15. How to Say Cardinal and Ordinal Directions in Haitian Creole

Question 1

Cardinal Directions

North

South

East

West

Answer 1

Nò

Sid

Lwès

Les

Question 2

1. Ale nan nò
2. Ale nan sid
3. Pran wout lwès
4. Pran chemen lès

Answer 2

→ Go to the north

→ Go to the south

→ Take the west route

→ Take the east road

NOTE: Though it is not the official standard, Creole speakers sometimes say ès instead of lès and wès instead of lwès

Question 3

Ordinal Directions

Northwest

Northeast

Southwest

Southeast

Answer 3

Nòdwès

Nòdès

Sidwès

Sidès

Question 4

1. Vire nòdwès
2. Vire nòdès
3. Vini sidwès
4. Vini sidès

Answer 4

→ Turn northwest

→ Turn northeast

→ Come southwest

→ Come southeast

Question 5

Be Careful With Eastern and Western Ordinal Directions

When saying east and west ordinal directions, leave out the l from the beginning.

Answer 5

1. Go southwest
   Right: Ale sidwès
   Wrong: Ale sidlwès
2. Go northeast
   Right: Ale nòdès
   Wrong: Ale nòdlès
3. Go northwest
   Right: Ale nòdwès
   Wrong: Ale nòdlwès