Greetings & Expressions
These are the most essential words and phrases to start a conversation in Louisiana Creole.
Bonjou
Good morning / Hello
Used any time of day as a general greeting.
Bonswa
Good evening
Used in the afternoon and evening.
Bonwit
Good night
A farewell at night or bedtime.
Arevwa
Goodbye
Bay
Bye (informal)
Casual farewell.
Mèsi
Thank you
From French "merci".
Mèsi bokou
Thank you very much
"Bokou" means "much" or "a lot".
Padkwa
You're welcome
Sitoplé
Please
Wi
Yes
Non
No
Komen to yê?
How are you?
Literally "How are you (doing)?"
Mo byin
I'm fine
literally "I well"
Komen yé pèl twa?
What is your name?
Literally "What they call you?"
Yé pèl mwa...
My name is…
Literally "They call me…"
Mo pa komprènn
I don't understand
"Pa" is the negation marker.
Parl dousmen, souplé
Speak slowly, please
"Dousmen" means soft/slow.
Di ça enkòr
Say that again
Ça ça yê?
What is that?
Literally "what that is"?
Komen ça va?
How’s it going?
Wa pli tar
See you later
Usage note
Louisiana Creole spelling is not fully standardized. You may encounter variant spellings — regional and family variation is part of the language's richness.