“Sak pase? N’ap boule” Meaning & Audio

What is “sak pase” meaning?

“Sak Pase” is a common Haitian Creole phrase that means “What’s happening? It is often used to greet friends, similar to how you would say “what’s up” in English. The expected response is “N’ap boule.” Which literally translates “we’re burning” but it actually means “we’re hanging out.”

Here is an audio pronunciation and how you can respond:

Sak pase?  (What’s happening?)

N’ap boule (We’re hanging out)

This question and answer is a common way to friends will great. The response literally means “we’re burning” but has the effect of “we’re hanging around” in English. Listen to the pronunciation above and keep the meaning of this phrase in mind. You could also respond “mwen poze” or any of these common responses.

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Definition of Sak Pase:

“Sal pase?” is a phrase in Haitian Creole that means “what’s up?” The basic English definition for sak pase is “what’s happening” or “what’s going on.” It’s a common slang way to say “Kijan ou ye?” Other possible ways to respond to this question:

• Anyen (nothing)
• Mwen poze (hanging out) tan sa bondye ap sere pou mwen (I’m waiting on what God is saving for me).
• Nap gouman avek lavi an? (I’m fighting with life)
• N’ap lite (I’m trying)
• Tout bagay anfom (everything is good)
• Mwen poze yon ma kafe (I’m waiting like coffee in the pot)
• Nou poze nou la n’ap bay ti blag (We’re hanging out and telling some jokes)
• N’ap trip (We’re partying)

Sak Pase Literal translations

• Sak passe (meaning) = What’s going on
• N’ap boule (meaning) = We’re burning

With any slang phrase that’s become a part of the cultural vocabulary, the literal meaning doesn’t convey the real force of the phrase. Sak passe is a contraction of “kisa ka passe” meaning “what can occur.” N’ap boule is a contraction of “nou ap boule” meaning “we are burning.” The net force of this is a slight complaint about hot weather and being bored. In other words, we’re just sitting around being hot.

It’s much more common to hear the response, “Mwen poze.”

When did Beyonce say Sak Pase?

It was in an interview where she talked about her family’s Haitian heritage. She regrets that the language of Haiti wasn’t passed down to her (along with her amazing Kreyol beauty).

What does sapa say mean?

“Sapa say” is a misspelling of the Haitian creole phrase “sak pase” which means “what’s up” in English. Some other ways people have spelled this word (before knowing the correct version)

• saypa say
• sa pa say
• saypasay
• sapa say na bu lay