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?
