Lesson 25 - Asking Questions with the verb "To Be"

There are only two forms of the verb "to Be" in Trinidadian French Creole; they are "sé" and "yé."

The most common form "Sé" can be found at the beginning or middle of a sentence.

Example:

Sé ou mwen vlé. - It is you that I want.

Sé té yon ti-gason ki wè'w. - It was a little boy who saw you.

Nonm-sala sé an Lougawou! - That man is a werewolf!

Mwen sé yon Twinidadyen. - I am a Trinidadian.

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The second form "Yé" appears at the end of sentence, especially when an emphatic statement is made.


Nou konnèt ki moun ou yé. - We know who you are.

Moun Kwéyòl yo yé. They are Creole people.

Kouman papa'w yé? - How is your father?

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When asking questions with the verb "To be" we use the "YÉ" form of the verb and it is placed at the end of a sentence.

What? - Ki sa + subject + yé

Who? - Ki moun + subject + yé

Which? - Kilès + subject + yé

Where? - Ki koté + subject + yé

When? - Ki tan + subject + yé

How? - Kouman + subject + yé

How much /many? - Konbyen + subject + yé

How come? - Ki mannyè + inquiring sentence / kouman fè + inquiring sentence.

Why? - Pouki + inquiring sentence.

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Example : What?

Ki sa bagay-la yé? - What thing is that?

Ki sa sa yé? - What is that?

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Example : Who?

Ki moun Rolando yé? - Who is Rolando?

Ki moun jenn fi-a yé? - Who is the young girl?

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Example : Which?

Kilès zasyèt sa yé? - Which plate is that?

Kilès madanm sa yé? - Which woman is that?

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Example : Where?

Ki koté boutik-ou yé? - Where is your store?

Ki koté tifi-yo yé? - Where is their daughter?

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Example : When?

Ki tan nòs maman'w té yé? - When was your mother's wedding?

Ki tan lafèt-matant mwen yé? - When is my aunt's party?

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Example : How?

Kouman lègzanmen-ou té yé? - How was your exam?

Kouman lannwit-ou pasé? - How was your night? [past tense is indicated by pasé]

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Example : How many, how much?

Konbyen mango ki la? - How many mangoes are there?

Konbyen glo ki la? - How much water is there?

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Example : How come?

Ki mannyè fè ou pa enmen léti? - How come you don't like lettuce?

Ki mannyè fè yo pa tini kay? - How come they are homeless?

Kouman fè'w pa enmen mwen ankò? - How come don't you love me any more?

Kouman fè'w kontan konsa? - How come you're so happy?
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Example: Why?

Pouki li kasé tjè-w? - Why did she break your heart?

Pouki ou vlé débatjé avyon-an? - Why do you want to disembark the plane?