen.
Please send me the police.
Tanpri, voye lapolis pou mwen.
Please send me the firemen.
Tanpri, voye ponpye pou mwen.
My address is
Adrès mwen se
My name is
Non mwen se
My phone number is:
Nimewo telefòn mwen se:
I am having a heart attack.
Mwen ap fè yon kriz kadyak
My husband is having a heart attack.
Mari mwen ap fè yon kriz kadyak
My wife is having a heart attack.
Madanm mwen ap fè yon kriz kadyak
I am bleeding a lot.
Mwen ap senyen anpil.
Can you call an ambulance?
Èske ou ka rele yon anbilans?
Where is the doctor?
Ki kote doktè a ye?
Where is the nearest hospital?
Ki kote lopital ki pi pre a ye?
I’d like to report a crime.
Mwen ta renmen deklare yon krim.
I had an accident.
Mwen te fè yon aksidan.
I am being burgled.
Yon moun ap kase kay mwen.
Someone is in the house.
Gen yon moun nan kay la.
I can’t breathe.
Mwen pa ka respire.
My child has a fever.
Pitit mwen gen yon fyèv.
My baby is choking.
Ti bebe mwen an ap toufe.
Help me.
Ede mwen.
I am very sick.
Mwen malad anpil.
I have a headache.
Mwen gen yon tèt fè mal.
I have a stomach ache.
Mwen gen yon vant fè mal.
heart attack
kriz kadyak
fever
fyèv
sore throat
gòj fè mal
infection
enfeksyon
ear infection
enfeksyon nan zòrèy
cough
tous
vomitting
vomisman
rash
gratèl
an accident
yon aksidan
injured
blese
unconscious
pèdi konesans
bleeding
senyen
fire
dife
burglar/intruder
kanbriyolè / vòlè
Top ten phrases every nurse should know
If you care for Creole-speaking patients, learning just a handful of phrases can improve your patient care. The following common phrases and questions can help you deal with an urgent situation and even save lives.
Ou kapab resevwa pi bon swen lè ou konnen jis detwa grenn fraz ann angle. Men kèk fraz ak kesyon ki pral ede ou jere yon sitiyasyon ijan epi li ka menm sove lavi ou tou.
English/Angle
Creole / Kreyòl
Listen / Koute
1.) Hi, my name is _____ and I am your nurse today.
Bonjou, mwen rele __________epi mwen se enfimyè ou jodiya.
2.) What is your name?
Kijan ou rele?
3.) Do you understand?
Èske ou konprann?
4.) Do you speak English?
Èske ou pale angle ?
5.) Are you in pain ?
Èske ou santi doulè ?
6.) Can you point to where you are in pain?
Èske ou ka montre mwen kote k ap fè ou mal la ak men ou ?
7.) Do you have any family that you want us to call?
Èske ou gen yon fanmi ou vle nou rele pou ou ?
8.) Do you need to use the bathroom?
Èske ou bezwen ale nan twalèt ?
9.) It’s time to take your medication.
Li lè pou ou pran medikaman ou.
10.) Press this button if you need help.
Peze bouton sa a si ou bezwen èd.
How to communicate with Haitian patients when there are no interpreters available
When working with patients from diverse backgrounds, it is always best to use an interpreter. However, it is crucial to have some basic phrases on hand when an interpreter is not available. The following phrases will help you start a conversation with your Haitian patients while you wait or your interpreter.
Li toujou pi bon lè pwofesyonèl swen sante ki travay ak pasyan ki soti nan lòt peyi yo sèvi ak yon entèprèt. Men, l ap enpòtan pou w konnen ak konprann detwa fraz fondamantal sa yo lè pa gen yon entèprèt ki disponib. Fraz yo ki anba la a pral ede ou kòmanse yon konèsasyon ak pwofesyonèl swen sante ki pa pale kreyòl yo pandan n ap tann yon entèprèt.
Do you speak English?
Èske ou pale angle?
Do you speak Creole?
Èske ou pale kreyòl?
I understand.
Mwen konprann.
I don’t understand.
Mwen pa konprann.
I speak a little English.
Mwen pale yon ti kras angle.
I speak a little Creole.
Mwen pale yon ti kras kreyòl.
I speak English.
Mwen pale angle.
I speak Creole.
Mwen pale kreyòl.
I don’t speak English
Mwen pa pale angle.
I don’t speak Creole.
Mwen pa pale kreyòl.
Could you write that down ?
Èske ou ka ekri sa ?
How do you say… ?
Kijan yo di… ?
What does…mean?
Kisa… siyifi ?
An interpreter who speaks creole will be coming shortly.
Yon entèprèt ki pale kreyòl pral vin ede nou talè konsa.
How to introduce yourself to a Creole-speaking patient
Can you imagine needing to talk to a patient who doesn’t speak English during an emergency situation? Here are some of the most basic greetings when introducing yourself to a patient.
Jodiya n ap kòmanse akdetwafraz ou ka itilize pou prezante tèt ou premye fwa ou kontre ak yon doktè oswa enfimyè.
Poor communication can turn minor ailment into a major emergency. While we strongly recommend the use of an interpreter, this list of everyday health words can help you in a conversation with a patient.
Pwoblèm kominikasyon ka fè yon ti maladi senp vin yon gwo ijans. Malgre nou vrèman ankouraje ou itilize sèvis yon entèprèt, lis sa a gen mo sou lasante ki ka ede w jere yon konvèsasyon sou sante ou.