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Aprann Kreyòl Ayisyen
This is a short post and video to discuss how to properly use the word “Just” in Haitian-Creole properly. Very often, I notice people using the word “Jis” to say when something just happened which is not correct. The word just means Jis which is used for justice. Jis can also be used to say “just” when time is not involved. However, when time is involved, the correct Haitian-Creole word is “fèk” instead of jis.
Here are some examples:
The judge was just = Jij la te jis. In this case we are talking about justice.
Mwen jis di non epi li fache = I just said no and he/she got upset. This one is saying you just did something and then something else happened.
I just ate = Mwen fèk manje. This one has to do with time. I just ate. It happened not too long ago. Time is involved so we use fèk instead of jis.
That was not just = Sa pa t (pa te) jis (Again time is not involved here so we use jis)
I just want some juice = Mwen jis vle enpe ji (Again time is not involved here so we use jis)
I just woke up = Mwen fèk leve (Time is involved here. I woke up not too long ago so we use fèk instead of jis)
I just saw him last week = Mwen fèk wè l semèn pase a (Time is involved here again. Although it didn’t happen just a few minutes or hours ago time is still involved because it happened last week. It just happened last week).
I hope this makes sense. If it doesn’t please let me know. Just remember whenever you are using the word just it’s jis except for when time is involved. All questions, feedback, and comments are welcome.