The Kwéyòl preposition pou

The Kwéyòl preposition pou usually means "for," but has a few other possible meanings as well. It can be followed by a noun, pronoun, or infinitive, and can be used to indicate all of the following: In most cases the preposition pou is interchangeable with "ba" in cases where the word is used for indication or possession. 

The Kwéyòl word POU (poo) can be used as a:

 POU (preposition) –  for, indicating possession; for the benefit of

Examples:

1.  Mwen ké fè sa pou ou.
    I'll do that for you.

2. Mwen pa sa fè'y pou ou.
     I can't do it for you.

3. Tè sa-a sé pou yo.
    This land is their's (*for them)

4. Maman té voyé manjé pou mwen.
    Mother sent food for me.

5. Fwè'w ké twapé lajan pou ou démen.
    Your brother will get money for you tomorrow.

6. Sé kouch-sala sé pou kay mwen an.
    These beds are for my house.

7. Jézi Kwi mò pou tout moun.
    Jesus Christ died for everyone.

POU – in order to, so that

1. Nou tout vini la pou pwédyé ba'w.
    We all came here to pray for you.

2. Ban nou lè pou bwennen!
   Give us room to move!

3. Palé Anglé pou mwen sa konnpwann ou.
   Speak English so that I can understand you.

4. Ouvè radyo-a pou mwen tan nouvèl-la.
    Turn on the radio so that I can hear the news.

5. Nou alé nan konsè-a pou tann ou ka chanté.
    We went to the concert in order to hear you singing.

6. Pou mwen dòmi byen, mwen ka bwè dité mant.
    In order for me to sleep well, I drink mint tea.

7. Mwen ka ékwi'w pou di'w tout sa mwen konté fè.
    I am writing you in order to tell you all that I intend to do.

Duration of an event (temporal preposition)

1. Fanmi-mwen ké wèsté la pou senk lanné.

   My family will live here for five years.

2. Wi, nou bizwen jogé pou yon nèditan.

    Yes, we need to jog for one hour.

3. Nou ké asiz isit pou wonz jou avan nou pati.

   We will sit here for eleven days before we leave. 

4. Pli jenn ti gason-mwen ké abasan adan lékòl pou yon simenn.

    My youngest son will be absent form school for a week.

5. Fanm-lan té ka soufè anba lanmen'y pou katwòz jou.

   The woman was suffering under his control for fourteen days.

6. Gwo délij-la té diwé pou twa jou.

    The huge flood lasted for three days.

7. Ou pa sa bliyé twaka'w pou an ti tan?

  Can't you forget your worries for a little while?

Pou is also used to express one's  point of view.

1. Pou mwen manzèl-la bèl.
   For me the young woman is beautiful.

2. Mawi'y sé tout bagay pou li.
  Her husband is everything for her.

3. Ès sa sé yon bon bagay pou'w?
    Is that a good thing for you?

4. Pou maman-mwen, tout sèpan mové.
   According to my mother, all snakes are evil.